Steve Bridges ’89, M’95 named 2024 Distinguished Accountant Award recipient

Steven J. Bridges ’89 M’95, USI Interim President, has been named the recipient of the 2024 University of Southern Indiana Romain College of Business Distinguished Accountant Award. The award was announced by Dr. Brian McGuire, Associate Dean of the Romain College of Business and Professor of Accounting. 

Bridges began as USI’s Interim President in July 2024. He is a longtime USI employee, two-time USI alumnus and is the first alum to serve in this leadership position. Since April 2015, he has served as the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the University’s chief business and fiscal officer. 

“The selection criteria for the Distinguished Accountant Award includes demonstrating substantial leadership, noteworthy stature in the accounting profession and significant involvement with USI and in the community,” said McGuire. “Mr. Bridges certainly exhibits all of these characteristics, and he is very deserving of this award.” 

Bridges leads USI’s President’s Council and Cabinet, has served on USI’s Athletic Council and has chaired USI’s Data Standards and Banner Operations Committees. He serves on the WNIN Board of Directors, the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership Board, the Ohio Valley Conference Board of Presidents and as Chair of the Holy Name Church Parrish Council and member of the Church’s Finance Committee. He has also served as Treasurer and Board member of the Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana, Chair of the Central Association of College and University Business Officers Audit Committee, President of the Ark Crisis Nursery Board and President of the Indiana Association of College and University Business Officers. In addition, he has been the recipient of numerous professional and community awards. 

Receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting from USI Fall 1988, he began working for the University the following spring as a Staff Accountant. He continued to progress in his career to Bursar, Chief Accountant, Controller and Assistant Business Office Director, Assistant and Associate Vice President and an interim appointment for Operations and Assistant Treasurer and was named Vice President for Finance and Administration in 2015. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from USI in 1995. 

The Distinguished Accountant Award has been given annually since 2004 by the USI Romain College of Business in conjunction with the USI Accounting Circle and recognizes professional achievement, service to the region and/or University and service to the accounting profession.