Alumnus and his daughters make a gift that will elevate teaching, learning and mentorship.

In February, Missouri State announced a new name in the College of Business: The Pendleton Family School of Accountancy.

“This milestone moment — the university’s first named school — was made possible thanks to a significant seven-figure gift from alumnus Dick Pendleton and his three daughters (Sheri Law, Sally Phillips and Tracy Myrick),” said Missouri State University Foundation President Brent Dunn.

The university announced the gift and naming during a ceremony on campus.

“We’re grateful to Dick and his family for their commitment to advancing accounting education in the College of Business,” said Missouri State University President Richard B. Williams.

“It’s an honor for our School of Accountancy to bear the Pendleton family name and we’re excited to continue a lasting partnership with them.”

Pendleton graduated with a business finance degree in 1966 from what was then Southwest Missouri State College. He began his career at Baird, Kurtz and Dobson in Springfield, a relatively small Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm with three offices. There, he put his accounting education to work in meaningful ways and became a CPA in 1970 and a tax partner in 1974.

The firm later became known as BKD, growing to 34 offices. After a merger in 2021 and the formation of a global network in 2024, it is now Forvis Mazars, a top 10 global professional services network. Missouri State accounting graduates have played a significant role in the growth of BKD/Forvis Mazars.

“My education at Southwest Missouri State gave me a strong foundation — not just in accounting, but in discipline, ethics and problem-solving,” Pendleton said. “The degree I earned opened doors throughout my career, and I’ve always felt fortunate and proud to be a graduate of the university.”

He said seeing two of his daughters go on to become CPAs has been rewarding, and speaks to their family’s value of the profession. Two of his granddaughters are also on track to become accountants.

“Leaving a family legacy is especially meaningful to me,” he said. “Supporting the accounting program at Missouri State allows me to give back in a way that matters — by investing in future CPAs, supporting the school’s faculty and helping ensure every student who chooses accounting at Missouri State receives a high-quality educational experience.”