More than four decades ago, The University of Texas at Austin and its Naval ROTC program gave James Mulva the education, discipline and support that would help shape his future.
Today, he is giving back, helping to shape the future of the university, the College of Liberal Arts and, in particular, ROTC.
Mulva, chairman and chief executive officer of ConocoPhillips, and his wife Miriam have donated $15 million to the College of Liberal Arts to construct a new building on the East Mall. The six-story building will include an entire floor for the university’s Naval, Army and Air Force ROTC units, which are part of the college.
Conceptual drawing courtesy Overland Partners.
“We’ve been looking for the right project so we could, in a more significant way, help support The University of Texas and its commitment to education and research,” Mulva says.
“I went through ROTC — that’s the only way I could attend UT — so I really want to support ROTC students,” he says. “For these young men and women, it’s not about making money. It’s all about service to the country. They’re very dedicated and bright students.”
University President William Powers Jr. announced the gift this fall and will honor the Mulvas at an event on campus in the coming months.
“Jim and Miriam Mulva’s gift demonstrates a deep commitment to The University of Texas at Austin and to ROTC,” says Powers, who first met Mulva when the two were Naval officers stationed in Bahrain 40 years ago. “Through the Mulvas’ generosity, ROTC will remain at the heart of campus for generations to come.”
The East Mall building will include 30 modern classrooms; student study areas and meeting rooms; and laboratories and offices for faculty.
For the first time, it will give Liberal Arts students a space of their own and create an environment in which faculty from different disciplines can collaborate more easily.
“The Mulvas’ generosity makes our longtime dream a reality, “ says Randy L. Diehl, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “This building will help propel us to greatness by giving us the space we need to teach our students, nurture outstanding research and foster a vibrant intellectual community.”
Our group of exceptional alumni volunteers who are making this project possible.
More about the Steering Committee
Above $15,000,000
From $500,000 - $1,000,000
From $100,000 - $249,000
From $50,000 - $99,000
From $10,000 to $49,000
