2023
IMPACT REPORT
A Message
from President Taylor Eighmy
When I joined this extraordinary university in 2017, I shared a strategic vision for the evolution of UTSA into a Hispanic Thriving, Tier One Research University. To help drive that vision, university leadership agreed to launch the university’s largest fundraising campaign in history. Today, we have not only achieved extraordinary milestones as a university but boast astounding success for Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future — a transformational campaign that is guiding our brilliant trajectory. At the center of Be Bold are our dedicated alumni, donors, and friends. The success of this campaign is a direct result of your generous support and engagement. It is also the result of the immense work and dedication of university staff who are committed to advancing our great university. Your commitment is creating bold new opportunities, expanding strategic partnerships, and improving our campus infrastructure. Institutions like UTSA drive social mobility and economic prosperity, educate the leaders of tomorrow, and discover new knowledge. At the midway point of our half-billion-dollar campaign, I am pleased to share its enormous impact. I hope you enjoy learning about the notable achievements of our top-tier students, world-class faculty, and high-caliber staff — all made possible by you. As we take a moment to celebrate this success, I encourage you to remain engaged. We have an opportunity to reach well beyond our goal and make a transformational impact that will forever change the trajectory of UTSA and San Antonio. I sincerely thank you for your support and generosity. Together, let’s continue to Be Bold and build a university of the future right here in San Antonio.
With deep appreciation,
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Taylor Eighmy, President
WE ASKED YOU TO BE BOLD and you are answering… Our Commitment AMPLIFY STUDENT SUCCESS DRIVE RESEARCH EXCELLENCE FORGE INNOVATION AND DISCOVERY
Our Progress Our Goal
$380M Raised Worldwide
142,501
46,137
Gifts & Pledges
Total Donors from 22 Countries
76%
$500M 3
Connecting
CULTURE AND CYBERSECURITY
Ricardo Ayala ’25 is a junior UTSA Honors College student on a trajectory toward success in cybersecurity. He is the recipient of the Bold Promise scholarship, in addition to others, which have significantly helped him avoid financial barriers that might have stood between him and his education. Born to parents who immigrated from Mexico to San Antonio, Ricardo is both a first-generation college student and a firstgeneration American. With a deep appreciation for his heritage, it has been incredibly important for Ricardo to bridge his cultural roots with his university experience. Ricardo stands out as the only male dancer in Ballet Folklórico de UTSA, an ensemble showcasing the essence of Mexican dances. Off-stage, Ricardo has volunteered at the Center for Refugee Services in San Antonio through the Honors College’s CityMester program. He also serves as a Resident Assistant while interning at UTSA’s Cyber Operations Center, where he gains firsthand knowledge about the challenges of cybersecurity. In addition, he plays a critical role in voter education and registration among his fellow students on campus. In 2023, he joined University Technology Solutions as a Bold Ambassador and took part in the Alvarez College of Business’ Emerging Leader Series, along with the San Antonio Language Academy (SALA). Ricardo will graduate in 2025 and he plans to focus on advocating for groups who are vulnerable to cyber threats such as new American citizens. By combining his academic knowledge with his strong sense of justice, Ricardo Ayala is set to make a mark in the world of cybersecurity. He credits the Bold Promise scholarship for allowing him to envision this incredible future for himself. “I’m incredibly grateful for the Bold Promise scholarship. There are so many students, like me, that never envisioned attending college during their upbringing,” expressed Ricardo. “With Spanish being my first language, navigating public schools while growing up was difficult and intimidating. I felt lost and I didn’t know who to go to for advice about higher education opportunities because my parents never attended college. Receiving a scholarship is what showed me I could succeed, achieve my goals, and hopefully inspire others.”
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91
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS & FELLOWSHIPS CREATED
391
TOTAL ENDOWMENTS FOR STUDENT SUPPORT
Donors have a unique opportunity to shape tomorrow’s leaders. Scholarships provide deserving students the gift of education through financial support while Experiential Learning Opportunities foster real-world training. Whether you are championing academic excellence or hands-on experience, your contribution creates a lasting legacy, empowering students today and tomorrow.
