PRESIDENT ’S REPORT
“Sleep, creep, then leap.” - THOMAS W. KEEFE
ardeners will be familiar with the adage “sleep, creep and
in 2016 the University of Dallas began to see the dividends of
leap” to describe the pattern of perennial growth. In the
strategic planning in the years before. The University of Dallas has
first year of planting a new perennial, the gardener sees very little growth above ground. However, in this time of apparent stasis, these tender plants are growing fiercely underground, putting much of their energy into developing systems to support future growth. In this initial year of planting, the perennial is creating a strong root system to reinforce healthy plants for the longer future. In the second year of growth, the perennial becomes more established. With stronger support underground, the plant is able to blossom above ground while continuing to grow beneath the soil as it prepares for year three. Finally, with a full root system in place, the perennial bursts into full glory in the third year, spreading and blossoming to the delight of the gardener and everyone else who has been waiting to experience the beauty of a strategically planted perennial garden.
undoubtedly blossomed in 2016: After 18 months of planning and construction, we opened SB Hall, a new academic building honoring Satish and Yasmin Gupta. We renamed our newest residence hall Clark Hall to honor Zachary Clark, a member of the Class of 2016 who tragically lost his life prior to graduation. As a result of the strong academic profile and the recordbreaking size of the Class of 2019, we reached the largest undergraduate enrollment in the university’s history and received a record number of applicants for admission to the Class of 2020. The university’s strength in liberal arts and in the Great Books tradition resulted in a blossoming partnership with Great Hearts Academy to offer a master’s program in classical education to academy teachers to improve the delivery of the Great Books curriculum in the K-12 setting. The university’s reputation and recognition beyond North Texas continued to expand as we welcomed Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), to deliver the annual McDermott Lecture
As in most things, our human experience falls into the pattern of
and noted Vatican journalist John Allen Jr. to deliver the Class
God’s natural plan. Like a perennial in the second year of growth,
of 2016 commencement address.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT | 01
With careful tending, the fruits of the labor of the board of trustees, the university administration and our exceptional faculty shone brightly in 2016. However, as cartoonist and illustrator Lou Erickson observed, “Gardening requires lots of water — most of it in the form of perspiration.” There is
SUPPORT NEW ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP We will search for a new academic leader to take over for Charles W. (C.W.) Eaker, who has announced his retirement after serving our students for over 40 years.
still much to do for the university to continue to bloom and prosper. As we enter 2017, we will ask the university community to continue to support the university’s future in a number of ways:
SUPPORT THE UD “FRONT DOOR” While high-quality academic programs are critical to a student’s decision to attend any university, the campus’ appearance is also an important factor in a potential student’s final selection. The university has advanced significantly along the path of an improved campus appearance, but much remains to be done. In 2017, we will continue efforts to secure funding for the university’s “Front Door.” We will continue seeking gifts to honor former University Chancellor Kevin Cardinal Farrell to fund the university’s new student services and administration building to welcome new and prospective students in a building worthy of the university’s exceptional academic reputation. We will roll out artists’ renderings of and seek funding for a new performing arts hall and welcome center that will not only provide a venue to showcase UD’s excellent music and theater programs but also establish a dedicated space in which admissions directors can greet potential students and development officers receive returning alumni in a stunning spot looking out upon the Dallas skyline. We will continue planning and fundraising for the expansion of the Eugene Constantin Campus in Rome to provide upgraded spaces in which larger classes can experience the transformational adventure in the land where the university’s Core meets underlying ancient history.
WELCOME A NEW CHANCELLOR Bishop Edward Burns assumes his role as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas and chancellor of the university in February 2017. He will set the university’s spiritual course going forward, and we look forward to welcoming him to the University of Dallas. The university community’s growth will also remain a focus in 2017 as we push to enroll 400 students for the undergraduate Class of 2021 and continue digital marketing campaigns and corporate partnerships to sustain a positive trend in enrollment in the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business. The university’s deans will aggressively pursue new program growth in 2017, including the Master of Pastoral Ministry Executive Youth Ministry cohort in the Ann & Joe O. Neuhoff School of Ministry; the classical education concentration of the Master of Humanities program, the Master of Leadership program, the Master of Arts in Teaching program and the Graduate Catholic Teacher Certificate in the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts; and the establishment of a center for Catholic social teaching in Constantin College. We welcome all of these opportunities, and I am confident that 2017 will be the year of “leaping” forward. I look forward to many of you joining us as the university continues to blossom for many years in the future.
