The details
According to an Aug. 8 TWU news release, Kick, a teacher-turned-entrepreneur, made the donation to help support the following initiatives:
- An institute focused on innovation and entrepreneurship
- An endowed chair
- An entrepreneur-in-residence program
- Construction of a new building for the business college
“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.
“I am profoundly moved by Merrilee Kick’s exceptional generosity in making this gift,” said Rama Yelkur, dean of the business college. “The Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship will undoubtedly add greater value and visibility, significantly amplifying our mission and impact on the future of business education.”
The backstory
The news release states Kick is a former teacher at Plano West Senior High School. She earned her MBA from Texas Woman’s University in 2009, and her master’s degree thesis was the basis for the business plan that led to the creation of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion—the company behind the read-to-drink cocktail brand.
“My MBA from TWU enabled me to write a solid business plan for what became BuzzBallz, a billion-dollar company,” Kick said. “As a former educator and child of educators, teaching the next generation is important for our future. As my parents said, ‘A good teacher makes a difference.’ I have had some good teachers—and parents—who really cared about me and my success, and I am committed to make that happen for others.”
