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UT Arlington’s donors are builders. They relish the prospect of making a direct, transformational impact through their gifts. Last year the University received more than twice as much in private donations as it did the previous year. These generous contributions—and the professorships, scholarships, and academic initiatives they’ve created—already are reaping benefits across the campus. Such strategic support from our bold philanthropic partners enables us to change the trajectory of thousands of lives each year. 

Pamela Hancock, Social work Ph.D. student; Heath Blackmon, Quantitative biology Ph.D. student; Steven A. Webster, Carrizo Oil and Gas Inc. Chairman of the Board; S.P. 'Chip' Johnson IV, Carrizo Oil and Gas Inc. President and CEO
Unparalleled generosity

A record gift is transforming the eastern edge of campus into a bustling college town environment. Last summer Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. pledged $5 million—the largest single cash commitment in UT Arlington philanthropic history—for College Park Center. Now under construction, the 6,500-seat events center is expected to open by December 2011. Carrizo, a Houston-based, independent energy company,  has been developing the University’s natural gas resources since 2007. President and Chief Executive Officer S.P. “Chip” Johnson IV, right, and Chairman of the Board Steven A. Webster, second from right, are proud of their association with UT Arlington. “College Park Center promises to have a dramatic impact on the campus and to be a resource for the entire community,” Johnson says. “We believe a robust campus is a key ingredient in attracting outstanding students and helping them graduate.” The gift follows Carrizo’s $1 million donation in 2009 that established a graduate research fellowship program to attract top scholars like Pamela Hancock, left, and Heath Blackmon to the University. “We welcomed six new doctoral fellows last fall who brought their talents to UT Arlington through our partnership with Carrizo,” President James D. Spaniolo says. “This new commitment to College Park Center is transformational for UT Arlington and signals many great things to come.”

a gloved hand holding a set of vials

REACHING MAJOR MILESTONES

UT Arlington is on the rise, and so is private philanthropic support for its key initiatives. In 2009-10 the University generated an unprecedented $15.2 million in new gifts and pledges, more than doubling the total from the previous year. Donors established $3.6 million in new endowments, a remarkable 159 percent increase. “Endowments play a major role in the University’s mission to become a nationally recognized research institution,” Vice President for Development Jim Lewis says. “A strong endowment ensures long-term financial stability.”

colorful pills

TEAMING UP FOR THE RIGHT CHEMISTRY

Energy, health care, and other industries could benefit from a new endowed chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Science. Dionex Corp. has pledged $500,000 to create the Hamish Small Chair of Ion Analysis. Dr. Small invented suppressed ion chromatography, a process that enables the separation of ions based on their charge. It is widely used in diverse industries, from power generation to pharmaceuticals. The gift grew to $1 million as a result of the Maverick Match, a program that leverages UT Arlington’s natural gas royalties.

Morgan Woodward

A GENEROUS ACT WITH REEL IMPACT

The “Man with No Eyes” is helping to ensure a bright future for UT Arlington film students. Actor and alumnus Morgan Woodward, best known for his role as a prison guard with mirrored sunglasses in Cool Hand Luke, established a $500,000 endowed professorship for the Art and Art History Department in the College of Liberal Arts. “I wanted to pass on my love for acting and film by establishing the endowment to assist in recruiting outstanding professors in the fields of film, video, and screenwriting,” he says. His $250,000 gift was doubled through the Maverick Match program.

professor discussing with two students

LEAVING A GLOBAL LEGACY

A $1.16 million endowment will help future UT Arlington students develop a better understanding of global languages and cultures. Betty Ruch donated $580,000 on behalf of herself and her late husband, Roger, to establish the Charles T. McDowell Center for Critical Languages and Area Studies. The contribution will double through the Maverick Match. Dr. McDowell, who died in 2007, was a distinguished UT Arlington professor who established the Center for Post-Soviet and East European Studies at the University in 1968. The Ruches were longtime admirers of McDowell’s work.