$15 gift from Rob W. Estes and Jean Berger Estes to establish a center for excellence in accounting at College

William & Mary announced a transformative $15 million gift from alumni Rob W. Estes and Jean Berger Estes, establishing the Estes Center for Excellence in Accounting at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business. The donation, among the largest in the business school’s history, aims to elevate accounting education and inspire a new generation of leaders in the field.

The Estes Center will serve as a national hub for accounting innovation, integrating analytics, emerging technologies, and strategic thinking into its curriculum. It will offer career treks, case competitions, weekend seminars, and immersive learning experiences, moving beyond traditional number-crunching to highlight accounting’s role as a dynamic, decision-making discipline essential to business strategy.

The initiative is closely aligned with William & Mary’s Vision 2026 Strategic Plan and its Career Initiative, which focus on preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving workforce.

Rob Estes, CEO and board chair of Estes Express Lines—the largest privately owned freight carrier in North America—credits his William & Mary accounting education for his business success.

“We want to bring accounting out of the back room and into the boardroom,” Estes said. “The accountant should be guiding the conversation”.

Jean Berger Estes, a former teacher, emphasized the couple’s desire to spark student interest in accounting and help them experience the field’s excitement and impact.

William & Mary President Katherine Rowe praised the Estes family’s commitment:

“We are grateful for their latest gift to raise William & Mary’s global profile. Their message to aspiring leaders is clear: if you aim to sow prosperity in your organizations and communities, then William & Mary is the place for you”

The Estes family has a long history of supporting William & Mary, with contributions to athletics, the arts, and business education. Their latest gift will fund faculty expansion, student scholarships, and new learning opportunities, further cementing the university’s reputation as a leader in business education.

The April 24 event marked the Estes Center’s launch, “Pioneering Excellence: Shaping the Future Generation of Accounting,” showcasing curriculum innovations, research, and industry trends.

With this landmark gift, the Estes family continues to shape the future of business education at William & Mary, ensuring that accounting is at the forefront of organizational leadership and innovation.