Designing UTSA ® Futures UTSA provides programs that allow students unique opportunities to learn while giving back through service to our community. 10 On the cover: Support for UTSA makes our Chairs leading the charge service-learning programs possible. to Tier One status A recent project re-imagined a standard playground UTSA Giving at Raymond Russell County Park 2011, Volume 3 Website: utsa.edu/giving into a world of knowledge and 14 Malu and Carlos Alvarez (right), with daughter UTSA Giving is published annually Carla and her husband John Brozovich. exploration for children in the San by The University of Texas at San An- Antonio area. tonio for its donors and friends. The publication communicates the impact of philanthropy at the university. CONTENTS We are educating students who President: Ricardo Romo Vice President for University transform Texas and the world. Advancement: Marjie M. French 4 13 18 Associate Vice President PRESIDENT’S A PLAN TO GIVE GOLFER LINKS SUCCESS for Advancement Services and LETTER Local teacher leaves legacy Student athlete explains Administration: Laura S. Murray for generations of UTSA the importance of financial We are builders and designers. Associate Vice President for Development: Eric C. Gentry students. support. We are achievers and leaders. Associate Vice President for Alumni 5 Programs and Marketing: Jim Mickey GIVING SCENE SERVING SOCIETY Associate Vice President for We Are UTSA. News and photos of UTSA 14 19 Communications and Chief friends and benefactors. THROUGH INITIATIVES THAT Communications Officer: ‘DINING’ AT THE TABLE BY THE NUMBERS David L. Gabler OF EDUCATION Metrics on giving to UTSA. Learn more at utsa.edu/give Managing Editor: Lisa Brunsvold Philanthropists Carlos and BENEFIT THE WORLD Designer: Tom Palmer 8 Malu Alvarez show their CHAIRS Contributors: Amanda Beck, Christi appreciation for learning and 20 “The design/build class encourages UTSA students to help Fish, Lety Laurel, Heather Locke Marlow, A world-class faculty, HONOR ROLL Lorna Stafford supported by endowments, scholarship. OF DONORS their communities. It gives us a chance to expand what we Photographers: Patrick Ray Dunn and Mark McClendon is key to becoming a premier have learned in the classroom into actual work, answering Office of the Vice President research university. 16 real-world challenges. I learned a great deal and I will never for University Advancement RECRUITING TOP MINDS One UTSA Circle, Main Building The legacy of Max and forget the wonderful experience from that semester.” San Antonio, TX 78249 11 A GE2MS OF AN IDEA Minnie Voelcker attracts (210) 458-4131 leading research scientists. —UTSA Architecture student Luis Ahumada [email protected] Foundation helps UTSA THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIOTM If you prefer to receive UTSA Giving prepare tomorrow’s math, online only, please send a message to science teachers. [email protected] UTSA Giving 2011 1 GIVING SCENE Spencers step up for UTSA Dear UTSA Friends, UTSA Development Board John D. Alexander, Jr. San Antonio entrepreneur David Spencer I have a confession. There are times when being UTSA’s president is Michael Antieri and his wife, Jennifer ’93, recently committed downright fun! Last year, I had the opportunity to surprise guests at Stephen W. Arnold $250,000 to support UTSA football. Part of J. Dan Bates the 2010 President’s Dinner by singing a tune with a good friend, Rick their contribution will provide scholarships Glenn Biggs for players. This gift comes at a critical time Cavender (photo at left). Beyond selling cars, Rick and his family seem James H. Bodenstedt ’96 for Roadrunner football. Due to UTSA’s to have a natural flair for entertaining folks. It was my pleasure to join Robert M. Cavender commitment to join the Western Athletic Henry G. Cisneros him as “Rick y Ricardo” for a spirited song, a way to make an already Conference and FBS-level football in 2012, Loretta J. Clarke ’87, ’90 the team must now prepare to offer 85 great evening even more memorable. Marie E. Collins scholarships each year in order to remain Samuel G. Dawson competitive. That night was special because we celebrated the businesses, organiza- Arthur R. Emerson The Spencers have supported a number tions and people who support UTSA. We would not be progressing John W. Feik of university initiatives during the past toward our goal of becoming an even stronger, world-class research Alfredo L. Flores, Jr. decade, including establishing the David and Tom C. Frost Jennifer Spencer Distinguished Chair in university without the financial contributions we receive from alumni and friends like you. Gloria Galt Engineering, currently held by college dean Cathy Obriotti Green Mauli Agrawal. In this issue of Giving, we are focusing on the impact of your philanthropy on the uni- Heriberto Guerra, Jr. versity. You will read about star faculty who have come to UTSA to share their expertise Betty M. Halff ’76 with our community; an alumna who is helping