On March 19, the Cameron School of Business (CSB) hosted a celebratory dinner for scholarship recipients and their donors. As the evening kicked off, Missy Kennedy ‘01, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, proudly welcomed attendees and noted the successful conclusion of Like No Other: The Campaign for UNCW. The campaign raised over $136 million, with $20 million dedicated to supporting the CSB. “These numbers are impressive, but the true measure of success is in the lives transformed through alumni and donor support,” said Kennedy.
It was that support that was at the heart of the evening’s festivities – and as Robert Burrus Ph.D., Dean of CSB, took the stage, beaming as a slideshow flickered images of students, faculty, and proud alumni. “Those images really represent all that’s good with the Cameron School of Business,” he noted, as attendees were shown photos of Business Week and student competitions, among other programs and events — all made possible by the generosity of donors. “I want you to remember that philanthropy makes all of those images and moments possible by creating incredible resources for our faculty, students, and staff,” said Burrus.
As of the 2024–25 academic year, CSB has achieved its highest-ever enrollment of 3,200 students and remains the top donor-supported school within UNCW. Based on that level of support, CSB has soared to a worldwide top seven percent of business schools and a top 100 national undergraduate business school ranking.
The highlight of the evening was the celebration of three outstanding alumni donors: Derek Omar ’08, Madison Locklear ’85, and Joey Perkins ’09, ’11M. “These winners show the very best of the Cameron School of Business and the impact of all of our donors,” said Burrus.
Derek Bomar ’08: A commitment to Opportunity
Bomar currently serves as managing partner and head of asset management investment banking at Deutsche Bank. His impressive career includes nearly a decade at Goldman Sachs in both New York and London, specializing in financial institutions and asset management. Before that, he began his professional journey as a certified public accountant (CPA) at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Bomar’s deep connection to UNCW stems from his family – most notably his grandmother, Perri Bomar, who served as associate dean and professor of UNCW’s nursing program during his youth. When reflecting on his time at CSB, Bomar credited faculty members Bill Sackley, Randy Hanson, and Allison Evans for their mentorship.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bomar gives back to the university by funding experiential learning opportunities, including the “Open a Door Travel Award” that provides funding support for students participating in the annual CSB Economics and Finance Department networking trip to New York City.
Madison Locklear ’85: Believing in the Underdog
Locklear is an accomplished CPA and financial expert whose path to success was anything but traditional. Originally a physics major, she pivoted to accounting after realizing her passion for analyzing balance sheets – and as she humorously admitted, a lack of enthusiasm for multivariate calculus.
Locklear’s career has spanned public accounting, financial planning, and corporate finance, including time at Bank of America and Lincoln Financial Advisors. She is also the first Lumbee Indian to hold CPA, certified financial planner (CFP), and Series 7 certifications, breaking barriers in the financial industry.
What sets Locklear apart is her dedication to students who may not fit the traditional mold of academic excellence. Locklear’s “Believe Scholarship” was created for students with ‘B’ averages who, like her, have faced life challenges that could have held them back, but didn’t. “I wasn’t a straight ‘A’ student, but someone believed in me, and that made all the difference” Locklear said. “This scholarship is about making sure that every student knows there’s someone out there who believes in them.”
Joey Perkins ’09, ’11M: Building Success and Giving Back
Perkins shared his story of transformation – one that began at UNCW, where he found his academic footing and career direction. “This is where things finally clicked for me,” he said.
After earning both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in accounting from the CSB, Perkins embarked on a career at Deloitte, where he gained expertise in federal advisory services and enterprise resource planning. In 2016, he founded J.S. Perkins Consulting LLC (JSPC), a federal consulting firm that has since secured over $60 million in contracts.
Perkins remains deeply engaged with UNCW, serving on the Foundation Board and funding the Joseph S. Perkins Scholarship in Business to support and encourage business students who value activism within the community in a spirit of promoting the wellbeing of others. He has also provided internships and full-time job opportunities to numerous students.
“I really want to thank the university and the Cameron School of Business for preparing me so well for my career,” said Perkins, acknowledging that UNCW faculty and mentors shaped his journey. “It's all about paying it forward and it’s an honor to give back.”
Though Business Week has concluded for 2025, the celebrations of student success and donor impact continue. “There is so much to celebrate, and none of it would be possible without the generosity of our growing community of donors,” said Kennedy. “Thank you for helping us soar higher together.”
View photos from the celebration.
To learn more about how you can support UNCW and impact the Seahawk student experience, visit giving.uncw.edu. Additionally, learn more about CSB news, programs, events, and more.