Philanthropy to Texas Tech University System Surpasses Second-Best Year
September 22, 2016 | Written by Rob Waller
Philanthropic support totaled $159.4 million for Fiscal Year 2016, marking the highest
fundraising total of Chancellor Robert L. Duncan's tenure at the helm of the Texas
Tech University System.Philanthropic gifts to the Texas Tech University System and its four universities finished the 2016 fiscal year strong, surpassing the second-best fundraising year in the system’s history.
“We appreciate the investment and commitment of our donors, whose generous contributions continue the Texas Tech University System’s forward momentum,” said Chancellor Robert L. Duncan. “Philanthropy continues to be one of our most important funding sources in higher education. It sustains our universities and propels our students and faculty to pursue discovery and innovation with global impact.”
The annual total includes donations to the Texas Tech Foundation, which accepts and invests gifts for the support of the system and its universities.
“Responding to strong vision, our alumni, friends and corporate partners have once again made significant philanthropic investments,” said Texas Tech Foundation Chairman Terry E. Fuller. “We are grateful for the trust of our donors and continually strive to provide excellent stewardship of these gifts.”
The announcement marks the highest fundraising total of Duncan’s tenure as chancellor and the best end-of-year finish for Angelo State University and the Angelo State University Foundation.
“Seeing the effects of our fundraising success on students and faculty across the Texas Tech University System is a stirring reminder of the power of philanthropy,” said Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement Lisa D. Calvert. “Working together with donors and academic leaders, our Institutional Advancement team is truly making a difference at each of our universities.”
Philanthropic support totaled $159.4 million for the fiscal year, which ended August 31. Donations supported a number of top initiatives across the system’s four universities, including:
- Addressing a severe dental care shortage in El Paso and the border region, a lead gift of $25 million from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso will establish the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine, the first dental school to open in the state of Texas in nearly 50 years.
- Strengthening the arts at Texas Tech University, a gift of $10 million from the J.T. & Margaret Talkington Charitable Foundation to the College of Visual & Performing Arts is funding a major expansion and renovation of research and academic facilities in the Charles E. Maedgen Jr. Theatre.
- Investing in student-athlete recruitment and safety, a $7 million gift from Gary Petersen supported construction of the Sports Performance Center, a new, multi-sport athletic facility that includes an indoor football practice facility, an indoor track facility, a strength and conditioning center and sports medicine space. The Sports Performance Center is a top priority in The Campaign for Fearless Champions, which continues to make significant progress on its efforts to enhance athletic facilities, invest in scholarship endowments and grow the Leadership Academy.
- Investing in quality academic facilities at Angelo State University, a gift of $5 million from the James B. and Lois R. Archer Charitable Foundation named the Archer College of Health and Human Services at Angelo State University and enabled university leaders to expand plans already underway for the college’s new building.
- Supporting residency programs for medical students at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s Amarillo campus, a $2.5 million gift from the Amarillo Area Foundation is playing a critical role in serving the rural health care needs of Texas and eastern New Mexico.
About the Texas Tech University System
Established in 1996, the Texas Tech University System is one of the top public university systems in the state of Texas and nation, consisting
of four universities—Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso.
Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the Texas Tech University System is a $2 billion enterprise focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach with approximately 20,000 employees, more than 50,000 students, nearly 325,000 alumni and an endowment over $1.1 billion.
In its short history, the Texas Tech University System has grown tremendously and is nationally acclaimed, operating on more than a dozen campuses statewide and internationally. Under the dynamic leadership of Chancellor Robert L. Duncan, the Texas Tech University System has set forth a bold vision of excellence, collaboration and innovation and continues to prove that from here, it’s possible.