Smeal Alumnus Addresses National Accounting Fraternity

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA (August 18, 2006)—Smeal College of Business alumnus Anthony Buzzelli '71 served as keynote speaker in early August for the annual meeting of Beta Alpha Psi, a national fraternity for accounting and finance students.

Buzzelli, national managing partner, U.S. Regions & Markets, Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, stressed the importance of community involvement to the more than 1,000 students gathered in Washington for the conference.

He used examples of community involvement from his own life and the lives of other Deloitte professionals to illustrate the long-lasting benefits that, in addition to the community and oneself, extend to one's family, colleagues and employer.

"Make it a way of life," Buzzelli said. "Stay connected. And in doing so, you will get closer to your passions."

Among the benefits, community involvement can enhance leadership skills, promote diversity of thought and build vital relationships by creating shared trust and respect, Buzzelli told the students. The value from those enduring relationships is sometimes called "social capital"—a form of capital that is as valuable as financial capital, intellectual capital and human capital, he said.

In his own career, Buzzelli's involvement has ranged from serving as an instructor for Junior Achievement to taking part in Deloitte's annual IMPACT Day, when tens of thousands of Deloitte employees around the world join forces to positively impact their communities. He is also a member of the Smeal Board of Visitors, the Board of Trade in Washington, Leadership Pittsburgh, and Leadership L.A. in Los Angeles, where he is chairman of the group.

Among the most obvious and important benefits is the satisfaction of contributing to the community, Buzzelli said. In addition, he said, he learns a lot from the people he meets. And sometimes the accumulation of social capital results in business.

"Getting involved is also about building a reputation—both for yourself and the organization you belong to," Buzzelli said.

He told the students that, in launching a career, it is important to consider what kind of commitment an employer has to community involvement. He said that through events such as IMPACT Day and by promoting flexibility and choice in scheduling activities, the Deloitte organization has proven it has a strong and active commitment.