Home Meet the Faculty Business/Economics/Finance Lynn Spellman White

Lynn Spellman White

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Professor of Accounting

on faculty since 1989

Phone: 708.239.4761
Fax: 708.239.3987
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Education

Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, 1996
M.A.S., University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, 1984
B.S., University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, 1980 

 

Professional and Personal Interests

Accounting may seem like only columns of numbers on a page to some people, but to Dr. Lynn Spellman White, those numbers form the basis for important decisions that impact people’s lives.

After earning a master’s in accounting from the University of Illinois (Champaign), Spellman White worked as a financial consultant for four years. She met with clients throughout the United States and learned first-hand the significance of financial information in making decisions for individuals as well as corporations.

Spellman White describes her main goal in teaching as “helping students realize that the numbers and descriptions on the pages of financial statements have the ability to affect peoples’ lives in many ways. My students must be able not only to generate financial reports but also understand how to communicate the financial information in ways that are of service to society,” said Spellman White.  An opportunity to act on this belief came in 2009 when Spellman White and several accounting students conducted financial literacy workshops in Malawi, Africa.  In 2012 Spellman White returned to Africa and conducted additional workshops in Ghana, Africa.

She received a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois (Champaign) and then decided to pursue a master’s in accounting. She later earned a doctorate in business administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Spellman White is also a certified public accountant.

In the classroom, she strives to create an environment “where students can ask questions both of me and their fellow students. I find it most effective to use a combination of teaching strategies including lecture, discussion, small group work, and computer software,” said Spellman White.

One of the experiences that gives her satisfaction is seeing students master a difficult subject after grappling with the material for a while. “It’s great knowing they have gained self-confidence when they understand a concept that previously had caused them to struggle.”  Trinity’s accounting graduates continue to excel on the CPA exam, achieving exam scores that place them among the most successful in Illinois.

A benefit of her teaching approach is the peer mentoring her students offer to classmates who are having difficulties with course material. “Often I’ve seen students choose to stay after class and work with another student to help the student understand a solution.”

In all business courses at Trinity, students are challenged to integrate a Christian worldview within the subject matter. The business program provides a thorough foundation in the core areas of business and is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.

Spellman White takes pride in the fact that business and accounting majors work closely with Trinity’s business faculty beginning with their first semester. “Our faculty have an open-door policy toward students and are very available to meet with students. Close communication between faculty and students also assures that business students graduate within a four-year time frame.”

When not teaching or advising, Spellman White enjoys playing the violin. She and her husband, Lance, live in Orland Park, Illinois, with their two children. The family attends Trinity Lutheran Church in Tinley Park, Illinois.

 

Courses Taught

  • Accounting Principles I
  • Accounting Principles II
  • Advanced Cost Accounting
  • Advanced Financial Accounting
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting I
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting II
  • Taxes I

 

Professional Society Membership

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Christian Business Faculty Association 
  • North American Accounting Society, Board of Directors

 

Papers Published and/or Presented

“Accounting Service-Learning Project in Malawi, Africa.”  Midwest Business Administration Association.  Chicago, Illinois.  2009.

“Educating for Inhabitance versus Transience. “  Midwest Business Administration Association.  Chicago, Illinois.  2008.

White, Lynn Spellman.  “Review of Confessions and Bookkeeping, by Aho, James.”  Christian Scholar’s Review 35:3 (Spring 2006):  440-442.

“Cultural Influences on the Globalization of Accounting Standards.”  Midwest Business Administration Association.  Chicago, Illinois.  2005.

“The Influence of Religion on the Globalization of Accounting Standards.”  Christian Business Faculty Association.  San Antonio, Texas.  2004.

“The Response of the Accounting Profession to the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.” Midwest Business Administration Association. Chicago, Illinois. 2004.

“Change in Accounting Education and Its Impact on Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities.” Midwest Business Administration Association. Chicago, Illinois.   2003.

“A Christian Perspective on the Response of the Accounting Profession to the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.”Christian Business Faculty Association. Boise, Idaho.  2002.

“Organizational/Professional Commitment and Conflict for Human Resource Professionals.” Midwest Business Administration Association. Chicago, Illinois. 2002.

White, Lynn Spellman.  “A Christian Perspective on Accounting:  Making the Invisible Visible,”   Accounting Through the Eyes of Faith. Ed. Jack Bower.  St. Davids:  Eastern College, 2000.  125-156.