The Potato Project

One morning Dr. Mary Loyland, Accounting Professor for the University of North Dakota College of Business & Public Administration, visited the Salvation Army food shelf and asked "Where are the potatoes?"

Loyland, having experience in the potato industry then began to wonder what happens to the potatoes that don't make grade? Not making grade means that the potato may have a nick or be shaped differently. These potatoes or (culls) as they call them, are typically fed to the buffalo, but they are perfectly acceptable to be consumed.

Passionate about making a difference, Loyland encouraged Accounting Student and Salvation Army Intern Brianna Scheving to write a letter to Associated Potato Growers (APG), which is a group of individual potato growers, to see if they could get potatoes donated to the food shelf. Following the letter, Loyland and Scheving decided to make a trip out to APG to discuss the possibility of getting donated potatoes. This meeting went very well.

The Accounting Department at UND received a call from Cargill who wanted to do a food drive. They challenged the students to collect 100 lbs of food and that they would donate $1000 to St. Vincent De Paul. The students and department not only met this goal, but exceedingly surpassed it by collecting 557 lbs of food. This large amount was collected due to a very generous donation from APG of 400lbs of potatoes. Students collected in addition 157 lbs of canned goods.

Loyland and Scheving then approached APG for an on-going donation to the Salvation Army which will last late August to Mid-May. Through this partnership they will donate all of the potatoes needed as requested by the Salvation Army. For the first pick-up Scheving along with Salvation Army staff brought a truck out to APG, and loaded the potatoes into the truck with a lift for the 4000lbs of potatoes packed in 5 lb bags. Scheving says "Opportunities are there if you are willing to look for them."

They potatoes were gone before the end of the week and were also delivered to additional agencies including: St. Anne's, the Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, Red River Valley Community Action, and East Side Food Shelf. "There are hungry people in Grand Forks. The fact that they were gone in days gives me chills," says Loyland.

Scheving has enjoyed her internship with the Salvation Army. She works in the office of Accounts Payable/Receivable as well as employee paperwork for Grand Forks and the Minot Salvation Army. She plans to study for the CPA this summer and complete 2 of the 4 parts.

Loyand said she is so proud of the Salvation Army for making this work as well as the hard work from Scheving. "It is so nice to see students blossom and I find it very rewarding."

Accounting Department Internships

The Accounting Department at UND has a legacy of a strong internship program. Students complete internships over the summer as well as full-time or part-time internships during the academic year. Internships include positions in public accounting as well as the non-profit and private sector. Some students relocate for their internship, and have completed internships in locations such as: Denver, Alaska, Pennsylvania, New York, and Iowa.

The department has relationships with firms and private companies, and students often receive job offers following their internship experience. In this industry it is not uncommon for students to receive a job offer two years prior to their graduation. By completing an internship, it allows the company and the student to see if that organization will be a good fit. To learn more about how your corporation can recruit UND COBPA Accounting Students for internships, contact the Accounting Department Internship Coordinator, Dr. Mary Loyland at 701.777.4680.