RSM US Foundation Establishes RSM Peter S. Wilson Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship for NC State's Poole College of Management

CHICAGO – (May 25, 2021) – The RSM US Foundation has matched more than $75,000 of donations from family, friends and colleagues of Peter Wilson, an RSM partner who passed away unexpectedly in January 2021. These funds will establish the RSM Peter S. Wilson Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Totaling more than $150,000, the endowment will support students at the North Carolina State University’s (NC State) Poole College of Management.

Before his passing, Wilson and his wife, Trish, parents of three, including two NC State alumni, had plans to create a scholarship at the school to help economically disadvantaged, underrepresented minority students studying accounting by providing full scholarships for the last two years of their educations. Wilson had contacted the RSM US Foundation earlier this year to begin work with NC State alumni across the firm to expand the program and to reach even more students through RSM’s University Giving Programs. The RSM US Foundation and Wilson’s former colleagues are now carrying this forward.

“Peter was a man of great integrity, sharp wit and unparalleled professionalism,” said Trish Wilson. “He was passionate about doing the right thing, and influenced those around him to do the same. He envisioned making a positive impact by helping deserving students complete their accounting degrees. Thank you, RSM, for making this happen.”

These scholarships will support students majoring in accounting who have completed two years of undergraduate studies. Students must be in good academic standing as determined by the NC State Department of Accounting, and will be selected using the university’s normal protocols for awarding merit scholarships.

“The Poole College of Management is incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Wilson family and the RSM US Foundation for this endowed scholarship,” said Stephen P. Zelnak Jr., Dean Frank Buckless. “This gift will make the road to success that much easier so students can have the tools to be impactful in the field of accounting. We believe the spirit of Peter’s intentions will be lived through our students for many years to come.”

“I am so proud of how our firm rallied to make Peter’s vision a reality with this scholarship, and I’m honored that the RSM US Foundation is able to support the effort,” said Doug Opheim, chief financial officer and chair of the RSM US Foundation. “Helping deserving students achieve their academic goals as they work toward establishing successful careers is quite a legacy for Peter, and it helps the RSM US Foundation achieve its mission of creating tomorrow’s middle market business leaders.”

“Peter was a great colleague and friend,” said Charles Britt, NC State alumnus and a state and local tax partner with RSM US LLP. “It was my privilege to work with him and an honor to help bring his vision of helping deserving students achieve their academic goals to life, with the support of my colleagues and the RSM US Foundation.”

To learn more about the RSM US Foundation, visit RSM’s website.