ISU Alumnus Establishes Scholarship to Support Accounting Students from Rural Communities

The Brad Allen Endowed Scholarship Fund, established by ISU alumnus Brad Allen, was established to help students from rural communities, similar to Allen. Allen is an Idaho native, born and raised in the Raft River area. He is a graduate of Declo High School. Brad’s family had been farmers and ranchers for generations; he was one of the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. He selected Idaho State University for its excellent accounting program and proximity to home. He continued to work on the farm in the summers to save up, and during the academic year, he was part of the College of Business cohort program. While at ISU, he served as President of Beta Alpha Psi and was recognized with his graduating class as both the Outstanding Accounting Student of the year and the Outstanding Student Achievement Award for the College of Business.

Brad graduated with an accounting degree in 2005 and passed the CPA exam in the first testing window after graduation. He has worked in public accounting since then, and in 2012, he was the co-founder of the Davies Allen group of companies which provide tax, consulting and assurance services across the western region with headquarters in Utah. The companies have grown to five locations, with more on the way.

The Brad Allen Endowed Scholarship Fund is intended to support students like Allen who are from small, rural communities and are pursuing an education in accounting. When co-founding Davies Allen, the brand promise of “We Count People First” was intentionally chosen to reflect the desire to lift others by creating value for both clients and team members.

“I've long had a goal to be able to give back,” said Allen. “I was a generational farm kid from rural Idaho venturing into an unknown realm of college and the accounting industry. My time at Idaho State was instrumental in helping me learn, grow, gain experience and understand where I wanted to take my career in the accounting industry. I personally benefited from scholarships while at ISU, and it's my pleasure to now pay it forward. Counting people first is probably the most important thing any member of the accounting profession can do!” 

"Brad is a true embodiment of the Bengal spirit—demonstrating what hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence can achieve,” said College of Business Director of Development Kristine McCarty. “Now, Brad is generously giving back to support students like him. This scholarship will help countless Idaho students to achieve their dreams like he did." 

To learn more about giving to ISU, visit isu.edu/give or contact Kristine McCarty at kristinemccarty@isu.edu or 208-282-4608.