Dream. Inspire. Achieve. The Campaign for Trinity University has
reached $165 million in gifts and pledges, placing the University at more than 80
percent toward its $200 million goal. Trinity’s Center for Entrepreneurship
received a big boost as new campaign giving provides scholarship support for
Trinity students interested in participating in the program and funding to
underwrite entrepreneurial team activities.
Trinity’s Entrepreneurship program combines the University’s
diverse resources in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs,
integrating the creativity of the arts, the perspective of the humanities, the
theories of the sciences, and the skills of the professions. Entrepreneural
students work in teams of four, known as E-teams, throughout their
undergraduate years turning an idea into major venture with the assistance of
seed money. The creative entrepreneurship education at Trinity prepares
students to face the challenges of personal and professional life and to be
engaged citizens in our modern technological society.
Barbara Pritzlaff Pierce and V. Douglas Pierce, Jr., both 1978
graduates of Trinity University, made a substantial endowment gift that will
provide in perpetuity seed money to eight of the program’s 16 E-teams. “We are
pleased to support Trinity’s capital campaign and its Entrepreneur program and
hope this assistance provides students with the tools to become creative
thinkers, engaged citizens, and visionary leaders,” said Mrs. Pritzlaff Pierce.
An active alumna, she served as president of the National Alumni Board from
1995-1996 and has been a valued member of Trinity’s Board of Trustees since
November of 2000.
The couple’s gift to Trinity’s Entrepreneur program was made in
memory of Mrs. Pritzlaff Pierce’s great-grandfather, Franklin W. Olin, who was
an engineer by training and who also had a passionate spirit of
entrepreneurship. Through hard work and determination he created a successful
manufacturing company. Mr. Olin lived modestly, dedicating much of his wealth
and talent to the service of others, most notably through the many schools and
institutions of higher education which received Olin Foundation grants.
Mrs. John C. Pritzlaff Jr., Barbara Pritzlaff Pierce’s mother,
also made an endowment gift in support of the Entrepreneur program. Her gift
will be used to endow a scholarship to help Trinity students who are
participating in the program defray the cost of their education.
The Entrepreneurship program is one of a handful of innovative
academic offerings selected from the “Re-envisioning Trinity” strategic plan
that are included for funding in the capital campaign. Other initiatives include:
Interdisciplinary Science; East Asian Studies at Trinity (EAST); Mexico, the Americas, and Spain (MAS); and Urban Studies. These next generation of curricular
initiatives are interdisciplinary in nature, involve multiple departments, build
upon strong programs, and take advantage of Trinity’s distinctive blend of
liberal arts and professional programs, as well as its location in San Antonio.
The Campaign for Trinity University was
launched on Sept. 22, 2005, and is the most important and challenging
advancement initiative in Trinity’s 139-year history. A major focus of the
Campaign is building endowment for scholarships and financial aid so Trinity
can continue to recruit the best and brightest students, regardless of their
financial circumstances. In addition, the campaign is supporting innovative
academic programs, creating additional faculty positions, and providing current
faculty support including opportunities for research and scholarship. Campaign
gifts are also financing enhancements to Trinity’s technology infrastructure,
laboratories, athletic and recreation programs and facilities, and residence
halls.
