Where To Give - Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Opportunity Funds

Want to support UT Dallas in a way that leaves a lasting legacy? Opportunity Funds give donors the chance to benefit any part of the University through the creation of a permanent endowment. These funds can be established with a gift of at least $10,000 and can be pledged over five years. Employee matching gift programs, which are offered by many companies, can be used to fulfill a pledge.

Opportunity Funds provide deans, center directors and other key leaders with critical unrestricted resources. These funds can be used to take advantage of timely opportunities, enhance programs and meet unexpected needs.

By pooling the income generated by multiple Opportunity Funds, deans and directors may enable students to travel to academic conferences, pay for upgraded research equipment, supplement scholarships to recruit competitive students and bring distinguished artists to campus.

To learn more about our generous donors who have established Opportunity Funds, select any of the names listed below. For more information, please call 972-883-6504.

Alumni Relations

Dougherty-Mitchel Opportunity Fund for Alumni Relations

Erin Dougherty BA'03, MPA'07 and Ray Mitchel BA'03 created an Opportunity Fund to provide resources to enhance the relationship between UT Dallas and its alumni. The couple met at the University as freshmen. They are grateful for the opportunities that UT Dallas has provided to them as students and now as alumni and employees. Erin has worked in alumni relations at UT Dallas since 2006 and now serves as the senior director of alumni relations and annual giving. Ray is a police officer at the University. Both Erin and Ray said they believe that the University is strengthened by a strong group of involved alumni who are proud of their alma mater. The gift is intended to be a source of opportunity and inspiration for future generations of Comets.

Athletics

Gene Fitch Opportunity Fund for Athletics

Dr. Gene Fitch Jr.'s Opportunity Fund to support athletics enables the department to better represent the University and enhance the experience of student-athletes. For Fitch, dean of students at UT Dallas, intercollegiate athletics provides the campus community with a means to unite through a common bond—supporting the University. Fitch believes that athletics is vital to every student because it provides a richer college experience on campus. Athletics can often be used as a window to a university, he explained. Through athletics, prospective students can learn about the dynamic opportunities available at UT Dallas. Fitch provides management and supervision to the Dean of Students Office, including student conduct and conflict resolution, formation and interpretation of University policies, disability services, fraternity and sorority life, the Student Union and Activities Advisory Board, spirit programs, student government, student media and student organizations. He came to UT Dallas from Middle Tennessee State University, where he was the associate vice president of student affairs and dean of student life.

Callier Center for Communication Disorders

Cochlear Implant Program Opportunity Fund, Established in Honor of Pediatric Patients and their Families by Melissa and Ben Sweeney

Melissa MS’98 and Ben Sweeney have a personal connection to the Callier Center for Communication Disorder’s Cochlear Implant Program. After graduating from UT Dallas with a master of science in communication disorders, Melissa became a speech-language pathologist at the same place that she did her clinical training: Callier. Little did she know that working with children and families in the center’s cochlear implant program would become her life’s work. It’s been 13 years since Melissa started at Callier, and she now serves as the program’s first division head. The Sweeneys created an Opportunity Fund to honor the children and families in the program. Melissa said that the participants have enriched her life and that she and Ben are committed to the program’s sustenance.
Jan Lougeay Excellence in Clinical Training Opportunity Fund, Established by Drs. Christine A. Dollaghan and Thomas F. Campbell
Howard B. And Lois C. Wolf Opportunity Fund for Clinical Care of the Hearing Impaired

Eugene McDermott Library

Judy and Larry Sall Opportunity Fund

Dr. Larry Sall retired from UT Dallas in 2010 after leading the Eugene McDermott Library through an era of dynamic growth. His tenure included service under four UT Dallas presidents. Sall joined the library as coordinator of Special Collections in 1978 and was selected as director of libraries in 2000. He became the dean in 2004. A native of Portland, Ore., Sall received a bachelor's degree at the University of Idaho and his master's degree and doctorate from Wayne State University in Detroit. He was a graduate exchange fellow at the University of Munich. An active member of the community, Sall serves on the boards of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, the Frontiers of Flight Museum and the Texas Audubon Society. He is a member of the UT Dallas History of Aviation Advisory Council, Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, the American Council on Germany and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now that he's retired, Sall enjoys traveling the world with his wife Judy, who spent many years working in the library of the Dallas Morning News.

