Michael Stamos

Northland High School Alumni Foundation

Valhalla Newsletter Spotlight Questions
Michael J. Stamos

CPA (Inactive)
Chairperson and Senior Professor College of Business and Management DeVry University
Adjunct Accounting Faculty Member Columbus State University

 

1. Who was your favorite teacher, class, friend and hang out?

  • Teacher – Mr. Steve Decatur because he coached me in JV baseball and scared the heck out of me about how hard college was.
  • My favorite class – None that comes to mind. I hated all school work in high school.
  • Friends – Chip King, Vic Enis, Ron Frissora, David Martin, Jim Sanok, John Martino, Leon Lewis, Greg Borchelt, Mark Dandrea, Pat Reade, Tom Culver, Tom McCurry, Ed Davidson, Rick Burt, Eric Crouch, Robert Tatum.
  • Hangouts – Donatos at Tamarack Circle, The Continent, Malibu Grand Prix, Jim Sanok’s House

2. Tell about your most memorable moment at Northland High School.

When the 1982 Girls Basketball team won the state title at St John’s arena my senior year. That was awesome. Tied with the Boys Basketball team losing in the regional finals in Toledo my Junior Year.

3. What was your family expectation of you?

Honestly not much. As long as I stayed out of trouble my parents did not put much expectations on me. I was very lucky to have a great group of friends who positively influenced me during high school and beyond.

4. How did your Northland experience help in your life/job?

I was part of the first class at Northland that went through desegregation of Columbus City schools which made Northland a very diverse student population. I am so appreciative for that experience. I was able to interact and become friends with others that were different than me. In my current job I work with a very diverse population of staff, faculty, and students at DeVry University and Columbus State Community College. I can get along and interact with anyone and enjoy getting to know everyone. My experience at Northland and in life has made me realize that people are more alike than different. We all want the same things out of life which are good health, happiness, and hope.

Also, having a close group of Northland friends that were really like brothers to me helped me in life beyond description. My family was pretty dysfunctional with a dad and sister that had mental illness, so my friends became my family. I cannot thank them enough. A few of us went to The Ohio State University together and they had a tremendous influence on me to complete my college degree. I am the first and only member of my family to obtain a college degree.

 

5. Why did you get into teaching? And, what do you like about your position with DeVry University?

I went into teaching because I hated my first job out of college which was a financial statement auditor. I chose Accounting as my major at the Ohio State University because I got good grades in Accounting classes at Ohio State. This really was not a smart way to choose your major. I learned once I graduated from Ohio State with honors that most people do not love auditors looking over their work. I had passed the CPA exam and it was hard for me to admit that after 4 years of working in auditing it was not for me. My wife Lisa, who I was dating at the time asked me what do I like doing and have a passion for. I told her I like helping others and I am good with numbers. She mentioned teaching since that was her major at Ohio State and her dad had a successful career as a teacher and principal. I went back to Ohio State to complete a Master’s in Business Education and it was the one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I honestly can say I love what I do on a daily basis. Teaching at the college level is not work at all but a tremendous blessing. I love to see a freshmen student enter the University and see that same student graduate four years later with an excellent career ahead of them. To see the growth and maturity of a person in 3 to 5 years is very satisfying. I also love my job because I am a people person and love to interact with students, faculty and staff. I not only teach classes but also mentor and train new faculty members and have administrative responsibilities. I love the variety of different tasks I have on a daily basis. I also love to learn and believe in lifelong learning. I am fortunate that many aspects of my job require this. I learn from my students, other faculty members, using new technology, and I am currently working on a PHD in Technology Management. Keep learning as much as you can.