1974 Goldsmith, Dr. Geoffrey P.

1974 Dr. Geoffrey P. Goldsmith

  • Dr. Goldsmith When did you graduate from HHS and where did you go from here? I graduated from HHS in 1974, and then attended Hillsdale College (BA in Accounting, 1978). Then I earned an MBA from Michigan State (1982) and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Wheaton College (1984). I have a Ph.D. in Accounting from Kent State University (1996).
  • Can you tell us a little bit about the company you work for? I am the chair of the Department of Accountancy Studies in the Belhaven University School of Business. Belhaven University is an evangelical Christian liberal arts university with its main campus in Jackson, Mississippi, and branch campuses in Houston, Memphis, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and three additional sites in Mississippi for adult evening students. The university has over 4,000 students, including traditional on-campus students, part-time adult commuters at the multiple campuses, and online students. The students are very diverse, with no ethnic group forming a majority. Most students at the main campus, where I teach, are from the Jackson metro area, but my students come from many states and foreign countries.
  • What does your workday look like? I drive to work and try to find a place to park (the campus has outgrown its parking areas). Then I go to my office, check my email, and get ready for teaching. I teach traditional day classes in accounting as well as online courses. I advise students and register them for classes, and grade homework and research papers. I have one or two meetings a week with administrators about various matters.
  • Can you tell us what your time at HHS was like? I was a late bloomer and small for my age and shy, so it wasn’t always pleasant socially.
  • How did your time at HHS help you now? My high school studies were a good foundation for my subsequent studies.
  • Is there a teacher who had a significant impact on your life? Mrs. Spiteri was an excellent writing and composition teacher. I learned a lot from her; I was waived from having to take the freshman English composition class at Hillsdale College because I already wrote well. The ability to write clearly is essential in an academic career.
  • Advice for current students? If you are interested in a college degree, but have not yet decided on a career, select a liberal arts college that allows you to take a wide variety of courses your first year to give you a chance to select a major in a field you find interesting. Make sure you master your math and writing skills. Read as much as possible. Learn a foreign language. Get involved in extra-curricular activities. Improve your social skills by talking to people face-to-face instead of texting all the time.
  • The photo is of Dr. Goldsmith showing one of his students the letter giving her an accounting scholarship.