May’s varied engagement across the university promises chances to cultivate fresh opportunities on campus.
July 22, 2024
By TCU Neeley School of Business
As David May lays the groundwork in his newest leadership position with the Neeley Board of Advisors, a key word – collaboration – is frequently used to describe current achievements and future opportunities for the TCU Neeley School of Business.
May ’85 (MBA ’86), a member of the Neeley Board of Advisors since 2016, was recently named president of the business school’s advisory board. As an alumnus of the university and vice president for private client services with Luther King Capital Management, May is invested in seeing students benefit from the combination of a world-class education and industry expertise provided by talented TCU Neeley faculty and staff. He also touts the value of the interpersonal skills Neeley teaches, in order to create inspiring leaders.
"I am so grateful to David for accepting the invitation to serve as chair of the Neeley Board of Advisors,” said Craig Crossland, the John V. Roach Dean for TCU Neeley. “David is a visionary leader, and he fully embodies the values we cherish at the TCU Neeley School of Business. I look forward to working with him."
As the new school year approaches, May underscores the positive changes that place the university and business school at a crossroad of possibilities. This past year, the university introduced TCU President Daniel Pullin, who previously served as dean for the business school. Earlier this month, Crossland officially became the new dean for TCU Neeley. And, an admission change now allows first-year students to be directly admitted into the Neeley School of Business, rather than waiting until sophomore year.
“Any one of those changes on their own would be noteworthy, but all three of those together can be really exciting,” May said. “My job is to encourage the Neeley board to take advantage of those moments through collaboration, support Daniel [Pullin], support Craig [Crossland] in any way he needs support, and make sure we are thoughtful and understanding of first-year students coming into Neeley.”
Building on real-world opportunities and corporate connections benefits students. May said, it’s evident with finance students in Neeley’s Luther King Management Center for Financial Students and the Center for Real Estate with the internships and career opportunities for students and graduates.
“I think when you see Neeley’s undergraduate average starting salary as top 10 in the country, it shows that Neeley and the board have been taking the right steps,” May said, referring to data from higher education industry source, Poets&Quants.
Another example of collaboration at work can be seen in the partnership with Neeley and Athletics when it comes to Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) prospects for student athletes, which have come about through introductions and recommendations from board members at times. Through a partnership with alumni suite holders, the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Athletics also host office hours in the dedicated NIL Suite at Amon G. Carter Stadium, accessible to athletes and providing a connection to faculty and staff from within Neeley right where the athletes eat and train daily.
May credits the work of previous leaders who paved the way and continue to elevate TCU Neeley for students, alumni, faculty, staff and corporate partners. He specifically thanked D.D. Alexander ’82 (MBA ’85), the immediate past president for the Neeley Board of Advisors, and Hettie Richardson, who is associate dean for undergraduate programs in TCU Neeley and served as served in the interim dean role prior to Crossland’s start.
