Dawn Wright
Courses Taught: College Accounting 1; College Accounting 2; Payroll Accounting; Accounting Software Applications; Principles of Accounting 1; Managerial Accounting.
Professional Experience: I have taught at the college level since 1988. My husband and I have owned a private corporation for many years.
Research Interests: The ever changing world of business.
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, walking with my dog, reading, serving as an AWANA leader, serving as a children’s church teacher, cooking, and attending high school band competitions.
I was raised on a farm and have worked in home construction (yes, as a carpenter); in fact my husband, father-in-law, and I built our home. I have also worked for the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, I attended one of the last one room country schools in Southwest Missouri from first through fifth grade.
Schools attended:
I attended Southwest Missouri State University and earned
- A Bachelor’s of Science degree in Financial Management with a minor in Marketing
- A Master’s of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Financial Management
What made you interested in you degree area?
I have always been interested in the many aspects of business. My high school business teacher encouraged me to pursue my interests.
Brief history of what brought you to OTC.
I was teaching at another college and had to take an extended leave after the birth of my second child. I needed to be able to teach part-time, not full time, and that was not possible with that college at that time. An opportunity to teach Business Mathematics for OTC came to my attention; I applied and was hired to do so.
Did you work in industry of have you always taught?
I was born and raised on a dairy farm and had chores from the time that I could start helping out. In high school, I worked as a carpenter’s assistant one summer. After marriage, I worked as a carpenter’s assistant for my spouse. I also worked for the U. S. Census Bureau. In college, I worked as a part-time secretary at the college. As a graduate assistant, I worked in the finance office of the college. I also worked in real estate for a brief period. However, I started teaching shortly after graduating from college with my Master’s degree. My husband opened his own business as a sole proprietorship, eventually we changed the structure to a private corporation. He and I are the sole owners.
What committees do you serve on either at OTC or in the community?
- I am a member of the Strategic Planning Council at OTC.
- I am a member of the Advancement Council at OTC.
- I am a member of the Student Involvement Committee in our department.
- I am a member of the Website Recruitment and Communication Committee in our department.
- I am a member of the Band Boosters at Nixa High School.
- I am a member of the Nixa High School PTSA.
What is your favorite class to teach and why?
I like all things with numbers. That includes all of the accounting classes that I teach as well as the Personal Finance and Business Mathematics classes that I have taught. However, I have taught Principles of Business, Business Communications, and other classes in the past and enjoyed each of them. I can’t narrow it to a specific class, but teaching accounting is a joy!!