November 9, 2019
Dear UT Community,
I’m writing today with extraordinary news.
The Moody Foundation — one of the largest philanthropic organizations in Texas — will give $130 million to support UT. This is one of the single largest gifts in the university’s 136-year history, and it reflects the unparalleled vision and generosity of the Moody family. In recognition of their commitment to UT, our planned basketball and events arena will be named Moody Center.
The foundation’s trustees — Elle Moody, Ross Moody and Francie Moody-Dahlberg — truly understand the mission and purpose of our university and have invested time and again in our students and the future of our great state. This gift arrives less than a year after the Moody Foundation provided UT’s Blanton Museum of Art with a $20 million grant to transform its exterior spaces and six years after it donated $50 million to the Moody College of Communication. Their latest gift is a historic investment in Texas Athletics that will benefit Longhorns for generations to come. I am grateful to the Moodys for their profound generosity and their decades-long support of arts, education, the environment, health and social services in Texas.
When completed in 2022, Moody Center will be the new home court for Longhorn women’s and men’s basketball and will host concerts and performances. The university plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for Moody Center on Dec. 3 at the new site of the arena south of Mike A. Myers Stadium, with further details to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Moody name is a peerless marker of service, quality and creativity. Connecting it with a world-class arena that will sit in the heart of our campus is a fitting tribute to an exceptional Texas family.
Sincerely,
Gregory L. Fenves
President