Boosting Experiential Learning
Bolstering Scholarship Support
UTSA Campaign Leadership Council member and San Antonio philanthropist, Harvey E. Najim, has continuously seized opportunities to drive student success at UTSA. In 2019, he gave $3 million to establish the Harvey E. Najim Center for Innovation and Career Advancement on the university’s Main Campus and contributed an additional $2 million to expand the center to the Downtown Campus in 2022. The Najim Center is the hub of several programs focused on supporting the holistic development of students, including the Najim Advocacy Program, where students participate in community causes they are passionate about and the Najim Strategist Program, which provides students with paid, hands-on training by partnering with local organizations on real-world projects. Najim’s vision for the center complements UTSA’s Classroomto-Career initiative, ensuring students transition seamlessly from academic learning to job-readiness upon graduation.
In 2019, UTSA introduced the Bold Promise initiative, a groundbreaking program that fully covers tuition and mandatory fees for high-achieving Texas students from low- and middle-incomes families, eliminating financial barriers. The following year, UTSA’s first-year retention rate moved into the nationally recognized benchmark by exceeding 80%. Inspired by UTSA’s commitment to its students, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott made a monumental $40 million unrestricted gift to support the university’s aspiration to become a national model for student success. Her generosity allowed UTSA to endow the Bold Promise program, ensuring continuous scholarships for eligible students. Since receiving the gift, the university increased the total number of students awarded Bold Promise scholarships by 36% and the total amount of scholarship funds available by 30% from FY23 to FY24.
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2023 Alumni of The Year: Nancy '93 '95 and Andrew Ozuna '91
When Alumni Give,
Ro adrunners So ar For some, philanthropy extends beyond charitable giving; it is a matter of investing time in activities that promote the success of others. In 2023, the Alumni Association awarded four incredible individuals who exemplify this special type of philanthropy. Nancy ’93 ’95 and Andrew Ozuna ’91 both graduated from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business (ACOB) and were honored with the Alumni of The Year Award. Together, they have served on various UTSA committees and provided student mentorship support. Andrew has been active on the Embrey Real Estate Founders Council and has served as a guest lecturer, while Nancy serves on the UTSA Development Board, multiple ACOB boards, and is a lead recruiter for UTSA
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graduates at FORVIS, LLP. Additionally, the couple spearheaded the 2015 Sombrilla Fountain Renovation on the main campus. David Zammiello ’84 received the Lifetime Achievement Award. An ACOB alumnus, he led high-performing teams at USAA for 32 years and later served as CEO of Project QUEST, a nonprofit agency that provides access to workforce development resources. Actively involved at UTSA, he formerly served on the executive committee of the Alumni Association Board, currently serves on the UTSA Development Board, remains a longtime supporter of Roadrunners Athletics and is a President’s Associates member. He and his wife, Cynthia ’86, regularly attend university events, athletics functions,
and pursue opportunities to engage with students. Barry McKinney served as the UTSA Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award posthumously. He is best known for helping students bring their bold visions to life. For nearly 20 years, he significantly influenced the student experience, launching events including Homecoming, Día En La Sombrilla, Roadrunner Days, Howdy Rowdy Bash, Midnight Light, BestFest, UTSA Football gamedays, and more. On November 28, 2022, UTSA mourned the loss of this inspirational leader. The Alumni Association recognized him for his service and admirable commitment to UTSA students.
The BE BOLD campaign and its many opportunities for engagement have ignited an undeniable passion for UTSA among its 150,000+ alumni. Since the launch of the campaign, at least 106,000 ALUMNI HAVE ENGAGED with UTSA through charitable giving, event attendance, digital engagement, volunteerism, and more.
$1.7M+ CUMULATIVE AMOUNT RAISED SINCE FIRST GIVING DAY
A Loyal Roadrunner A graduate of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA), Marguerite B. McCormick has loyally given back to her cherished alma mater for 31 consecutive years. She has passionately supported the UTSA School of Music, the UTSA Friends of Music Scholarship, the COLFA Annual Endowment, the COLFA Choir Camp, and more. In 1983, Marguerite founded the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio (CCSA). Today, more than 450 young musicians gather weekly to learn and sing in a healthy and inclusive environment, cultivating arts and culture in San Antonio while transforming lives through the power of music. To honor her commitment to arts education and community, Marguerite was awarded the 1994 UTSA Alumna of the Year Award from the Department of Music.
2,577 CUMULATIVE ALUMNI DONORS
6,268 CUMULATIVE UNIQUE DONORS
One of the most fun ways that our donors and alumni unite to support the university is UTSA Giving Day. It’s goal? To “Build the Nest” by raising funds to enhance student and faculty success over just 1,969 minutes. Originally launched in 2021, this engaging fundraising event has raised more than $1.7 million for student scholarships, program support, and so much more. There is nothing bolder than having our Roadrunner community come together to positively impact the programs that they care about most.
