PricewaterhouseCoopers Supports Mays Students
June 29, 2009
This gift is one of six recent contributions made by PwC, as they have joined several of their Aggie partners to create accounting scholarships. The total impact of these gifts (including matches) will create a new endowment of $275,000.
“We are very pleased with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ commitment to accounting education at Mays,” said Dean Jerry Strawser. “It’s meaningful when a firm with their reputation for excellence makes an investment in our students. It’s even more meaningful, since their gift honors Billy Atkinson, a leader in the accounting profession and a wonderful role model for our current students.”
Atkinson, who has been with PwC for 37 years, says he was honored and humbled by this gift in his name. He spent many years as the firm’s lead recruiter at A&M, a position now held by fellow PwC partner Stephen Parker ’88. “Billy is one of the key people that hired me. He has made a lasting impression on Aggies that have graduated in the past 20 plus years,” said Parker. “He’s one of the finest people I’ve ever met. He’s been an incredible mentor to me and to so many others…He deserves to be recognized. This is one way we can perpetuate his dedication to providing opportunities to Aggies.”
Atkinson has been very active at A&M, serving on the accounting advisory board since 1982, the president’s advisory council since 1997, and the CBA Fellows advisory board at its inception in the 1980s. He has also been a leader in his profession, as he was appointed or elected to leadership of local, state, and national accountancy boards and organizations. Atkinson plans to retire in two years after nearly four decades with PwC.
Parker, also a partner at PwC’s Houston office, says that his firm is fortunate to have such a strong relationship with Mays, as they recruit heavily there. “It’s a great school for us to invest our resources in because we can count on getting great candidates to join our team from Mays,” he said. “Mays has outstanding graduates that are equipped with the right tools to be successful in a firm like ours.”
About PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 155,000 people in 153 countries across the network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.
“PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.
