The Campaign for St. Edward’s University Hilltoppers are gaining knowledge and developing skills that will help improve the world. They work diligently and hopefully — and every donation to the university supports their dreams. Last year, more than 2,000 donors opened exciting new doors of opportunity through commitments totaling more than $6 million. They gave resources to fund scholarships, daily operations needs, top-notch facilities, and an endowment that can forever shape hearts and minds. The entire St. Edward’s community extends heartfelt thanks. —Joe DeMedeiros, Vice President for University Advancement
$100 million goal
$80 million raised
The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation will give $500,000 to restore and preserve historic Main Building — but only if the university raises an additional $1.2 million by April 15, 2016. Plans for the hilltop’s most cherished building include roof and window repairs, refurbishment of exterior limestone, removal and replacement of the existing mechanical system, and more. It has been nearly 30 years since the building’s last major renovation. The Mabee Foundation’s challenge came on the heels of $1.3 million in commitments from The Fondren Foundation ($800,000), the Cullen Trust for Higher Education ($250,000), the Brown Foundation ($200,000), and the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau Heritage Grants Program ($30,000).
The university’s College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) provides financial and academic support for students whose household income comes primarily from migrant farm work. CAMP typically receives a federal grant for incoming freshmen, but in 2014–2015, the U.S. Department of Education did not renew its grant. Donors and friends rallied to meet the $425,000 shortfall. Hughes Abell, vice chair of the board of trustees, and his wife, Betsy Abell MAC ’08, pledged $75,000 as a challenge to CAMP alumni; they provided $3 for every $1 contributed or leveraged by CAMP alumni through June 30, 2015. A grant of $100,000 from long-time university partner TG also helped. And an anonymous donor gave $10,000. The rest was given through many donations from many people. The DOE grant has been renewed for the next five years, and its one-year absence highlights the critical importance of continuing donor support of a program that changes lives.
The university’s largest donors, Bill and Pat Munday, continue to open doors of opportunity for Hilltoppers. After 14 years of tremendous support, their latest gift of $500,000 establishes The Bill Munday Outstanding Business Student Scholarship. It’s reserved for supremely talented business students with financial need, especially those from Austin. The Munday name is already familiar on the hilltop. Pat serves on the board of trustees, and she and Bill have donated almost $37 million. This includes $13 million to build the incredible library facility on the west side of campus and more than $22 million for their first endowed scholarship. That fund currently helps up to 150 Munday Scholars each year by covering about 25% of their tuition expenses. The Mundays’ support has also been recognized through the naming of The Bill Munday School of Business.
35