Rising to the Challenge

At Trinity University, philanthropy opens the door for excellence. 

Every resource, every opportunity, and every open door that makes the Trinity experience special for students starts with great philanthropy. And that type of support works best when the entire Trinity community of support works together.

Our donors have been stepping up to ensure that every student who chooses Trinity can focus on what it truly means to be a Tiger - to be bold, to be curious, and to dream big. From gifts that sustain Trinity’s future to scholarships that open new doors, the generosity of our supporters is shaping a brighter tomorrow.

For years, we’ve been launching dynamic initiatives that make a direct impact on students today as well as boosting the long-term strength and footing of the University for the future. See how a range of initiatives have unlocked powerful matching opportunities, encouraging more donors to get involved and amplifying the impact of every gift. And learn more about Trinity’s ongoing commitment to the type of philanthropy that changes lives.

The Hurd Challenge

Philanthropists J.R. and Joanie Hurd had a vision: to enrich the Trinity community with the diverse perspectives and ambitions of more first-generation students.

So in 2020, they launched the Hurd Family First-Generation Student Scholarship Matching Gift Challenge, to expand financial support for these trailblazing students.

The Hurds pledged $250,000 in matching funds, challenging donors to create five new endowed scholarships of $100,000 each. For every $50,000 gift, the Hurds contributed an equal match, doubling the impact and ensuring that more first-generation students can access a Trinity education.

This initiative built on the Hurds’ longstanding commitment to the University—back in 2009, they established Trinity’s first privately funded endowed scholarship for first-generation students. 

With each new scholarship, more students have been able to break barriers and embrace opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach.

The Walls Challenge

Trustee Emerita Lissa Walls Cribb ’80 has long believed in the power of education to change lives. In 2022, through the Walls Scholarship Match, she pledged $1 million to establish 20 new endowed scholarships for first-generation students with financial need.

The challenge offered a 1:1 match—for every $50,000 gift, Walls contributed $50,000, ensuring that each fund reached the $100,000 endowment level required for long-term scholarship support. With a total impact of $2 million, this initiative expanded access for students who are the first in their families to attend college.

By investing in first-generation students, the Walls Challenge strengthened Trinity’s commitment to excellence, ensuring that every deserving student can dream big—and achieve it.

The Cortez Challenge

For Miles Cortez ’64 and his wife, Jan, Trinity isn’t just a place—it’s a defining chapter of life. That’s why they created the Cortez Legacy Challenge in 2022, an ongoing effort to encourage alumni and friends to include Trinity in their estate plans.

The Cortez Challenge has committed $100,000 to unlock 100 new and updated will and estate gifts. The one guideline for the Challenge is simple: If you name Trinity University to receive a gift of $10,000 or more in your will or estate plans, you will unlock $1,000 from the Cortez Legacy Challenge for immediate use on campus today.

This effort has already secured more than $15.2 million in future planned gifts while directing $57,000 in immediate funds to vital initiatives across campus, from academic departments and programs to athletic teams and scholarships. With more than 60 planned gifts secured so far as part of the Cortez Challenge, there is still an opportunity for members of our community to join this initiative. 

Having already made Trinity a beneficiary of their own estate, Miles and Jan firmly believe in securing a top-notch experience for future generations of Trinity students.

“My Trinity experience set the course for the rest of my life,” Miles says. “I am especially excited about the multiplier effect and hope it encourages those who love Trinity to give back to their alma mater through their estate plans.”

The Trinity Commitment

Carrying the legacies of these prior challenges into the future is the Trinity Commitment.

Announced in spring 2024, the Trinity Commitment is a $25 million endowed scholarship initiative that empowers the best and brightest students to choose Trinity, regardless of their financial need—and strengthens their connection to our community knowing that Trinity chose them in return.

Through this challenge, donors contribute $50,000 (or more) to establish or enhance an endowed scholarship, ensuring that talented students can choose Trinity without financial constraints. Each gift receives a dollar-for-dollar match from Trinity’s endowment and bolsters Trinity’s existing 360+ endowed scholarships.

To date, $15.8 million has been invested in scholarships by 74 new donors, including current and retired faculty, current staff, alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and Trinity’s Greek organizations.

For students such as Jose Ayala ’25, a computer science major from Corpus Christi, Texas, scholarship support has been life-changing. During his time at Trinity, Ayala has made connections across disciplines and served as a resident assistant, president of the Association for Computer Machinery, and a student supervisor for Phone-a-thon with Trinity’s Office of Alumni Relations and Development. Last summer, Ayala had the opportunity to study abroad in Vietnam. 

 "This scholarship has allowed me to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I will always cherish and will help me break generational barriers," he says.

At the heart of the Trinity Commitment is community. With this initiative, our donors have committed to rising together. See how you can transform the futures of Trinity University students, and help us strengthen our enduring legacy of excellence.

Visit the Trinity Commitment website, email @email, or call 210-999-7328 when you’re ready to show your commitment.