PAINTING A NEW LANDSCAPE BREAKING GROUND ON CARDINAL FARRELL HALL Construction began in August on a new, iconic student services
common area outside and a towering glass entryway inside
and administration building to be named in honor of Cardinal
yielding views of the Braniff Memorial Tower and the Shrine
Kevin Farrell, university chancellor, member of the universi-
to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The new construction required
ty’s board of trustees and bishop of the Diocese of Dallas from
demolishing Lynch Auditorium; however, plans are on the
2010-16. Scheduled to open in early 2018, the 38,000-square-foot
drawing board to replace the auditorium with a state-of-the-art
building will be a central point of contact for student services
performing arts hall and welcome center. Groundbreaking for
and, perhaps more importantly, will provide a brilliant and bold
the performing arts hall is anticipated in the next few years, and
entry point for students considering a home at the University of
fundraising is underway under the direction of Vice President
Dallas. Cardinal Farrell Hall will feature a beautiful terraced
for Advancement Joan Canty.
“All gardening is landscape painting.” - WILLIAM KENT, eminent English landscape architect
CUTTING THE RIBBON ON SB HALL The University of Dallas landscape was transformed in 2016 with the opening of SB Hall. The new 45,000-square-foot home of the Gupta College of Business includes classrooms; a full production studio; a financial markets lab; dozens of nooks, alcoves and lounges for student study; and a modern executive boardroom. SB Hall, named to honor global steel entrepreneurs Satish and Yasmin Gupta, stands on one of Irving’s highest points and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding campus as well as the Las Colinas and Dallas skylines. A video overview of the opening ceremony and a summary of the impact of the University of Dallas on the lives of the Guptas can be viewed at www.udallas.edu/sbhall.
NAMING CLARK HALL The Class of 2016 was saddened by the tragic loss of one of its graduates prior to his graduation in May. In recognition of the life and legacy of Zachary Clark, on graduation weekend Zach’s parents, Trustee Barry Clark and his wife, Kathy, helped re-dedicate the university’s newest residence hall as Clark Hall in Zach’s honor.
NAMING THE ANN & JOE O. NEUHOFF SCHOOL OF MINISTRY In May, the School of Ministry received a new name to honor Joe Neuhoff, an early member of the university’s board of trustees, and his wife, Ann Neuhoff, who helped strengthen and sustain the school’s Catholic mission. The new name also honors Trustee Joe Oscar Neuhoff Jr., who has continued in his father’s footsteps and served as a trustee since 1971.
HOSTING CHAGALL “The Bible” Series by Russian-French artist Marc Chagall arrived on campus through the generous support of the Haggerty Family, Trustee Pat Haggerty Jr. and Marquette University’s Haggerty Museum. The Beatrice M. Haggerty Gallery hosted 3,750 visitors to view this special exhibit of 56 hand-colored etchings by Chagall, one of the pioneers of the modern art movement.
04 | PRESIDENT’S REPORT
WELCOMING NEW FACES & EXPERIENCES & EXPANDING PROGRAMS rett Landry, Ph.D., was officially appointed dean of the Gupta College of Business after serving in an interim role during the period of a national search. He was promoted to full professor of cybersecurity this year and has built a strong leadership team with the appointments of Susan Rhame as associate dean of academic affairs and Greg Bell as associate dean of faculty affairs. Also, Sheila Howard was promoted to assistant dean of undergraduate business programs. Other activities included:
HOSTING EXECUTIVES Under Landry’s leadership, the Gupta College of Business continued to nurture the Executives on Campus program to further the university’s mission of providing practice-based education by inviting successful business leaders to share their experiences with graduate and undergraduate students in the classroom. In 2016, the program hosted 69 executives, including Trustee Tom Nealon, MBA ’87, who was recently named president of Southwest Airlines, and Trustee Julie Weber, BA ’91, vice president for people at Southwest Airlines. Sixty-four companies participated in the program in 2016, offering 74 guest lectures.
INTRODUCING NEW PROGRAMS In the Gupta College of Business, 2016 saw the introduction of a Bachelor of Science in Business program that follows the Constantin College model, including the UD Core curriculum and a business discipline focus. At the graduate level, a new Master of Science concentration is now offered to complement current majors in accounting, business analytics, cybersecurity, finance, global business, and information and technology management. At the doctoral level, in 2016 the college admitted the second Doctorate of Business Administration cohort while students in the first cohort completed their courses and began work on their dissertations.
