Defining Moment: Couple sees sense in togetherness
Leticia “Leti Contreras and Thomas “Tom” Contreras believe the community experience at St. Mary’s University is what makes it so special.
William Joseph Chaminade
Five years ago, we announced The Defining Moment Comprehensive Campaign with a goal of $130 million — a fundraising campaign 10 times greater than any prior St. Mary’s University campaign and larger than all previous campaigns combined.
Some said this was an impossible goal. But we believed.
Now, we announce that The Defining Moment Campaign has concluded, reaching an astounding $165 million — gifts that will fund transformational scholarships, endowed professorships and chairs, world-class facilities, innovative academic programs and critical research. Gifts that have already established the state’s first Center for Catholic Studies and built cutting-edge labs and classrooms. Gifts that will make it possible to achieve our vision of becoming among the finest Catholic universities in Texas and the Southwest. Our vision is now within our grasp.
Donors over $1M+
Total Donors
Campaign Total
Surpassing Initial Goal
Donors under $100
BY THE NUMBERS
New Endowed Scholarships
New Scholarship Funding
New Endowed Academic Positions
Innovative Labs and Classrooms
Center for Catholic Studies and Catholic Mission
BY THE NUMBERS
Donors over $1M+
Total Donors
Campaign Total
Surpassing Initial Goal
Donors under $100
New Endowed Scholarships
New Scholarship Funding
New Endowed Academic Positions
Innovative Labs and Classrooms
Center for Catholic Studies and Catholic Mission
Leticia “Leti Contreras and Thomas “Tom” Contreras believe the community experience at St. Mary’s University is what makes it so special.
Lynda Ellis knows the business world can be tough. But the lessons learned at St. Mary’s University have helped her in her career, and she wants to help future women leaders a chance to succeed.
RaSheeda Keir hopes to give future generations a change at the same success she had while attending St. Mary’s University.
The Defining Moment Comprehensive Campaign gifts fund scholarships, endowed professorships, world-class facilities, academic programs and research.
Earning three degrees at St. Mary’s University, Juan Valadez Jr., said it’s his turn to give back to incoming students to help their education.
Robert Massie gives to the new Innovation Center continuing in the tradition of service to others.
For Erich Ferrari (J.D. ’06), founder and principal attorney of Ferrari & Associates, the St. Mary’s University School of Law was the starting point for developing his practice as a sanctions lawyer.
Sally Scholz said her late husband Charles Scholz, would never have been able to get where he did in life without St. Mary’s University.
Growing up, John Sieffert didn’t stay in one place for long because of his father’s job. Eventually, he found his way to St. Mary’s.
Robert “Bob” Elizondo knows to keep up you have to change with the world, and he wants St. Mary’s to keep up with technology.
As the largest donor in St. Mary’s history, Bill Greehey has continuously shared his success to benefit students.
Coll Bramblett (J.D. ’80) applied to many law schools, but only the St. Mary’s University School of Law gave him a chance to become a lawyer, so he took it.
Donors to the St. Mary’s Law campaign endowed transformational scholarships and professorships, funded cutting-edge facilities, enabled first-generation student programming and propelled law success efforts.
When Charles T. Barrett Jr. (B.B.A. ’62) decided to enroll at St. Mary’s University, he did so wanting to get back to a school with Marianist teachings.
John R. Courtney Sr. (B.A. ’61, J.D. ’67) encourages any student looking for a great leadership and educational opportunity to join the Army ROTC at St. Mary’s University.
As a board-certified commercial real estate lawyer, Sara E. Dysart (B.A. ’74, J.D. ’81) is as comfortable making deals as she is baking up shellfish at Fiesta Oyster Bake year after year.
Steven Michael Peña Sr. (J.D. ’94), a partner at Davidson Troilo Ream & Garza, PC in San Antonio, feels law students who underperform are easily overlooked.
The emphasis on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, according to Martin D. Beirne (J.D. ’69), means that St. Mary’s University focuses on developing the whole person, not just handing students a degree.
Prior to starting at the St. Mary’s University School of Law, first-year J.D. student Majestad Barragan did not know who or what to expect in her classes.
When asked about his defining moment at St. Mary’s University, Antonio “Tony” Sanchez Jr. (B.B.A. ’65, J.D. ’69) paused for a moment before answering, “economics.”
In this Gold & Blue, you will hear from several generous men and women who helped achieve what so many believed impossible — a fundraising campaign 10 times greater than any prior St. Mary’s University campaign and larger than all previous campaigns combined.