University Celebrates Landmark Year of Support, Donors’ Impact

Supporters of The University of Texas at Dallas gathered at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center on Oct. 23 to recognize record-breaking fundraising over the past year, during which 8,600 individual donors contributed more than $70 million to the University.

Together with $90 million in matching funds from the Texas Research Incentive Program, UT Dallas supporters helped generate $161.3 million of impact, while boosting the University's endowment over $900 million for the first time. Additionally, New Dimensions: The Campaign for UT Dallas has raised over $562 million toward the University's $750 million goal.

A jazz quartet from the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology played during the Celebration of Support, as Shanon Patrick, interim vice president for development and alumni relations, applauded the donors who help UT Dallas students succeed.

"Your philanthropy fuels everything we do, from scholarships that open doors for talented students, to faculty endowments that sustain groundbreaking research, to facilities that foster creativity and innovation," Patrick said. "Thanks to your generosity, UT Dallas continues to grow and thrive - not only as a top public research university, but also as a community defined by opportunity and impact."

UT Dallas President Prabhas V. Moghe also thanked attendees for their support and noted the critical ways in which philanthropy will provide the momentum needed to continue UT Dallas' trajectory of growth.

"One of my goals is to make UT Dallas a household name - not just in Texas, but across the nation and around the world," Moghe said. "I want UT Dallas to be a place that invites the world to come together in a shared spirit of innovation and discovery. With our supporters' help, UT Dallas will be that university."

As attendees enjoyed the evening, they also heard directly from students about the ways in which donor contributions drive meaningful change in their own lives.

"Donor support goes far beyond just financial assistance," said Pearson Edgington, a biology junior and Eugene McDermott Scholar. "It really creates the opportunity to meet with people at the University and foster a feeling of belonging and community."

Senior Ariel Tamez, a Capital One Scholar in Applied Experience Design & Research, shared how philanthropy transformed her experience at UT Dallas.

"Because of donor support, I have been able to make long-lasting connections with all of my peers and achieve goals that seemed farthest from reach," she said.

Charidan Matties, a visual and performing arts senior and Terry Scholar, appreciates the transformative nature of the University's student body.

"The students here at UT Dallas have the biggest potential for growth and leadership in the future," Matties said. "Here you find students who are academically driven and want to see change in their communities. Investing here at UT Dallas is investing in the future."

Media Contact: Stephanie Ghandour, UT Dallas, 972-883-5483, [email protected], or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected].