“Gratitude” is the reason three families give for combining their resources to contribute to the University of Mississippi Patterson School of Accountancy (PSOA) Building Fund.
“I am humbled by the career that has unfolded for me,” said Donna Levens Schmidt, a certified public accountant (CPA) and 1985 UM alumna of Long Beach, Mississippi, and Houston, Texas. “The opportunity to give back to PSOA is a privilege — a responsibility to give back so others can establish foundations for great careers.”
The new $125 million Patterson School will be constructed at the prominent corner of University Avenue and Grove Loop. Its 110,000 square feet will house classrooms, study spaces, administrative and faculty office suites, tiered auditoriums and outdoor spaces.
Raised in a Catholic family of nine children, Schmidt along with her brother and fellow UM alum, Jerry Levens (BBA in accountancy 1978) credit their parents, Mary and Gene, and their faith for instilling in them a responsibility to serve and share their resources.
“The accounting program at Ole Miss and the faculty, especially Dr. Jimmy Davis and the late Gene Peery, to name a few, had a profound effect on both of us and the foundations of our professional careers,” said Levens, a CPA and resident of Long Beach.
“It is indeed an honor to continue our role as stewards to contribute to future generations of accountants who will benefit from the new accountancy building. Further, we hope the accounting scholarship we endowed with the UM Foundation will continue to benefit accounting students in need.”
The siblings’ example of philanthropy continues into their family’s next generation as two of Donna Schmidt’s children, Phillip Schmidt (BACCY 2015, MTAX 2017) and John Michael Schmidt (BACCY 2018), both also CPAs, contributed to the building fund.
“I owe immense gratitude to the PSOA faculty, staff and classmates for equipping me with the skills and education to build a successful career,” said Phillip Schmidt, a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “It’s incredibly exciting to witness the program’s continued growth and the need for a new building. I am truly honored to give back and contribute to a campaign that will leave a legacy for future Ole Miss accountants.”
For John Michael Schmidt, both his family and the Patterson School are responsible for his success.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the strong foundation my family provided and the invaluable education I received from the PSOA,” he said. “It is a privilege to play a small part, alongside my family, in laying a foundation for future Ole Miss students.
Sonny MacArthur’s legacy at the Patterson School runs deep. The Ocean Springs, Mississippi, resident is a proud PSOA graduate (BACCY 1990, MACCY 1991) and dedicated alumni board member whose personal contributions in honor of his kids have made a lasting impact. His daughter Brennen MacArthur is now a student at the School of Accountancy.
Together with his son Chase MacArthur (BACCY 2021, MADA 2022), sister Ashley MacArthur Hutchinson (BBA 2001) and brother Shannon MacArthur (BACCY 1998, MACCY 1999), the family generously sponsored a space at the Patterson School of Accountancy with their gift to the PSOA Building Fund.
“Ole Miss and the PSOA have had a significant impact on me personally and professionally, as well as my brother, sister and children,” said Sonny MacArthur. “The opportunity for us to contribute to the building campaign as a family is special, and we are excited for the future generations of PSOA students who will experience a first-class education in a state-of-the-art facility, such as Jones Hall.”
Brothers Chad Berry (BACCY 2010, MACCY 2011), Jack Berry (BACCY 2015, MACCY 2016) and Vann Berry (BACCY 2016, MACCY 2017) of Berry & Associates in Madison are also family members who shared their resources to support the Patterson School of Accountancy Building Fund.
As second-generation leaders of their family firm, the Berry brothers are continuing their father Taun Berry’s legacy while also giving back to Ole Miss in a meaningful way.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without Ole Miss and the Patterson School of Accountancy,” said Chad Berry. “The PSOA prepared us so well for what we do every day; we are grateful to help the school contribute to the success of future generations.”
To learn how your gift to the Patterson School of Accountancy Building Fund can support generations of future Ole Miss students, contact Kaitlin Childress, PSOA associate director of development, at kaitlin@olemiss.edu or (662) 915-3166. To make a gift online, click here.
By Mary Stanton Knight/UM Development