The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) announced today that it has topped $100 million in private gifts just halfway into its inaugural capital campaign: We Are UTSA – A Top-Tier Campaign. UTSA aims to raise $120 million by 2015 to support its aspiration to become a Tier One research institution. Watch UTSA’s story at http://giving.utsa.edu.

UTSA tipped the $100 million mark with a $1,003,840 gift from the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund. The gift builds upon previous gifts to support medicinal chemistry research at UTSA.

The We Are UTSA campaign is raising funds to increase scholarship and fellowship opportunities for UTSA students. In addition, the campaign is seeking support for endowed faculty positions, innovative research, community outreach programs and campus improvements.

“We are elated to see how much the San Antonio and surrounding communities have stepped up to support UTSA through the We Are UTSA campaign,” said Marjie French, UTSA vice president for University Advancement. “This is the first capital campaign in university history, and the response has been tremendous. We are so thankful for the commitments and investments that all of the donors have made so far in this effort.”

UTSA was established in 1969 by the Texas Legislature as a "university of the first class.” In the early 2000s, under the guidance of President Ricardo Romo, UTSA set out to become a Tier One research institution renowned in health, security, energy, sustainability, and human and social development.

“I would like to thank all of the donors who have already supported the campaign and enabled us to reach this milestone,” said Jim Bodenstedt ’96, campaign chair. “We are just getting started and I encourage other alumni and business leaders to invest in UTSA and the future of our city and region. The We Are UTSA – A Top-Tier Campaign is about providing the resources for UTSA to take that next step toward top-tier status. Each gift is having a direct impact on a student, faculty member, or a key aspect of university life.”

“I am humbled and thankful by the outpouring of support for the We Are UTSA campaign,” said Romo. “Our supporters have really stepped up and responded to the opportunity for UTSA to become the next Tier One university in Texas. The race isn’t over, but I know that with continued support from UTSA alumni and our many supporters across the country that we will finish strong.” 

To learn more about UTSA or to give, visit http://giving.utsa.edu.