Dave Franckowiak (BUS ’85, MACC ’85)
Dave Franckowiak (BUS ’85, MACC ’85) is more than your typical DePaul Double Demon. He is more than a Ledger & Quill board member. He is the very essence of DePaul because throughout his life he has supported the mission and the values of the university in numerous ways.
Franckowiak is a DePaul adjunct accounting professor, Ledger & Quill board member and vice president of finance and corporate controller for Rosemont-based spring and fastener manufacturer MW Industries, Inc. In support of DePaul’s mission to make education accessible and to serve the community, he has created the Jean & Dave Franckowiak Endowed Scholarship for incoming accounting students.
Franckowiak began his life at DePaul as an undergraduate with an undeclared major looking to get a good education and work experience in downtown Chicago. “On the first day of school I learned that accounting was not just about numbers, but about providing information for decision makers,” says Franckowiak, recalling why he eventually chose to major in accountancy. “I wanted to become a decision maker and knew that accounting would provide the foundation.”
As a Strobel Honors student, Franckowiak flourished at DePaul. Even though he had long days of going to school, working and serving as a student officer in a business fraternity, being able to multitask was a great preparation for the rigors of public accounting. Halfway through his undergraduate education, Franckowiak decided to stay on for his master’s degree in accountancy in DePaul’s combined five-year program.
“An accounting degree from a great school like DePaul, passing the CPA exam and some public accounting experience is the best foundation for a career in business no matter what direction that career may go,” says Franckowiak. “That is why I give my time to L&Q, my talent in the classroom and our treasure to scholarships.”
He joined Coopers & Lybrand, now PwC, right out of DePaul and worked there for 10 years before joining a biotech company as controller. In this role he used his public accounting reporting experience in a publicly traded company. After holding several senior finance executive roles in various companies, Franckowiak ended up at MW Industries, a private equity-owned manufacturer, where he still works today. He credits his professional position today to his education.
“Because education is expensive, accounting education from a great institution like DePaul is important,” says Franckowiak. “Many students wouldn’t be able to complete their education if they didn’t have financial support.”
Franckowiak connected with Ledger & Quill through founding member Ernie Wish at Coopers & Lybrand. He became engaged with the school through recruiting efforts and by joining the L&Q board.
“DePaul is a private institution, and many of the students have to pull themselves up by their bootstraps to get through school,” says Franckowiak. “L&Q is a great way to help finance that great education.”
Franckowiak and his wife have given to DePaul every year and just finished their five-year pledge for DePaul’s recently completed Many Dreams, One Mission Campaign. This was when they decided to start a fund modeled after the Ledger & Quill Endowed Scholarship. Franckowiak wanted it to be a merit-based scholarship for incoming declared accounting majors.
“I want our scholarship to get awarded before quality students make final decision on where to go for their higher education,” says Franckowiak. “Hopefully this will tip the scales to attract top students to go to DePaul.”