Donor Stories	Campaign News
Our donors love The University of Texas at Austin, and they’ve chosen to give to the University in many ways. Their stories are enlightening, inspiring, and surprising. Guillermo Nicolas honors pioneers of Spanish-language TV in the U.S. Broadcasting is in Guillermo Nicolas’ blood. So is innovation. His family, after all, is the one to thank for the United States’ first Spanish-language TV station and network. And Nicolas himself is something of a pioneer, helping launch Home Shopping Español. So it just made sense for the 1987 UT graduate and San Antonio resident [...] ‘The More You Give, the More You Get Back’: One Couple’s Story By Angela Curtis Mary Virginia Jacobs could tell Trina Sommerlatte was special from the moment the young nurse walked into her husband’s hospital room. She just had no idea how special. It was Thanksgiving weekend 2009. From the moment the two women met they shared an important interest: the health of Claud Jacobs, who was [...] Wayne Wagner’s graduation gift to his sister It was December 2002, and Wayne Wagner was attending the UT School of Nursing commencement as the proud big brother of graduate Nicole Murry. Something touched him that night, and a scholarship was born. Class act: Shelley Trathen Shelley Trathen believes money shouldn’t stand in the way of an education. Now this former teacher is bringing higher education to the next generation. Marching to a better drummer Before Vince DiNino, there was no Show Band of the Southwest. That changed in 1955 when DiNino became the first full-time director of the Longhorn Band. After 20 years as Longhorn Band director DiNino put down his baton, but his influence continues today. All roads lead to Texas Chemist David Medley finds formula for success at UT. Leveling the field Attorney hopes scholarship will help make Law School more diverse. A life-changing investment in graduate studies Austin’s Linda and Nick Classen help a school principal pursue a doctorate and achieve her full potential. Making an endowment-level gift — on the installment plan Dan and Shannon MacLemore find a way to make a difference. The art of philanthropy Julius and Suzan Glickman’s masterpiece is their family. Architecture alumnus honors mentors Fred W. Clarke’s gift will increase the number of Architecture’s Endowed Presidential Scholars. Honoring his parents A son turns his grief into a legacy. Playing through the pain: Couple helps UT, children in need Norma Leben is a pioneer in directive play therapy for abused, neglected children. Standing ovation for Sarah & Ernest Butler $55 million gift is largest to any public university music school. Standing ovation for Sarah & Ernest Butler $55 million gift is largest to any public university music school. Ben Barnes gives LBJ School $1 million Former Lt. Governor extends his legacy at the institution he helped launch. William W. Cooper From prizefighter to prize-winning financial innovator, this professor emeritus has led a storied life. Honoring a departed friend One ’70s-era Longhorn remembers another with an endowed gift. The eyes of Texas Margaret Berry wrote the book on UT history — several of them, in fact. Former student president continues to lead With a forward-looking gift, Annie Holand Miller becomes a student benefactor. A match made on Sixth Street Martin and Rosana Lizárraga found love for each other — and philanthropy. Celebrating a philanthropic legacy Descendants of UT benefactor George W. Littlefield carry on the family tradition.	Lebermann Foundation Gives $2.5 Million to Plan II Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Ransom Center Awards 2012-13 Fellowships Tuesday, May 15, 2012 ExxonMobil Foundation Makes Record Matching Donation Thursday, May 10, 2012 Gift Will Fund Expansion of Texas Venture Labs Thursday, May 3, 2012 Co-op’s Mitchell Awards Recognize Academic Excellence Wednesday, May 2, 2012 Read More News

Donor Stories

Our donors love The University of Texas at Austin, and they’ve chosen to give to the University in many ways. Their stories are enlightening, inspiring, and surprising.

Guillermo Nicolas honors pioneers of Spanish-language TV in the U.S.

Broadcasting is in Guillermo Nicolas’ blood. So is innovation. His family, after all, is the one to thank for the United States’ first Spanish-language TV station and network. And Nicolas himself is something of a pioneer, helping launch Home Shopping Español. So it just made sense for the 1987 UT graduate and San Antonio resident [...]

‘The More You Give, the More You Get Back’: One Couple’s Story

By Angela Curtis Mary Virginia Jacobs could tell Trina Sommerlatte was special from the moment the young nurse walked into her husband’s hospital room. She just had no idea how special. It was Thanksgiving weekend 2009. From the moment the two women met they shared an important interest: the health of Claud Jacobs, who was [...]

Wayne Wagner’s graduation gift to his sister

It was December 2002, and Wayne Wagner was attending the UT School of Nursing commencement as the proud big brother of graduate Nicole Murry. Something touched him that night, and a scholarship was born.

Class act: Shelley Trathen

Shelley Trathen believes money shouldn’t stand in the way of an education. Now this former teacher is bringing higher education to the next generation.

Marching to a better drummer

Before Vince DiNino, there was no Show Band of the Southwest. That changed in 1955 when DiNino became the first full-time director of the Longhorn Band. After 20 years as Longhorn Band director DiNino put down his baton, but his influence continues today.