7 minute read
PHILANTHROPY
In Tune with Music Education
UMHB Conservatory of Music Receives $40,000 Grant
UMHB recently received a generous grant that helps provide enriching music experiences to the children and youth of Central Texas.
In September, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation gave a $40,000 grant to continue program support for the UMHB Conservatory of Music. Past grants from the Carpenter Foundation have made it possible for many students to participate in the program through scholarships and strategic funding initiatives.
“This grant allows us to provide music to children who might otherwise never have these enriching experiences,” explained Dr. Jonathan Gary, director of UMHB’s Conservatory of Music and department of music chairperson. “We are grateful to the Carpenter Foundation for its long-standing support of our public service programs.”
UMHB provides preschool, elementary, and secondary students the opportunity to learn and grow from music through its conservatory of music. The success of these programs has led to the expansion of several programs this year, including opportunities for additional students. Thanks to this year’s funding, UMHB has begun a faith-based early childhood music program called “Teeny Tykes and Tunes” and will offer a middle school show choir this spring. Additionally, UMHB’s Conservatory of Music will continue to prepare middle and high school students to audition for various Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA) choirs, which would not be possible without the Carpenter Foundation grant.
“TMEA and TCDA provide opportunities for students to excel in choral music in the form of honor choirs, both at a regional level and a state level. This opportunity provides students with a chance to experience challenging repertoire to work on their musicianship skills,” said Deborah Barrick, TMEA and TCDA audition coach. “When learning the music with me, the students learn how to become more musical and accurate with their singing. It builds confidence and work ethic in all of my students. I feel the experience students get while learning music for these auditioned choirs teaches them skills they will use in all aspects of life as they mature.”
The Conservatory of Music program offers high-quality instruction for its students from the UMHB Department of Music faculty. From scholarships for musical instruction to free music lessons for children in local daycare centers, these programs are making music education available to children of all ages in Central Texas and providing opportunities that otherwise would not be available.
To learn more, visit umhb.edu and search "Teeny Tykes."
Donors in the President’s Leadership Circle were celebrated with dinner, entertainment by One Voice, photos, and smores by the campfire during the Family Table gathering. Each year, donors who give at least $1,000 are invited to celebrate together at the President's Leadership Circle dinner. To learn more about joining the President’s Leadership Circle, visit go.umhb.edu/giving.
UMHB PHILANTHROPY
Bountiful Blessings
$1 million anonymous gift creates the Julie O'Rear Endowed Scholarship
UMHB is excited to announce the Julie O’Rear Endowed Scholarship. A generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave $1 million to UMHB from a donor-advised fund held at HighGround Advisors to endow this scholarship in honor of Julie O’Rear and her contributions to UMHB through her service as the first lady. This endowment will allow future college students with financial need to experience excellence in Christian higher education at UMHB.
“I am overwhelmed and humbled by this gift. I don’t feel worthy of something like this, but it’s really cool to think about the students it’s going to help,” explained Julie O’Rear ‘90, UMHB’s first lady. “In the same way I received scholarship assistance when I came to UMHB, this endowment is going to provide financial blessings to UMHB students now and into the future. I am most excited because, for years to come, this endowment will help students afford to have the same UMHB experience I had - even long after I’m gone.”
Julie grew up in Athens, TX, and came to UMHB in August 1986 to play volleyball and study nursing. She knew she wanted to be a nurse long before college, and she attributes finding UMHB to God’s guidance in her life. She met her husband, Dr. Randy O’Rear, UMHB president, at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting on campus that August when they were both college students, and they got married two years later. She then graduated in May 1990 and went on to have a fulfilling career as a clinical research nurse at Scott & White Hospital in Temple.
After they both graduated, Randy and Julie stayed at UMHB and served the university in many different capacities, including assistant baseball coach and residence hall director, respectively. Randy served 20 years in many capacities at the
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Pictured with Julie O’Rear are, from left, Lauren Williams, Steve Sellers '21, E’Monte’ Smith, David Castles ‘21, DoRion Dreighton, Anthony Avila, and Kayla Janikula '21.
UMHB PHILANTHROPY
Impactful Giving
Randy and Caroline Mann were honored during a surprise announcement of an endowed scholarship in their name. Former players, friends, and family raised $100,000 to endow this scholarship in honor of Randy and Caroline to impact the lives of UMHB students for years to come. "Caroline and I are so surprised to learn that our friends and family have been working to establish this scholarship," said Randy Mann. "We are humbled by their generosity and can't wait to see how this scholarship affects future UMHB students."
Randy joined UMHB in 1999 as the head men's golf coach and led the Cru to its first American Southwest Conference Championship in 2001. Under his leadership, the golf program won three ASC titles. He also led the Cru men to their first-ever NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament berth in 2001 before being promoted to associate athletic director in 2008. Mann was responsible for athletic event management, ticketing, and various other administrative duties in that role. In 2012, Randy became the vice president for athletics and served in that role until 2021. During that time, he led UMHB athletics to two national championships and 17 ASC championships. "The Manns have impacted many lives in the past 20 years at UMHB," said President Dr. Randy O'Rear. "I am grateful to those who gave so generously to create this scholarship to honor Randy's and Caroline's lives of service. I cannot think of two people more deserving."
Randy Mann is a 1980 graduate of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, and he received his master's degree from Tarleton in 1998 before coming to UMHB. In 2019, he was awarded an honorary membership in the UMHB Alumni Association.
Caroline, originally from Crawford, graduated from UMHB with her Bachelor of Business Administration in 1983. She has enjoyed a long career at McLane Company, working as assistant treasurer.
To donate to the Randy and Caroline Mann Endowed Scholarship, visit go.umhb.edu/mann or call 254295-5451. To give to UMHB another way, visit the giving page at
umhb.edu/giving.
Caroline and Randy Mann (pictured at far right) were surprised with an endowed scholarship in their names. Standing behind them is Travis Funk ’04 who kicked off the scholarship which has raised more than $100,000. Also pictured are Travis’ parents, John and Loretta Funk, and his wife, Melissa, and their children.
