‘Project Adrian’ Spreads Across Country posted 5/8/08
Adrian College’s pilot program being used at many colleges

ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian College’s pilot program which involves students and the IRS working together in mock fraud investigations is stretching to colleges across the country.

The program took place for the first time in 2002 on the Adrian College campus. At that time the collaboration between the IRS and the College was the first of its kind. The project is part of a continuing effort by the IRS to show that the agency works in ways that people don't usually think about.

The program was created by Special Agent Stephen Moore, member of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the IRS, in 2001. During the workshops students learn how both criminal justice and accounting are key elements to this type of law enforcement. Students are assigned to solve hypothetical financial crimes. They use the knowledge gained in their accounting and law classes and adapt those concepts to the mock situations.

The simulation might start with a crumpled tax form in a bag of trash, or maybe an anonymous phone call. This might lead the student investigators to an interview with a suspicious banker or lawyer, played by a hard-nosed special agent.

"It will be like real life," said Moore back in 2002. “They'll lie, and the students will have to ask the right questions."

Since the program’s development at Adrian, many other colleges and universities are adopting it. The program has been named “Project Adrian” and was used just this past February at the University of Michigan-Flint and more recently at Arizona State University. Special Agent Stephen Moore states that the program now has spread to more than 18 states.

Other colleges who have implemented “Project Adrian” include Saginaw Valley State University, Lakeland College, Indiana State University, and Florida A&M University.

Adrian College, a liberal arts College in the United Methodist tradition, is committed to the pursuit of truth and to the dignity of all people. Through active and creative learning in a supportive community, students are challenged to achieve excellence in their academic, personal, and professional lives, and to contribute to a more socially just society.