Save The Date for the next UTSA Giving Day, taking place April 9-10, 2024. 7
UTSA Athletics embarked on a transformative journey when it joined the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2023. Following the 2021 AAC invitation, the university launched the historic $70 million Bold Champions campaign to transform UTSA into a destination for highly competitive Division I studentathletes. With over $40 million already raised from
$43M Raised for UTSA’s Bold Champions
alumni and supporters, UTSA Athletics has been able to significantly improve its program infrastructure and facilities to benefit nearly 400 student-athletes. In 2021, the opening of the Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence created new academic spaces, a sports medicine center, a strength and conditioning center, two parallel practice fields, a locker room and player’s lounge, coaches’ offices, and meeting rooms. Across
$3.3M
Raised by 3,000+ Donors for RAF in 2023
95,000 square feet, these spaces have enhanced the learning and training environment. In 2023, the university unveiled the 14,325 square-foot Park West Fieldhouse, housing the women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s track & field/cross country teams. Beyond vastly improved facilities, UTSA Athletics received record-breaking support in FY23 with 3,371 overall donors. The program also proudly boasts the
7,000+ Roadrunners Football Supporters
support of Marcus Davenport ‘17, the university’s first NFL player to contribute to the program. To strengthen UTSA as a national brand in intercollegiate athletics, the university rebranded its campaign to highlight its standing in the competitive landscape of The American. The Bold Champions in The American campaign aims to grow support through increased activity in four prime areas including
$6.3M Five-Year Annual Average UTSA Athletics Giving
student-athlete support through the Roadrunner Athletic Fund, boosting ticket sales, enhancing and expanding athletics facilities, and developing stronger relationships with corporate sponsors. UTSA has a strong athletic legacy with a bold future ahead, thanks to the continued support of passionate Roadrunners supports.
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109,325 Square Footage Added Through New Athletics Facilities
Be a game-changer and explore the many ways you can support our student-athletes
Serving Excellence UTSA standout sophomore, Mia Soerensen ’26, excels in neuroscience and on the volleyball court thanks to a full-ride UTSA Athletics Scholarship. When she is not spiking balls on the court, she serves as an undergraduate research assistant under the guidance of Semmes Foundation Distinguished Chair in Cell Biology, Professor Jenny Hsieh, Ph.D. Mia is deeply grateful to the Roadrunner Athletics Fund donors. Their support fuels her aspirations of someday earning her M.D. and empowers her to envision a future where she can positively impact the lives of others.
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PIONEERING
THE FUTURE OF Margie and Bill Klesse Endowed Associate Professor of electrical & computer engineering and computer science, Panagiotis (Panos) Markopoulos, Ph.D. began his academic journey in his home of Greece at the Technical University of Crete. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo, he conducted research and taught at Rochester Institute of Technology for eight years.
Following that tenure, he was drawn to UTSA’s Be Bold Campaign and advancements in AI. He has been a core faculty member of the university’s School of Data Science and MATRIX: The UTSA AI Consortium for Human Well-Being since August 2022. “UTSA has been making great strides in my research domain of machine learning and has gained remarkable momentum in recent years, positioning itself as a leading academic institution,” said Markopoulos. “The university’s ‘Be Bold’ mission, commitment to inclusive excellence, and dedication to supporting its students also resonated strongly with me. This alignment of values and opportunities made UTSA an ideal platform for me to make a positive impact on our society.” Markopoulos is an expert in machine learning, data analysis, and signal processing, aiming to develop efficient and trustworthy AI. His research includes continual machine learning, which allows intelligent systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, to adjust to environmental changes and learn new tasks without forgetting previous ones. He also works on robust machine learning, ensuring
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AI algorithms work reliably even with challenges like noisy data, evident in wireless communications and computer vision technology. Beyond his technical pursuits, Markopoulos has utilized his endowment to create the Klesse Scholarship for Undergraduate Research in Machine Learning, enabling students to delve into research in his lab. “It is very important for us as educators to know that we can make a difference and inspire students to boldly chase their aspirations. That is what truly makes this job fulfilling,” he explained. “The support the Klesses have given to UTSA’s engineering programs not only immediately impacts our students, professors, and our society, but also sets a powerful example of philanthropy and generosity for others to follow.”
