IRVING, Texas (August 10, 2023) — The University of Dallas is pleased to announce a $3 million gift from Richard D. Kelly, MTS ’00.
This endowment provides permanent funding to support professorships in the arts and theology, a key element of President Jonathan J. Sanford's North Star Plan for Academic Excellence. This is the first seven-figure investment to make this a reality. Maintaining faculty talent.
Mr. Kelly, a successful businessman in Dallas and an active parishioner of Christ the King Church in Dallas, said the gift was a gift to a distinguished family who had a great influence on his own faith and formation as a layman. He said it reflects his desire to ensure that future generations of students benefit from the faculty.
“I am deeply grateful for the education I received at UD and wanted to honor the name and memory of my dear friend,” Kelly said. “The faculty I have benefited from studying with have been wonderful teachers who instilled in me a love of the Bible, Church history, and the Fathers of the Church. Involvement. ”
The gift of $1.5 million each over the next five years will establish the Richard D. Kelley Endowed Chair in Theology and the Candice Tara Ioff Endowed Chair in the Arts.
“Academic excellence begins with investing in faculty who bring the mission of education to life,” said President Sanford. “Having the means to attract and retain talented faculty and academic leaders in permanent positions of privilege and to foster professional development in their fields ultimately benefits the students in our classrooms. .”
As part of North Star's vision to grow the University of Dallas in many areas, from increasing enrollment to expanding philanthropic support, President Sanford announced seven new projects reflecting the seven liberal arts areas. identified a goal to increase the number of endowed faculty positions.
“Adjusting to the goal of giving to faculty positions means that a good Catholic liberal arts education, grounded in truth, wisdom, and virtue, truly sets people free and supports them in every vocation. It underscores UD's belief in empowering people to pursue fulfilling lives,” Sanford said.
“We are deeply grateful to Mr. Kelly for his generous support of our mission.”
