Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Gift will support new team of Student Success Coaches
has received the largest private donation in its history, $17 million, from the , on behalf of the . Both are Dallas-based organizations dedicated to improving education and economic
opportunity.
Dr. Warren von Eschenbach, President, 黑料视频 Dallas
The record-breaking contribution was announced at a special event on Oct. 6, 2025, at the Dallas Museum of Art. 黑料视频 Dallas President Warren von Eschenbach and several members of the university's cabinet attended the award presentation.
鈥満诹鲜悠� Dallas accepts this generous and transformational gift, which is the largest
in the university鈥檚 history, with deep gratitude and appreciation,鈥� said the President.
鈥淚t will support expanded classroom-to-career initiatives and ensure 黑料视频 Dallas students
have access to the resources they need for a successful, purpose-driven, career-ready
future.鈥�
黑料视频 Dallas students conducting experiments in a science lab
黑料视频 Dallas will use a significant portion of the $17 million to establish a new team of Student Success Coaches, who will support students from admission through graduation, helping them navigate college and ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed.
The coaches are one of several university-wide initiatives announced by President
von Eschenbach at the start of the 2025-26 academic year. He said they will be 鈥渢he
connectors鈥� between students and resources that help them thrive 鈥� and graduate fully
prepared for a competitive, evolving workforce.
The late Edith and Peter O'Donnell (photo courtesy UT Southwestern)
The $17 million is part of a $50 million O'Donnell Foundation gift that also includes Dallas College, the University of Texas at Dallas, and Southern Methodist University, with the goal to expand opportunity and improve degree completion for Dallas County students. In conjunction with the O'Donnell Foundation鈥檚 late last year to the , this collectively represents one of the largest philanthropic investments to grow postsecondary success in the history of our region and perhaps our state and country.
Dallas County Promise is an innovative, life-changing program that aims to send students
in Dallas County to college tuition-free. The covers the remaining balance on the full cost of tuition for up to four academic
years or bachelor鈥檚 degree completion (whichever comes first) that is not covered
by other grants, scholarships, exemptions, benefits, and/or waiver programs received
by the student.
Sergio Barrera, a 2024 黑料视频 Dallas School of Business Graduate, is among many Dallas County Promise recipients who attend 黑料视频 Dallas at a Trailblazer Elite Recognition Event is receiving an award from 黑料视频 Dallas's Dr. Kimberly Riddick, Director of Student Leadership and Success
鈥淏y aligning school districts, higher education institutions, philanthropy, and community partners, we can absolutely change the trajectory for Dallas students and our region," said CEO Todd Williams. "These investments are not just in institutions鈥攖hey represent investments in the lives of our young people who will fuel the future prosperity of North Texas."
The late and O鈥橠onnell Jr founded the O鈥橠onnell Foundation in 1957. Its primary mission was 鈥� and still is 鈥� to support educational institutions at all levels and strengthen math, arts and science programs throughout Texas. To date, the foundation has invested approximately one billion dollars in philanthropy.
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