UCO College of Business Students Earn Accounting Scholarships
Oct. 15, 2026
The Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) Educational Foundation recently honored four University of Central Oklahoma College of Business accounting students with scholarships.
Maegan Bedwell, a senior from Durant, Oklahoma, was awarded the Jess Thomas Memorial Scholarship. Established in honor of Jess Thomas, who served on the OSCPA Educational Foundation, this scholarship is granted to full-time accounting students who attend either UCO or Cameron University.
Lanie Bowles, a senior from Buffalo, Oklahoma, and Thang Nuam, a senior from Tiddim, Myanmar, were selected as general OSCPA scholars.
Katy Croft, a senior from Stillwater, Oklahoma, was selected as a Micah B. Steelman Memorial scholar for the second consecutive year. The Micah B. Steelman Memorial Scholarship is named after the late Micah B. Steelman, a UCO accounting alumnus and professional invested in mentoring students. The scholarship is awarded to a UCO accounting student with a primary interest in tax.
“It is incredibly meaningful to receive the Micah B. Steelman Memorial Scholarship for the second year,” Croft said.
“I feel that I am honoring Mr. Steelman’s memory through my studies here at UCO and my work in public tax accounting. I am so grateful that the OSCPA Educational Foundation believes in me and in my future.”
More than $90,000 in scholarships were granted to 51 accounting students across Oklahoma this year. In addition to general scholarships, 10 named scholarships were awarded to students who demonstrated academic excellence and dedication to the accounting profession.
“These scholarship recipients remind us that the future of the profession is heading in the right direction,” said Blaine Peterson, J.D., CPA, OSCPA president and CEO.
“Every scholarship is an investment in the next generation of CPAs, helping students pursue careers in accounting and preparing them to become the leaders our profession needs.”
Eligibility for scholarships requires students to have completed at least six hours of principles of accounting, be enrolled in an Oklahoma university for the semester ahead, be majoring in accounting and pursuing a bachelor's or advanced degree.
UCO's accounting department prepares students for careers across the accounting profession through degree programs in accounting and forensic accounting, as well as a minor and two certificate options. Combining foundational accounting knowledge with hands-on learning and professional development, the department helps students build the skills needed to enter the workforce and pursue professional credentials, including the Certified Public Accountant designation.
View the full list of 2026-27 OSCPA Scholarship Recipients online at go.uco.edu/oscpa-scholars.
For more information about the UCO College of Business, visit www.uco.edu/cob/.
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Cutline: University of Central Oklahoma business students were honored with scholarships from the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) Educational Foundation. Pictured, left to right, 2026-27 OSCPA Scholars Maegan Bedwell, senior accounting major from Durant, Oklahoma; Lanie Bowles, a senior accounting major from Buffalo, Oklahoma; Katy Croft, a senior accounting major from Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Thang Nuam, a senior accounting major from Tiddim, Myanmar.
