For Mike McDonald of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, giving back to the University of Mississippi is a way to invest in the next generation of accounting professionals while honoring the university that helped shape his own career.
Through a recent $50,000 gift to the William Michael McDonald Sr. Accountancy Scholarship Endowment, McDonald is strengthening support for students pursuing graduate study in the Patterson School of Accountancy.
A member of the UM Foundation board of directors, McDonald first established the scholarship endowment in 2013 with a $60,000 gift. The scholarship supports full-time students enrolled in the Master of Taxation program, with preference given to those who completed their undergraduate degrees at Ole Miss.
“We are deeply grateful to Mike for his continued investment in our students,” said Mark Wilder, dean of the Patterson School of Accountancy. “Our innovative, highly successful master’s programs in taxation, and in taxation and data analytics help set Patterson School master’s graduates apart from those at other institutions. Mike’s generous support expands opportunities for our graduate students – and ensures that the future of the profession will be enhanced.”
A native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, McDonald earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy and a Juris Doctor from Ole Miss before completing a Master of Laws in Taxation at New York University. After serving in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps, he co-founded Triad Energy Inc. in Oklahoma City in 1981 and continues to serve as president and co-owner of the oil and gas exploration and production company.
Throughout his career, McDonald has been a respected leader in the energy industry, serving in numerous state and national leadership roles, including chair of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board. He has testified before the U.S. Congress on oil and gas regulation and taxation and has been recognized with several industry honors.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had a rewarding career, and I wanted to give back to the university that helped make it possible,” McDonald said. “Ole Miss has one of the nation’s outstanding accountancy programs, and I want to help it continue attracting talented students.”
The Patterson School of Accountancy is nationally recognized for preparing students for leadership roles in accounting, taxation and business. Through rigorous academics, strong industry partnerships and a commitment to student success, the school equips graduates with the technical expertise and professional skills needed to excel in a rapidly evolving profession.
McDonald’s decision to increase the endowment reflects a desire to expand the scholarship’s impact.
“I wanted to make the scholarship more meaningful and create additional opportunities for students,” he said. “My hope is that it helps ease the financial burden of graduate education and allows students to focus on building successful careers.”
McDonald credits his accountancy education with providing skills that proved invaluable throughout his professional journey.
“My accounting degree gave me a strong foundation,” he said. “The knowledge I gained and the professors who taught me made a lasting difference throughout my career.”
His connection to Ole Miss began long before he enrolled. Growing up only about 60 miles from campus, he visited frequently and attended Rebel sporting events, making Ole Miss a natural choice for college. Today, his family’s ties to the university continue through a daughter, Garrett McDonald Rinehart, who is also an Ole Miss graduate.
The William Michael McDonald Sr. Accountancy Scholarship Endowment is open to receive gifts from individuals and organizations. To contribute, send a check with the fund noted to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655 or click here.
To make a gift to the Patterson School of Accountancy, contact Jason McCormick, executive director for development, at jason@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1757.
By Bill Dabney/UM Foundation