To enhance the Paton Fellow Program’s mission of encouraging Michigan undergrads to explore a career in accounting, the Paton Center created the Honorary Paton Fellow Award in 2016 to honor individuals who, through their accounting expertise, have made significant contributions as business leaders. There are two categories for the Honorary Paton Fellow awards: 

“Lifetime Achievement” candidate nominations honor individuals who, through their accounting expertise, have made significant contributions as business leaders or leaders in their profession.  They may be honored for lifetime contributions, living or posthumously.  Secondary consideration may also be given to meritorious community or professional service and positive impact on Michigan Ross accounting education.

“Rising Star” candidate nominations honor mid-career U-M alums (or significant U-M affiliation) who, through their accounting experience, are making contributions as business leaders, in community, industry, or professional services, and having a positive impact on Michigan Ross accounting education.  We are looking for candidates that our current Ross students can see making contributions they can relate to and aspire to in their not-too-distant future.

We invite you to nominate an individual for consideration, using our nomination form. Submissions are accepted year-round and evaluated for selection in September. Submissions received after September 4th are considered for the following award year. Nominations will remain active for consideration for 3 years.  After 3 years, a new nomination form will need to be submitted.

Honorary Fellows are then inducted and formally recognized with Junior and Senior Paton Fellows. This process strengthens the Paton Accounting Center’s relationship with key individuals in the profession and university, while the honorees serve as great examples to Paton Fellows of the diverse and rewarding opportunities in the field of accounting.

Submit a Nomination

Meet the 2026 Honorary Paton Fellows

2026 HONORARY PATON FELLOW, RISING STAR

KELLY COYNE

2026 HONORARY PATON FELLOW, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

PAUL W. STEIH

Meet the 2025 Honorary Paton Fellows

2025 HONORARY PATON FELLOW, RISING STAR

JONATHAN PECK

2025 HONORARY PATON FELLOW, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

MATTHEW J. HOWELL

Meet the 2024 Honorary Paton Fellows

2024 HONORARY PATON FELLOW, RISING STAR

JARROD WOOD

2024 HONORARY PATON FELLOW, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

SUSAN MEYER

Meet the 2023 Honorary Paton Fellows

2023 HONORARY PATON FELLOW, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

DOUGLAS C. MCCLINTOCK

2023 HONORARY PATON FELLOW, RISING STAR

ALEXANDRA ROSELLE

Meet the 2022 Honorary Paton Fellows

2022 HONORARY PATON FELLOW

KAREN BIRD

2022 HONORARY PATON FELLOW

JAMES J. LEISENRING

Meet the 2020-2021 Honorary Paton Fellows

2020-2021 HONORARY PATON FELLOW

JACK DARVILLE

2020-2021 HONORARY PATON FELLOW

ROBERT M. PATTERSON

 2020-2021 Honorary Paton Fellow Induction Ceremony

Meet the 2019 Honorary Paton Fellows

2019 HONORARY PATON FELLOW

EDDIE HALL III

2019 HONORARY PATON FELLOW

GORDON KRATER

Meet the 2018 Honorary Paton Fellows

2018 Honorary Paton Fellow

Julie R. Booth

2018 Honorary Paton Fellow Lifetime Achievement

Robert D. Neary

Meet the 2017 Honorary Paton Fellows

Bob Anthony- 2017 Honorary Paton Fellow

Robert L. Anthony

Greg Jonas – 2017 Honorary Paton Fellow

Gregory J. Jonas

Meet the 2016 Honorary Paton Fellows

The Ultimate Mentor-2016 Honorary Paton Fellow:

A Tribute to Carleton H. Griffin

Professor of Accounting, former Paton Center Director and Deloitte Chairman, Carleton H. Griffin (1928-2014).

A Valued Partner-2016 Honorary Paton Fellow:

David R. Noonan

David R. Noonan, a partner in Assurance Services at Ernst & Young LLP was celebrated at the Michigan Ross Paton Fellow Induction Ceremony on March 31, 2016. Dave was named the Honorary Paton Fellow Active Partner.