-During the celebration of the University of Montevallo’s 120th Founders’ Day, the University honored deserving UM staff, faculty members and fellow alumni for their service.
This year, Montevallo’s National Alumni Association’s Outstanding Staff Service Award was awarded to DeAnna Smith of Morris, Alabama, for her time served as UM’s Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer.
Smith, ’99, received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University. After graduation,
she got her start as an associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) accounting firm and earned the status of Certified Public Accountant.
Smith later became a senior internal auditor for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama followed by a position as an assistant controller for Community Newspaper Holdings.
She returned to UM in 2008 to serve as the director of budget and assistant treasurer. A year later, she was promoted to the position of vice president for business affairs and treasurer.
In the seven years since that promotion, she reorganized and distributed University employee compensation, upgraded the University’s bond rating and lead efforts to reduce the budget while expanding revenue. In addition to the demanding responsibilities of her job, Smith earned her master’s in accounting in 2014 from UAB.
Smith’s hard work has not gone unnoticed. Last year, The Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants named her an Experienced Leader and one of the Women to Watch. In 2012, the Birmingham Business Journal named Smith one of the Top 40 Under 40.
Smith is now pursuing her doctorate at Jacksonville University while serving as an accounting instructor in the Stephens College of Business at UM.
Beyond her financial management prowess, Smith has remained active on campus, serving as the advisor to the men’s basketball team and as treasurer to the University’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
“She is a daughter of Montevallo who gives again and again and her focus is to support students,” said former Board of Trustee and current CEO of American Village Thomas Walker. “I find it challenging to find the right words that convey my high regard for this highly intelligent, deeply committed and incredibly gifted accounting and business professional.”
UM’s National Alumni Association honored Smith and others during the Founders’ Day Ceremony in Palmer Hall on Oct. 13.