The University of North Texas (UNT) G. Brint Ryan College of Business has announced the renaming and endowment of its Accounting Scholars Program, now called the Don and Donna Millican Accounting Scholars Program (DDMASP), following a $2 million donation from Don and Donna Millican. This significant contribution will support the program’s mission of fostering academic and professional growth for accounting students.
The DDMASP, which originally began in 2017 to support incoming freshmen and transfer students pursuing degrees in accounting, will continue its focus on mentorship and professional development. Each student is paired with both a student mentor and an industry professional, helping guide them through their academic journey and into their careers.
The Millicans’ donation is seen as a transformative moment for the program. Marilyn Wiley, dean of the Ryan College of Business, emphasized the lasting impact of the endowment, saying, “This endowment ensures generations of students will benefit from opportunities for learning and professional growth in the field of accounting.”
UNT student Reece Dominigue, who has been in the program since her freshman year and will soon start full-time work at KHA Accountants PLLC, praised the mentorship aspect of the program. “During my first semester in the DDMASP, I got paired with an upperclassman who fielded my personal questions,” Dominigue said. “The next year, I was able to mentor several underclassmen myself.”
The program has grown to over 100 scholars, including alumni, since its founding. Graduates, like Brady Brockett, who now works at Charles Schwab, credit the DDMASP for helping them succeed through networking and mentorship.
Ananth Seetharaman, chair of the Department of Accounting and the program’s founder, expressed gratitude for the Millicans’ contribution, highlighting its long-term impact on students’ careers.
The endowment marks a new chapter for the program, ensuring that future generations of accounting students at UNT will have access to valuable resources and mentorship opportunities.