Culture of Giving
TTUHSC El Paso President’s Development Council Inspires a Culture of Giving
University’s 10th anniversary celebrates the tradition of impactful philanthropy and investments
EL PASO, Texas — Creating a culture of giving that drives an innovative university like Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso requires leadership, commitment and collaboration.
And no group is better at providing all three than TTUHSC El Paso’s President’s Development Council.
Established in 2019 by university President Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., the President’s Development Council consists of volunteer community leaders who tap their years of experience and success in their respective fields. As champions of the university’s mission, they provide fundraising advice and guidance to Dr. Lange and his leadership team, as well as engage fellow business and community leaders in meaningful ways to give back to the university and the region it serves.
TTUHSC El Paso, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2023, is home to the Foster School of Medicine, Hunt School of Nursing, Hunt School of Dental Medicine and Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The university was established with the support of the El Paso community to improve health care access and educational opportunities for residents. It also serves as an engine of economic growth for our Borderplex by contributing upwards of $634 million annually to the region’s economy.
“As we celebrate our 10th year as an independent university within the Texas Tech University System, the President's Development Council is more important than ever,” said Dr. Lange. “The council's members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our efforts to enhance the quality of education, research and world-class patient care in our region. The council helps us raise student scholarship support for our community’s future health care leaders. It strives to increase private investments in the programs and initiatives that improve access to health care and reduce health disparities along the U.S.-Mexico border. Together, we’re building on the momentum of the past decade as we foster a healthy future for the next 10 years."
The President’s Development Council works closely with Andrea Tawney, Ph.D., vice president of TTUHSC El Paso’s Office of Institutional Advancement, assisting her team with communication, marketing, fundraising and community engagement efforts.
The council leads the way by connecting donors from across Texas and our community with philanthropic opportunities at TTUHSC El Paso.
To continue the positive momentum for the university, the council recently added Steve Fox, president and CEO of Fox Auto Team, and Lisa M. Peisen, co-owner and general manager of L&F Distributors.
“At TTUHSC El Paso, we believe that everyone has a role to play in advancing the health and well-being of our community,” said L. Frederick “Rick” Francis, chair of the President’s Development Council and executive chairman of WestStar Bank. “I am proud to work with a group of dedicated individuals who share this commitment to making a difference. By working together to identify and pursue new opportunities for growth and impact, we help to ensure that TTUHSC El Paso remains at the forefront of innovation and discovery, and continues to provide exceptional education, research and patient care to our community for years to come.”
Other members of the President’s Development Council include:
James A. Cardwell Jr., President, C & R Distributing
Claudia Chiu, Director of the Chiu Family Foundation
Margie Escudero, TTUHSC nursing alumna and community advocate.
Charles de Wetter, Broker, Coldwell Banker Legacy
Paul L. Foster, CEO, Franklin Mountain Management, LLC.
Anthony Furman, Community Advocate
Patrick Gordon, President, Gordon Davis Johnson & Shane P.C.
Bruce Gulbas, President, National Restaurant Supply
Woody L. Hunt, Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors, Hunt Companies, Inc.
Crystal Long, President and CEO, GECU
Ronnie Lowenfield, General Manager, Casa Ford Lincoln
Judy Robison, Community Advocate
Robert Snow, Chairman of the Board, Western Heritage Bank
Kelly Tomblin, President and CEO, El Paso Electric
Gene Wolf, Partner, Kemp Smith Law
The council has played a critical role in strengthening the culture of giving within the community. For example, the council championed a community-driven, employer-matched giving campaign in 2021 that raised over $100,000 in scholarships for the Hunt School of Nursing’s 10-year anniversary. Employees from several local businesses participated, sending a powerful message that the community truly believes in TTUHSC El Paso’s mission of improving lives and empowering generations. The yearlong campaign raised $1.75 million for nursing student scholarships at a crucial time, as the pandemic has exasperated the critical nursing shortage faced by our Borderplex region.
Become a supporter and champion of TTUHSC El Paso
To build a brighter future for our Borderplex region by supporting TTUHSC El Paso during its 10th anniversary, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 915-215-5695, or give online.
About Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso
TTUHSC El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.
TTUHSC El Paso was established to focus on the unique health care and educational needs of our Borderplex community. Since its establishment as an autonomous university within the Texas Tech University System, the institution has graduated over 2,000 doctors, nurses and researchers, and will soon add dentists to its alumni.