The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has triumphantly surpassed its historic fundraising goal, amassing over $500 million through its unprecedented philanthropic initiative, Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future. Launched in 2017 with a decade-long strategy aligned to UTSA’s ambitious strategic plan, this campaign accelerated university growth across academic research, student success, and infrastructural development, achieving more than its initial target within eight years thanks to a committed base of over 60,000 donors.
This monumental fundraising achievement arrives on the cusp of a transformative moment: the anticipated merger of UTSA with UT Health San Antonio slated for September 1, 2025, which will create the new UT San Antonio. This merged institution is poised to become the third-largest research university in Texas, positioning itself as a powerful academic research hub with intensified community engagement and expanded capabilities in education and innovation.
Carving a new era in higher education, the Be Bold campaign strategically funneled resources into critical areas that bolster UTSA’s Carnegie R1 classification — the highest level of research activity designation in the United States. This accomplishment signals UTSA’s evolution into a top-tier research university, underscored by the establishment of 20 endowed faculty positions supported through $40.5 million allocated exclusively for faculty development and retention. Such investments foster recruitment and sustainment of elite academic talent pivotal for maintaining R1 status in a competitive global landscape.
Among the campaign’s crowning victories was the creation and endowment of UTSA’s inaugural named colleges: the Carlos Alvarez College of Business and the Margie and Bill Klesse College for Engineering and Integrated Design. Together, these colleges received a combined pledge of $40 million, underpinning not only academic programs but also expansive research initiatives and student success strategies. These commitments reflect a burgeoning focus on STEM fields and business education as engines of economic and social advancement within the San Antonio region and beyond.
A cornerstone of this campaign was the robust support for groundbreaking research that secured over $225 million in funding, enabling UTSA to deepen its impact in diverse scientific fields. Philanthropic partners such as James Truchard endowed prestigious initiatives like the Oskar Fischer Prize, which galvanizes leading neuroscientists worldwide to innovate Alzheimer’s disease research. Similarly, gifts from entities like the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund and the Semmes Foundation have advanced vital stem cell and neuroscience work, setting UTSA as a leading node in biomedical discovery research.
UTSA researchers emphasize that endowed chairs and funded positions are indispensable to attracting and holding the brightest minds, a prerequisite not only for sustaining cutting-edge research but also for cultivating interdisciplinary collaborations vital to technological innovation. As Dr. Jenny Hsieh, Semmes Foundation Distinguished Chair and director of the UTSA Brain Health Consortium, notes, these investments are key to cultivating an academically fertile environment for next-generation biomedical breakthroughs.
In parallel with its research ambitions, the Be Bold campaign has profoundly impacted student success by enabling the establishment of 139 new scholarships and fellowships tailored to alleviate financial barriers for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral candidates. These scholarships serve as critical enablers for students aspiring to pursue rigorous academic and experiential learning opportunities, effectively democratizing access to higher education in a community with a high proportion of first-generation college students.
One personal testament to the campaign’s impact comes from scholarship recipient and first-generation student Anna Almaraz. Supported through philanthropy by Harvey Najim, who contributed extensively to student support initiatives, Almaraz’s journey illustrates how endowed scholarships can catalyze individual academic and professional transformation, deepening the university’s societal impact through career-readiness and mentorship.
Expanding UTSA’s physical and intellectual footprint, strategic investments have supported new infrastructure projects such as the San Pedro I and II buildings in downtown San Antonio. These facilities are the nerve centers for emerging academic disciplines like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science, with robust backing from pioneering donors like Graham Weston. The establishment of the UTSA School of Data Science exemplifies the melding of academic excellence and forward-thinking industry collaboration, aiming to prepare the workforce of tomorrow.
Moreover, the campaign’s interdisciplinary vision extends beyond STEM fields. UTSA’s integration with the former Southwest School of Art and support from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation have significantly enriched arts education and community engagement. Over $38 million raised to support artistic initiatives underscores the university’s commitment to a holistic educational environment, fostering creative expression alongside scientific innovation.
The Bold Champions campaign, a subcomponent of Be Bold devoted to athletics, has raised over $56 million toward a $70 million target, enhancing student-athlete scholarships and state-of-the-art training facilities. Investments into infrastructure such as the Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence and the Park West Fieldhouse highlight an innovative approach to nurturing talent that balances competitive athletic excellence with academic achievement, thereby increasing UTSA’s visibility and prestige.
This multifaceted campaign also emphasizes alumni engagement as a vital resource, with more than 110,000 alumni participating through charitable giving, volunteerism, and event attendance. Alumni contributions formed a significant and enduring pillar of the fundraising effort, representing over half of all donors. Initiatives like UTSA Giving Day have energized the community and fostered a culture of sustained giving and involvement, generating over $3.3 million since 2021 alone.
One hallmark of the campaign has been the strategic deployment of legacy giving and estate planning, which generated more than $26 million and will continue to supply critical long-term resources for UTSA. This form of philanthropic engagement reflects the deep personal connection between the institution and its supporters, ensuring that future generations of students and scholars will benefit.
Looking forward, UTSA’s leadership views the Be Bold campaign not only as a financial milestone but as a profound affirmation of community confidence in the university’s mission. President Taylor Eighmy underscored the campaign’s role in fortifying UTSA’s foundation for an expanded future, especially in light of the imminent institutional merger. The campaign officially closes on August 31, 2025, with a final financial total to be announced at a celebratory event, marking a pivotal chapter in the university’s trajectory.
This historic fundraising success positions UTSA as a beacon of innovation, inclusion, and academic rigor within Texas and the broader research community. It demonstrates how visionary leadership, community engagement, and strategic philanthropy can combine to propel an institution into a leading role, not just in education but in driving cutting-edge discovery that resonates locally and globally.
Subject of Research: University fundraising, educational infrastructure, faculty endowments, research excellence, student scholarships, interdisciplinary academic expansion
Article Title: UTSA Surpasses $500 Million in Historical Be Bold Campaign, Ushering in a New Era of Research and Education
News Publication Date: 2025 (Exact date pending Final Announcement)
Web References:
- Be Bold Campaign Detailed Site
- UTSA Strategic Plan
- UT San Antonio Merger
- Oskar Fischer Prize
- UTSA School of Data Science
- Bold Champions Campaign
- UTSA Giving Day
Image Credits: The University of Texas at San Antonio
Keywords: Research universities, philanthropy in education, student scholarships, endowed faculty positions, STEM education, neurosciences, Alzheimer’s research, data science education, interdisciplinary research, university athletics fundraising, alumni engagement, institutional merger
