Office of Development Priorities and Progress
Priorities
A comprehensive internal study was conducted to focus and prioritize ASU’s needs into four areas:
Faculty Support
Endowments are a priority to recruit, support and retain high-caliber faculty. This is important to sustain ASU’s academic programs and achieve new levels of performance and distinction. Investments in academic chairs and professorships will provide a succession of celebrated faculty. We must continue to build this knowledge base by ensuring that academic programs remain competitive in quality and reputation.
Student Support
The university prepares students with the knowledge they need to realize their potential and serve as leaders. Funding for scholarships, public service and study abroad opportunities, leadership programs and financial aid will enable the university to meet the demands of our society’s future leaders.
Program Support
Angelo State has many quality academic programs, including some that have gained national recognition and distinction. Some programs are on the verge of becoming accepted as state and national leaders; however, they are lacking the necessary resources to obtain that status. Private investment from individuals, corporations and foundations will enhance ASU’s colleges and departments—particularly agriculture, education and nursing—and help the university fulfill its strategic vision. The Athletics Department is also in need of external support to compete at the highest level in the Lone Star Conference and NCAA year after year.
Facility Support
The expansive growth of ASU will directly impact the infrastructure of the campus. Many facilities will need to be built, renovated for modernization or expanded to meet the urgent needs of growth. Students and faculty must be equipped with the tools to excel and provided with an environment that fosters great expectations.
Progress
Major Gifts
Dr. Bob and Jean Ann (’72) LeGrand
Amount: $1.2 million
Impact: A $1 million gift established the LeGrand Athletic Enrichment Endowment to provide ongoing operating and scholarship support for the Athletics Department. $200,000 underwrote the cost of repairing the track and buying a scoreboard before ASU hosted the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships in May 2009.
Lloyd (’73) and Sherry Norris and daughters, Angela Zavoico (’96) and Chancey Norris (’00)
Amount: $1.1 million
Impact: A $1 million gift established the Norris Family Chair in International Business, the first endowed chair at the university. $100,000 will support pending construction of the ASU baseball locker room facility.
Estate of Elwood F. Nanheim
Amount: $691,000
Relationship to ASU: Nanheim was a longtime San Angelo resident with an interest in the university.
Impact: His estate established the Elwood F. Nanheim Scholarships for worthy and deserving students at ASU.
Alvin (’84) and Patricia (’86 and ’93) New
Amount: $600,000
Impact: $350,000 created two technologically advanced classrooms, one each in the College of Education and College of Business. $250,000 supports the Honors Program through scholarships and program enrichment funds.
President’s Circle
President’s Circle donors fund “high-impact” projects and programs. Below are two recent projects that President’s Circle donors made possible:
- The Angelo State University Society of Physics Students’ (SPS) Peer Pressure Team performed physics demonstrations at elementary and middle schools in communities throughout the region. The 2009 travel group comprised 13 ASU students and SPS advisor Dr. Toni Sauncy. The team trekked more than 900 miles through West Central Texas and presented its program to more than 1,000 students, teachers, administrators and parents.
- President’s Circle donors provided the start-up funds for ASU’s new geology degree program that is highly sought after in West Texas.
