ULM hosted family and friends of the late William D. “Bill” Hoover at an event last Monday, announcing an endowment fund for scholarships and faculty development and the naming of the William D. Hoover School of accounting, financial and information services in the College of Business and Social Sciences.

Hoover graduated from ULM in 1960 with a degree in accounting. He went on to become a successful Northeast Louisiana CPA and businessman.

Hoover was an advocate for education and a long-time financial supporter of the university.

Dr. Nick Bruno, the president, commended on Hoover’s “entrepreneurial spirit”

“In Monroe and this area there are a number of individuals who had remarkable entrepreneurial opportunities, and they took them and did extremely well,” Bruno said, referring to Hoover.

His wife of 62 years, Lois Pelanowsky Hoover, and their children and spouses, Gary and Cindy Hoover, Richmond and Terri Hoover Odom, Scott and Gayle Hoover Frick, established an endowment fund in Mr. Hoover’s name after his death at age 82 on Jan. 24, 2018.

Dr. Ron Berry, Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, spoke on the living legacy the Hoover Family created to honor their patriarch.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Hoover’s legacy is going to have a significant impact on the future,” Berry said.

Daughter Terri Hoover Odom spoke on behalf of her family and introduced several friends who shared their thoughts about Hoover.

Odom said many people in attendance made contributions to the endowment fund in her father’s name.

Sept. 9 was Hoover’s birthday, which made the occasion even more meaningful to the family.