Jacob Mages, a native of Elma, New York, is a double major in Accounting and Corporate Finance at Wilkes University graduating with Summa Cum Laude distinction. At Wilkes, he received Wilkes University’s Presidential Scholarship, the highest academic award a college applicant could earn. Also, he received the Daniel S. Wilcox Scholarship, which was awarded due to his high school academic record, class ranking, SAT scores, and leadership potential. Plus, Jacob received the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Northeast Chapter Endowed Scholarship, given to an accounting student who displayed academic excellence in accounting.

While at Wilkes, Jacob was involved in community service off campus, such as the Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk, Wilkes Athletics’ Trunk or Treat, and led a volleyball camp at Leo E. Solomon Elementary School. Finally, Jacob was a part of the VITA taxation program. VITA partners with the Internal Revenue Service, and students assist less fortunate families and individuals in filing their tax returns.

Furthermore, he was a fundamental part of the Wilkes Men’s Volleyball team. In his Junior year, Wilkes recorded its best record in its history with an impressive 20-8 record. He recorded a career-best 70 blocks in his senior season, which is tied fourth in program history. In addition, he had 228.0 total career blocks, which is second all-time. Finally, he is eighth in aces and 10th in total kills with 288. Jacob was also awarded the Colonel Elite award and a Kai Alpha Sigma recipient, two awards which distinguish academic excellence from Division III student athletes.

Last summer, he worked at R.A. Mercer & Company, located in West Seneca, New York, with Chris Zera, CPA. During his ten-week internship, he did numerous auditing tasks with non-profit organizations in the Western New York region. He worked with the Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council, the Zonta Club of Kenmore, and the Auburn Housing Authority. Jacob completed Quality Control documentation, compilation reviews, and created notes for client financial statements. In addition, Jacob completed bank reconciliation documentation for the Zonta Club of Kenmore. Finally, Jacob worked with the Auburn Housing Authority by reviewing rent rolls and calculating Housing Assistance Payments or HAPs. This summer, Jacob is fortunate enough to continue this internship at R.A. Mercer for the next 15 weeks.

At Canisius, he will continue to play volleyball at the club level to have the chance to play in the NCVF club collegiate nationals’ next spring. After completing his MBA, Jacob plans to earn his New York State CPA license and gain more experience