Merrilee Kick, a Texas Woman's University alumna and founder and CEO of the mega-beverage company BuzzBallz, donated a record $30 million to the university's college of business. The gift, announced during a meeting of the Texas Woman's governing board, will lead to the college being renamed in her honor on Aug. 9.
The donation will establish an institute focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, create an endowed chair and launch an entrepreneur-in-residence program, all of which will bear Kick's name. Additionally, the gift will accelerate plans to construct a new building for the 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 in an official statement. “I am doubly pleased that this extraordinary gift comes from Merrilee, a shining example of our pioneering spirit and an alumna who has risen to the level of entrepreneurial titan.”
The $30 million gift is the largest donation ever received by Texas Woman’s University, surpassing the previous record set just over a year ago when the Dallas-based Doswell Foundation donated $15 million to establish an aviation program, which is set to begin classes this fall.
Kick’s donation also propelled the university past its $125 million goal for the Dream Big comprehensive campaign nearly two years ahead of schedule. TWU now plans to aim even higher during the remainder of the campaign, focusing on securing support for high-priority initiatives such as health sciences, athletics, and the expansion of the Dallas campus.
“I am profoundly moved by Merrilee Kick’s exceptional generosity in making this gift and am thrilled that she shares our vision for elevating the college of business by educating primarily women in business and entrepreneurship,” said Business College Dean Rama Yelkur. “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.”
Kick, a former teacher at Plano West Senior High School, earned her MBA from Texas Woman's University in 2009. Her master’s thesis laid the groundwork for the business plan that led to the creation of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, based in Carrollton. Launched later that year, the company became the only woman-owned distillery, winery and brewery combination in the United States.
“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, to make the world a better place.”
BuzzBallz flourished, driven by the popularity of its distinctive sphere-shaped, shatter-resistant containers, which became the hallmark of the company’s pre-mixed cocktail line. In May, Kick sold the company to Sazerac, the world’s largest privately held spirits company, but continues to serve as the CEO of BuzzBallz.
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