PRESIDENT'S REPORT: 2020-2021
A Year of Resilience
September 1, 2021
Letter from 19th President Danny J. Anderson
Brace for re-entry! One year ago in this letter, I described an eerily quiet campus and an uncertain future as we planned for a year of living and learning amid a pandemic. Our nation was grappling with yet another cycle of racial injustice and civil unrest. And while these issues continue to percolate through our society, one year later, I am beginning to feel a sense of hope and optimism.
We are all emerging from the past 18 months as changed people. I hope that during this time of uncertainty and isolation, you have found time for introspection and self-improvement. Perhaps you learned to paint, cook, or complete a long-neglected home project. Or maybe you rekindled an old friendship or reflected upon what’s truly important in your life. In much the same way, Trinity is emerging as a changed yet stronger and more resilient institution that has recommitted itself to living out our values.
As an institution, we also took a hard and sometimes uncomfortable look at Trinity’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Much of the past year was spent taking significant and meaningful first steps toward a more open and inclusive campus. We will continue to make important strides going forward.
I’m also excited to report that the University embarked on its own “home improvement” project, breaking ground on the new Dicke Hall, Trinity’s new state-of-the-art home for the Humanities. Through it all, our alumni have remained steadfast in their commitment to stewardship. You might be tempted to say that we’re back to “business as usual” at Trinity, but there’s nothing usual about it. Our world, our campus, and all of us are in the midst of transformation. And that’s exactly where Trinity graduates thrive.
We have endured. We remain resilient. We are a force in motion.
REPORT CONTENTS
Student Success
Current and future Tigers define resilience. Jump to Section
Community Engagement
Tigers invest in our communities, our city, and our nation. Jump to Section
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Trinity makes strides toward intentional inclusion. Jump to Section
Faculty Excellence
Recognizing distinguished educators. Jump to Section
One Trinity
University supports are Tigers at heart. Jump to Section
Trinity Alumni
Lifelong learners are exemplary leaders. Jump to Section
Budget and Financials
Fiscal measures focused on student success. Jump to Section
Campus Impact
Meet Trinity University's leadership boards. Jump to Section
STUDENT SUCCESS
Tigers Remain Resilient
See Yourself Here, On Campus or Online
This year, teams in the Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid developed unique ways to stay connected to future Tigers amid the pandemic.
- Creativity and Technology Inspire Virtual Visit Options: Read about the success of Trinity's signature visit programs and more.
- Highlights of the Class of 2025: View Trinity's student profile.
Hybrid and Historic Graduation
Spring 2021 undergraduate commencement ceremonies were socially distanced in Trinity's Multi-purpose Stadium. Despite downpours, Tigers embraced the opportunity to celebrate their graduation in person.
- Watch the commencement recap video and view the day's photo gallery.
- Watch ceremony recordings and view other commencement info.
Student and Community Stories
In a year of uncertainty and upheaval, many Tigers showed strength by working toward incredible achievements.
- Ryanna Chouman '21 and Shannon York '21 were accepted into the U.S. Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship program.
- Michael Edmonson '21 helped manage $9M for the University's Student Managed Fund.
- Estella Frausto '21, a 2020-21 UPS Scholar and Stumberg Competition finalist, founded Mariachi Mercado.
- Lauren Johnson '21, a 2020 Goldwater Scholar, received a graduate research award from the National Science Foundation.
- Thomas Lauerman '21 turned an internship with Google Maps into a full-time position as a Google software engineer.
- Diana Long '21, a McNair Scholar, conducted research on funding practices for English-language learners.
- Gina Monaco '21, founder of the nonprofit Trinity Buddies, raised money for local homeless families.
- The Trinity choirs, directed by Gary Seighman, DMA, created an original work based on the children's book, My Hair is a Garden.
TRINITY STUDENTS BY THE NUMBERS
2,512
Undergraduates
173
Graduate students
2,685
Total student enrollment (Fall 2020)
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT BODY
74.8%
Students from Texas
4.1%
International students
48
Countries represented
38.9%
Students of color
$35,380
Average financial aid package per student
$69.7M
Institutional financial aid awarded by Trinity
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Service and Investment
National Leadership
Presidential Appointment Raises Trinity's Profile: Juan Sepulveda, J.D., the Ron Calgaard Distinguished Visiting Professor of Political Science, was tapped to serve on President Joe Biden's transition team.
City Leadership
Hall in the Family: Three Trinity alumni lead civic initiatives across San Antonio. Meet Mayor Ron Nirenberg '99; City Manager Erik Walsh '91, M'94; and Councilman Manny Pelaez '97.
Community Leadership
- The campus community pulled together through Texas' winter storm.
- Trinity and SAISD entered a partnership to meet the full financial need of admitted SAISD seniors.
- Trinity students and staff spearhead programs to assist with basic needs.
- Tigers from Ecuador sprang into action to help their home country hit particularly hard by COVID-19.