Constantin College Dean Jonathan Sanford, Ph.D., remained focused and on course to launch a center for Catholic social teaching with an aim to be the international academic center for formation and reflection on Catholic Church social doctrine once all funding for the initiative is secured. Dean Sanford continued work on a number of new curricular initiatives, including the development of an Italian major, the development of a concentration in sacred music, and progress toward the development of a full music major. Braniff Graduate School Dean Josh Parens, Ph.D., established the first classical education master’s program in the United States through a unique partnership with Great Hearts Academies. The classical education program started in summer 2016 with a cohort of 15 handpicked students. A second cohort, which is expected to triple program enrollment, is scheduled to launch in summer 2017. In 2016, the Braniff Graduate School began offering a 4+1 Master of Arts in Teaching program with tracks in public and Catholic diocesan education,
gift from the Neuhoff Family Foundation to help support the
and groundwork continued for the 2017 introduction of a Master
launch of the certificate program, which will improve the quality
of Leadership.
of youth ministry, catechesis, pastoral care and family life minis-
In fall 2016, under the direction of Neuhoff School of Ministry Dean Ted Whapham, Ph.D., the Neuhoff School of Ministry began offering a certificate program in pastoral ministry in cooperation with the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. The certificate program, offered at four locations throughout the diocese, prepares parish ministers to work across a variety of volunteer ministries. The Neuhoff School of Ministry received a generous
tries in every parish in the Diocese of Dallas. The Neuhoff School of Ministry ushered in its 30th year by extending its reach beyond North Texas through increased online programming, enhanced diocesan partnerships and presentation of the 10th Annual Dallas Ministry Conference. The three-day ministry conference presented 128 speakers, including 22 members of religious life, 14 priests and 16 past or present UD professors. The impressive array of speakers included reporters, CEOs, founders, artists, architects and authors. Cherie Hohertz, dean of the Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library, established a new partnership with the Irving Public Library system in 2016 to provide user access to more than 500,000 additional volumes of scholarly and popular books and journals. The library also launched the UDigital Commons to digitize library content, making student publications and other historical university documents available electronically.
Sherry Dellinger, Ed.D., joined the UD team in July to lead the Student Affairs staff as the assistant vice president for student affairs. Ms. Dellinger has made an immediate impact by developing, implementing, administering and evaluating high-quality programs and services to enrich the student learning experience. Among the projects initiated in 2016 was the university’s first Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues on campus. Nuns officially returned to the campus as members of the faculty in 2016. Sister Jane Dominic Laurel, a UD alumna, was initially invited to UD to teach systematic theology. She was followed by UD alumna Sister Mary Edith Humphries, who teaches Literary Tradition I, and Sister Rosemary Esseff, who leads the Schola Rosa Mystica (UD’s Gregorian Chant and sacred polyphony choir). All three are members of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (also known as the Nashville Dominicans), who have recently established a convent in Irving.
NAMING THE COWAN-BLAKLEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY The entire university community was saddened by the passing of University Professor Louise Cowan, who died in November 2015 at the age of 98. She was a pivotal figure in the growth of the university, having developed the four-course Literary Tradition sequence that continues to inspire Constantin College students. Louise was also one of the early influencers of the university’s Core curriculum. In August, the university library was dedicated to continue to honor U.S. Sen. William Blakley and also Louise Cowan and her husband, Donald Cowan, who served as university president for 15 years. The library now includes the Donald and Louise Cowan Archives housing the writings, speeches and course materials of the Cowans and showcasing their invaluable contributions to the university.
COMMEMORATING HISTORY To mark the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Constantin College, in conjunction with the offices of advancement and the president, presented the first annual symposium commemorating his life and legacy. On Nov. 11, 2016, the university hosted its first Veterans Day recognition ceremony on the UD Mall. Retired Army Sgt. Charles Steadman, director of Campus Safety, served as master of ceremonies for the “UD Honors Our Veterans” ceremony, with President Keefe extending a “thank you” to all UD veterans and Father Ian Bordenave providing the invocation. In addition to reflecting on the veterans who have served our country, whether they died in service or returned home, the event also featured the POW MIA Remembrance Table Ceremony to symbolize the brothers and sisters in arms who remain missing. Retired Air Force Col. Robert Lefebre, adjunct professor, also delivered an emotional account of his experiences at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT | 07
including myself and current trustees Joe Murphy, Bill Keffler, Laura Quinn, BA ’86, and Bishop Greg Kelly, BA ’78 MDiv ’82, as well as former trustees Nancy Marcus, MA ’01 PhD ’03, Margo Keyes, John Strauss, Michael Terry, Harry Longwell and Monsignor Donald Fischer, traveled to Rome for the consistory and also to celebrate the closing of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica to conclude the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The trip was capped off by a special Mass for the Dallas Diocese pilgrims, with Cardinal Farrell presiding at the Church of Mary Mother of the Family in the Vatican Gardens adjacent to the Governor’s Palace. The pilgrimage to Rome gave the university an opportunity to showcase the expertise of Ted Whapham, Ph.D., dean of the Neuhoff School of Ministry, and Peter Hatlie, Ph.D., vice
SAYING GOODBYE TO SENIOR LEADERS
president and director of the Rome Program, who provided special knowledge to the pilgrims as they toured the Sistine Chapel,
As 2016 came to a close, Robert Galecke, senior adviser to the pres-
Vatican City and Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano. The
ident, former executive vice president and former interim president
visit also gave many current and new friends an opportunity to
of the university, celebrated his retirement. After two decades of
visit and walk through our beautiful campus just outside Rome
service, Galecke retired for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
in Marino. As we began our campaign to fund expansion and
Steve Maddux, BA ’71, former faculty adviser of the UD Fulbright Program and a long-serving member of the French faculty, retired in 2016. Maddux was a much-beloved member of the UD faculty. Two long-time supporters passed away in 2016: Eugene Vilfordi, a dedicated former trustee and the donor responsible for the campus entryway and pedestrian bridge named in his honor, which links the campus to the DART light rail line for access to entertainment, internship sites and other student opportunities in Dallas and Las
improvements on the Rome campus, host Peter Hatlie led visitors on a tour through the vineyards and campus facilities, describing anticipated changes that will facilitate the transformation of UD students for the next 50 years. The University of Dallas Rome Expansion and Renewal Plan video provides an expansive description of the plan for Rome and can be viewed at www.udallas.edu/duesanti.
