The McCoy College Foundation of Texas State University is extending the generosity of Richard L. “Dick” Burdick through a special matching opportunity. Thanks to a $500,000 gift from Burdick’s estate, The McCoy College Foundation has pledged to match every dollar, up to $500,000. A $1 million endowment will be created in Burdick’s name once the full match is met.
This endowment will help establish the R.L. “Dick” Burdick Dean’s Leadership Academy, which will carry forward the values Burdick embodied—hard work, perseverance, and a deep belief in innovation, entrepreneurship, and education.
Up to 15 outstanding business students will be selected each year by invitation only. Leadership training, mentorship, and travel experiences will enrich their education and transform their lives. Each year, a new cohort of students will graduate better prepared to make innovative contributions to business and society, guided by Burdick’s enduring principles of ethics and integrity.
Burdick, a TXST alumnus, was a longtime San Marcos resident who founded Thermon, an industrial heating business. He was also very active in his community, participating in the Rotary Club, the Southwest Texas State University Business Advisory Council, and board of trustees of the Southwest Research Institute, among many other groups. Burdick passed in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of service.
“We thought it was a great way to reignite a longstanding relationship between the Burdick family and Texas State University,” said Nicole Skidmore, Burdick’s daughter.
“I hope this gift will give the students the guidance and opportunity that they can take with them out into the world and thrive—to become the great innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their field.”
The gift from the Burdick estate will help the academy expand the depth of opportunities offered to students. Through the leadership academy, the cohort of students will take part in professional development through an executive mentoring program with the Dean’s Leadership Council, professional career readiness sessions, and site visits to local and even international companies.
“Dick Burdick believed in investing in people, not just ideas. This gift honors that legacy by ensuring our brightest students at McCoy College develop not only as business leaders, but as ethical, thoughtful citizens ready to tackle the world's toughest challenges,” said Sanjay Ramchander, Ph.D., dean of the McCoy College of Business. “The R. L. 'Dick' Burdick Dean’s Leadership Academy will inspire generations of leaders who carry forward his values of integrity, innovation, and service.”
The academy welcomed its inaugural cohort in Spring 2025. The program term is now designed to span two semesters, beginning in the fall and concluding in the spring.