Eugene McDermott Library’s History of Aviation Collection

Jan Collmer Opportunity Fund

Jan Collmer is a well-known businessman and philanthropist. He is the chairman of the History of Aviation Collection (HAC) Advisory Council and founder and president emeritus of the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. Jan is also the creator and former president of High Voltage Power Systems, previously Collmer Semiconductor. He is a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and has flown in air shows for more than 20 years. From 1990-96, Jan served on the UT Dallas Development Board. In addition to the HAC, Jan also supported the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas. Jan and his wife Suzanne reside in Dallas.
James and Jayne Davilla Opportunity Fund

Dr. James Davilla is an aviation and aerospace enthusiast who also serves on the History of Aviation Collection (HAC) Advisory Council. James’ affinity for the University began when he used the McDermott Library Special Collections, home of the HAC, to do research for his book French Aircraft of the First World War. His work with UT Dallas was so impactful to his research that he established an Opportunity Fund for the ongoing care and operation of the HAC. James also gives back to the University in other ways, including hosting several members of the advisory council who traveled to San Jose, Calif., to view his private collection of aviation memorabilia.
Jack and Jane Hamilton Opportunity Fund

Both Jack and Jane Hamilton were longtime area residents who generously supported UT Dallas. Jack was a key figure in the growth of the History of Aviation Collection (HAC). As former president of Teledyne Geotech, he was a staunch supporter of aviation history who served as co-chairman of the History of Aviation Collection Advisory Council. The council provides guidance and fundraising support for the HAC. Jack also served on the board of directors for the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. From 2002-10, Jane was a board member for the Foundation for the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
Michael and Buffy Hasco Opportunity Fund

Michael Hasco EMBA’98 is vice president of global accounts for the H.J. Heinz Company. As a student at UT Dallas, Michael was voted by his classmates as most likely to be the first quoted in The Wall Street Journal. Michael fulfilled that vision when he was featured in a 2006 story that focused on the efforts of food processing giant Heinz to win back the ketchup concession at McDonald’s restaurants in the United States. As an aviation enthusiast and Zeppelin airship specialist, Michael made a book donation to the History of Aviation Collection at UT Dallas. The Technical Air Intelligence Center Report #41: Japanese Balloon and Attached Devices contains declassified U.S. intelligence documents detailing the World War II project that successfully sent balloons rigged with bombs from Japan to the United States. Michael and his wife, Buffy, live in Pittsburgh with their three daughters.

School of Arts and Humanities

Betty R. (Bitsy) Carter Opportunity Fund for the School of Arts and Humanities
Opportunity Fund in Honor of Dean Dennis Kratz, Dr. Richard Brettell and Dr. Tom Linehan, established by Bonnie Pitman

Bonnie Pitman established an Opportunity Fund in honor of her colleagues’ leadership, vision, innovation and commitment to creating new models for learning and collaboration.

Before joining the faculty of the School of Arts and Humanities, Pitman served as a leader of the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) for more than a decade. Pitman began as deputy director in 2000 and was named Eugene McDermott Director in 2008. At the DMA, Pitman found new ways to engage audiences by building dynamic collections and exhibitions, and launching innovative programs in the community. She is now a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at the University where she is charged with using her expertise in technology and emerging media to continue to educate students and to enhance the prestige of the School of Arts and Humanities.

School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Carrie Kelleher Opportunity Fund

Carrie Kelleher BS'96 is an entrepreneur and adjunct faculty member in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at UT Dallas. Named the Most Outstanding Graduate of the UT Dallas Economics Program, Carrie worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas before moving to positions in both the corporate and nonprofit worlds. Her most recent venture is based on a business plan she wrote while still a student at UT Dallas. In 2011, Carrie opened Coffee House Cafe in Dallas. She hopes it will be a welcoming spot for customers and a support for the nonprofit organization Coffee Kids.

