In a full-length article published in Texas Leader Magazine this month, Texas ChE department alum, Dennis Griffith, B.S. ’70, and his wife of 41 years, Louise Richman, B.A. ’69, discuss the experiences that have shaped their philanthropic philosophies.
For Dennis and Louise, making a difference to others makes a difference to them. “We didn’t have children, so now we’re adopting the entire University,” Dennis jokes. “We’re enjoying the benefits of our great education and we really want to pass that same opportunity to future generations. Our real goal is to inspire others to support the University too.”
Together they have created the Edgar Dennis Griffith and Louise Talley Richman Chair for Chemical Engineering in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, as well as the Louise Richman and Dennis Griffith Endowed Scholarship for the Longhorn Band.
Texas ChE hosted the couple, as well as the department’s top donors, during the annual Alumni Weekend this fall. They enjoyed a special tour of The Frank Denius Family University of Texas Athletics Hall of Fame, where Big Bertha has been retired. Donors also took an opportunity to take photos on the Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium field.
“A performance by the Longhorn Band at the 2024 Texas Leadership Society luncheon stirred a lot of emotions for Dennis,” the article explains. “As a member of the Longhorn Band in the 1960s, he helped wrangle Big Berth, the world’s largest bass drum. ‘Back in the day, I often hauled her to events behind my car,’ he recalls.”
Dennis and Louise helped pay for Big Bertha II, which he presented to the University during the halftime show on October 2022. The Longhorn Band is celebrating it’s 125th season, stay tuned for more details.
Full article in Texas Leader Magazine.