Endowed faculty positions transform academia. They provide stable funding, attract world-renowned researchers, and create invaluable collaborations between students and faculty.
$24,339,118 Raised for Endowed Faculty Positions
92
Total Endowed Faculty Positions
Explore ways to endow a faculty position and create an environment for discovery.
Celebrating Culture Continuing a 43-year-old tradition, UTSA Southwest has the honor of hosting Gala in The Garden & Art Sale. Thanks to the generosity of donors who have celebrated the gala year after year, the event has supported a mission to teach and advance the arts. Annually, the Gala gathers approximately 600 attendees and raises nearly $500,000 with proceeds supporting community arts programs in San Antonio. A key fundraising component of the event is the art sale, which features 40+ artworks from notable local, regional and nationally recognized artists. In 2023, the Gala was designed to commemorate the 40-year legacy of Amy Shelton McNutt’s passion for the UTSA Southwest Gardens. What began as a small fair in 1973 has grown into a major highlight of the annual Fiesta San Antonio celebration. In partnership with the UTSA Alumni Association, the UTSA Fiesta Arts Fair draws 12,000 art enthusiasts annually for a two-day, family-friendly event that directly supports UTSA’s mission to advance the arts in San Antonio. The art-focused fundraiser provides operating support for UTSA Arts. With over 100 juried artists showcasing their work, this fair celebrates local, regional, and national talent. Attendees revel in a vibrant atmosphere filled with art, music, and culinary delights.
AMPLIFYING THE ART S
UTSA Arts distinguishes itself through a commitment to making the arts accessible by weaving together academic initiatives, robust music programs, community engagement, and public art platforms. This mission doesn’t just serve to beautify our campus; it paints a richer, more vibrant cultural narrative for San Antonio. Every supporter who joins in this mission plays a pivotal role in elevating the city’s artistic pulse. After merging with the former Southwest School of Art, UTSA Arts shifted the majority of its community arts programs to the UTSA Southwest Campus. The artistic programs, assets, and resources of the UTSA Southwest Campus reaffirm the university’s dedication to superior arts education. In FY23, UTSA Arts observed a 49% rise in fall enrollment, 15% in spring, and 39% in summer for its adult and youth community arts programs.
UTSA’s Art Collections encompass over 2,700 works from more than 600 established and emerging artists. The university champions local artists through exhibitions, publications, and lectures. The Special Collections preserve and provide access to distinctive archival, photographic, and printed materials, emphasizing the history of UTSA, San Antonio, and South Texas. Over 42,000 digitized items from more than 25 unique collections live online, with additions curated annually. In recognizing San Antonio as the cultural heart of Texas, UTSA doesn’t just want to celebrate its traditions; we want to propel them into the future through creativity and collaboration. This endeavor thrives with loyal supporters who echo this dream. Together, we are sculpting a bold future for our UTSA Arts community.
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OUR BOLD TRAJECTORY
FEB 2018
OCT 2021 Timothy and Melissa Draper commit $1 million for Draper Data Science Business Plan Competition
Nancy ‘87 and Frank Kudla ‘85 commit $700,000 to endow fellowship in Cybersecurity
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NOV 2018 DEC 2021
AUG 2020 DEC 2021
UTSA Athletics launches $70M Bold Champions campaign to support studentathletes
USAA contributes $1 million toward student scholarships and emergency support
UTSA opens new Science and Engineering Building
Jim Truchard gifts $5 million to incubate Alzheimer’s research challenge
SEPT 2018
OCT 2021
UTSA earns prestigious SEAL OF EXCELENCIA
UTSA receives $15 million from Graham Weston and land parcels from COSA and Bexar County to construct San Pedro I
Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund grants $750,000 to propel stem cell research
UTSA receives $5 million Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant for racial justice efforts
OCT 2020
FEB 2022
JUN 2022
UTSA earns Carnegie R1 Classification
UTSA College of Engineering and Integrated Design named after Margie and Bill Klesse in honor of transformational $20 million gift
DEC 2020
Technology grant from Dell Technologies supports new research infrastructure platform
JAN 2021
JUL 2022
OCT 2022
UTSA completes integration with Southwest School of Art, creating UTSA Southwest
UTSA becomes founding member of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Universities
FEB 2021 DEC 2022 Harvey Najim makes additional contribution totaling $5 million to establish and grow the Harvey E. Najim Innovation and Career Advancement Center