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science

Thomas and Matthew Krenik Opportunity Fund, Established by Bill Krenik

Amorn and Bill PhD’93 Krenik established an Opportunity Fund to celebrate their sons. Thomas Krenik completed a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering at UT Dallas and is pursuing a master’s. The Kreniks’ other son, Matthew, participated in research projects at the Natural Science and Engineering Research Lab as a high school student and will be a freshman at UT Dallas in fall 2011. Bill and Thomas are both engineers at Texas Instruments, where Bill serves as CTO in one of the analog business units. Bill is also a member of the Industrial Advisory Board for the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Through the family's relationship with UT Dallas, the Kreniks have seen firsthand the benefit the University brings to North Texas. Amorn and Bill hope that their Opportunity Fund will help UT Dallas grow and continue to serve the community.
Krish Prabhu Opportunity Fund

Krish Prabhu is a frequent visitor to the campus and longtime supporter of UT Dallas. He is a life member of the Development Board and a past board chair. Krish holds the distinction of establishing the first Opportunity Fund, designating his support to the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. After completing a bachelor of science degree in physics from Bangalore University and a master of science degree in physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Krish studied electrical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pittsburgh, he earned an MSEE in 1977 and a PhD in 1980. Krish received the school’s distinguished alumni award in 2001. He has had an extensive career in the telecommunications industry, starting with technical positions at AT&T’s Bell Labs and Rockwell International, and more recently with senior management roles at Alcatel-Lucent. After a brief run in the venture capital industry at Morgenthaler Ventures, Krish joined Chicago-based Tellabs in 2004 as president and CEO, a position he held until 2008. He was named president and CEO of AT&T Labs in 2011.
Lila and Mark Spong Bronze Tablet Opportunity Fund

Dr. Mark Spong, dean of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, and his wife, Lila, were committed to creating one of the first Opportunity Funds. Lila and Mark, the Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair in Electrical Engineering and the Excellence in Education Chair, believe that educational excellence should be recognized. As a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Lila was inducted into the Bronze Tablet Club. Each year, the University of Illinois hangs a new bronze tablet listing graduates who have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA through the academic term prior to graduation, and rank in the top 3 percent of the students in their graduating class. To honor this tradition and the motivation it inspired in their lives, Mark and Lila wanted to start a similar custom in ECS.

The Bronze Tablet Opportunity Fund will endow an annual award to one or more ECS graduating seniors based on GPA and recommendations by faculty. Award winners will have their names permanently displayed on a plaque outside of the Texas Instruments Auditorium.

Mark and Lila said they hope that their Opportunity Fund will not only inspire student excellence but also will benefit future deans of ECS.

Naveen Jindal School of Management

Robert and Gloria Hewlett Opportunity Fund

Bob Hewlett BS'82 established the first Opportunity Fund for the Naveen Jindal School of Management (JSOM) to reflect his appreciation for his educational experience at UT Dallas. From 1953-58, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Agent in the Office of Special Investigations. A 30-year career in the petroleum industry in plant operations and consulting followed, and since retiring, Bob has served as president and treasurer of the Hunt Oil Retirees group. In 2001, he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by JSOM, where he has served as a mentor to students in the Cohort MBA program. Bob was awarded the University’s Green and Orange Award for Alumni Service in 2009. He served as an executive committee member of the University’s former alumni association and the association’s historian. Bob said the support of his wife, Gloria Martin Hewlett, EdD, has been vital to all his endeavors at UT Dallas.
Steven W. Lyle Opportunity Fund

Jefflyn Williamson Opportunity Fund

School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Natural Sciences and Mathematics Opportunity Fund in Honor of Myron B. Salamon

In honor of Dr. Myron B. Salamon's retirement as dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) in 2011, President David E. Daniel created the Myron B. Salamon Opportunity Fund. Salamon served as dean for three years and under his guidance the department grew in profile. In appreciation of Salamon and all he did to enhance NSM, this endowment will live on as a tribute to his legacy.
Petroleum Geology Opportunity Fund for the Department of Geosciences, established by James Dixon

Long before Dr. James R. Dixon PhD’80 became a geological advisor for ExxonMobil Exploration Company, he honed his chops at UT Dallas. Jim credits his experience at the University as helping to lay the foundation for a successful 20-year career. In 1975, both Jim and his wife, Selena, enrolled in the UT Dallas Geosciences graduate program. As a student, he taught geology classes at Eastfield College and interned for a summer at Mobil Oil’s research lab in Dallas. Pleased with his work, Mobil hired Jim to conduct research on the origin of uranium deposits, the characterization of sandstone oil reservoirs, and the fluid flow behavior of reservoir rocks. When Mobil merged with Exxon in the late 1990s, Jim moved his family to the Houston area so he could join ExxonMobil’s Upstream Research Company. Later, Jim transferred to ExxonMobil Exploration Company, where he teaches, mentors and oversees core analysis for worldwide exploration projects. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Society of Core Analysts. Jim is a past recipient of the UT Dallas Distinguished Alumni Award. In his spare time, he volunteers as a community firefighter.
Gerard C. Gaynor Opportunity Fund for the Department of Geosciences

