Posted on Friday, September 19, 2025
Senior Madelyn Orton views challenges as a puzzle to solve. Over the summer, she spent time in the accounting sector of Mohawk Industries, a national flooring company where she gained new perspectives and applied her problem-solving skills to decipher complex data.
“Mohawk has a large internship program across the whole company,” she said. “Each intern was assigned to a manager and given a specific project to work on throughout the summer. During my 12 weeks there, I researched their current rebate tracking system and determined how to make it more automated to have more efficient and accurate tracking.”
At the end of her experience, Orton presented her work at the companywide intern expo.
“Learning about all the different systems was probably the biggest learning curve,” she said. “Since this was my first professional full-time job experience, I was able to get all my nerves out of the way. I know that every new career opportunity will bring new challenges and nerves, but having this internship provides me with the knowledge I need to enter my career with confidence.”
Orton said she would not have been as prepared if it were not for the Accounting program at LC.
“I have learned the base and building blocks I need to be successful in my career,” she said.
It was her father, Orton said, who first encouraged her to pursue a path in accounting.
“Before I started my freshman year at LaGrange, I did not know what I wanted to major in, but then my dad told me that he thought I would be a good accountant,” she said. “I took my first accounting class in the fall of my sophomore year and liked how it is logical, organized and structured. I changed my major to Accounting and have been pursuing it since.”
On campus, she also serves as a leader for Baptist Collegiate Ministries, a member of the Women’s Volleyball team, a member of Kappa Delta and president of Delta Mu Delta, the business honors society.
“LaGrange College has provided me with so many ways to be involved,” Orton said. “I love participating in these different roles and gaining valuable experience from each one.”
In the community, she said one of the most fulfilling experiences for her has been working in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
“Last spring, I was given the opportunity in my federal income tax class to volunteer at the Goodwill location in LaGrange,” Orton said. “The goal of the program is to offer a free service to help prepare tax returns for people in the community. I really enjoyed this program because I was able to help serve and connect with people in LaGrange.”
Cindi Bearden, J.K. Boatwright Sr. Associate Professor of Accountancy, described her as a hard worker who balances academics along with her other responsibilities.
“She puts maximum effort into her classes all the while playing both volleyball and beach volleyball,” she said.
With the support of her professors, Orton said she plans to take the CPA exam after graduation.
“My accounting professors want us to really understand the material, so that we can have a successful career past graduation,” she said. “They encourage and help their students get internships and experience outside the classroom.”
Why LaGrange College?
“At LaGrange, I was made to feel like more than just a number.”
Category: Academics, Students
Keywords: Industry, Business
