UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON RECEIVES GIFT FROM GRATEFUL ARTIST

“The Dakri family is passionate about the betterment of Houston, generously offering their time and resources to truly make an impact in the community,” said Renu Khator, University of Houston president. “With this support for our new Center for Economic Inclusion, entrepreneurs from all communities, including those in most need of investment, will get access to education, expertise and training needed to build businesses and transform lives.” The Center for Economic Inclusion aims to combine experiential education, rigorous academic research and real-world expertise to train university students in human-centered skills, while economically empowering under-resourced entrepreneurs. “Our newly-established Center for Economic Inclusion will empower aspiring entrepreneurs, who are mostly women and people of color, to chase their dreams of founding a successful new business, just as the Dakri family has done successfully for decades,” said Paul A. Pavlou, dean of the C. T. Bauer College of Business. CEI Executive Director Saleha Khumawala, Robert Grinaker Professor of Accounting and founding director of the SURESM program, has known the Dakri family for decades, and said their support and generosity are vital to the center’s success. “As the only higher education-based economic inclusion center in the country, we are helping build a more sustainable and inclusive society. This isn’t just about diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s about economic empowerment,” said Khumawala. “The Dakri family and Wallis Bank have been instrumental supporters of our programs for many years, and I am incredibly thankful for their generosity.”

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

RECEIVES GIFT FROM GRATEFUL ARTIST

As a visual artist, Betirri Bengtson’s talent has taken him around the world. The University of Houston graduate specializes in paintings and murals that focus on sports, particularly his passion for soccer. Bengtson has been able to showcase his art at World Cup events in Brazil and Russia as well as in Italy. “My art has allowed me to achieve a lot of my dreams doing what I love,” he said. Bengtson recently gave a generous gift to the School of Art within UH’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts. Starting out as an art student, he admitted he did not have focus or direction for his paintings. The School of Art faculty helped him hone his artistic vision. “I feel I had to give back to the University because that time was very valuable for me when I was a student,” said Bengtson, who also majored in the UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design. The gift has been a rewarding experience for him. “It gives me a lot of joy by giving back, hoping that it’s going to help someone. Sometimes it’s hard to get funds for scholarships and materials as an artist and maybe you have to work and study, so hopefully it will help some students. Just by knowing that, it brings me joy.” Through his gift, Bengtson is leaving a philanthropic legacy at UH. “Legacy means doing something that doesn’t involve a fast transaction,” he said. “It’s something you do for the long term. I try to remember to stay within your values so that you create that legacy for the future.” Bengtson hopes that his contribution will inspire others to give to the University, describing such financial support as “good energy.”