OXFORD,
Miss. – The University of Mississippi’s MBA Alumni Board has named
Houston, Texas, businessman Charles C. Beall Jr. as its 2009 Alumnus of
the Year.
Beall was selected based on his individual
accomplishments as well as his involvement with the business school and
university, said Ken Cyree, dean of the School of Business
Administration, which recommended Beall to the alumni board. He was
honored during a reception April 16.
“Charlie Beall has had a
remarkable career in banking and finance and has been extraordinarily
generous in his contributions to his community and to the university,”
said Chancellor Robert C. Khayat. “Although much of his adult life has
been lived in Texas, he has maintained close contact with Ole Miss and
his hometown of Batesville. Through his professional and personal
activities, he has brought great distinction to Ole Miss.”
Beall
first graduated from UM with a bachelor’s degree in business
administration in 1957. After serving in Taiwan as an officer in the
U.S. Air Force, he returned to Oxford, earning his MBA in banking and
finance in 1961.
Beall has since served as president, chairman
and CEO of the Texas Commerce Bank, as well as vice chairman and senior
loan officer of the parent holding company, Texas Commerce Bankshares.
He led the Texas Commerce Bankshares merger with Chemical Bank, which
is now JPMorgan Chase. At the time of the merger, Texas Commerce was
one of the top 15 banks in the U.S. by assets.
Beall acts as a board member for The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research Foundation, which supports TIRR, a nonprofit that is regularly ranked among the top rehabilitation centers by U.S. News and World Report. Beall has been involved with TIRR since 1970, and has served as president and CEO, among other leadership roles. He has also been a board member for many other organizations, including the United Way, American Heart Association and Leukemia Society.
Even though he lives in Texas, Beall has not let distance separate him from his alma mater. He expressed appreciation for being chosen to receive the alumni award.
“This is an outstanding honor, recognizing the quality of the school and all the students.” Beall said. “I am so proud of this award.”
Beall’s son, Charles Beall III, said one of his earliest memories involves his father and UM football.
“He took me to see Archie Manning with his broken arm,” Charles said. “I can still remember him adding a Band-Aid to my ‘Archie Who?’ button. My dad bleeds red and blue.”
Beall lives in Houston with his wife, Anne. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
For more information about the School of Business Administration, visit http://www.olemissbusiness.com/ .