Ten questions: Meet accountancy student Ryne Hatfield

We first met Ryne Hatfield, a senior accountancy major from Boise, while writing about Isekai Japanese Arcade & Gashapon - Boise's first gashapon arcade, opened by Boise State-connected duo Susie and Matthew Gillikin.

A December 2025 graduate, Hatfield has blended his business acumen with his love of Japanese pop culture as the Gillikins' first employee. He's helped the growing business develop inventory systems, research software solutions, and represent Isekai at conventions.

We asked him 10 questions (plus one) about what drives him, what he's learned and how he looks to kindness and curiosity to guide him.

1. What's a big question you find yourself thinking about a lot these days?

There's a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, and one question I often grapple with is: How can I make sure the people around me feel cared for and supported in a way that's meaningful to them? How can I make things more certain for people I care about in an uncertain time? For me, it often comes down to the small things - staying connected with friends, talking with them when they're feeling scared, trying to be someone the people around me find reliable and trustworthy.

2. When did you first feel a spark of interest in accountancy?

In a personal finance class I took in high school on a whim to fill out my schedule. I found it incredibly enjoyable. Ever since, it has struck me as odd that we require students to take all these different classes, but not a class that provides a baseline understanding of how to operate financially as an individual.

3. Who's someone at the university who's helped you feel seen or supported?

Susie Gillikin, of course. But also Professor JoAnn Wood, who has been amazing in the accountancy department. I've had to email her about a few different things. When I've done that, it has felt like she's listening. She has seen and appreciated the effort I have put into my courses. That has been really lovely, tangible evidence that I'm on the right track.

4. What's a value or idea you try to live by, even when it's hard?

I try to live by the value of kindness. To me, there's a difference between being nice and being kind. Kindness often requires more of you. It means being willing to make a sacrifice for someone else, not because it's expected or because you'll get something in return, but because it's the right thing to do. I don't always live up to that ideal, but I try.

5. What's something people often assume about your major or interests that's not quite right?

People often assume accounting is boring or dry, but I don't see it that way. Sure, if you approach it like you're just robotically following instructions, it might seem dull. But if you try to understand not just what the rules are, but why they exist and how all the pieces fit together, it can be fascinating.

6. Has there been a moment or experience at school that shifted your perspective or goals?

I started college at the College of Western Idaho to get my core credits. At the time, I thought I wanted to be a tax accountant. For a class assignment, I interviewed a tax professional who described taking 'an aggressive stance' - pushing the boundaries of tax law while staying technically within the rules. I realized I have a more black-and-white view: If a rule says something, you should follow it. That conversation made me realize tax accounting might not be the right fit for me. I respect what those accountants do, helping clients get the most out of the system, but it's just not my style.

7. What helps you get unstuck when you're overwhelmed or facing a hard challenge?

There are two options. One, I beat my head against a problem until I figure it out. When that fails, I take a step back, work on something else, and take a fresh look. I can't tell you the number of times I've done that, come back to a problem and said, "How did I miss that before? It's so obvious." It's frankly embarrassing.

8. What's one thing about you that might surprise people?

That's a hard one for me because I try to live honestly and openly about who I am. But I suppose the main surprise would be that I really am positive and outgoing. When I first meet someone, I'm a 6-foot-tall man with what I've been told can be an intimidating expression, so I think that's not always obvious.

9. Is there a small habit, routine, or moment in your day that always makes you happy?

At least once a day, I try to give someone I care about a hug. That makes me happy.

10. What's one hope you have for your life after graduation, or for the world you'll be a part of?

One thing I would love to do when I graduate and have a few more resources would be to create a community of people I care about who have a belief in kindness and looking out for one another. Those ideas, which were once so prevalent, have faded, but are so important to me.

Bonus: What's a book, film, piece of music, or work of art you think everyone should experience?

'Epic: The Musical.' It's a modern musical retelling of Homer's 'The Odyssey.' I sing along to it. It's the mythology, history nerd in me.

Share This

• Share on Facebook
• Share on X
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share through Email