Texas Woman’s University in Denton has received a record $30 million gift from an alumna to support its college of business.
The university says the gift will pay for an institute focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, an endowed chair, and an entrepreneur-in-residence program. The donation also will fast-track plans to construct a new building for the college.
The gift comes from teacher-turned-entrepreneur Merrilee Kick, an alumna who is founder and CEO of the beverage company, BuzzBallz. It is the largest donation ever given to Texas Woman’s
“This gift affords us an opportunity to shine a huge light on the innovation and business acumen women bring to the table in our globally competitive economy,” Texas Woman’s Chancellor Carine Feyten said.
A former teacher at Plano West Senior High School, Kick received an MBA from Texas Woman’s in 2009. Her master’s degree thesis was the basis for the business plan that led to the creation of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, which became the only woman-owned distillery/winery/brewery combo in the United States.
Kick has sold the company to Sazerac, the world’s largest privately held spirits company, and remains BuzzBallz CEO.
