When Bill Shaddock graduated with a finance degree from TCU back in the early 1970s, he realized that following in his father’s medical footsteps just wasn’t going to be. Then he met C. Jackson Grayson, who was SMU’s dean of business. Grayson talked about the art of making deals. The more Bill heard the more he realized that he and SMU were going to have a wonderful relationship.
According to a 2011 interview in D CEO, Bill recalled, “That’s what I wanted to do. SMU was one of the few schools in those days that was training people to become real estate or oil and gas entrepreneurs.”
The result was an MBA from SMU and great memories about the graduate experience.
With those memories in tow, Bill showed his appreciation along with wife Kim Shaddock today by providing a $6M gift establishing Shaddock Hall as part of the building renovation project of the Cox School of Business.
As Bill explained, “SMU was a bright and illustrious beacon in my life. It gave me the entrepreneurial education I needed, as well as the confidence to drive myself towards a very successful career.
“It feels only right that I provide a tangible gift of appreciation for what SMU and Cox School of Business have done for me, my family and the success of my business. I hope that this gift will help propel current and future students toward their own success, and that they, too, will pay it forward.”
Located in the “heart of SMU’s campus,” the Hall “will include dynamic spaces with a dedicated business library reading room and expansive classrooms, which will ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to reach their goals. The Hall will also be the home to the dean’s boardroom, a premier conference room with seating for 20, overlooking the central hub of the Cox School. Shaddock Hall will also house offices for support services including marketing, communications and academic affairs.”
In response to the gift, Cox School Dean Matthew B. Myers commented, “This gift illustrates the quality and bold initiative of SMU’s alumni. As the Cox School continues to expand its reach beyond SMU’s campus, partnerships with our local business community are critical, and we are excited to join Bill in his endeavor.”
* Graphic/photo provided by SMU