WELCOMING BISHOP EDWARD BURNS
Colinas; and Father Ralph March, O.Cist., who taught music and
On Dec. 13, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Edward Burns to
foreign language and was one of UD’s original faculty members.
serve a new post as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, and
OFFERING BEST WISHES TO CARDINAL KEVIN FARRELL As 2016 drew to a close, the community received word that Pope Francis had called Bishop Kevin Farrell, former university chancellor, to serve as the closest American adviser to the pope as prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. With mixed emotions of pride and sadness, we wished Bishop Farrell farewell as he headed off to this important assignment. We were elated to learn just several weeks later that our bishop would be elevated to cardinal. In November, several members of the university community,
08 | PRESIDENT’S REPORT
the diocese greeted Bishop Burns during an Advent Holy Hour in a Dallas parish that same day. Bishop Burns previously served as bishop of Juneau, Alaska, and was officially installed as bishop of the Diocese of Dallas on Feb. 9, 2017. The university extends its warm gratitude to Bishop Greg Kelly for his service as chancellor while we awaited the arrival of Bishop Burns.
BELIEVING IN TOMORROW Dedication and continued investment in children was the primary message of the remarks delivered by Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), during the Eugene McDermott Lecture. More than 1,200 alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the university, as well as some of Dallas’ most prominent civic leaders and education advocates, gathered to hear the 65th secretary of state deliver his address as part of the lecture series that was established in 1974 by a generous gift from Margaret McDermott and her late husband, Eugene McDermott. Gen. Powell commanded action from Dallas businesses, bankers, executives and city officials to “make these kids feel valuable.” The event featured a video showcasing Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts doctoral candidates Esther Moon and Pavlos Papadopoulos paying tribute to their experiences in the graduate studies program and the program’s devotion to the Christian intellectual tradition and innovation. The video can be viewed at www.udallas.edu/braniff-video.
Addressing the 300 seniors participating in our 57th annual commencement ceremony, John L. Allen Jr., editor of the independent Catholic news site Crux and senior Vatican analyst for CNN, called on the Class of 2016 to become a new generation of Catholic leaders prepared to solve yesteryear’s problems. Allen’s message to our graduates was simple: “Go forth and conquer.”
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” - AUDREY HEPBURN
Belief in the future was clear as donors across the country continued their generous support of the University of Dallas in 2016: Total of gifts received
$4,750,855
Total number of gifts
4,300
Number of donors who increased gift over past years
1,198 851
Number of returning donors after 2-year lapse
$606
Average new gift from donors Number of new donors
279
Number of donors in the President’s Society
178 $102
Average new alumni gift
North Texas Giving Day Totals: Total gifts raised
$215,146
Anonymous challenge gift by parents of alumni
$60,000
Total number of gifts
588
Increase in number of gifts from 2015
194
Increase in total gifts from 2015
45%
For the fourth consecutive year, UD ranked first in the number of individual gifts to a university or college during North Texas Giving Day on Sept. 22, 2016. “Thank yous” for participating and a summary of the day can be found at www.udallas.edu/ntgdthanks.
