AUSTIN, Texas — Since July 2023, St. Edward’s University has received more than $4.4 million in gifts from generous donors and foundations to strengthen our institution’s efforts in empowering education for all students on the hilltop.

“The St. Edward’s family is honored to receive these numerous contributions wholeheartedly given by our philanthropic supporters,” said St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes. “Past, current and prospective benefactors play an instrumental role in our ongoing efforts to foster a thriving academic community, expand advanced experiential learning opportunities and provide financial assistance and educational tools necessary for the success of our students.”

Among our dedicated donors are Patricia “Pat” Munday, John Lucas '65, Mary Lucas, The John M. O'Quinn Foundation and the Tejemos Foundation. Their unwavering support and commitment to our institution not only helps to transform the experiences of countless students, but also continues to pave the way for a brighter future at St. Edward’s University.

Austin philanthropist and longtime St. Edward’s supporter Patricia Munday has given $1 million over the past year to support The Bill Munday Outstanding Business Student Endowed Scholarship — benefiting Central Texas native students on their academic journey toward becoming future business leaders. 

This gift is in addition to a plethora of generous donations from the Munday family. Munday, an active university Trustee, and her late husband, Bill, have donated nearly $50 million over the years. In 2014, St. Edward's University named The Bill Munday School of Business in honor of Mr. Munday – an extraordinary business leader, humanitarian and friend of the university.

Houston-based The John M. O'Quinn Foundation has committed $100,000 to enhance an endowed scholarship for students from migrant farmworking backgrounds enrolled in the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). The John M. O'Quinn CAMP Endowed Scholarship is now a $500,000 resource, providing educational access and opportunity to break the cycle of familial poverty for deserving students.

John Lucas and his wife, Mary, longtime supporters of St. Edward’s University, have established a bequest of $500,000 in support of Hilltopper Athletics. Lucas, a retired career counselor who was inducted into the St. Edward’s University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989, has gifted this generous donation in honor of his former colleagues and fellow Hall of Fame inductees, Ed Norris '41 and Joe Beck '58. 

Tejemos Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit, awarded its second grant to St. Edward’s University in support of international students from Holy Cross High Schools pursuing an enriching education and lifestyle aligned with the Holy Cross Mission at St. Edward’s. The foundation's grants ensure that international student recipients from Holy Cross high schools receive full cost of attendance support in addition to summer experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and research.

Five Holy Cross Lake View Secondary School graduates from Jinja, Uganda have had the honor of becoming Tejemos Scholars on the hilltop:

Emmanuel Epau '24, Marketing

Shakiib Wauyo '25, Finance

Agatha Ais '27, Forensic Chemistry

Samuel Muwanika '27, Biology

Mark Olwa '27, Digital Media Management

About St. Edward’s University

St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 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 21 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #6 in the Best Regional University in the West category.

AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University is proud to once again be named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. students for the 2023-2024 academic year — ranking as one of the top 3 universities in the Master's institutions list.

Five students from St. Edward’s were selected for Fulbright awards for the 2023-2024 academic year, with four Fulbright winners — all Global Studies majors — accepting the opportunity to work, live and learn in their fields from South America to East Asia.

August Railey ’23, Uruguay

• Developing creative, interactive and accessible learning techniques for students of all backgrounds and ages, including through popular social media platforms.

Marisa Davis ’22, Taiwan

• Completing her master’s degree in Brand and Fashion Management at Fu Jen Catholic University and studying the positive impacts of sustainable fashion.

Kathryn Brouillette ’22, Morocco 

• Providing children with the necessary resources needed to enhance their education.

Nic Carrillo ’23, Taiwan

• Serving as an English Teaching Assistant and improving Mandarin-Chinese language skills.

In addition to receiving Top Producer recognition for 2023-2024, St. Edward’s was named a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2023 for the third consecutive year by the ECA — joining only 8% of institutions to receive this designation out of nearly 600 HSIs overall.

Since 2004, 83 Fulbrights have been awarded to St. Edward’s University students to teach, learn and immerse themselves in diverse cultures in more than a dozen countries around the world.

About St. Edward’s University

St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 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 21 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #6 in the Best Regional University in the West category.

About the Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges.

AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University has received $50,000 in grant funding from Bank of America to support the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), providing economic mobility assistance for low-income students from underrepresented backgrounds. Bank of America’s philanthropic investment will provide economic mobility and workforce development support by building pathways for migrant students.

“The ongoing partnership between St. Edward’s and Bank of America further strengthens our commitment to providing social mobility and essential educational resources that set our students up for success,” said St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes. 

CAMP at St. Edward’s University has been serving the higher education needs of migrant students on the hilltop for more than 50 years — making it the longest running program in the country and the only to offer five years of full tuition support. The program has benefited more than 2,800 students since 1972, and continues to position CAMP scholars for success on their academic journeys to graduation, as well as in their professional careers. Here are additional highlights of CAMP at St. Edward’s:

• 100% of St. Edward’s CAMP students are Hispanic; 94% of St. Edward’s CAMP students are from Texas     
• The six-year graduation rate for St. Edward’s CAMP students is 68%, compared to the state average of 51%
• The average retention rate for St. Edward’s CAMP students is 86%, compared to the state’s 78% average
• St. Edward’s CAMP students graduate with 49% less student loan debt than the national average for private university students

“For over two decades, Bank of America has partnered with St. Edward’s University to support CAMP students on their way to achieving their higher education goals,” said Bank of America Austin President David Bader. “These students are faced with unique obstacles, and many are the first in their families to achieve a college degree. The CAMP program connects with the culture and language of students, enabling them to discover possibilities, develop lasting friendships and puts them on a path to establish successful long-term careers.”

Local leaders from Bank of America joined CAMP scholars on the St. Edward’s University campus during First-Gen Scholars Week, November 3 - 10. Each year, St. Edward’s celebrates the achievements of its first-generation students through a week of activities. Fall 2023 events featured a presentation by Dr. Melissa Velez, Assistant Professor of Psychology, a First-Gen Coffee Kick Start event, and the Tri Alpha Honor Society induction ceremony.

About St. Edward’s University:

St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 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 21 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #6 in the Best Regional University in the West category. 

About Bank of America:

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).