Announcing the Dell Medical School at UT-Austin
After nearly 130 years, UT-Austin is finally getting a medical school. And last night it got a name: the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.
In a jubilant Wednesday night ceremony at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, UT System chancellor Francisco Cigarroa—together with UT president Bill Powers and the Dell family—announced that a $50 million gift will establish the Dell Medical School.
“Thirty years ago, my parents sent me off to Austin in the hope I’d become a doctor,” Michael Dell said. “This is maybe second best.” After starting Dell, Inc. in his Dobie Center dorm room in 1984, Dell dropped out of UT to lead what is now the third-largest personal computer vendor in the world.
In addition to $50 million for the medical school, the Dells will give an additional $10 million to support health clinics throughout Travis County. “We’ll elevate the level of care for the entire community,” Dell said. “UT-Austin is the perfect partner.”
After thanking the Dell Foundation and Sen. Kirk Watson, who spearheaded the medical school effort, Powers praised Travis County voters for passing Proposition 1, which secured funding for the school. “We are so grateful for your vote of confidence,” Powers said. “To all the people of Central Texas, let me say from the bottom of my heart: thank you.”
The medical school is projected to enroll its first class of about 50 students by 2016.
Cigarroa, who balances his chancellor duties with work as a pediatric transplant surgeon, drew laughs when he told the crowd about his father’s reaction to the news. Joaquin Cigarroa attended UT in the 1940s before studying at Harvard Medical School.
“When I told Dad, a tear came out of his eye,” Cigarroa said. “Then he said, ‘This is the most wonderful day for my alma mater, and no one will have to go to Harvard again.”
The Dells speak at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation headquarters in Austin on Jan. 30.
Photo by Michael Thomas for the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
Share this article
![UT Grad Student Films Austin After Dark [Watch]](http://alcalde.texasexes.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SleepwalkingAustin1.jpg){kind=small}
![Did This Alum Write the Great American Novel? [Podcast]](http://alcalde.texasexes.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/meyercover.jpg){kind=small}
-
pat white: A grandmother of Nine and a retired teacher of 41 years, I want to applaud Nate ...
-
Julie Osterberg Sather: Vince DiNino came to Alexandria, MN to be our band director. I was blessed to le...
-
Carl Schock: This legislation was needed. My suspicion is that many Texas Exes have consisten...
-
Virginia: 76-37-5 !!!! Who cares How BEVO got the name.....UT will always have the fame. ...
-
Rick Cherwitz: Predictable but sad! The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education put...
6 Comments
With respect, in 1984 Michael Dell sold computers out of his dormitory room in Jester Center, not Dobie Center (which is not a Universty of Texas dormitory–or, at least, was not in 1984).
Mr. Dell just keeps giving and giving to this community. Thanks for your great products thousands of jobs for Austin and now for helping lay the groundwork for another great opportunity for good jobs, great education and another piller of strength that will further strengthen Austin and UT.
My father and my uncle, both family doctors in Austin for the better part of the 20th Century, would be so pleased with the knowledge of a school here. Had we had it 50 years ago, I probably would have gone there instead of UTMB. My take? Better late than never!
It is an honor to see the new establishment of the Dell Medical
School at The University of Texas at Austin. It is my desire to
see this new medical school become the elite school of the
University of Texas system.
UT Austin grad ’06 UTMB 2011. I wish the medical school existed prior but this is a monumentous day. I’m interested in pursuing academic medicine and would love to return to the city I love.
With respect, Michael Dell started his computer company in Room 2713 of Dobie Center. He visited that very room on one of Dell’s anniversaries. For a deep dive, check out the Statesman archives. For a much deeper dive, find the UT student directory for the academic years 83 and 84 and see Michael Dell’s address in Dobie, not Jester.