Finding Greatness: Earl Kline

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, November 11, 2019 12:00 AM
Categories: Pressroom | School of Business | Students | Finding Greatness

Macon, GA

After teaching abroad in several countries, UGA grad Earl Kline returned to Middle Georgia State (MGA) to pursue a new degree and a career in accounting.

Full Name: Earl Ray Kline II.

Age: 37.

Hometown & Residence: “I am from Warner Robins, although I have called many places home. I have lived, studied, or worked on four continents, in five countries, and many different states and cities. For me, Middle Georgia State is my home university and a place I feel happy to return to.”

High School: “I graduated from Northside High School in 2001 under the guidance of Ed Dyson, the principal. I received the citizenship award and was awarded perfect attendance multiple years. I was in top 5 percent of my academic class during my sophomore year.”

Family: “My educational journey has been long and challenging. I would not be here without the love and support from my family. My biological parents are Earl Kline and Jean Kline. My parents by marriage are Rachel Wallace and Benson Lin. I have two sisters, Leslie Kline and Diana Lin, and a brother, Scott Tanner.”

Employment: “I’m currently a tutor in the School of Business at Middle Georgia State. As a former teacher, I’d be happy to help you accomplish your academic goals. Feel free to stop in.”

Degree Objective: “I returned to Middle Georgia State to complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting.”

Class Rank: Returning student/career transition. Previous degrees earned are a B.S. in psychology and a B.A. in sociology from the University of Georgia.

Primary Campus: Macon.

Activities: “I was vice president of the MGA Accounting Club. We sponsored events to prepare students for future careers in accounting/business. I was part of a team that was a finalist in statewide audit competition.”

Career Goals: “The accounting coursework, along with my previous educational experience, will allow me to become a certified public accountant, which is my ultimate goal.”

He chose Middle Georgia State University because … “I originally attended Middle Georgia State 18 years ago in order to obtain the credits needed to transfer to the University of Georgia. After completing degrees at UGA and a career teaching abroad, I decided to return to Middle Georgia State to transition to accounting and pursue my C.P.A license.

“I chose Middle Georgia State University the second time for the same reasons as I did the first. Middle Georgia State University provides exceptional value for money. I knew I would be able to fulfill all my career goals, with medium to small class sizes, while paying less than my previous institutions.”

The greatest thing he discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “I love how much Middle Georgia State has grown. When I first attended the Macon Campus was half the size that it is now. The Student Life Center had just been built, the Jones Building didn’t exist, the lake was much smaller, and the gym was in a small room with a few weights and machines.

“Not only has the campus grown, the academics programs have. We have grown into a full university. There are so many more academic options including master’s programs and online offerings.”

His greatest academic experience as a Middle Georgia State student has been … “As a former teacher, my greatest academic experience has been tutoring other MGA students. I started out helping my classmates in small study groups. During my second semester a tutoring position in the School of Business opened up and, luckily, I was offered the position. I get to combine my passion for teaching with my future goal of becoming a CPA by helping students with their business courses. That has been my greatest academic experience.”

To him, greatness means … “When many people think of greatness, they think of one huge accomplishment, like winning the Super Bowl. I think greatness is the result of many small moments that add up. The moment just before a test, when you know you are ready – that is greatness. The moment right after growth and just before achievement, that is where greatness can be found. Add enough of these little moments of greatness together and you win the Super Bowl.”

In five years … “I think it is important to have goals, write them down, and work for them. In the future, I would love to be a practicing CPA and a father. I would love to be able to work and travel abroad. I would love to see my family and friends well and in good spirits.

“As important as these goals are, I will still relish the moments between. While living in Brazil, during the recession, I learned an important phrase that I still live by: ‘Deixa a vida me levar,’ which means ‘Let life carry me.’ I have goals, and I believe in speaking them into existence. If life happens to carry me into a moment between - believe me, I will still be happy.”