Campaign News

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONTACT: Russell Guerrero

russell.guerrero@trinity.edu

January 2009

Dream. Inspire. Achieve. The Campaign for Trinity University reaches $191.6 million

Trinity close to reaching $200 million goal despite economic uncertainty

Trinity President John R. Brazil has announced that Dream. Inspire. Achieve. The Campaign for Trinity University has reached $191.6 million in gifts and pledges. He made the announcement at the annual President’s Dinner, an event that celebrated Trinity’s outstanding students and which recognized the support of many of the University’s benefactors who make the University’s accomplishments possible.

            “I am pleased to say that with your help and despite unprecedented challenges, Trinity has been able to continue doing what it does best – which is to give close personal attention to extremely talented students at a cost well below many of our peer institutions,” said Dr. Brazil.  “Although we are not immune to current economic realities, Trinity remains strong and well positioned.  More importantly, we continue to be accessible to gifted students from all backgrounds.”

            One of Trinity’s ardent supporters spoke at the black tie event. Virginia Duff ’42 first became a school teacher after she graduated.  After teaching for two years, she accepted a job with the Mobil Oil Company (then known as Magnolia Petroleum), where she worked for 31 years. 

            She attended law school at night and received her degree from Southern Methodist University.  She took her bar exam inside the Texas State Capitol and later returned to Austin as the representative for Ellis County becoming one of the first women to serve in the state legislature.

            “Enrolling at Trinity was the beginning of a new world for me,” remembered Ms. Duff.  “We all received personal attention from the faculty at Trinity.  They inspired us to continue to pursue our dreams and to achieve our goals.” 

            Ms. Duff has bequeathed a $1 million donation to Trinity for the University’s scholarship fund and said it was important for her to make sure her support would benefit future Trinity students.  She said she feels the students appreciate the support that has made it possible for them to get an education.

            Two more alumni spoke at the President’s Dinner: Walter Huntley ’71, ’73, president of Huntley & Associates and Vice Chairman of Trinity’s Board of Trustees, and Dirk Elmendorf  ’97, cofounder of Rackspace Managed Hosting.  Even though both men come from different generations and with different perspectives, they echoed the sentiments expressed by Ms. Duff.

            Mr. Huntley spoke on how his years at Trinity provided the foundation for his professional life while Mr. Elmendorf recounted the freedom to explore different opportunities at the University.

            The Campaign for Trinity University, with the goal of raising $200 million, was launched on Sept. 22, 2005, and is the most ambitious and important advancement initiative in the history of the University.  The campaign has created more than 60 new endowments; three-quarters of these new endowments will provide scholarships for future Trinity students.  The remaining endowments will be for new professorships, Trinity’s women’s studies program, and academic initiatives such as the East Asian Studies at Trinity (EAST) program. Campaign gifts are also financing enhancements to Trinity’s technology infrastructure, laboratories, athletic and recreation programs and facilities, and residence halls.