FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       98-73


     Joseph H. Godwin Appointed Academic Accounting Fellow

     Washington, D.C., August 11, 1998 -- The Securities and
Exchange Commission's Office of the Chief Accountant recently
selected Professor Joseph H. Godwin of Grand Valley State
University as the Academic Accounting Fellow for a one-year term
beginning August, 1998.  Currently, Professor Godwin is Chair of
the Department of Accounting and Taxation in The Seidman School
of Business at Grand Valley State University, located in Grand
Rapids, Michigan.

     He received a Ph.D. degree and Masters of Science in
accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA and
Bachelors of Business Administration in accounting from the
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and a Bachelors of Science
degree in Marketing from Southeast Missouri State University.
Prior to joining the Grand Valley State University faculty, he
taught at the University of Georgia at Athens.  Professor
Godwin's research focuses on derivative financial instruments and
international accounting.  He has served as a reviewer for The
Accounting Review and Issues in Accounting Education.

     At the Commission, the Academic Accounting Fellow serves as
a research resource for the staff by interpreting and
communicating research materials as they relate to various areas
of interest to the SEC.  In addition, the Academic Fellow has
been assigned to ongoing OCA projects, including rulemaking,
liaison with the professional accounting standard setting bodies
and consultation with registrants on accounting and reporting
matters.  Professor Godwin will replace the current academic
accounting fellow, Walter Teets, who will return to Gonzaga
University, Spokane, Washington.

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