One year after the historic integration between The University of Texas at San Antonio and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the newly unified UT San Antonio is demonstrating the transformative power of a shared vision — to make access and excellence in education synonymous while creating unparalleled opportunities to advance research and provide exceptional healthcare for South Texas and beyond.
Today, UT San Antonio serves as the third-largest public research university in Texas, bringing together nationally recognized strengths in education, research, healthcare and community engagement. The university serves over 44,000 students, employs 17,000 faculty and staff members, and generates over $521 million in annual research expenditures.
A strengthening culture of philanthropy
As the university commemorates its first year as a unified institution, this milestone has also marked the emergence of a powerful and growing philanthropic community comprised of community leaders, alumni advocates and university partners who continue creating unparalleled growth opportunities for students, faculty, staff and physicians.
In FY26, the university raised a total of $148 million from over 14,300 donors who contributed more than 27,400 gifts. Notably, over 18,100 gifts under $1,000 collectively totaled more than $1.7 million, demonstrating the impact of individual giving and how every gift — no matter the size — has the power to make a difference.
“UT San Antonio has an unprecedented opportunity to advance education, research, healthcare and community impact, and our progress is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of those who invest in our mission,” said UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy. “Philanthropy is the catalyst that fuels student success, attracts world-class talent, accelerates discovery and transforms lives. I am deeply grateful to our donors who are helping to shape the future of our institution. Together, we are building a Top 20 public research university that will serve and transform communities for generations to come.”
Among the most significant gifts to UT San Antonio was a $30 million commitment from the Kate Marmion Charitable Foundation to support the newly named Kate Marmion School of Public Health. The transformational investment has funded scholarships, fellowships, community outreach initiatives and research focused on improving health outcomes across South Texas, particularly in rural communities where access to care remains a challenge.
The university also received a $7 million gift from longtime supporters Ed and Linda Whitacre, whose investment is advancing research, student success and athletics. The commitment included $5 million to support metabolic health research and clinical care in honor of the late William L. Henrich who served as President of UT Health San Antonio, as well as $2 million to strengthen engineering education and student opportunities. Their support reflects confidence in the promise of the newly integrated institution and its long-term impact on the region.
Local philanthropist Harvey E. Najim committed $5 million to establish the Harvey Najim Bold Promise Scholarship, strengthening the university’s Bold Promise program and helping students with financial need pursue a college degree while reducing barriers to educational success. He also committed $6.5 million to support future pediatric-focused professionals in dentistry, medicine and nursing in the San Antonio region. These investments reinforce how philanthropy can directly transform lives through access to higher education. To date, Najim has invested over $25 million across UT San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio.
“Our philanthropic community is one of our greatest strengths. Through the generosity of donors who believe in the promise of UT San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio, we are educating future leaders, advancing scientific discovery, and expanding critical access to exceptional care for communities across South Texas and beyond,” said Francisco Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system at UT San Antonio. “The true value of these gifts is measured not only in what they make possible today, but in the opportunities they create for future generations. They strengthen the connections among education, research and healthcare, including those with our community partners such as University Health, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Brooks Army Medical Center and beyond. Together, we are building a healthier future and expanding our collective impact across South Texas.”
Partnerships that advance student success
University partnerships with corporations and foundations across the country have also affirmed remarkable confidence in the university’s future with 2,440 corporate and foundation awards to UT San Antonio, totaling over $93 million toward enhancing student success programming and more.
Valero announced a $1.5 million commitment to support scholarships and student success initiatives in engineering and business, helping prepare graduates for high-demand industries critical to Texas’ economy.
The USAA Student Success Center at San Pedro II offers a range of opportunities tailored to the students enrolled in the College of AI, Cyber and Computing while also advancing university-wide student success initiatives, such as peer mentoring and professional development.
Meanwhile, H-E-B has continued its longstanding investment in workforce development through the H-E-B Community Innovation Scholars program to support experiential learning, data science education and career readiness to strengthen the region’s innovation economy.
Planned gifts with perpetual impact
UT San Antonio has also experienced growing momentum through estate and gift planning — a critical source of long-term philanthropic impact. In FY26, numerous donors chose to include the university in their wills or estate plans or considered other avenues in gift planning, resulting in $13.5 million in legacy commitments that will last in perpetuity at UT San Antonio.
Linda A. Smith, Ph.D., MLS, BB (ASCP), a professor emeritus in medical laboratory sciences and first-generation college graduate, dedicated her career to helping students succeed in healthcare. Inspired by the power of mentorship and experiential learning, she established a planned gift to UT San Antonio that will support Honors College, allied health, and biomedical students, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college. Through a charitable gift annuity, Smith’s legacy will help future generations gain hands-on experiences, professional connections, and the confidence to make a lasting impact in their communities.
Gifts that keep on giving
Endowed support remains a strength of the university. This type of support for student scholarships, graduate fellowships, and student success initiatives removes financial barriers and empowers talented students to thrive at every stage of their educational journeys.
Alumni like Dr. Peter Ramirez ’81are making legacy commitments that create opportunities for future generations of students and researchers. A member of the first graduating class of the joint medical technology program between the former UTSA and UT Health San Antonio, Ramirez established the Peter Enrique Ramirez, M.D. Endowed Scholarship in 2012 and expanded his impact through a planned gift in 2025. His generosity reflects the deep connection alumni feel to both institutions and their shared commitment to investing in the future.
Equally important are endowed faculty positions, which allow the university to attract and retain nationally recognized scholars whose research advances discoveries in AI, cyber, engineering, biomedical sciences, healthcare, business, education, the humanities, and other disciplines.
In FY26, the university made significant strides, increasing its Graduate Fellowship Endowments to 27, Endowed Faculty Positions to 390, Endowed Programs to 406, and Endowed Scholarships to 614. With 1,437 endowments, the university boasts an Endowment Market Value of $1.4 billion.
“Together, these philanthropic investments signal more than generosity,” said Jim Reed, UT San Antonio Development Board chair. “They reflect growing confidence in a university uniquely positioned to integrate education, research, healthcare and workforce and economic development at an unprecedented scale.”
Looking ahead together
In its second year as a unified institution, philanthropy is transforming the promise of integration into lasting progress at UT San Antonio. As the university’s donor community continues to show support, they are investing in a community comprised of the very students, faculty, and physicians who will achieve the university’s ambitious vision for regional, state and global impact.
“Donors who once supported separate academic and health enterprises are increasingly investing in a unified UT San Antonio — firmly believing in our role as an anchor institution for San Antonio,” said Karl Miller-Lugo, senior vice president for Advancement and Alumni Engagement. “By investing in people, our extraordinary philanthropic community is creating a legacy that strengthens both individual lives and the communities they ultimately serve.”
