Three people inspired Professor Welch’s subject matter and teaching style:

• Andy Dufresne from the film Shawshank Redemption piqued Professor Welch’s interest in accounting. In particular, how useful Andy’s accounting knowledge was.
• Frank Wilson, part of Elliot Ness’s The Untouchables team that took down Al Capone. Al Capone was dubbed “Public Enemy No. 1” and seemed untouchable after committing multiple murders and crimes and not being convicted. What brought down America’s biggest crime boss? Accounting!
• Jaime Escalante inspires Professor Welch’s teaching style. Jaime Escalante taught a tough subject, calculus, to seemingly unteachable students in East Los Angeles. His success is depicted in the movie Stand and Deliver, as he used creative ways to get his students to connect with the subject.