As Texas Tech University celebrates its centennial year in 2023, the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business will highlight impactful individuals from years past. While each person be it as a student, alumni, friend, faculty or staff member may have impacted the college or their industry differently, one thing will always be constant: they are all part of the Rawls College legacy.

Known as a passionate leader, mentor and teacher, Herschel Mann's impact throughout his 43-year tenure with Texas Tech University's College of Business Administration was felt by students, alumni, staff, faculty and leadership.

In 1972, Mann began his tenure as an accounting faculty member, and from 1985 until his retirement, he served as the KPMG Professor of Accounting. Mann is remembered for his guidance, determination and passion for both the college and university.

During his time at the business college, Mann experienced many changes in academia, but he always did his best to ensure the accounting program maintained close ties with the profession and that the curriculum prepared graduates for a successful career.

Over the years, Mann was recognized several times for his teaching excellence. He was a recipient of several university-wide teaching awards, including the Mortar Board and Omicron Delta Kappa Award, Texas Tech President's Excellence in Teaching Award, Texas Tech Greek Excellence in Teaching Award, the Amoco Distinguished Teaching Award and the Edwin E. Merriman Outstanding Accounting Professor at Texas Tech Award. Mann was also recognized with various college-wide awards including the Outstanding Faculty Member in the College of Business Administration Award. Additionally, he was selected by students who completed their degrees between 1993 and 2008 as their favorite business professor.

In 2016, to honor his commitment to students, peers, alumni, the college and the accounting profession, Texas Techs School of Accounting established the Herschel Mann Scholarship Endowment, which is funded by contributions from those whose lives Mann personally impacted. The funds are used to support future generations of accounting students in their efforts to become leaders in the profession, while also ensuring Mann's dedication to accounting students and the profession will always be remembered.

"Over the years since my graduation, I've often wondered what I could do to even begin to repay Dr. Herschel Mann for the lasting impact he's had on my life," said Brenda Peters, who graduated from Texas Tech in 1974 with her BBA in accounting. "As I recall, during my years at Texas Tech, the percentage of women majoring in accounting was small and those of us African American accounting majors could be counted on one hand. Dr. Mann's excellence in teaching and related student expectations appeared to be gender and race blind. He had an open-door policy and made me, as well as countless others, feel special. Largely due to him, I never doubted that I would work for one of the then Big Eight accounting firms and become a CPA. Even to this day, my Texas Tech education, especially Dr. Mann's instruction and guidance, continues to serve me well in a profession I love."

For more information on the impact of Rawls College, please visit the centennial exhibit at the Texas Tech Museum.