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is a certified public accountant. She joined the Millsaps faculty in 1995. Her research interests include assurance services, expectations formation, and gender issues. Her research has been published in multiple publications including Journal of Information Systems, Journal of Applied Business Research, Review of Accounting Information Systems, and Internal Auditing.
—Kara G. Paulk
New fund to provide economics students opportunities beyond classroom setting The newly established Brooking Fund for Economics Beyond the Classroom at Millsaps College will offer resources for professors to provide opportunities for economics students to enhance their knowledge beyond the classroom setting. The endowment honors Dr. Carl Brooking, a 1971 Millsaps alumnus who taught at the College for 28 years and retired in May 2009 as emeritus professor of economics and quantitative management. Matt Kaye, B.A.1986, led the fundraising effort for the endowment, which was revealed at an event in April at Broad Street Baking Company & Cafe in Jackson. More than $73,000 has been raised, with a goal of $250,000. “I was one of Carl’s first students,” Kaye said. “In the 25 years since, we’ve remained in contact and become good friends.” “When he conveyed to me that he was retiring, it seemed natural that a very large number of students would have fond memories as well and would see this as a prime opportunity to honor Carl’s contributions and build a legacy to the future that would extend his impact in perpetuity,” Kaye said. “We sent out a few letters, and the fund just fed itself as word spread and people leaped at the opportunity
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millsaps magazine
Millsaps graduate Matt Kaye, left, surprises Dr. Carl Brooking with an endowment created with gifts from his former students.
to honor him. He had no knowledge of what was taking place.” Brooking said it’s gratifying to see former students and faculty members contribute to the fund. “It’s not something I expected,” he said. “I’m really happy and excited about it.” The fund could make trips to national business centers possible, Brooking said. Millsaps business students have visited the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta and the U.S. Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. “Trips like that put some meat into the textbook learning,” Brooking said. The fund could be used to bring experts to campus to speak to students, Brooking said. “It might also provide support for student research. For example, if a student has done research and wants to travel to a conference to present that research. Those are all pieces of what I think of as economics beyond the classroom.” Dr. Kimberly Gladden Burke, acting dean of the Else School of Management, considers Brooking a testament to the impact that an excellent teacher can have on students. “His students are in positions of influence in different industries
throughout the country, and the speed and enthusiasm with which they raised this money reflects their great appreciation for him. We hope this fund will provide a means to continue his legacy.” For more information about the project, contact Nancy Flowers, major gifts officer at Millsaps, at 601-974-1454 or nancy. flowers@millsaps.edu.
—Jesse Yancy, freelance writer
Finance Room to honor long-time professor More than $80,000 has been raised to create the Walter Neely Finance Room to honor Millsaps Professor of Finance Walter Neely. Funds will be used to upgrade the room in Murrah Hall where students meet to discuss and direct the Else School of Management’s Louis Wilson Fund. Neely serves as advisor for the Wilson Fund, which was established in 1989 as a