UTSA launches Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future with $500 million goal
First conceived in 2017, Be Bold operated under the ‘quiet phase’ for five years before publicly launching in 2022. The campaign will conclude alongside the university’s 10-year strategic plan in 2028. Thanks to the continuous and generous support of our alumni and donors, our bold trajectory is unstoppable. Be Bold Milestones
UTSA Milestones
UTSA opens Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence
Frost Bank gifts $1 million to School of Data Science for emerging research UTSA names first college in honor of Carlos and Malú Alvarez for historic $20 million gift to College of Business
MAR 2021 DEC 2022
JAN 2023
MAR 2023
UTSA unveils San Pedro I, home to National Security Collaboration Center and School of Data Science
Roadrunners Football scores second C-USA Championship; UTSA Soccer captures first C-USA Championship
James H. 86’ and DeAnna Bodenstedt pledge $5 million to boost athletics center
UTSA receives $40 million gift from MacKenzie Scott to bolster student success
MAY 2021
College of Engineering and Integrated Design launches to promote collaboration in engineering and architecture
JUN 2021
AUG 2021
APR 2023
APR 2023
SEPT 2021
H-E-B makes $2 million gift to support UTSA workforce development programs
Hector and Gloria López Foundation awards $2.4M grant benefitting Latino, FirstGeneration students
Loretta ‘87 ‘91 and Jeff Clarke ‘86 commit $1.5 million to endow chair in Mental Health
JUL 2023
Semmes Foundation contributes $1 million to support doctoral student research
SEPT 2021
OCT 2021
JUL 2023
SEPT 2023
Ann ‘84 and Charlie Deacon commit additional funds to establish $500,000 chair in Alvarez College of Business
UTSA joins the American Athletics Conference
OCT 2023
Ed Whitacre makes $1 million gift to support KCEID and UTSA Athletics
Harvey Najim commits $2 million to Roadrunners Football
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MAKE A BOLD PLAN
From Flight to
PHILANTHROPY
Professor Samuel (Sam) W. Cochran, Ph.D., is remembered at UTSA for his academic contributions from 1984 to 1998 and for his significant impact on numerous students. Before his educator role, Sam served as a U.S. Air Force pilot, worked with the prestigious Rand Corporation, and taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy. These varied experiences enriched his teaching at UTSA, culminating in his receiving the Dean’s Outstanding Teaching Award in 1990 and becoming the first non-tenure track faculty to earn the title of Professor Emeritus in 1998.
We welcome the opportunity to work with you and your financial advisors to achieve the charitable impact you envision. By incorporating UTSA into your estate plan, your generosity ensures unparalleled educational experiences for future generations of Roadrunners.
Deeply committed to student success and future generations, Sam established two UTSA scholarships: The Pauline W. and Samuel W. Cochran Endowed Fund and The Dr. Samuel W. Cochran Endowed Generativity Fund. These scholarships prioritize high-performing incoming freshmen with financial needs, especially those in humanities and social sciences. Sam’s legacy continues through his son Tom and daughter-in-law Cynthia, who have consistently supported these scholarships. They recently decided to include these endowments in their will, ensuring their longevity for future UTSA students. “We know my father’s endowments are very well-managed at UTSA. Our hope is that as these funds grow, they’ll open doors for more first-generation students who might have encountered financial barriers,” said Tom. “Students should be able to concentrate on their studies and engage in extra-curricular activities that set them up for success, without juggling multiple jobs to afford their education.” Beyond the classroom, Sam penned “A Sliver of My Life,” a collection about his World War II experiences. Originally self-published with only 30 copies, Tom expanded its reach by launching an electronic version on Amazon Kindle, with profits benefiting The Pauline W. and Samuel W. Cochran Endowed Fund.
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Explore our various giving options and craft a charitable giving strategy tailored to your needs.
With incredible progress toward our $500 million goal
BE BOLD: A CAMPAIGN FOR OUR FUTURE inspires the opportunities, innovations, and partnerships that will help shape the future of UTSA, San Antonio, the State of Texas and beyond.
There are so many ways to engage with UTSA. Connect with one of our team members to learn more about how you can join our journey and BE BOLD.
Learn more about how you can make an impact by contacting our office Advancement and Alumni Engagement One UTSA Circle San Antonio, TX 78249 BeBold.UTSA.edu | giving@utsa.edu