A Moving Celebration of The Arts and Humanities at Trinity

Emerging out of a festive crowd in the filtered light of the Ruth Taylor Courtyard, voices rang out in song.

Trinity’s Choir—scattered among guests, faculty, students, and alumni gathered to celebrate the newly-named Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities—stepped into a joyful flashmob, weaving harmonies through the heart of campus. It was a simple, powerful reminder that the disciplines that explore what it means to be human (from music and the performing arts to literature and language) are not only alive and well at Trinity University, but remain transformative.

As such, Trinity is grateful to be the beneficiary of a transformative $25 million gift from the Malú and Carlos Alvarez family, a historic investment that has transformed the school and ushered in a vibrant new era for Trinity’s arts and humanities.

And it was a celebration befitting the late Alvarez, who was no stranger himself to breaking out into song.

The Rhythm of the Celebration

The program itself embodied the disciplines it honored. A polyglot poetry reading carried voices across languages and lived experiences. A lively mariachi ensemble energized the courtyard with the sounds of cultural heritage. Guests were later invited into the Dicke Art Gallery, where student artists showcased original work—visual reflections of curiosity and courage.

Finally, Trinity Folklorico brought the celebration to a close with a single, soaring performance. Their colorful skirts, rhythmic footwork, and confident smiles add an exclamation point to the moment: This was a school grounded in movement, culture, and the human story.

A Vision Born From Legacy 

This celebration didn’t begin today. It started decades ago, with a family whose roots are deep in service, industry, and education. The Malú and Carlos Alvarez family have long been champions of student opportunity at Trinity. Today, that commitment takes physical shape in a school that bears Carlos Alvarez’s name—a lasting recognition of a man who believed that education opens doors, enriches lives, and connects us to one another.

President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D., expressed the profound significance of their support.

"With this extraordinary investment in establishing the Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities, the Alvarez and Brozovich families are amplifying what has always been at the core of a Trinity education: curiosity, creativity, and compassion,” she said. “They understand something vital—that the arts and humanities are not a luxury. They are essential. They help us reflect on what it means to be human, to see and listen across cultures, time, and perspectives.”

In this new school, legacy is not something left behind. It is something set in motion—ongoing, growing, and shaping generations.

A Future Built on Curiosity, Creativity, and Compassion

The Alvarez gift does not simply sustain the arts and humanities at Trinity. It elevates them. It ensures that every student—whether they major in art history or engineering—engages with the ideas and expressions that make us human.

For Ruben Dupertuis, Ph.D., the inaugural dean of the Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities, the celebration reflected the immense possibilities ahead.

"The celebration shows the vibrant support that Trinity has for the arts and humanities," Dupertuis says. "To have our entire community, especially our students, come together to celebrate the impact and importance of the arts and humanities to the liberal arts is a real gift. These disciplines give voice to the human experience, and the investment of the Alvarez and Brozovich families ensures that Trinity students will continue to think critically, create boldly, and connect deeply with the world around them."

This support also gives faculty room to dream bigger: developing new interdisciplinary programs, expanding community-engaged learning, and ensuring that Trinity remains a top destination for scholars committed to both rigorous inquiry and meaningful impact.

A Song That Echoes

As the sun dipped lower and the final notes of Folklorico faded, guests lingered—smiling, hugging, taking in the moment. The celebration wasn’t only about a school; it was about acknowledgment. A recognition that the arts and humanities shape who we are and who we can become.

Beasley recalled the last time she saw Alvarez on campus, at a reception for students in Trinity’s Mexico, the Americas and Spain program. After he listened closely to students speak about their time abroad,  it came time for Carlos to speak, but he did something unexpected. “He began to sing,” Beasley says. “In Spanish. A song from his childhood in Mexico. I can still see his face—radiant, joyful, fully present. His song reminded us all of why the arts matter.”

And Trinity’s voice will remain one resonant with creativity, empathy, and in tune with our human story, carrying forward a vision for a brighter future for all the generations to come.