University of Memphis Names School of Accountancy in Recognition of Transformational Gift from Crews Family

December 2, 2020

MEMPHIS — The University of Memphis's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming of the Crews School of Accountancy in the Fogelman College of Business & Economics in recognition of a $5 million commitment by the Crews Family Foundation. Hilliard Crews, the founder of Shelby Group International and President of the Crews Family Foundation, is a distinguished alumnus of the University (BS '71) and a committed supporter. He and his wife Harriett previously made a gift to establish the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, which is also housed in the Fogelman College, in addition to other investments in academics and athletics.

"The Crews have long demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the University and to Memphis," said UofM President M. David Rudd. "This is the largest outright philanthropic gift to academics in the UofM's history. Gifts like this allow the College and University to provide a margin of excellence for an ever-expanding number of our students and community."

The Crews Family Foundation's pledge to the Fogelman College of Business will create an endowment to support the mission of College and School of Accountancy. The School of Accountancy has 18 full-time faculty, including two Chairs of Excellence, and offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees. The School of Accountancy consistently has the largest undergraduate major enrollment in the College and an outstanding alumni network in the accounting profession and beyond.

"This generous investment will create a permanent source of funding for the College that will enable us to strategically grow," said Dr. Damon Fleming, dean of the Fogelman College. "Our plans for the School include creating a new Center for Emerging Technologies in Accounting to serve as a focal point for accounting and analytics-related research, teaching and outreach and expanding our PhD program."

"In thinking about this gift, we wanted to support the leadership and vision of President Rudd and Dean Fleming to provide excellent educational opportunities to students and to build on the University's outstanding reputation in our own community and beyond," said Hilliard Crews. "We are excited for the future of the University of Memphis and proud to play a role in its ongoing success."