White family gift expands support for UTA students
A $100,000 gift from the James and Teresa White Family Foundation will expand access to emergency assistance and hands-on criminal justice learning for students at The University of Texas at Arlington.
The commitment will establish two endowments: the Margaret Malone Marable Student Emergency Fund and the Margaret Malone Marable Criminology and Criminal Justice Fund. The endowments honor Teresa White’s late mother, Margaret Malone Marable, who graduated from UTA in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in government.
“UTA has played a meaningful role in my family’s story for many years,” said White (’88 BBA, Information Systems), a UTA Distinguished Alumna and co-chair of the President’s Campaign Leadership Council. “Our gift reflects that connection while opening doors for students to pursue their goals and reach their full potential.”
In recognition of the gift, the university will permanently name a meeting space in the Fraternity and Sorority Life Community Center as the Margaret Malone Marable Conference Room. Both White and her mother were members of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
The Margaret Malone Marable Student Emergency Fund will generate ongoing support for UTA’s Emergency Assistance Fund, helping students address unexpected financial challenges that could otherwise interrupt their academic progress.
The Margaret Malone Marable Criminology and Criminal Justice Fund will enhance experiential learning in the College of Liberal Arts, with an emphasis on UTA’s cold case course. Offered through the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice in partnership with the Arlington Police Department, the class immerses students in unsolved homicide investigations through applied casework.
“James and Teresa White’s investment through their family foundation embodies the generosity and leadership that drive our Shared Dreams, Bright Future campaign,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “Their commitment to student success sets a powerful example while advancing academic programs that make a difference in our communities.”
White served as president of Aflac U.S. from 2014 to 2023 and now holds the title of president emeritus. She and James, her husband, previously established the Teresa and James White Scholarship Endowment supporting UTA’s College of Business.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.