Supporting the professorship, the endowment will provide financial support to enhance the teaching, service, and professional development activities of the head of the accounting department situated within the Mays Business School.

Professor James Benjamin, who has been on the faculty at Mays since 1974 and has headed the department since 1982 has been named as the first holder of this professorship. "I am particularly excited about this fund because it will help our school attract and retain outstanding leaders in the future," he said.

"Mays Business School has had a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Deloitte," said Ricky Griffin, interim Dean of the Mays Business School. "This gift is tangible recognition of the outstanding work of Jim Benjamin and the accounting faculty as they help prepare the business leaders of tomorrow. We are very grateful to Deloitte and its partners for their support and faith in our programs."

Professor Benjamin acknowledged the committed teamwork between the university and Deloitte, noting, "Deloitte has been very involved with the development of our program, including service on our advisory council, since its inception in 1982, and has continued to provide significant financial support for our programs," he said. "Just as important, Deloitte is also significant as a leading recruiter of our students."

D’Andrea and Chris Patton, Deloitte’s partner in charge of recruiting at Texas A&M, also recognized the alliance, and said, "We’ve found there to be a great fit between Mays students and Deloitte culture. We hire more candidates out of the Mays School than any other school in the area." In addition to this professorship, Deloitte has also endowed both a professorship in support of the Director of the Professional Program in Accounting at Mays and a significant scholarship fund for accounting majors.