Advancing Research

UTA celebrated the naming of the Debra and Jon Weidanz Tissue Engineering Laboratory last fall, recognizing the couple’s enduring philanthropic support.

Located in the Engineering Research Building and directed by Kytai Nguyen, the Alfred R. and Janet H. Potvin Distinguished Professor in Bioengineering, the lab serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in micro- and nanomaterials for tissue repair, drug delivery systems, and nanocomposites for regenerative medicine. It is the first named lab in the Department of Bioengineering.

“UTA gave me the foundation to pursue a career in science and technology,” says Debra Weidanz (’99 MS, ’97 BS, Electrical Engineering), CEO and chief scientist of Resonant Sensors Incorporated and member of UTA’s Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Industrial Advisory boards. “Jon and I are excited to invest in the next generation of researchers and help enrich a space where bold ideas can thrive.”

The Weidanzes’ gift funds equipment upgrades and space improvements, graduate fellowships, undergraduate research opportunities, and other programmatic needs that strengthen UTA’s research enterprise.

“This lab represents the kind of collaborative work that drives real progress in advancing health solutions,” says Jon Weidanz, senior associate vice president for research, professor of kinesiology and bioengineering, and founding director at the Institute of Biomanufacturing and Precision Medicine for North Texas (IMPRINT). “We’re honored to contribute to a project that empowers faculty and students to push boundaries.”

The Weidanzes have contributed more than $500,000 cumulatively to UTA.

Planned Gifts

Planned gifts have a profound and lasting impact on UTA’s mission, empowering future generations of Mavericks long after the donors’ own journeys have unfolded. Behind every gift is a story of gratitude, vision, and a desire to help students thrive. To learn more about bequests and other planned giving options, visit uta.giftlegacy.com or contact 817‑272‑1042 or giftandestateplanning@uta.edu.

Honoring Dr. Geisel

Professor Emeritus Paul Geisel joined UTA in 1970 and helped start what would later become the College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs (CAPPA). Upon retiring after 35 years of service, he continued to contribute by becoming one of the college’s most dedicated philanthropic supporters.

He established two endowed funds to benefit CAPPA students and made a $600,000 gift that enabled the college to accelerate its collaborations with Texas municipal leaders, disseminate best practices for solving complex governance issues, and engage with less resourced communities through informed research, data, and policy analysis to address a variety of challenges.

In recognition of his commitments, the Dr. Paul Geisel Auditorium in the CAPPA Building was named in his honor.

Dr. Geisel recently expanded his support to include a generous $1 million bequest to CAPPA, ensuring the college has the resources it needs to thrive and innovate for years to come.

“I’ve given generously to the University over the years because I feel strongly about UTA’s work,” he says. “I wanted to make a legacy commitment based on my time at the University and experience in the field. More than anything, I want to empower others to make a difference.”

For the Love of Math

When it came time to set up her estate plans, Sara “Cookie” Reiser Stokes (’71 MS, ’66 BS, Mathematics) knew she wanted them to reflect her personal values.

“Supporting the things I love is just part of who I am,” Stokes says. “I wanted my estate to represent that.”

To achieve that goal, she named the College of Science as a beneficiary of her estate. The sale of her home, which she has lived in for more than 50 years, will help fund her gift.

Stokes began her time at UTA in the early 1960s, when it was called Arlington State College. After earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics, she began her career at White Sands Missile Range as an associate engineer. She continued to work as an engineer for decades until deciding to change paths.

Stokes wanted to share her love of mathematics by teaching the subject. She worked at Dallas Baptist University and the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services, and today still tutors math for SAT/ACT exam prep.

“I have done mathematics my whole life. I live it and breathe it,” Stokes says. “As the sciences continue to grow and evolve, I want to support what the next generation of College of Science students are doing in whatever way I can.”