Article by Annalise Dorr ’18
Photo by Daniel Parsons ’18
The first in his family to earn a college degree, Seth Spiva ’16 took on the challenges without hesitation and will graduate from Adams State University this spring with three majors, accounting, finance and management.
"Attending college was a hard adjustment, but I am very proud of the accomplishment." Along with majoring in three business degrees, Spiva played baseball and worked two part-time jobs. "Adams State helped shape me into who I am today."
He chose those majors because he likes the business world. "I was drawn to the challenge of completing three majors in four years." He took twenty credit hours a semester and nine each summer.
One of his favorite professor, Natalie Rogers, assistant professor of business, said: "Seth Spiva was the student who participated in class discussions who asked the questions others were thinking about, but not confident enough to ask. He was very analytical yet practical about his approach to accounting, and he grasped concepts easily. I am very confident that he will be successful in any area of business he chooses to pursue."
Dr. Linda Reid, a professor of business, was Spiva’s advisor. "She helped me all the way through to graduation, and is another reason why I stayed," Spiva said. The Athletic Department encouraged him to ask questions, no matter how big or how small. "Together the staff made the environment inviting and supportive."
Besides being a business major and on the baseball team for three years, Spiva also participated in many student organizations including SAAC (the student athlete advisory committee), Toastmasters, Bulls and Bears Finance Club, and Phi Beta Lambda (PBL). He was the student body representative on the appropriations board for the Campus Impact Fund (CIF) and chaired the Make-A-Wish subcommittee.
A native of Colorado, Spiva wanted the "true college experience in my home state. Another reason I stayed was because of baseball and the relationships I made over the years. My friends and professors have become like a big family to me."
A recipient of a baseball scholarship, for three years, Spiva also received the President Scholarship, a Wells Fargo Scholarship, and this past year the Wall, Smith, Bateman, Inc. Scholarship and the Vice President Scholarship.
After graduating, Spiva plans to work in finance and receive his Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license. His future goals also include earning an MBA and a doctorate degree, pursuing politics, and teaching finance or accounting at the college level. "I feel I made the most of my time at Adams State and attending here prepared me for my future successes."