46 foundations supported the University of Dallas in 2016: AT&T Foundation
Gupta Agarwal Charitable Foundation
Safeway Foundation
BP Foundation
William R. Burleigh Family
Foundation Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Securian Foundation
Communities Foundation of Texas
Memorial Foundation Kirkland & Ellis Foundation
Ayco Charitable Foundation
Foundation Catholic Foundation
Community Foundation for the North
Capital Region Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Constantin Foundation Dedman Foundation
Exxon/Mobil Foundation Fidelity Foundation Fluor Foundation GE Foundation
Graham Williford Foundation
Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty
John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy
Larsen Foundation
Clare Booth Luce Foundation Margaret Maher Foundation McKesson Foundation
Medtronic Foundation Mitchell Foundation
Nationwide Foundation
New York Life Foundation
Northwestern Mutual Foundation Minnie K. Patton Scholarship
Scanlan Foundation Serafy Foundation
Shell Oil Company Foundation Strake Foundation
Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Sursum Corda Foundation
Texas Instruments Foundation
Thompson & Knight Foundation Tulsa Community Foundation UBS Foundation
Verizon Foundation Welch Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Young Boozer Family Foundation
Foundation
The university reintroduced university supporters to planned giving in 2016 with the revival of the Due Santi Society and its newsletter, Via Appia. The giving society and publication provide UD with the opportunity to celebrate our many donors, including alumni, faculty and staff, who have made or wish to make a planned gift to the university. James Petzel, BA ’75, featured in the first issue, established a scholarship to assist students who otherwise would not be able to participate in the Rome Program. Other members of the Due Santi Society include Cherie Clodfelter, professor emeritus of education; Lyle Novinski, professor emeritus of art,
tournament’s 16-year history. The Galecke Open ranks as one
and Sybil Novinski, university historian; John R. Sommerfeldt,
of the top 25 most successful not-for-profit tournaments in the
professor emeritus of history; Lely K. White, cataloging librarian,
Dallas/Fort Worth area.
and her husband, Kenneth White; Robert E. Wood, professor of philosophy; and Dan Cruse, BA ’61, former chairman of the board of trustees, and his wife, Margie Cruse, BA ’62.
Finally, to make supporting the university even easier, in October the university introduced a text-to-donate service. The service, MobileCause, has been used to raise funds for the Rome campus
Records were broken again when the Galecke Open, UD’s annual
expansion and to fund improvements to UD soccer facilities. To
golf tournament supporting the Cor Fund, raised more than
date, $27,239 has been donated using the service, which can be
$241,000, making it the third-highest grossing event in the
accessed by texting “UD” to 41444 from any mobile device.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT | 11
REAPING A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST BRANIFF GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY In 2016, the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts celebrated its golden anniversary and its unique dedication to the Christian intellectual tradition. The seeds for this milestone were initially planted in 1966 with a generous grant from the Blakley-Braniff Foundation, and since that time Braniff has awarded over 1,500 master’s and doctoral degrees. Led by Braniff Graduate School Dean Josh Parens, special events to recognize this milestone included a Braniff Salon focused on “Personal Responsibility and the Common Good” presented by faculty panelists Assistant Professor of Economics Aida Ramos, Assistant Professor of Theology Irene Alexander, Associate Professor of English Greg Roper, Professor of Politics Richard Dougherty and Constantin College Dean Jonathan Sanford.
“It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring who reaps a harvest in Autumn.” - B.C. FORBES
REALIGNING RECRUITMENT & ENROLLMENT ACTIVITY Realignment of recruitment and enrollment activities under the direction of Executive Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs John Plotts has generated a new paradigm that began to show dividends in 2016. In Constantin College, the university posted the highest total undergraduate enrollment in history (1,407 students), and with additional focus on student retention under the direction of Assoc-iate Provost John Norris, Constantin reported an 83 percent retention rate from freshman to sophomore year. The
the university. These partnership opportunities are centered on
2016 retention rate was a 3 percent increase over previous years
building undergraduate and graduate enrollment in the Gupta
and reflects the high academic achievement of the Class of 2019.
College of Business, internships and career placement, corporate
In 2016, the Gupta College of Business graduate program en-
sponsorships and philanthropic opportunities for the university.
rollment strategy focused on corporate relations, targeted digital
Joining CHRISTUS Health as “Preferred Educational Partners”
advertising and online international recruitment. Phase one of the
in 2016 were seven new companies: Associa Inc., Avesta Homes
strategy focused on increasing the domestic student population
LLC, Holmes Murphy & Associates, The Kroger Co., Michaels
and resulted in a 23 percent increase in enrollment after experi-
Stores Inc., the National Black MBA Association of Dallas and
encing a slight decrease in 2015.
NCH Corp.
