Generosity That Endures
Spider alum gives back to support accounting students
As a teenager living on Long Island, Bill Goodman, B’78, P’12, dreamed of leaving New York for his college experience. And he’s glad he did – it led him to the University of Richmond.
“I liked the small school atmosphere, and I was excited about the business program,” he said. “It was a bit of a transition going from the north to the south, but after a year, I had acclimated and found classmates and professors who really looked after me and mentored me.”
Goodman graduated with an accounting and finance degree from the Robins School of Business and began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co., a former “Big Eight” public accounting firm, in its Washington, D.C., office. He later transitioned to the private sector, working in real estate accounting and operations for the remainder of his career. He served as chief financial officer at several prominent real estate development firms before retiring earlier this year.
His daughter, Jessica Goodman Kohlenberger, ’12, followed in her father’s footsteps by becoming a Spider. A leadership studies and political science major, she worked on Capitol Hill for several years before earning an M.B.A. from George Washington University. She now works as a manager at business consulting firm Deloitte in Arlington, Va.
“We were very proud to have Jessica go to Richmond,” Goodman said. “She experienced the same type of close mentorship that I did, and it led her to finding a great career as well.”
Goodman and his wife, Cindy Goodman, P’12, have been loyal supporters of Robins for more than four decades. While their giving has always come from a place of gratitude for how UR has benefited their family, this year, they decided to make an impact that will endure beyond their lifetime by dedicating a portion of their estate to Robins. This will allow them to support the people and programs that directly impact student success and outcomes.
The couple also made a generous commitment to support Robins students over the next five years, with a specific intention in mind. The gift will allow Dr. Mickey Quiñones, dean and professor of management at the Robins School, to invest in a new role: the director of accounting student engagement. In this role, Dr. Ashley Austin, associate professor of accounting, will develop strategies to expose more students to accounting careers, coordinating with existing programs like Career Services as well as developing new programs and initiatives.
“There’s a very strong need for new accountants to join the profession,” Goodman said. “I’ve heard from industry peers that they’re having a hard time finding good people. I would love to help more UR business students move into a profession that’s been very good to me.”
“Bill and Cindy’s generosity will have an indelible impact on current and future Spider students, creating pathways for professional success in a critically important industry,” Dean Quiñones said. “We are so grateful to be part of their wonderful legacy.”
When you include a gift to Richmond as part of your legacy, you join generations of Spiders in ensuring that the University and its mission will endure for generations to come. Learn more about gift planning.