APRIL 3, 2025 — Over a spirited 1,969 minutes on Tuesday, April 1, and Wednesday, April 2, the Roadrunner community united for the fifth annual UTSA Giving Day. While final figures are pending, preliminary results reveal that UTSA supporters have once again demonstrated remarkable generosity, with over 2,415 gifts contributing to a record-breaking $833,836 raised.
Donations poured in from students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends, benefiting more than 60 initiatives across the university. These include academic colleges and schools, student programs, Roadrunner Athletics, UTSA Libraries and Museums, the Roadrunner Food Pantry, scholarships and endowments.
“Once again, our Roadrunner community has come together with remarkable generosity on Giving Day,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “I’m endlessly grateful to our faculty, staff, students, alumni and university champions whose ongoing commitment to our mission drives incredible progress for UTSA. Their collective support continues to uplift our students and expand our impact in meaningful ways across our city, state, nation and beyond.”
One of the largest gifts this year came from long-time UTSA supporter and San Antonio philanthropist Harvey Najim, who committed $300,000 to the Roadrunner Athletic Fund. The donation helped UTSA Athletics top the leaderboard in both dollars raised and number of donors, which earned the program an additional $5,000 in Giving Day challenge funds.
UTSA Libraries also celebrated a milestone gift. Alan Beckstead, who previously contributed funds and one of the largest art collections to the UTSA Art Collection in 2023, has made a $150,000 planned gift to support the Happy Foundation Research Archives. The gift will help grow the archives and expand access to its materials for students, researchers, and the broader community.
A campuswide scavenger hunt added a hands-on element to the campaign. Sponsored by April Ancira ’03 and Ancira Auto Group, the magnet challenge allowed students to discover hidden magnets marked with donation values. Once found, students could direct the funds to a program of their choice. More than $3,000 was distributed to initiatives including Birds Up for Barry, the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band, the Film and Media Studies program and the Center for Collegiate Recovery.
Additional Giving Day challenges helped drive momentum and deepen donor engagement throughout the 32-hour campaign. The “Turn the Map Orange” challenge inspired nationwide participation, unlocking a $5,000 gift for the Student Emergency Fund after UTSA secured donations from all 50 states. A $25,000 matching gift from Margie and Bill Klesse was unlocked, after supporters helped the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design meet its goal, to support the college’s capacity for innovation and student success.
As UTSA Giving Day continues to grow, the collective efforts of the Roadrunner community play a pivotal role in advancing the university's mission and enhancing the experiences of its students.
"The momentum behind UTSA Giving Day grows stronger each year," said Karl Miller-Lugo, UTSA Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement. "This event is a testament to the passion and commitment of our alumni, students, faculty and friends. Together, we are investing in the future of UTSA.”
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Bill Miller PlazaCome and celebrate this year's homecoming at the Downtown Campus with food, games, giveaways, music, and more. We look forward to seeing your Roadrunner Spirit!
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