Under the direction of Director of Corporate Relations and
Enrollment marketing strategies aimed at raising awareness of
Partnerships Halley Netsch, BA ’13 MBA ’16, the Office of
graduate programs, generating new prospective students, cultivating
Corporate Relations and Partnerships was created to engage
leads, and moving potential students to apply and enroll showed
Dallas/Fort Worth companies in strategic partnerships with
significant inquiry and application growth for graduate studies: Inquiries from prospective graduate students increased in 2016 by 36 per cent for the Braniff Graduate School, 27 percent for the Gupta College of Business and 75 percent for the Neuhoff School of Ministry. Completed applications from prospective graduate students increased 7 percent for the Gupta College of Business and 46 percent for the Neuhoff School of Ministry.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT | 13
TRANSFORMING WORK EXPERIENCE UD manifests its Catholic identity across all of its endeavors, including what it means to work at the university. Under the leadership of Chief Financial Officer Brian Murray, in 2016 the university completed its first full year of implementing an employment philosophy derived from Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical Laborem Exercens and other papal writings on advancing the dignity of the human person through work. With the counsel of the newly formed UD Workplace Climate Committee and the efforts of the Human Resources Office, five values discussed by Pope St. John Paul II became the bedrock upon which human resources and employment programs are being built: Breaking down barriers due to class, gender and disability. Fostering a respectful and supportive environment. Developing people’s potential to work and advance their careers. Supporting the ability to have and raise a family.
Eight directors and managers with identified leadership potential from across campus completed the UD Leadership Development in Education (Leads) series. Forty more trainees are targeted for the coming year. To recognize and support the importance of family, I approved the creation of a second health care option to cover employees and families at no cost for the coming year. During November’s open enrollment, 148 employees took advantage of the options that were fully funded by UD. 183 employees elected one of the two health plan options for which UD funds the larger portion of premium costs. For the fourth consecutive year for faculty and the third for staff, UD conducted market salary reviews and provided targeted increases to individuals to improve the external competitiveness and internal consistency of pay.
GROWING STRONG FINANCIALLY The university endowment continued to show a strong capital
Providing equitable wages and benefits.
appreciation with just over a 5 percent return rate for 2016 and a
In this effort to transform the UD work experience according to these Catholic values, several important initiatives were completed in 2016:
5 percent 10-year average return. The university also continued to show annual improvements in both operating revenue and net unrestricted assets. Operating
UD welcomed Heather Kissack, Ph.D., our first director of human resources whose primary responsibility is affirmatively advancing the hiring, development and promotion of minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities. Ms. Kissack serves as the university’s equal employment officer and develops its annual affirmative action plan. In May, the board of trustees approved UD’s first affirmative action plan fully grounded in the principles expressed in Laborem Exercens. The specific focus for the Human Resources Office in 2016 was fostering a respectful and supportive environment.
revenue delivered a 2.3 percent annual growth over the prior fiscal year and an average 4.1 percent annual growth rate across the most recent five years. Adjusted net unrestricted assets yielded a five-year average 2.5 percent annual growth rate. 2016 gains, which were extraordinary, were adjusted downward for the gain in net unrestricted assets of over $18 million from land sales and $8.6 million in released restricted assets from the construction of SB Hall so as not to overstate the normal growth rate. The gains from land sales are being reinvested in the university for new construction and campus capital improvements.
END OF FISCAL YEAR (F) $ TOTAL
10-Year Annual Endowment Value: 2006-16 60,000,000 50,000,000 40,000,000 30,000,000 20,000,000 10,000,000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016(F) 2016(C)
*(F) = Fiscal Year (C) = Calendar Year
BOLDLY SHOWING THE UNIVERSITY TO THE WORLD
THE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS STAND AS EMPIRICAL
“Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.” - ALFRED AUSTIN
EVIDENCE OF THE EXCELLENCE THAT DEFINES US.
Students LOOKING AT THE CLASS OF 2020
LOOKING AT THE CLASS OF 2016
After receiving a record number of
100 percent of the Class of 2016 reported
applicants to join the Class of 2020, the
that by the end of 2016 they had either
new academic year in Constantin College
found employment in their academic
began with 371 new students representing
fields or were pursuing post-graduate
41 states, 251 cities and 4 countries, in-
education. 21.84 percent of the class
cluding Ethiopia, Nigeria and Guatemala.
reported plans for further education in
The Class of 2020’s distinctions include:
graduate school. Of employed graduates
11 National Merit Finalists 2 students with perfect SAT scores Average SAT score: 1173 Average ACT score: 26.4 Average high school GPA: 3.8
of the Class of 2016 (at nonprofit, forprofit and public service organizations), 30.41 percent provided entry-level salary data. The average salary of reporting graduates was $39,754; the median salary was $40,000 (an increase of almost 10 percent year over year). The lowest salary reported was $25,000, and the highest was $70,000.
