Mark Koscinski with Molly. "She is a fourteen-year-old Yorkie who is very smart and very set in her ways."
I grew up in Sayreville, New Jersey, a small town on the way to the Jersey Shore. It was and still is a blue-collar town. I learned to drive a forklift and worked in a large factory warehouse to support my college education. More importantly, I learned the value of hard work.
What drew you to your academic discipline?
The professionalism of being a certified public accountant (CPA). It offered opportunities for quick advancement and lifelong learning. I never regretted my decision, as the profession has been very good to me. I have been to places and done things I could never even have imagined when I began my career.
What are your research interests, and why are you drawn to them?
Decision analysis and decision-making. I wrote a small book on the subject with the sequel due to the publisher in August of this year. I have worked in every size organization from start-ups to mega-corporations. How decisions are made in these vastly different settings has always fascinated me.
Are there any specific moments from your experience with students that stand out in your mind as special?
There are many. My favorite moment occurs when I see students grasp difficult concepts we have been discussing. Watching that lightbulb go on is very rewarding for me. I also enjoy seeing my students go out into the accounting profession. They cease to be my students, and they become my colleagues.
Share something about yourself that people may not know.
I love playing chess. This, in part, ties back to my interest in decision-making.
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
I love my office. I am surrounded by pictures of my family and my book collection. As author Susan Wiggs once said, “You’re never alone when you are reading a book.”
What do you like to do with your free time?
I love to play all kinds of games, and I am very active in my church.
What book, film, song, or piece of art has so touched you that you find it unforgettable?
The King’s Speech is one movie that stands out for me. I was chairman of the board of trustees of a center for independent living, a federally funded support organization for the disabled. That experience had a profound impact on my life. I periodically revisit this movie to remind myself to care for those who are less fortunate than I.
I can never resist a good ________.
Banana split.
Name someone who inspires you and tell us why?
My wife, who earned her MBA at Moravian. She developed a rare condition that left her mute. Susan had to relearn how to speak again. Through it all, she persevered and has once again come to the top of her profession. I wish I had half her guts and determination.
What is the best advice you have ever received or a quote that stays with you?
My freshman-year college advisor told me I should be a CPA. That was a game changer for me.
Share something that makes you happy.
My grandchildren. I love to spoil them.