President Anderson with his wife, Kimberly, and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg ’99 at Trinity’s 150th Anniversary Kick-off event.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT As the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, 2019, Trinity Tigers
had a remarkable moment to celebrate: Trinity University turned 150 years old. Through research projects, community partnerships, and alumni fellowship, the University is spending the calendar year exploring the core of Trinity’s DNA and discovering what it means to honor such a milestone anniversary. We have uncovered stories that reinforce our unchanging commitment to educating the whole student and building lifelong relationships; likewise, we have defined—and redefined—what it means to use the liberal arts to thrive in an ever-changing world. I am pleased to share a selection of these moments with you as part of the 2018-19 President’s Report, in which we have highlighted some of the most compelling achievements of the year. The long thread of Trinity history continues to weave into our successes today. In 1869, the University opened its doors to classrooms hosting male and female students at a time when most educational opportunities were typically segregated by gender. Today, such forward thinking means Trinity continues to elevate its academic profile while increasing the diversity of each incoming class. This year was no exception as we received a record number of applications and hit a record-low acceptance rate. Among these records were significantly higher numbers of applications from underserved or first-generation students. It is fitting that enabling access to a Trinity education is also a crucial component of our history.
In the late 1890s and early 1900s, when the University was struggling financially, Trinity faculty often finished out semesters without full pay so their students wouldn’t have to bear the burden of increased tuition—a burden that otherwise may have forced some students to withdraw. Over the next several decades, this spirit of philanthropy inspired donors to pay it forward, endowing department chairs and funding state-of-the-art research equipment. In 2019, the Trinity community continued to exhibit that spirit in enabling student access to education: This year, the University saw a 10-year high in the number of alumni donors giving back to student scholarships. With these examples and more, I am reminded that we are both heirs of the past and stewards of the future. As we begin to shape our next 150 years, we look forward to living and breathing the University’s values in pursuit of national recognition for academic excellence and community impact. I am grateful for you joining me as we accelerate what’s next for Trinity. Warm regards,
Danny J. Anderson President, Trinity University