Mays accounting PhD candidate Michael Drake is one of only 10 doctoral scholars in the nation this year to be awarded a $25,000 Deloitte Foundation Fellowship. Drake was among applicants from 100 universities across the United States who vied for $5,000 in support during a final year of course work and another $20,000 funding for dissertation work.

He is the second Deloitte Fellow in as many years from the Department of Accounting. The Deloitte Fellowship program, part of the non-profit arm of accounting services firm Deloitte & Touche, has provided financial support to outstanding students in doctoral accounting since 1956. Past Fellows include Mays accounting professors Anwer Ahmed, Mary Lea McAnally and Linda Myers.

Drake’s research focuses on financial accounting and reporting, and examines how capital markets use accounting information. He holds a master of accountancy from Brigham Young University and spent two years as a staff accountant for Ernst & Young in Salt Lake City before beginning his PhD program at Mays Business School.

“I am delighted that Mike will receive this significant grant as it will allow him to focus more of his time on the completion of his dissertation,” said James Benjamin, accounting department head. “This award reflects positively on Mike’s ability and the quality of our doctoral program.”