PERFORMING ON & OFF THE FIELD 259 student athletes represented the Crusaders in 2016 with an average overall cumulative GPA of 2.94. Nearly 53 percent of Crusader athletes achieved a GPA of 3.0 or better. Student athletes represent nearly 20 percent of the undergraduate student body, and one in four members of the Class of 2020 are athletes. Nine Crusader teams participated in championship play in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) in 2016, and the women’s softball team advanced to the second championship round. Trae Hampton, a sophomore midfielder on the men’s soccer team from Paducah, Kentucky, was recognized with the 2016 Scholar-Athlete Award as the varsity athlete with the highest GPA. Jessica Koster, a senior women’s volleyball player from Sherwood, Oregon, led the NCAA Division III in digs. Koster was also named to the U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association National All-American Team based on her GPA, which was 3.5 or higher. Prince Giodolor, a freshman from Rockwall, Texas, won the 100-meter dash at the SCAC championships to become the first Crusader, either individually or as a team, to win a SCAC title.
16 | PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Faculty
Matthew Walz, Ph.D., received the Haggar Fellow Award as the outstanding member of the junior faculty. Dr. Walz is an associate professor of philosophy and director of philosophy and letters and pre-theologian programs. Each year Dr. Walz advises 50-60 students in the philosophy and letters program, which provides intellectual formation for young men preparing for the Catholic priesthood. Sally Hicks, Ph.D., chairwoman and professor of physics, was recognized by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation as a Piper Professor. The
papers in Italy and Romania relating to her scholarly research
award, which honors 10 professors annually in Texas colleges and
within the field of Roman art and archeology.
universities for their outstanding achievement in the teaching profession, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards of its kind in Texas.
Laura Munoz, Ph.D., was awarded tenure in 2016 and promoted to associate professor of marketing in the Gupta College of Business. Dr. Munoz’s main research interests lie in professional
Ruth May, Ph.D., received the King Fellow Award as the out-
selling and on those topics that emerge at the intersection of
standing member of the senior faculty. Dr. May is a professor in
marketing and en-
the Gupta College of Business, teaching courses in global busi-
trepreneurship. In
ness, management policy and practice, options and futures trad-
2016, Dr. Munoz
ing, and securities analysis. She regularly addresses such diverse
was nominated
issues as international business and global strategies in Russia,
for the “Most Rel-
India, China and the United Kingdom, designs award-winning
evant Entrepre-
pedagogy and best practices in online teaching, and tackles di-
neur” award at the
versity issues at work in a book titled Bridging Diversity Barriers:
U.S. Association
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
of Business and
Elizabeth Robinson, Ph.D., the Rome Program’s affiliate assistant professor of art, was the first recipient of the Milligan Faculty De-
Entrepreneurship Conference.
velopment Fellowship. The fellowship was funded by a donation
Susan Hanssen,
from UD alumni Kathy (Uhl) and Danny Milligan, both BA ’91,
Ph.D., was called upon by Sky News following the shootings of
and is meant to encourage important and innovative research and
Dallas officers in July to address the source of tensions underlying
teaching projects among current and former UD Rome Program
the deadly event. Dr. Hanssen’s expertise is represented on the
faculty. With the fellowship, Dr. Robinson delivered academic
video presented at www.udallas.edu/skynews.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT | 17
Alumni HONORING DISTINGUISHED BUSINESS ALUMNI In January, seven distinguished alumni were inducted into the Gupta College of Business Hall of Fame to recognize, honor and celebrate their leadership and success in their chosen fields of business, based on their embodiment of the spirit of the Gupta College of Business. Recognized this year were Craig Farrill, MBA ’79, Satish Gupta, MBA ’81, Yasmin Gupta, MBA ’82, Gordon “Don” Hutchins, MBA ’75, Heather Kreager, MBA ’03, Dick Long, MBA ’85, and Terry O’Halloran, MBA ’83.
RECOGNIZING NOTABLE ATHLETES
Deacon Ruben Natera, MTS ’11 CPM ’15, was presented with the
The Crusaders inducted their 19th class of Hall of Fame athletes
Neuhoff School of Ministry’s 2016 Lumen Gentium Award, which
in 2016. The total number of Crusaders in the Athletics Hall of Fame has reached 67. Inductees in 2016 included: Bastian Vaandrager, who was recruited from the Netherlands
honors alumni who have demonstrated exemplary service to the local church in general, the work of faith formation in particular, and the larger community, especially the poor and the needy. Ordained a permanent deacon in 2001, Natera served as co-director
in 1979-80 and holds UD’s third-best winning percentage in
for Hispanic ministries under Bishop Alvaro Corrada, SJ, and was
men’s singles tennis. In 1980, Vaandrager was ranked No. 333 in
a vice chancellor and chancellor for Bishop Corrada and Bishop
the world in singles.