RANKINGS AND ACCOLADES
Trinity's academic programs and outstanding students are consistently ranked among the best in the nation by respected sources each year.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Impactful Strides
In the summer of 2020, President Anderson established a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force comprised of faculty and staff, with participation from students and alumni. As a result of the August 2020 task force report, Trinity has embarked on a comprehensive mission to form permanent and foundational initiatives that can build strong anti-bias and anti-racist structures on its campus and beyond.
Discover more about the task force report and other updates.
DEI Center Visioning
A committee is developing visions for a center or institute that brings together Trinity’s research and teaching on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This vision will guide efforts to fund the center through philanthropic support. A DEI center can provide an engaging framework for students, faculty, staff, and alumni and serve as a home for dedicated DEI programming.
Administrative Audit
In Fall 2020, Trinity conducted interviews with chief diversity officers who are the inaugural appointee in their roles to gather lessons learned about establishing a new office and configuring a meaningful portfolio of responsibilities. Additionally, the University engaged an external review team to help navigate the feasibility and structure of a new chief diversity officer.
Policy Updates
Some policies and procedures, including the Policy Prohibiting Harassment and Discrimination as well as the Student Disability Accommodation Grievance Policy, are a direct result of Trinity’s commitment to the Task Force’s recommendations, as well as shared governance. In addition, the groundwork is being prepared for a systemic “equity audit” of all Trinity policies.
Student Programming
Student Life has launched dozens of new programs that tackle bias training and DEI education for new and current students. Among many initiatives, they are developing mentoring programs for underrepresented populations, offering new resources for disability inclusion and academic support, and empowering the Student Diversity and Inclusion Office.
Professional Development
Faculty and staff have worked collaboratively to establish meaningful and cohesive approaches to professional development. Some workshops have already occurred this year, and the University will link professional development and personal DEI goals to the annual review process.
LACRELA
Trinity enrolled as an inaugural member of the University of Southern California (USC) Race and Equity Center’s Liberal Arts College Racial Equity Leadership Alliance (LACRELA). USC’s Race and Equity Center is home to a dynamic research and organizational improvement center that helps professionals at colleges and universities strategically develop and achieve equity goals.
FACULTY EXCELLENCE
Distinguished Teaching and Research
Dedicated to Research
- Christina Cooley, Ph.D. (Chemistry) received more than $400,000 from the National Science Foundation.
- Corina Maeder '99, Ph.D. (Chemistry) received a $450,000 Voelcker Fund grant.
- Jason Shearer, Ph.D. (Chemistry) received nearly $400,000 from the National Institutes of Health.
- Jennifer Steele, Ph.D. (Physics) received more than $250,000 from the National Science Foundation.
Dedicated to Teaching
- Kelly Lyons, Ph.D. (Biology) took students in her plant biology course to local sites to study outdoors.
- Gary Seighman, DMA (Music) held choir rehearsals in parking lots and in front of Murchison Tower.
- Brady Ziegler, Ph.D. (Geosciences) taught a hybrid class to examine geological samples in San Antonio, Texas, and beyond.
- Physics professors Jennifer Steele, Ph.D., Orrin Shindell, Ph.D., and Nirav Mehta, Ph.D., redesigned their labs for home learning.
Dedicated to Student Success
- Ruben Dupertuis, Ph.D. (Religion) was named a 2020 Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor by the Council of Undergraduate Research.
- Matt Glazer '04 (Entrepreneurship) served as the 2020-2021 Entrepreneur in Residence, using his decade of experience in consulting to assist student startups.
- Billy Freed, former business professor, rejoined the Trinity community as the inaugural Investor in Residence.
GOODBYE & HELLO
The people at Trinity are what make the University’s education and experience so special. While we are sad to see much-loved faculty and staff start different journeys, we are also excited to welcome new, smiling faces on Trinity journeys of their own.
GOODBYE
Deneese Jones, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
5 years at Trinity
David Tuttle
Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
33 years at Trinity
Gary W. Neal, Ph.D.
Senior Director for Counseling Services
38 years at Trinity
Michael Soto, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: Student Academic Issues and Retention
22 years at Trinity
HELLO
Megan Mustain, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mustain helms Academic Affairs, overseeing all academic programs and mentoring faculty and staff.
Demitrius (Demi) Brown, Ed.D., Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
Brown serves students and families as they manage academic and personal concerns.
Jamie Thompson '05, Assistant Dean of Students
Thompson transitions to a role that calls for building a holistic student experience.
Courtney Balderas, Director for Student Diversity and Inclusion
Balderas steps into a new role reconfigured for a deliberate emphasis on the student experience.
Spencer Scruggs, Director for Student Accessibility Services
Scruggs emphasizes solutions to accessibility and learning challenges unique to the pandemic.
Myron Hodge, Learning Specialist
Hodge enters a brand new role dedicated to creating individualized plans for student support.
