LIVONIA, MICH. – Madeleine Caswell, a two-time alumna of Madonna University, has forged a successful accounting career at one of the nation’s largest accounting firms, Plante Moran. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2021, Caswell immediately enrolled in Madonna’s Master of Accountancy program, graduating in 2022.
She joined Plante in 2022 after previously doing two internships there while in school. After passing the CPA exam that December, Caswell officially became a CPA in 2023. This year, Caswell was promoted to Senior Accountant in the area of International Tax.
Accounting is a challenging course of study, but Caswell found her Madonna professors to be extremely helpful and supportive. “That is one of my favorite things about the school, that the professors truly care how well you do.”
Caswell shared how John Critchett, Ph.D., former professor of accounting and business law, went above and beyond to assist her with a creating a PowerPoint presentation for a summer internship application. “That wasn’t part of his job or something that he needed to do, but he was willing to in order to help me succeed.”
Another Caswell favorite was Clara Chen, Ph.D., who “really broke things down for us to help us understand the lessons,” said Caswell. “She was also a truly caring person!”
As a busy undergraduate student, Caswell balanced her life by playing on Madonna’s women’s lacrosse team. “I met some of my best friends on the team and I am very grateful I had that opportunity and experience,” she recalled.
Caswell also has fond memories of the time she spent as an undergraduate student worker in the Admissions Office and as a graduate assistant in the Graduate School office. “I was … so inspired by Donna Bryden and Dr. Debbie Dunn. These women were amazing examples of how to be strong women, whether it was being strong through moving up in their career or going through whatever life throws at you.“
In deciding to attend Madonna, Caswell followed in her mother Elinor’s footsteps (Nursing, ‘99). “While she wasn’t at Madonna during my time there, she sure did play a part in why I chose to go there,” Caswell reflected.
Caswell’s personal connection to Madonna was deeper than she even realized. One day she was regaling her mom with some of the nursing stories Dunn would tell her. After asking what Dunn’s first name was, Elinor realized that this was the same Deborah Dunn who’d been her nursing professor at Madonna. “My mom even has a picture with Dr. Dunn, while my mom was pregnant with me,” Caswell explained.
Caswell's mother is on the far left, pictured above. Dr. Deborah Dunn is on the far right.
In addition to preparing her for a successful career in accounting and teaching her important life lessons, Caswell believes her Madonna experience led to significant spiritual growth. While working in admissions, she became close with Lauren Nobles, ’12, ’19. Nobles and lacrosse teammate, Lauren Plave, ’21, encouraged Caswell to be a better version of herself and to be closer to God.
Plave told Caswell that God has a plan no matter what you are going through, good or bad. “That saying has pushed me through so many things in life,” admitted Caswell.
