When University of Dayton senior accounting student and Flyer Enterprises CEO Connor Keefe opened his email one Sunday evening, he wasn’t expecting national recognition. But that’s precisely what he got — an invitation from The Wall Street Journal to publish his response in its highly competitive “Future View” column in an article titled “Congratulations, Graduates, You’re Unemployed,” published Sept. 30, 2025. The platform spotlights the perspectives of college students from across the country.
Keefe submitted his perspective on artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace as part of Professor Kathryn Easterday’s Accounting 709: Accounting Research and Analysis class. The assignment asked students to respond to weekly prompts from The Wall Street Journal, joining thousands of peers nationwide.
“It takes practice to be a good writer. This assignment is an excellent way for students to practice writing and maintain awareness of current events. In addition, they have the opportunity to think critically about where they stand on a range of (sometimes controversial) topics,” said Easterday.
Out of all those submissions, only a handful are selected each week for publication.
“I was really excited,” Keefe said. “Normally, you see students from Ivy League schools getting featured in Future View, so it was pretty cool to represent Dayton and get our foot in the door.”
On AI: A tool, not a replacement
In his published piece, Keefe emphasized that AI should be understood as a tool to enhance — not replace — human work.
“AI can’t do surgeries or sign off on audits,” he said. “It’s there to make people and companies more efficient. If you learn how to use it, it can build your résumé and build your work. That’s where job security comes in.”
That perspective isn’t just theory. In his internships with Big Four firms, Keefe saw firsthand how AI streamlined repetitive tasks and freed accountants to focus on higher-level analysis.
“It just made their lives easier on the back end,” he said.
Easterday said she hopes her students will continue to be lifelong learners in their professional fields — advice she extends to high school students interested in pursuing business.
“To high school students, I would say this: Artificial intelligence is a tool, nothing more. Like any tool, it is completely dependent on the user. AI is here to stay, although its forms and uses will, of course, evolve over time. Choose an environment where you can learn to use it (and other tools) wisely.”
AI in action at Flyer Enterprises
As CEO of Flyer Enterprises (FE) — one of the largest student-run businesses in the country — Keefe has brought those same ideas to life. This year, he created a new management position: AI implementation officer.
“We want FE to stay ahead of the curve,” Keefe said. “We added AI chatbots to Rudy’s Runway and introduced automated discounts for abandoned carts. That one change increased our summer sales year over year by 500%. AI is saving us time, cutting labor costs and boosting our bottom line.”
For Keefe, it’s a powerful example of how UD’s emphasis on experiential learning gives students not just textbook knowledge, but opportunities to test ideas in real business settings.
Celebrating the win
Back in the classroom, the recognition sparked celebration.
“When I told my professor, and a couple of my classmates surprised me with a cake from Dorothy Lane Market, that meant a lot,” Keefe said. “It was extraordinary to celebrate together.”
Easterday added, “I was very proud of Connor. To have his work chosen from among thousands of submissions and published by an outlet as prestigious as The Wall Street Journal is an amazing achievement for him.”
Looking ahead
Keefe will graduate in May 2026 with his bachelor’s degree and complete his master’s that summer. He has already secured a full-time role with Ernst & Young in Chicago’s auditing practice — an offer he received nearly two years in advance.
Reflecting on his UD journey, he said the decision to attend came down to one thing: community.
“There was just a comfort level I had on campus,” he said. “I kept comparing every other school back to Dayton. I’d make the same choice a hundred times over again.”
As he prepares for his next steps, Keefe said the relationships and lessons he’s gained through both the classroom and Flyer Enterprises will stay with him.
“The title of CEO is nice, but it’s the people I’ve worked with and the growth I’ve had that mean the most.”
