This Longhorn is a Texas Star
By Kathy Pierce, Deloitte Services
You might say Dallas Partner Don Wagner, Deloitte & Touche, is still in college.
He has received both his bachelor of business administration and master in professional accounting degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) in 1971 and 1972, respectively, but the Longhorns still have their hooks in him. Or maybe it’s the other way around.
Wagner has continued to cultivate relationships with faculty and students on the campus of his alma mater, and has distinguished himself as a premier fundraiser. Another way he demonstrates his support of UT Austin’s accounting department is by serving on the department Advisory Council. A nomination led to his membership in 1996, and in 1998, he was named chair.
Star treatment at the 2008 commencement
On May 16, 2008, Wagner attended UT Austin’s MPA commencement ceremony as a special guest. He vividly recalled two other monumental occasions when he sat anxiously with fellow students, waiting for his name to be announced so he could walk up on the stage to receive his diploma. On this night, however, he had a different frame of reference; he was seated in a place of honor.
Before presenting the graduates with their diplomas, the school first bestowed an honor on Wagner; he became the fourth recipient of the prestigious Department of Accounting Texas Star Award, a prestigious award given to a person for his or her active support and service to the department.
“I was deeply honored and humbled to receive the Texas Star,” said Wagner. “But I was also honored because my former auditing professor, Dr. Jack Robertson, came out of retirement to sit beside me.”
Educating future leaders
With the fanfare and processionals over, Wagner explained why he has invested a large part of his life to the university. “I enjoy helping deserving students receive scholarships to pursue a higher education. And when you think about it, it’s good for business. We add a great number of UT grads to the Mid-America talent pool annually. And I’m especially proud of Deloitte’s association with UT, the McCombs School and the accounting department. Our endowments will help UT maintain and solidify its preeminent status among the other accounting programs across the country,” he added.
Deloitte recently commemorated a $1 million gift to UT Austin from the people of Deloitte and the Deloitte Foundation, and that amount was matched by the McCombs School. This funding will create a “Super Chair” that will assure the continued presences of outstanding faculty at the McCombs School.
According to Wagner, the mammoth fundraising campaign lasted seven years. Though that astounding achievement could be enough for a lifetime, the way Wagner sees it, there’s always another opportunity to give. He references a newly-established $360,000 project that he wants to help kick off to honor the legacy of Harry Jones, former Houston office managing partner. Jones, a 1970 graduate of the university, passed away in July 2005 after waging a lengthy and determined battle against cancer.
“The Larry Jones Deloitte Foundation Fellowship is a $300,000 endowment, plus scholarships in the amount of $60,000 for two years for students with immediate needs. The $300,000 gift will fund perpetual scholarships in Larry’s name. A number of Deloitte Longhorn alums, as well as others, are committed to it and have pledged $360,000,” said Wagner. He explained that they have five years to fully fund the endowment.
Other gifts include two faculty fellowships established in 1983 and a professorship established in 2001, as well as an endowed scholarship established in 1985. Wagner continued, “This is probably the last thing I will do with regard to big UT initiatives. I’m looking forward to retirement next year. I will be turning over UT to Greg Bailes (Deloitte & Touche partner, Austin). I can stay on the Advisory Council, but it’s time to pass the baton.”
What’s next on the syllabus?
Wagner admits that graduation ceremonies are always a blend of emotions. They mark the successful completion of one phase of life and the anticipation of something new.
And speaking of new, Wagner said he and his wife have begun building a house in New Braunfels, Texas. “All four of our children graduated from UT (where else?) and have settled in the Austin Hill Country.”
And Wagner is extremely excited about spending more time with his four-month-old grandson and future Longhorn, Mason Brammall. Beaming, Wagner said the little guy attended the commencement ceremony. He said, “Urton Anderson, accounting department chair, welcomed him by broadcasting his name in Gregory Gymasium for all to hear.” Could it be a sign of things to come?
But until Mason embarks on his own UT adventure, Grandpa will be there to teach him how to master the famous “Hook ’em Horns” hand sign.
This article originally appeared on the Deloitte News Network Web site and is reprinted with permission.
