The late Harry W. Bass Jr., a successful businessman with diverse interests, is honored by the foundation bearing his name with a $40 million gift to UT Dallas, according to a Dallas Morning News article. They say,
“During his 71 years, the late Harry W. Bass Jr. excelled as a businessman whose interests extended to oil and gas, ski resorts, philanthropy and coin collecting. And now, the foundation that carries his name is making a $40 million gift to the University of Texas at Dallas to support its School of Arts, Humanities and Technology.
The school will be known as the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities and Technology. The largesse of the Bass Foundation follows a wave of philanthropic endowments in recent years that have dramatically reshaped the Richardson campus of a university founded in 1969.”
Nils Roemer, dean of the Bass School, expresses gratitude for the transformative impact of the donation, according to a Community Impact article which says,
““The impact of this gift is quite transformative because it’s kind of the gift that keeps on giving,” said Nils Roemer, Bass School dean and the arts, humanities and technology distinguished university chair, in the release. “This will allow us to accelerate the building of our new performance hall, and will provide us the ability to enable and empower our students and our faculty with better programming.”
Roemer said the donation will allow UT Dallas to offer additional scholarships and fellowships for its student base, which he estimated is made up of 20% first-time students and 45% transfer students. In addition, he hopes to offer further study experiences, including study abroad and internships, for both undergraduate and graduate students.”
Nils Roemer shares that the performance venue will accommodate arts students and the Bass School music faculty. The Athenaeum’s first phase, including the Crow Museum of Asian Art and parking garage, is expected to open in 2024-25. A campus celebration is planned for the fall.
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