Joseph E. Strickland between 2002 and 2012.
Edgar Tavares, BA ’06, a men’s soccer midfielder and member of UD’s first men’s soccer championship team in history in 2002. Also in 2002, Tavares was selected for the USCAA All-American Team. Kelli Fuentes, BA ’11, a mainstay of the women’s volleyball team
The year continued to focus on maintaining and improving alumni connections. In October, the Alumni Relations Office launched Philia, a monthly series of reflections posted on the alumni website to highlight unique, lifelong friendships between UD faculty and former students. Individual faculty members and
from 2007 to 2010, helping the team achieve the best record in
alumni alternate each month to write a short reflection on how
school history while also claiming three “Most Valuable Player”
their friendships have continued to enrich their lives long after
awards. In 2008, Fuentes led the Crusaders to the champion-
graduation. The office has also reintroduced its monthly e-news-
ship of the North Eastern Athletic Conference, being named
letter, Communitas (Latin for “the spirit of community”).
the conference tournament’s Most Valuable Player and taking the team for its only trip ever to the NCAA tournament.
Alumni support remains high based on a survey delivered to 16,372 alumni in 2016. Results based on a 6 percent response rate show: 89 percent feel satisfied or very satisfied with their educational experience at UD. 82 percent feel positive or very positive about UD today. 60 percent volunteered to assist with career services. 92 percent agreed to be included in a professional directory of alumni to assist alumni and students with career connections.
Administration Board of Trustees Chairman Joe Murphy was selected by a panel of independent judges from the National Association of Corporate Directors as one of 10 North Texas leaders for the Dallas Business Journal’s 2016 Outstanding Directors Awards, and Trustee Tom Zellers was elected vice chairman of the board of trustees. Other notable trustee activities included: Mike Magusiak, former president and CEO of Chuck E. Cheese, provided the kickoff address for the UD Entrepreneurship Society meeting in 2016. Mr. Magusiak is also a Gupta College of Business adjunct instructor, teaching a Foundations of Management & Strategy course. Bridgett Wagner was named vice president for external relations of the Heritage Foundation. Julie Weber provided the keynote speech addressing millennials in the workplace when business college deans from over 30 universities convened on the UD campus for the 2016 annual meeting of the Council of Texas Business Deans. I was named to the prestigious Dallas 500 by D CEO Magazine and was selected to be part of the 2016 Irish Education 100, a listing of the leading Irish figures in education across the U.S.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT | 19
s I conclude this annual report and reflect on the many
“When we set about accounting for a Napoleon or a Shakespeare
activities and accomplishments of faculty, staff, admin-
or a Raphael or a Wagner or an Edison or other extraordinary
istrators and trustees, I am reminded that all of these efforts,
person, we understand that the measure of his talent will not
whether building a new building, creating a marketing brochure,
explain the whole result, nor even the largest part of it; no, it is
teaching a class or delivering a president’s speech, are singularly
the atmosphere in which the talent was cradled that explains it;
focused on maintaining the soil in which our students will flour-
it is the training it received while it grew, the nurture it got from
ish. As with all gardens, the better we prepare the soil, the greater
reading, study, example, the encouragement it gathered from
the harvest and the grander the blossoms.
self-recognition from the outside at each stage of its develop-
I recognize that the UD students’ commitment to excellence, to the pure joy of learning and to love of the Lord was in full bloom
ment: when we know all these details, then we know why the man was ready when opportunity came.”
before I arrived six years ago. The garden was planted, nurtured
In 2017, we will continue to encourage and train our students
and loved by so many before me, including faculty and staff, men
through reading, study and example, and we will cradle their
and women, priests, monks, friars and nuns. As I look forward
talents. In doing so, I am confident today, as always, that our
to 2017, I consider it my obligation — and my privilege — to
students will be prepared when opportunity arises. They will
ensure that the entire university community remains focused on
be ready to leap.
providing the very best environment in which current and future students can grow. Creating an environment that nurtures intellectual curiosity, values self-awareness, and steadfastly supports and encourages a student’s commitment to the ideals of our Catholic faith is the foundation of our work at the University of Dallas. Mark Twain reflected on the importance of this work in preparing students for the future in his writing about brave women and bold girls in How Nancy Jackson Married Kate Wilson and Other Tales of Rebellious Girls and Daring Young Women. Twain observed:
20 | PRESIDENT’S REPORT
PHOTOS: JEFF MCWHORTER, KIM LESSON AND JUSTIN SCHWARTZ
www.udallas.edu
Office of the President 1845 E. Northgate Drive Irving, Texas 75062