meet a critical need in San Antonio educa- Roger R. Hemminghaus Gloria L. Hernandez San Antonio architect Almond gives papers to UTSA tion; and a student-athlete who is excelling in her sport and now pursuing big dreams. In Rob Killen ’97 hrough the special collections and “Having insight into the design and preserva- addition, you will read about a donor who not only encourages student success, but also Clayton E. Killinger ’83 Tarchives, UTSA acquires, preserves and tion process, through Killis’ papers, will prove leverages his generosity to persuade others to give, too. Milton B. Lee provides access to primary source materials valuable for both UTSA students and historic Steven Q. Lee that document our local and regional history, preservation enthusiasts alike,” said John Mur- And there is an update on a gift you may have heard about last fall from the estate of Leticia A. Luna as well as the work of prominent local citizens. phy, dean of the College of Architecture. Edith S. McAllister Miss Mary McKinney—more than $28 million for student scholarships. I continue to be Killis Almond, a San Antonio architect who Joe C. McKinney has tackled many local and national historic humbled by this special woman’s generosity. Balous T. Miller preservation projects, recently donated his William E. Morrow ’86 professional papers to the College of Archi- Gifts to UTSA make a tangible difference in the opportunities that are available here. Henry R. Muñoz III tecture and made a gift to support the process- We continue our journey to become a nationally recognized research university for many Howard W. Peak ing and preservation of the documents. Such Boone Powell reasons, but the most compelling is that we believe our students, our faculty and the materials are often rich in details that greatly James R. Reed help research and other scholarly activities. people of our state deserve access to the most exceptional opportunities. As a donor, you Thomas E. Robey In practice since 1978, Almond is a highly are helping to get us there, and I am grateful. Stanley Schoenbaum regarded consultant and expert in theater David A. Spencer renovation. He is a past president of the Having this opportunity to give thanks to you ranks as a fun part of my job, too. John T. Steen, Jr. (Vice Chair) League of Historic American Theatres and Many thanks! ¡Mil gracias! Sam B. Steves II has been a member of several boards, includ- Louis H. Stumberg ing the Texas Historical Commission Board Julian H. Trevino of Review. Almond’s firm has managed design Curtis T. Vaughan, Jr. and historic preservation projects for places Ed L. White, Jr. such as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, Kenny Wilson (Chair) Alameda Theater, San Pedro Playhouse and Nelson W. Wolff Palo Alto College, all in San Antonio. Jeanie R. Wyatt ’86 Photo courtesy of Killis Almond 2 UTSA Giving 20112011 3 GIVING SCENE President Romo waves to revelers at the Texas Cavaliers River Parade during Fiesta 2011. Edith McAllister and Harriett Romo celebrate the season at the President’s Holiday Party. Robert Wehmeyer (left) and Steve Lewis (center), of Jefferson Bank, present President Romo with the largest private gift in UTSA history, now an estimated $28 million estate gift from Mary E. McKinney. Pat Mickey (from left), John Jockusch, Ruth Bates, Dan Bates, Marilynn Garcia, Oscar Saucedo, and Ellie Saucedo celebrate Fiesta at the annual UTSA River Parade Party. Isabella Van de Putte (from left), President Romo, State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and former Mayor Phil Hardberger pose at the 2010 President’s Scholarship and Awards Dinner. Dr. Thyagarajan honored with portrait, gifts to UTSA Former UTSA students Blair Andera ’98, rajan EEndowedndowed Scholarship fund, which Damon Wilkerson and Steven Vela comcom-- supports UTSA undergraduates pursuing missioned a portrait of UTSA Professor chemistry, geology and physics degrees. Emeritus Budalur S. Thyagarajan to honor Of note was a special gift presented by his dedication and passion for teaching Thyagarajan’s 8-year-old grandson, Ocean, students interested in science. ThyagaThyaga-- who wrote a letter to Romo thanking him rajan, who came to UTSA in 1974, was for hosting the event in his grandfather’s the founding director of the Division of honor. Earth and Physical Sciences, which led to An organic chemist by training, ThyaThya-- the development of the UTSA College of garajan earned his doctoral degree in 1956 Sciences. The portrait was unveiled at an from the University of Madras, India. October event held in his honor. Thyagarajan’s greatest legacy may Also at the event, several monetary gifts be the impact he has had on countless Dr. Budalur S. Thyagarajan were presented by former students, famfam-- students. He has mentored undergraduundergradu-- ily and friends of Thyagarajan to UTSA ates, graduates and postdoctoral students President Ricardo Romo, who accepted from around the world who now enjoy on behalf of the university.