This fund was established by Gerard “Neil” C. Gaynor PhD ’91 to expand the learning and research that takes place in the Department of Geosciences. As a graduate of UT Dallas, Gaynor firmly believes that education is a great investment and provides the greatest returns, both financially and intellectually. The motivation for creating this fund arose from Gaynor’s rewarding experiences within the geosciences program. He said that the knowledge and experiences he gained were monumental. Gaynor emphasized that his interaction with faculty and fellow students was the basis for his successful career in the oil and gas business. He also said that it was with a sense of gratitude that he created this fund to provide educational opportunities for the future.
Molly and John Geissman Opportunity Fund for the Department of Geosciences
Lynn and Tom McIntire Opportunity Fund

Lynn BA'79 and Tom McIntire are certified financial planners who live in Dallas. Tom is a Harvard University graduate who started his planning business in 1992 following a successful overseas career in the oil services industry. Lynn joined him as a partner after having served for several years as a vice president for First Tennessee Brokerage Inc.

Lynn's first position after graduating from UT Dallas was in a research lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She then worked in pharmaceutical sales and later held a development position for the Easter Seals in Fort Worth. Lynn and Tom reconnected in 1995 at their 20-year reunion at Richardson High School. While getting acquainted again, Tom discovered that Lynn would be an excellent investment planner, and he encouraged her to consider a second career.

Lynn has two sons. Chris graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock and David from The University of Texas at Austin. The McIntires are also the proud owners of a goldendoodle named Chewie.

Tom and Lynn are firm believers in philanthropy and commit their time and income to favorite charities each year. Lynn served on the board of UT Dallas' former alumni organization and still wears her class ring. The McIntires' careers in financial planning have illustrated to them the importance of long-term investments, which is why they continue to invest in UT Dallas. In addition to their outright gift, they have arranged for another gift, through their estate plans, to benefit their Opportunity Fund.
Dean and Cindy Sherry Opportunity Fund for the Department of Chemistry

With the start of the fall semester, Dr. Dean Sherry completed his 40th year as a faculty member at UT Dallas. To celebrate, he established an Opportunity Fund to support the Chemistry Department. "The changes I’ve seen at UT Dallas over the course of four decades have been remarkable," Sherry said. "Establishing an Opportunity Fund seemed a fitting way to give back since it will support the Chemistry Department forever." Sherry holds the Cecil H. and Ida Green Distinguished Chair in Systems Biology Science. He also holds a joint appointment as a professor of radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he serves as director of the Advanced Imaging Research Center. Dr. Cindy Sherry, who also has deep ties to the University, shares in her husband's milestone. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1978 from UT Dallas, and went on to an accomplished career in radiology. She is chair and medical director of the department of radiology at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and a managing partner for Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center. She was recognized by UT Dallas in 2009 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. "Both Cindy and I have had great careers, and UT Dallas has played a big role in our lives," Sherry said. "We've witnessed firsthand the progress toward becoming a Tier One research university and see the impact it’s beginning to have in this community."
Daniel E. Schwartz Opportunity Fund for the Department of Geosciences

An Opportunity Fund created by Dan Schwartz PhD'78 will help University students with field work and "get their hands on some rocks," he said. As a geologist, many of Schwartz's best memories and significant realizations came to him in the field. At UT Dallas, he spent time fording the Red River to gather samples for his dissertation, traveling in Mexico to help a fellow graduate student with samples, and going to West Texas and New Mexico to help Geosciences Professor Emeritus James Carter with collections. Field work was critical to Schwartz's understanding of geology. During his 34 year career as a geologist at Shell Oil Co., he performed the same type of analyses and interpretation, whether assessing surface exposures, developing reservoir models for appraisal and development or running training courses for students. Schwartz said UT Dallas students should see as many outcrops as they can and invoked the old adage, "the best geologist is the one that has seen the most rocks."
Geosciences Alumni Energy Opportunity Fund for the Department of Geosciences

