TCU Neeley Alumni Pledge $5.5 Million for School’s Expansion

Two TCU Neeley alumni have just generously donated a significant leadership gift from alumni Tom and Marilyn Sumner to support the school’s expansion.

Tom Sumner BBA ’67 MBA ’68, and his wife Marilyn TCU ’68 have recently pledged a $5.5 million gift for the planned expansion of TCU Neeley. The gift will help fund new facilities including new south and east wings, a new auditorium, technological advances and innovative classrooms/learning spaces. The expansion is planned to begin this year, with the combined new facilities named the Spencer and Marlene Hays Business Commons, in recognition of a $30 million foundational gift.

Since his time at TCU, Tom Sumner has gone on to found six successful companies, currently serving as CEO and chairman of Allpoints Service Corp. Also a TCU Neeley alumni, Marilyn Sumner is the co-founder of a consulting company which advises school districts within the Houston area. She also currently serves on several nonprofit boards.

Sumner believes that his success in entrepreneurship had its start at TCU Neeley, where he had the chance to work among classmates with more experience both in life and work. “I could go head to head with them in the arena of ideas, case competitions and debates, and that gave me a lot of confidence. An entrepreneur has to have confidence,” Sumner said.

“Now Marilyn and I want to see the Neeley School build on its reputation and give more students the opportunity to create jobs and build companies from the things they learn at TCU,” he added.

According to O. Homer Erekson, the John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School, the gift reflects Sumner’s understanding that success in business begins with a first-rate business education.

regions: Dallas

About the Author