INVESTMENT REPORT
Fall 2020
Dear Friends, The fall semester is upon us, and this return to learning–both in person and virtually–for students and faculty has been unlike any we have experienced. Despite the current pandemic, Trinity has created a safe and welcoming environment for our students on and off campus. We are all cautiously moving forward, teaching and learning in new and old ways. It is more important than ever that we help the best and brightest students access a Trinity education. We continue our dedication to bridging the financial gap for our students in need so they can attend Trinity without worrying about the cost of tuition. We have seen a significant jump in the percentage of Pell-eligible* students from 12% to 20% of our first-year class this year. Your investment in our mission ensures that students like Nathaniel, who is featured in this report have the opportunity to achieve their best and brightest future despite any challenges the world might be facing. Together, as One Trinity, we are redefining the meaning of a liberal arts education. Thank you for your continued support. With a heart full of Tiger Pride, *The Federal Pell Grant is designed for families with exceptional financial need. Without support from federal, state, and Trinity financial aid, these students would be unable to attend college.
Mike Bacon ’89 Vice President, Alumni Relations and Development Trinity University
Nathaniel and his grandfather, Santiago Ventura
STUDENT PROFILE
NATHANIEL CASTILLO RODRIGUEZ Class of ’22
Nathaniel Castillo Rodriguez ‘22 enrolled this spring at Trinity University—the same university where, 30 years ago, his grandfather embarked on a new career in a new country, and set in motion a greater future for his family. “My grandfather worked at Trinity’s physical plant for 30 years,” says Castillo Rodriguez. His grandfather, Santiago Ventura, began working at Trinity after immigrating from El Salvador, and he plunged his paycheck into his grandson’s private school tuition. His grandmother made sure he always had uniforms to wear. Castillo Rodriguez was elected president of the student council and excelled in math. “I’ve been pushed not to become complacent,” says Castillo Rodriguez, who is a recipient of a Trinity University Grant (funded by the Trinity Fund), the Trustee Scholarship, and the Noreen M. Murchison Endowed Education Scholarship. He is among Trinity’s many Pell-eligible students. The Federal Pell Grant is designed for families with exceptional financial need that would prohibit them from pursuing college. After a couple of semesters of community college, Castillo Rodriguez applied to transfer to Trinity and wrote a letter about the connection with his grandfather and the University and was admitted to the Class of 2022.
Before enrolling, Castillo Rodriguez mentally prepared for the academic rigors of Trinity. But he did not anticipate the inspiring lightbulb moments he would experience in the classroom. “I was mesmerized by the way Trinity professors taught,” recalls Castillo Rodriguez. In a calculus course, for example, he asked Natasa Macura, Ph.D, mathematics professor a question. “I asked her about an integration problem, and she broke it down for me,” says Castillo Rodriguez, who is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society. “I was blown away,” he says. “Math is its own philosophy,” he continues. “It is the most universal language there is.” As a double major in mathematics and mathematical finance, Castillo Rodriguez speaks passionately about mathematics. Throughout his life, though, he has considered becoming a lawyer. For now, he is heeding advice he received from a mentor: Study a topic that interests you as an undergraduate–it will only serve you if you pursue law school. “Trinity is about making a full student rather than a person who can do just one thing,” Castillo Rodriguez says.
CLASS OF 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
1 out of 3 applicants were admitted
20% Pell-eligible*
634 first-years enrolled
44% identify with an underrepresented group of people
*The Federal Pell Grant is designed for families with exceptional financial need. Without support from federal, state, and Trinity financial aid, these students would be unable to attend college.
TRINITY FINANCIAL AID BY THE NUMBERS Nathaniel Castillo Rodriguez’s mother, Janice Castillo, earned her college degree from Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio just months after her son graduated from high school. Castillo Rodriguez and his mother road-tripped along the East Coast to commemorate the occasion.
3 out of 4 tuition dollars are paid for with financial aid from Trinity
$65.6M institutional financial aid awarded by Trinity
“I’m technically not a first-generation college graduate,” says Castillo Rodriguez about his mother, who beat him to the distinction of being first in the family to earn a baccalaureate degree.
WHY I GIVE Todd Wildman ’09, Corey Callahan Wildman ’12 We continue to be involved at Trinity, and we see firsthand the school’s commitment to advancing its mission and to improving all aspects of campus life. Our experiences at Trinity University had an incredibly positive impact on our lives. This is why we give: to help current Trinity students achieve their goals.
Kimberlyn Montford, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Music I cast a vote of confidence in the work we do here each time I donate. When I contribute financially to Trinity, my impact is multiplied. I am just one individual. Just as I influence students in my classroom, when those students leave Trinity, they themselves impact their greater communities.
Marie and Len Wehrung P’22, P’24 We give to Trinity to support its amazing programs. When our eldest daughter began at Trinity, she was having unique learning experiences, her professors were caring and committed, and she benefited greatly from their high-quality teaching. In her first two years, she had made many connections. Our younger daughter is now a Tiger too, and we know she will thrive as well.
Office of Alumni Relations and Development One Trinity Place #49 San Antonio, TX 78212-7200 1-800-TRINITY trinity.edu