DALLAS, Texas -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Inc. has awarded a new $2 million grant to the Ursuline Academy of Dallas Foundation to help fund construction of The French Family Science, Math, and Technology Center, a centerpiece of the Academy’s strategic plan. An earlier grant of $5 million from the Gates Foundation supporting science, math, and technology education at Ursuline was announced in January 2006, the largest single gift in Academy history.
"This new gift moves us significantly closer to groundbreaking and successful completion of our strategic plan," said Sr. Margaret Ann Moser, President of Ursuline Academy. "It also inspires all of our supporters who are working to help Ursuline achieve this landmark project. We are tremendously grateful, once again, to the foundation for its generous support."
To help guide the facilities planning process, a new Science, Math, Technology Building Task Force has been formed. This volunteer group of professionals will advise Ursuline during the architectural design phase in areas ranging from innovative curriculum needs to environmentally-sensitive construction and community resource programs. The new center is being designed by F&S Partners, Inc., of Dallas.
Melinda French Gates, a graduate of the Ursuline Academy Class of 1982, has been an advisor and major donor to Ursuline Academy for many years. In 1996, Ursuline became one of the first six schools in the U.S. to pioneer the Anytime, Anywhere Learning laptop computer program.
A wireless network was installed in 2000. Support from the Gates Foundation provided the infrastructure needed to implement the laptop program for these achievements.
Founded in 1874, Ursuline Academy of Dallas is an independent Catholic college preparatory school for young women sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters. The Academy’s diverse enrollment includes more than 800 students in grades 9-12. The mission of Ursuline Academy is the total development of the individual student through spiritual formation, intellectual growth, service to others, and building of community.
Ursuline Academy of Dallas
Science, Math, Technology Building Task Force
Chair
Win Bell
Ed Bell Investments
Members
Stephanie Barta
Science Department Chair
St. Mark's School of Texas
Sheila DeSantis
Architect
HKS, Inc.
Nunzio DeSantis, AIA
Architect, Executive Principal
HKS, Inc.
John A. Gates
President, Southwest Corporate Services
The Staubach Company
Bill Keslar
President
Building Solutions
John Holbrook
President
The Holbrook Company, Inc.
John R. Landon
President
Landon Development Company
Hilary Clement Olson ’79
Research Scientist Associate
Institute for Geophysics
The University of Texas at Austin
Karen Livesay Shuford ’66
Vice-Chair of the Executive Board
Southern Methodist University School of Engineering
Civic Leader
Ursuline Academy Administrators:
Sr. Margaret Ann Moser, President
Elizabeth C. Bourgeois, Principal
Susan Bauer, Technology Director
Tom Kelly, Facilities Director