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Endowment Surpasses $100 Million Milestone

Billy Flores

Billy Flores joined the Coast Guard less than a year before his cutter, the USCGC Blackthorn, collided with an oil tanker in Tampa Bay, Fla., in 1980.

The 18-year-old seaman apprentice was among 23 crewmembers who died in the accident, but not before he helped save several lives. For his heroism, Flores posthumously received the Coast Guard Medal in 2000, and a cutter bearing his name was commissioned in 2012.

To honor Flores’ memory, his sister Connie Flores, brother Sam Flores, and sister-in-law Ceil Flores—all UT Arlington graduates—are establishing the Courage in Adversity: Billy Flores Scholarship for nursing majors.

Endowed funds like those pledged by the Flores family ensure the University’s long-term viability and are managed to weather market fluctuations while supporting scholarships, faculty positions, research, and academic programs. 

Unprecedented donor support helped UT Arlington’s endowment surpass $100 million at the end of the 2012-13 fiscal year. The University also received a record $22.7 million in new gifts and pledges last year.

“UT Arlington’s potential for continued success lies not only in its outstanding students and faculty but also in the investments made by loyal friends and supporters,” says Jerri Schooley, interim vice president for development. “Such generosity allows the University to significantly enhance its facilities, strengthen research programs, and provide countless opportunities for students.”

The endowment’s market value surged from $53.4 million in 2008-09 to $101.7 million in 2012-13, and the number of funds has increased from 401 to 592.