Karl Mueller graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Southeast, and he used it to form an incredible career.

“I’m the first of my family to attend and graduate from college,” Mueller said. “So I didn’t have a strong role model to follow in the whole selection process. I was uncertain what I wanted to do other than knowing I wanted to be involved in the business field.”

Mueller was a part of Sigma Gamma while on campus. After graduation, Mueller was an audit partner with KPMG LLP in Chicago,serving clients in the financial services industry.

Mueller eventually joined Old Republic International (ORI) Corporate in Chicago. He served as its senior vice president and chief financial officer for 17 years before retiring in 2021. ORI is one of the nation’s 50 largest publicly held insurance organizations.

“I think my experience at Southeast certainly prepared me,” Mueller said.“ It opened the door to allow me to have the opportunity to have a long, successful career in public accounting.

Mueller is a past recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Merit Award. He’s currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and serves on the board of directors and finance committee for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.