Three gifts totaling at least $7 million have been announced to expand the Campus Enhancement Project, which has extensively transformed the appearance of the UT Dallas campus since the project’s launch in 2008.
UT Dallas President David E. Daniel announced the anonymous donations for the project at a campaign launch event March 29. The further development of the campus environs will be led by the acclaimed landscape architect Peter Walker and his firm PWP Landscape Architecture of Berkeley, Calif. Walker oversaw the design for the initial Campus Enhancement Project, which was supported through $30 million in private gifts.
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The latest commitments include two $1 million gifts and another gift valued at more than $5 million. Daniel said the total financial support could reach more than $10 million.
“What great news. Wow!” Daniel told the crowd amid applause. “And what Mr. Walker is going to do is build on the current project, go out laterally on some of our major walkways, work on the perimeter of campus, and continue to truly build a campus of excellence.”
Specifically, the funds will be used toward the betterment of high-traffic pedestrian areas around the Founders Building, Berkner Hall and the ECS North Building.
Emily Lichtenheld, a senior graduating this year, expressed excitement when learning of the new gifts.
“I’ve seen the changes to campus as a student and am happy to know more enhancements are coming,” she said. “It will be great to see in the years to come when I return to campus as a proud graduate of UT Dallas.”
The Campus Enhancement Project began in 2008, and over the initial three years included the addition of more than 5,000 trees, four reflecting pools, a trellis-covered plaza and a new entrance on Campbell Road.
Construction on the next phase of improvements is expected to begin in 2013.
Landscaping near the Naveen Jindal School of Management was made possible by a privately funded project that began in 2008.
A trellis with a mister has become a central gathering place for students. The trellis will be draped with wisteria.