The Geosciences Alumni Energy Opportunity Fund was created by five generous alumni who work at Pioneer Natural Resources. David Williamson BS'98, MS'02, MS'03, Kevin Woller MS'01, Rob Hull MS'94, Neil Basu MS'06 and Sherrie Pena MS'05 made gifts that were matched by Pioneer's matching gift program. The fund supports projects, grants or equipment acquisitions that further research and benefit the petroleum industry. The alumni said they were inspired to give by the University's Tier One aspirations, the growth of the Geosciences Department and by recent faculty hires. Their hope is that the Geosciences Department is on a trajectory to becoming a Tier One geosciences program in North Texas. They encourage other alumni to pool their financial, intellectual and network resources to aid in the continued growth of the Department.
Qingming Yang Opportunity Fund for the Department of Geosciences

Qingming Yang PhD'93 said he established an Opportunity Fund to thank UT Dallas for providing him with a great education and its support of him as a student and research scientist. Now executive vice president of business development and geosciences at Approach Resources Inc., Yang said he is proud to be an alumnus of the Geosciences Department and to be part of a University that has produced astronauts, distinguished scientists, outstanding administrators, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and industry leaders. In order to continue this outstanding tradition and to drive UT Dallas to even greater heights as a Tier One university, Yang said he hopes to encourage other alumni to be inspired by his gift and create Opportunity Funds of their own.

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Behavioral and Brain Sciences Opportunity Fund, Established by Dr. Bert S. Moore

As dean of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) since 1989, Dr. Bert Moore enjoys watching all of "the wonderful work done" by faculty on behalf of students, he said. During that time, the number of major research centers affiliated with the school has increased from one to four. Moore, the Aage and Margareta Møller Distinguished Professor, says one of the highlights of being at UT Dallas is watching faculty develop exciting new knowledge and provide service to the community. Moore also takes pride in BBS' top-ranked student training programs, research that explores areas spanning from infant development to the aging brain and a variety of programs that serve thousands of members of the community annually. Moore created an Opportunity Fund to support these current efforts and to contribute toward their sustainability.
Pagett and Mike Gosslee Opportunity Fund to Benefit the Center for Children and Families

Pagett Gosslee MAT'79 and Mike Gosslee honored their parents, children and grandchildren by establishing an Opportunity Fund benefitting the Center for Children and Families. The center promotes positive child development through research, practice and community outreach. Pagett Gosslee learned the center's values as a graduate student in human development at UT Dallas. The Gosslees were motivated to support the Center for Children and Families because of the difference the outreach programs make in the community. They believe that supporting the center will help provide critical information to families, schools and public policy.

School of Interdisciplinary Studies

Academic Bridge Program Opportunity Fund
Bridge to Our Future Opportunity Fund, Established by Garry C. Miller, Jr. for the Academic Bridge Program

Garry C. Miller Jr. BS'07 studied finance and economics at the University. A National Merit quarterfinalist, Miller received a full scholarship and is a member of the second class of the Academic Bridge Program (ABP). After completing an internship with Alcatel-Lucent, he took an analyst position with Dell Perot Systems. Miller then went on to lead United Natural Foods, Inc. through several supply chain initiatives, including a return to Texas to open a new distribution center in Lancaster. He currently works as an AGILE project manager at Fidelity Investments. Miller said he decided to establish the Bridge to our Future Opportunity Fund as a way to honor the great leaders and mentors who helped chart a path for him through his days at the University. Since earning a master's degree in engineering and operations management at the University of New Haven, Miller has an even stronger sense of gratitude to Academic Bridge. The program helped instill in participants a standard of excellence and fostered a culture of achievement, he said. "As iron sharpens iron, we too, as a collective body, push and motivate each other to attain higher levels and reach for our potential. May this endowment serve as a supporting beam in this essential bridge enabling future students to step forward into their destiny."

Center for Vital Longevity

Jean and Bill Booziotis Opportunity Fund

Jean and Bill Booziotis established an Opportunity Fund for the Center for Vital Longevity to support the efforts of a group of distinguished cognitive neuroscientists led by Drs. Denise Park and Michael Rugg. Bill founded Booziotis & Company Architects in 1989 and serves as its senior principal. He founded that firm’s precursor, Thomas and Booziotis, in 1965. During his career, Bill has worked with clients including UT Austin, Texas Instruments, the Dallas Museum of Art, and Communities Foundation of Texas. He has also been involved in all phases and aspects of planning, architecture and interior design in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Bill has served on numerous advisory committees and boards, such as the Center for Vital Longevity Advisory Council and the UT Dallas Development Board.