St. Edward’s University Secures More than $10.3 Million in Funding to Advance Health Sciences, Academic Innovation and Access
AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University is proud to announce the achievement of more than $10.3 million in funding during the past year, a testament to the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation. A significant portion of these dollars will directly support the university’s School of Health Sciences and enhance undergraduate scholarships and scientific research programs.
"We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity of our donors and their extraordinary investments in our students and faculty. This funding plays a pivotal role in advancing our commitment to academic excellence and research innovation while further strengthening our university’s role as a collaborative partner in the Austin community," said St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes. "With these transformative contributions, we are able to enhance our academic programs, further our commitment to sustainability and enrich the lives of our students."
Longtime donor and former university trustee Patricia "Pat" Munday has given more than $2 million, with $1.5 million supporting The Bill and Patricia Munday Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship provides tuition assistance for up to 140 students each year. Additionally, part of Munday’s investment is designated for The Bill Munday Outstanding Business Student Endowed Scholarship, which benefits high-achieving business students from Central Texas. Munday and her late husband, Bill, are the most generous individual donors to St. Edward’s, giving more than $50 million in total gifts.
In fall 2024, the university was awarded $1 million from the Ladies of Charity of Austin to support the renovation of the new School of Health Sciences and its state-of-the-art instructional labs. This investment will help St. Edward’s address a critical industry need while equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills, expertise and ethical foundation necessary to shape the future of healthcare. The university named The Ladies of Charity of Austin Women, Children and Family Suite in the charity’s honor.
Esteemed faculty member and continuing benefactor Kathleen Wilburn has generously pledged $1 million to support scholarships, five mission and student-focused initiatives — including Campus Ministry and the Holy Cross Institute — and an endowed professorship within The Bill Munday School of Business. Wilburn joined the St. Edward's University faculty in 2002 alongside her husband, the late H. Ralph Wilburn, who passed away in 2021. Wilburn's latest gift reflects the commitment that both she and her late husband shared to improving lives through higher education.
The Welch Foundation, based in Houston, continued its longstanding support of the university with a $135,000 grant to fund faculty chemical research initiatives and provide invaluable hands-on laboratory experiences for students pursuing careers in chemistry. This year marks 35 years of partnership from The Welch Foundation; they’ve given over $1.3 million to St. Edward’s University since 1990.
A gift of more than $112,000 from Roger Thornton, a friend of the Wild Basin Creative Research Center at St. Edward’s, will enhance staffing and environmental educational programs for young learners at Wild Basin, Austin’s gateway to the Balcones Canyonlands. Thornton’s gift aligns with the university’s environmental sustainability goals outlined in Strategic Plan 2027, furthering its mission to foster environmental education and stewardship.
This substantial donor support of more than $10.3 million in just one year reflects increasing momentum to realize the goals of the St. Edward’s University Strategic Plan 2027 and fulfill the university's mission to educate hearts and minds through impactful academic and innovative learning experiences. Fully aligned with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 goals, this funding strengthens our commitment to the success of our students and to creating a more just world.
About St. Edward’s University
St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,000 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 50 undergraduate, seven master’s degree programs and a doctorate program. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 22 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #5 in the Best Regional Universities in the West.
