Tex Moncrief’s $18M Gift To UT One Of Top U.S. Charitable Contributions Of 2009

By randyramirez in Blog on February 11, 2010 at 8:46 am | No Comments

Last February, W. A. “Tex” Moncrief Jr., BS ’42, Life Member, gave $18 million to UT, a gift matched by an anonymous donor that together endowed simulation-based engineering programs at the University’s Institute for Computational Engineering Sciences. 

Slate.com published this week a list of the 60 largest American charitable contributions of 2009, as compiled by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Moncrief’s donation came in at No. 48. 

The Texas Exes presented Moncrief with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2008 for his success in the oil business and his longtime support of the University. The Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Center bears his name in recognition of his many contributions to UT and UT Athletics.

Moncrief’s generosity is well-known — he was named to the Texas Philanthropy Hall of Fame in 2001. Perhaps less known is his sense of humor and love of the ladies, which he shared at the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Awards reception.

He began his acceptance speech remarking on how good fellow recipient, and Oscar winner, Marcia Gay Harden looked. And then, just for emphasis, he closed by saying, “I’ve flat enjoyed being here — especially seeing you, Marcia Gay.”  

Harden was happy to give Moncrief another kiss on the cheek afterward. Watch Moncrief’s DAA video and acceptance speech: