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Philanthropic support for UT Arlington climbs to new record

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Gifts, commitments increase 55 percent from previous year

ARLINGTON – Philanthropic support for The University of Texas at Arlington has reached a new record with $23.3 million in gifts and commitments for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, an increase of more than 55 percent from the previous year and the largest ever year-end total.

The success was fueled in large part by gifts to boost innovation and technology in the University’s College of Science. UT Arlington also benefitted from philanthropists who established endowments to support faculty and research in the College of Engineering and School of Architecture and who established endowments to support student scholarships.

“We are honored by the generous contributions UT Arlington donors and friends have made this year to advance academics, research and the college experience for our students,” said President James D. Spaniolo. “Their investment fuels our progress toward excellence and sets the example for others willing to help us reach new heights in academic achievement.”

The total value of new gifts and pledges has nearly tripled over the past five years. The 2011-2012 record also includes 55 new endowments, up from 41 the previous year. Membership in UT Arlington’s 1895 Society, which recognizes donors who give $1,000 or more annually, was up more than 10 percent.

Many UT Arlington supporters saw the impact of their gifts doubled through the University’s Maverick Match program, which uses natural gas royalties to leverage new commitments toward the University’s endowment. The program currently matches gifts of $25,000 or more dollar-for-dollar and has distributed nearly $9 million since it began in 2009.

Among the notable gifts during the 2011-2012 fiscal year were:

  • A three-year software license worth an estimated $4.4 million from global information and analytics provider IHS to UT Arlington’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The software allows College of Science students and faculty access to the latest in petroleum industry technology.
  • An in-kind gift of equipment valued at nearly $3 million from Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, a world leader in the analytical instruments industry. The gift established the Shimadzu Center for Advanced Analytical Chemistry within the College of Science. The equipment will enhance research into prevention and treatment for illnesses such as cancer and malaria as well as in the development of nanofabrication materials for industry.
  • A $1.5 million commitment from Ralph Hawkins and his wife, Susan, to the UT Arlington School of Architecture. Ralph Hawkins, a UT Arlington alumnus, is chairman and chief executive officer of global architecture firm HKS Inc. A portion of the gift will be used to develop a strategic vision to guide the School’s future.
  • A $1 million commitment from Arnold E. Petsche, founder of the A.E. Petsche Co., a manufacturing firm that the Arlington businessman built into a multi-million dollar business before selling in 2009. The value of the Petsche gift will double through the Maverick Match program to create a $2 million endowment for the new Arnold E. Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering, pending approval from The University of Texas System Board of Regents.

“It’s clear that philanthropic support for The University of Texas at Arlington is on a steep trajectory,” said Jim Lewis, UT Arlington vice president for development. “We are very grateful to our donors and friends and look forward to ensuring that their gifts help shape the University for generations to come.”

To make a gift or learn more about philanthropy at UT Arlington, visit the Office of Development at www.uta.edu/giving/.

About UT Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research institution of more than 33,200 students in the heart of North Texas. The University’s academic offerings include 80 bachelor’s degrees, 71 master’s degrees and 30 doctoral programs in 12 colleges and schools. U.S. News & World Report ranks UT Arlington as of the nation’s top 10 universities for diversity. UT Arlington also is a national leader in innovative online programs, with about 9,600 student enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2012.

For more information, please visit www.uta.edu.

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Media contact: Kristin Sullivan, Kristinsul@uta.edu, 817-272-5364

The University of Texas at Arlington, www.uta.edu

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James D Spaniolo UT Arlington The University of Texas Maverick Match The University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at Arlington UTA UT Arlington College of Nursing College Park Center University of Texas System