Merrilee Alexander Kick Gift

Gift gives life to business college vision

In 2017, what now is celebrated as the Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship was simply a school of management. But the dream of establishing a standalone college was realized that year, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey.

It was a gift from Kick in 2024, cultivated by a strong bond between her and current business college Dean Rama Yelkur, PhD, that set the stage for a transformational plan that will take the college to heights never before seen.

The new college embarked on its path under the leadership of its inaugural dean, James Lumpkin, PhD in 2018. His mission was rooted in the pursuit of excellence. The story continued to unfold with the arrival of Yelkur in 2021. Her leadership has been pivotal in advancing the college’s mission, further driving innovation and growth. 

Yelkur’s strategic efforts included ambitious goals that expanded the college's reach and impact with a historic milestone in 2023: the college earned accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The organization is the international standard-setting body for business education, with only 6% of global business schools achieving the prestigious seal and marking them as trailblazers in teaching, research and societal impact.

Fast forward to 2024, the college’s evolution has reached a remarkable new chapter, thanks to the visionary support of Kick, who received her MBA from Texas Woman’s in 2009. Her generous $30 million gift has been transformative, providing the resources to realize a bold new vision. This donation will support the construction of a state-of-the-art building for the college, establish an institute for innovation and entrepreneurship, and fund an entrepreneur-in-residence program and an endowed chair, all bearing her name.

This incredible contribution is more than a financial gift – it’s an investment in the future of countless students and scholars for generations to come. It opens doors to new opportunities, fueling the college’s mission to lead in business education and innovation.

The legacy of the Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship is one of vision, perseverance and impact. As the business college celebrates this new era, its faculty, staff and students honor the trailblazers who have shaped its path and look forward to the bright future ahead, driven by a commitment to excellence and a spirit of entrepreneurship.