ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ Receives Transformative Gift of $5 Million

October 3, 2024

Gift set to be used for the Restoration and Renovation of Founders Hall

Founders HallSan Antonio – October 3, 2024 – The ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ (ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ) is proud to announce that it has received a pledge of $5 million to support the development and renovation of Founders Hall. The transformative pledge comes to ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ from the Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation, managed by the family of Jack Lewis III, former chair of the ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ Board of Trustees and longtime supporter of the University.

Envisioned as a hub of academic excellence and gateway to global understanding for the community, Founders Hall is the future home of the Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas, also named for the Lewis family. The Lewis Center works to promote better relations and grow understanding among the people and nations of the Americas. In addition to the Lewis Center, Founders Hall will also house a community events center, the School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering, the School of Media and Design, International Affairs, a new Student Health Center and the ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ Police Department along with other areas to be determined as the project expands.

“I am deeply grateful to the Lewis family for their whole-hearted support of ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ and long-time friendship,” said Dr. Thomas M. Evans, ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ president. “During his 12-year tenure as a Trustee, Jack co-chaired the capital campaign committee for the ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ School of Osteopathic Medicine, co-chaired the last comprehensive $100 million campaign and served as treasurer, vice chair and, ultimately, chair of the board. In every role, he helped guide ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ through many challenges and toward even more triumphs, including helping us navigate through the pandemic. In addition to his support of Founders Hall and the Lewis Center, he has also sponsored individual students for whom a ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ education would not have otherwise been possible.”

Evans also noted that Lewis has been one of ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ’s most ardent ambassadors, welcoming new friends and benefactors into the ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ community in hopes that they come to appreciate the work that is done at ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ as much as Lewis does.

As Lewis himself once stated, “I have loved ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ forever. We are changing lives. I have seen all the good that the university has done for students over the years. I’m a believer.”

This latest gift is the third seven-figure gift toward the Founders Hall project. The nine-story, 380,000-square-foot, 10-acre property represents the largest renovation project in ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ history. It was designed by noted architect Atlee B. Ayers in the 1950s and expands ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ’s footprint by 20 percent.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Valdes, Media and Public Relations Manager, Office of Communications & Brand Marketing, (210) 829-6001, (210) 422-4052 or michael.valdes@uiwtx.edu

ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ

With over 140 years of tradition, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ is committed to educational excellence in a context of faith in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ programs constitute a liberal education that fosters a well-grounded intellectual resilience, a disposition toward lifelong learning, and an acceptance of responsibility for the ethical consequences of our ideas and actions. Founded in 1881, ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ is the largest Catholic university in the state and the fourth largest private university in Texas. ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ students can choose from degrees offered at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The University is committed to graduating students with the lowest amount of debt load possible and to help them secure a career that lifts their lives, their families and their communities. With a beautiful main campus in the heart of San Antonio, in 2019, ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ purchased a 10-acre landmark property at 4119 Broadway which increased the footprint of the ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ Broadway Campus by 20%. The building is now known as Founders Hall. ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ has locations throughout San Antonio, two campuses in Mexico and a European Study Center in Strasbourg, France. ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ is a leader in international education, with over 146 “sister schools” in 45 countries and it is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution. The University is a member of the NCAA Division I Southland Conference and is proud to have 25 teams representing 14 different sports. ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµ is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.