St. Edward's receives $20 million gift

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A $20 million gift that will provide scholarships for up to 150 students was given to St. Edward’s University . The donation, provided by Pat and Bill Munday of Austin, is the largest single gift in university history.

The Munday’s are the university’s largest donors and have contributed more than $36 million since 2003. A scholarship in their name has already been awarded more than 160 times since 2003, with 51 current students receiving aid.

“In my lifetime, I’ve given away a few dollars,” Bill Munday said of his philanthropic efforts. “Every nickel I’ve ever given to St. Edward’s has been used wisely. With this gift, Pat and I want to make sure that talented and financially needy students have the opportunity for an education.”

In 2011, the Munday’s gifted the university $13 million to help fund a library and learned center that is scheduled to open in the fall of 2013. The building will be named after the two.

Their latest donation resulted in a 38 percent increase to the university’s endowment, raising it to $76.8 million.

“Through their extraordinary generosity and commitment to providing young men and women educational opportunity, Bill and Pat Munday have made it possible for St. Edward’s to continue its mission of providing talented students access to higher education no matter what their financial circumstances,” St. Edward’s University president George E. Martin said.

The Munday's also gifted St. Edward's with $385,000 in 2004 to complete fundraising efforts for the John Brooks Williams Natural Science Center.

“As donors and friends, this gift is an expression of our steadfast commitment to education for all and not just the privileged few,” Pat Munday said.

Pat also served as a university trustee since 2005. She was re-elected in May 2011 for a term that will run through June 2014. Her interest in St. Edward’s stemmed from her time as a student at the school.