Graduate Honors Former Professors

Sam Hix, a graduate of the school from Houston, Texas, made a $50,000 gift in honor of his professors and in recognition of family members who attended Ole Miss. The gift is being matched by his employer, Deloitte, one of the "Big Four" global professional services networks.

"I wanted to make the gift really just to show my appreciation for what the university and Ole Miss accounting did for me," said Hix, who earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the accountancy school in 1998 and 1999, respectively.

"I'm grateful for Dr. (Jimmy) Davis, Dr. (Dave) Nichols and Dr. (Mark) Wilder," Hix said. "There were others, but I appreciate those three in particular."

Davis helped Hix acquire his first job; Nichols taught him principles he has used throughout his career; and Wilder has been a friend and trusted adviser, he said. A faculty office will be named in their honor.

Born in Greenwood, Hix grew up in Louisiana and moved to Gulfport before attending Ole Miss, influenced by his grandfather and friends who had chosen UM for their college home. One faculty office in the new building will memorialize his grandfather.

"I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do when I enrolled at Ole Miss," he said. "I knew I wanted to be in business of some sort. Dr. Davis was my Sigma Nu adviser at the time, and he had a strong way of convincing you, if you were undecided, what the proper path was for you."

After college, Hix began his professional career with the accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, in Houston. When the firm closed in 2002, Deloitte acquired its tax practice and Hix has worked there since.

"When I started with Deloitte, I began recruiting heavily at Ole Miss," he said. "We brought a lot of kids into Houston tax over the last 15 or 20 years, so, it's been a real nice pipeline for our practice.

"The kids that come from Ole Miss do very well. I'm appreciative of that also."

Wilder, the school's dean, expressed appreciation for his former student's gift.

"Sam is enjoying a phenomenal career with Deloitte Tax in Houston, and I am very proud of him and the many successes he is enjoying," Wilder said. "He is a wonderful ambassador for the Patterson School and a good friend. I'm humbled and honored that he has chosen to recognize me, Dr. Davis and Dr. Nichols in this way."

Davis shared similar sentiments.

"When I met Sam years ago, I knew he had great potential," the retired professor said. "It's gratifying to have seen him grow and mature into a leader in the profession. I'm proud to call him a brother and friend, and I'm greatly honored by his gift."

Nichols, associate professor of accountancy and Horne LLP Lecturer, is equally honored.

"To think that I made such an impression on one of my students is truly humbling, and it's honoring to know that the work I do and really the mission we all have here at the Patterson School results in such outstanding success for our graduates like Sam," Nichols said.

The university plans to build Jones Hall, the school's new home, at the corner of University Avenue and Grove Loop. The 110,000-square-foot building will house study spaces, classrooms and offices.

Hix and his wife, Nicole, made a previous gift to support the Deloitte Foundation Chair of Accountancy.

For more information about supporting the new home of the Patterson School of Accountancy, contact Jason McCormick, executive director for development, at jason@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1757. To make a gift, click here.

Top: Sam Hix (second from left), a graduate of the Patterson School of Accountancy, has given $50,000 to honor his former professors in the school's new headquarters. He and his family, (from left) Gray, Carver, Nicole and Georgia, live in Houston, Texas. Submitted photo