ONE TRINITY
Tigers at Heart
Building a Bright Future
Trinity University broke ground for its newest academic building, Dicke Hall, in May 2021. Named in honor of University alumni Janet ’68 and Jim ’68 Dicke, the three-story, 40,000 square-foot building will be Trinity’s new home for the Humanities.
- Explore Dicke Hall
- Read more about the groundbreaking
Additional construction projects underway will establish a defining presence for Trinity University on Hildebrand Avenue as well as a more visible connection to the San Antonio community.
Annual Giving updates
2020 Reunion Giving Breaks Records
1869 Challenge Shatters Goals
Judd Emergency Fund Supports Students in Crisis
Endowment Support
MAS Receives Alvarez Family Gift
Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation Supports Department of Education
Giving Totals
Trinity is thankful for every gift from alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends. The University also recognizes and thanks the members of its Board of Trustees, constituents of these groups, for their generous and continued support.
NUMBER OF DONORS
6,796
donors
- 3,628 Alumni
- 269 Current Students
- 16 Estates & Trusts
- 250 Faculty & Staff
- 1,251 Friends
- 234 Organizations
- 1,148 Parents
AMOUNT RAISED
$28.5M
in gifts and pledges
- $14,345,920 Alumni
- $6,146 Current Students
- $318,373 Estates & Trusts
- $250,531 Faculty & Staff
- $3,178,982 Friends
- $9,792,547 Organizations
- $563,527 Parents
TRINITY ALUMNI
Lifelong Learning and Leading
Trinity teaches its students to use innovation and creative problem solving skills, preparing them to lead distinguished careers in a variety of disciplines. With those skills, these Tigresses—among a world of others—are adapting to uncertainty, prospering in leadership positions,
and making a difference with their Trinity degrees.
MEET THESE LEADERS
Jan Naylor Cope '78
Provost of Washington National Cathedral
Ellen Jefferson
Director of Austin Pets Alive!
Nava Kavelin '06, M'07
CEO of Ninth Mode Media
Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison M'88
Trinity Trustee & President and CEO of the Bexar County Center for Health Care Services
Sarah Lovelace '20
National Institutes of Health Fellow at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Melody Boone Meyer '79
Chair of the Trinity Board of Trustees & oil and gas industry trailblazer
Celina Suarez '03, Ph.D. & Marina Suarez '03, Ph.D.
Twin sisters and geologists named in the Top 100 Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Scientists in America
Belle Wheelan '72, Ph.D.
President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
BUDGET & FINANCIALS
Student-Centric Mission
The 2020-21 academic year proved to be extremely challenging on many levels, and the University’s budgeting and finances were no different. But thanks to exceptional stewardship by Trinity’s executive team, the Operating Budget Task Force, and the Board of Trustees, the University has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic better than many institutions of higher learning.
A year ago, the University faced an estimated operating budget deficit of $22.7 million for the 2020-21 fiscal year resulting from the pandemic. Significant temporary expense budget reductions and the use of rainy day reserves allowed Trinity to narrow that gap. Additionally, the University established a target of $12.5 million in permanent expense reductions for FY22 to address longer‐term operating budget damage from the pandemic. While these cuts are painful, they will allow Trinity to continue its student-centric, long-term mission.
Since December, our revenue projections have improved, thanks to strong student enrollment, significant progress in COVID‐19 vaccinations, a sharp V‐shaped financial market recovery, and promising economic acceleration. As a result, the permanent expense reductions originally proposed at $12.5 million have been reduced to $10 million, and the University has been able to restore its retirement contribution match to 10% effective January 1, 2022—a key priority for faculty and staff.
The approved 2021-22 fiscal year budget includes total revenues of $148.4 million, an increase of $6.2M from the prior year. Net student revenues (net tuition plus room and board revenue) as well as endowment and trust distributions represent 91% of total revenues. As the economic and pandemic situation evolves, the University will review the budget in late summer and, if material changes are necessary, present a revised budget at the September 2021 Board of Trustees meeting.
$148.4M
total revenues for FY22
(an increase of $6.2M from FY21)
$10M
permanent expense reductions
(originally proposed at $12.5M)
CAMPUS IMPACT
Trinity University Boards
The University welcomed two new members to its Board of Trustees in the 2020-21 academic year.
Thomas Evans '84
Senior Vice President and Counsel for the North American transportation business unit of XPO Logistics, Inc.
Scott Tinker ’82
State Geologist of Texas; Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology and the Edwin Allday Endowed Chair in the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin
Continue to do things that seem
IMPOSSIBLE.
Use the experiences you’ve gained in classrooms, on campus, and in the community
to solve problems through critical, creative, and compassionate thinking.
Seek justice, embrace mercy, and walk humbly.
– Trinity's 19th President Danny J. Anderson
in his commencement speech to the Class of 2021

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