ACFE Chapters Donate More Than $20,000 to ACFE Foundation

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Ashley Stone, CFE
ACFE Chapter Development Manager

I am continually impressed by the hard work and the dedication to the anti-fraud profession by ACFE’s local chapter leaders. In 2014, the ACFE issued a challenge to local chapters to raise funds to support the ACFE Foundation’s Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship program. As usual, chapter leaders selflessly rose to the occasion to help fund this important initiative. 

The 2014 Scholarship Fundraising Challenge wrapped up in December, resulting in more than $20,000 raised by local chapters to support future anti-fraud professionals. The results of the challenge are:

Platinum level (donations totaling more than $7,500):
•    Houston Area Chapter

Bronze level (donations totaling more than $1,000):
•    Pacific Northwest Chapter
•    Long Island Chapter
•    Las Vegas Chapter
•    Kentucky Chapter
•    Greater Chicago Chapter

Also participating in the challenge was the Rhode Island Chapter.

The mission of the ACFE Foundation is to increase the body of anti-fraud knowledge by supporting future anti-fraud professionals worldwide through the funding of the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program. The scholarship program provides an opportunity for men and women of all ages, races, religions and income levels to advance their education. Many of these outstanding and deserving students go on to become CFEs.

The ACFE and the ACFE Foundation would like to thank all of the chapter leaders and chapter members whose support will provide educational opportunities for students with an interest in fraud examination.

Going Once, Going Twice: ACFE Silent Auction Opens

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Sarah Ellis

ACFE Event Marketing Specialist

While there won’t be a chanting auctioneer to call out the bids of this auction, the ACFE Foundation-sponsored Silent Auction at this year’s ACFE Fraud Conference will still be as entertaining as two ranch hands in a bidding war at a cattle sale.

The beautiful thing about this Silent Auction is all of the proceeds are donated to the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship program. Last year, $53,000 in scholarships were awarded, and since the launch of auction, more than $300,000 in scholarships has been distributed to deserving students all over the world.

I have always been amazed by how generous we can be. I remember entering college and applying for scholarships myself. I also remember how grateful I felt when I received a one. It is even more rewarding to be on the giving end. Anyone can be a part of this by donating to the foundation or bidding and taking home a prize.

The auction opened Wednesday, May 11, and ends June 10, before re-opening live at the ACFE Fraud Conference, June 12. We are excited about the new display which will house the items at the Conference. It’s fancy! We have been collecting donations for months from corporations, local ACFE chapters, and individuals, and now there’s a big stack of loot for the taking. Well, bidding, that is.

More than 20, yes, TWENTY hotel-stay packages from all over the worldwill be up for auction. A Tiffany’s necklace. Yes, that’s right. For the readers, and collectors among you, there is a signed collection of books written by Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, founder and Chairman of the ACFE, and not to mention one of his infamous framed Hawaiian shirts!

Personally I have my eye on a beautiful Native American-style silver necklace with turquoise stones… so I’m ready to start bidding! Are you?

To view the auction items, go here. What is the coolest thing you have ever won at an auction? Leave us your comments below.

You Learn Something New Every Day

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Cora Bullock
Assistant Editor, Fraud Magazine

I’ve been at the ACFE for almost three months, and I’m still in the middle of a deep learning curve. The latest subject was the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship. Events planner Ashlee Beck-Hanna (see my profile of her in the upcoming May/June Fraud Magazine) asked me to write articles about two past recipients, and I was struck by how quickly they responded to my interview request. One, Monica Hostetler, is a full-time student on a fast-track to an MBA; the other, Kerri O’Donnell, is earning her Ph.D. and teaching at the University of Tasmania in Australia.

The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship is named after two CFEs, Tracy Ritchie and Larry Jennings, who were killed by terrorists in Pakistan when they were on a business trip. Some good came from this horrible tragedy, as the ACFE awards 30 college accounting and criminal justice students scholarships ranging from $1,000-$10,000. That may not sound like a lot of money to some people, but to these students, it can make a difference between barely keeping their heads above water and catching that break they really needed. O’Donnell used hers to buy textbooks (always expensive) and get an Internet connection so she could work and study from home, which was critical at the time since she was a single mom of two young daughters. Hostetler is attending a private college and really needed the help with tuition.

But the scholarship is more than just a check. Hostetler was thrilled that ACFE President and CEO James D. Ratley, CFE, took the time to fly in for the presentation and visit with her, along with other past recipients. That personal touch really made a lasting impression.

I also was struck by the passion these recipients have for their fields. These are not long-time fraud-fighters who’ve seen it all; they’re just starting out, yet already have a fire in their belly to fight the injustice that fraudsters perpetuate. It makes me feel better knowing that the ACFE is helping to guide and assist these students – we need all the fraud-fighting heroes we can get.

Looking for ways you can contribute? Check out our volunteer opportunities and our upcoming Silent Auction at the 22nd Annual Fraud Conference in San Diego this June.