DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Gifts totaling nearly $2 million from Oklahoma businessman and UNT alumnus, Jerome "Bruzzy" Westheimer ('65), will generously support the Mean Green Athletics golf program, the College of Music, the College of Visual Arts and Design, a commissioned sculpture by the late artist and UNT alumnus Jesus Moroles, and educational initiatives.

"Bruzzy Westheimer embraces the entire university experience with this latest gift," said Vice President for Advancement David Wolf. "His dedication to helping the next generation of UNT Alumni through athletics, art, music and national security shows a true diversity of support and passion for our students and the entire UNT community."

Westheimer's gifts include:

• $1 million to support the UNT Mean Green Athletics golf program. The gift will largely fund a new golf practice facility currently under construction at the Meridoe Country Club in Carrollton, Texas. This state-of-the-art facility will be among the best practice and playing venues in the country. It provides a much needed home to advance UNT's nationally recognized golf programs. The gift will also provide funding for new travel vans, electronic technology and other aids to these teams.
• $250,000 to the College of Visual Arts and Design to support The Valerie Dean Westheimer Memorial Fellowship for Visual Arts and Design. An additional $250,000contributed by Westheimer's nephew, Dr. Christian O'Donnell (B.M. '86), will support the Valerie Dean Westheimer Graduate Fellowship in Music and The Valerie Dean Westheimer Scholarship in Music. These gifts were given in memory of Westheimer's sister, Valerie Dean Westheimer (B.A. English '70).
• $250,000 to commission a sculpture from late UNT alumnus and artist Jesús Moroles (B.A. '78). This piece will be part of the UNT Union's sculpture garden area and will be finished by the National Medal of Arts winner's studio because of his sudden death.
• $100,000 for an endowed fellowship in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Bruzzy Westheimer Graduate Fellowship in Human Security will be used to support graduate student research on issues related to national and human security.
• $50,000 for a UNT Kuehne Speaker Series Lifetime Membership. The speaker series brings internationally recognized speakers to the university to discuss globally relevant topics.

"As soon as I felt I could give back financially to my alma mater, I chose disciplines that I like – music, the arts, the UNT golf team, human security and the Kuehne Speaker Series," said Westheimer. "I am and have always been about education. A student should not be denied an education because of a lack of money as there are scholarships as well as financial aid offered by colleges."

Westheimer remains an active supporter of UNT. He was recently honored as a Golden Eagle and will be inducted into the 2016 Athletics Hall of Fame class as a Fred McCain Honoree. He is a member of the President's Leadership Board, The McConnell Society, the UNT Kuehne Speaker Series Steering Committee and is a lifetime member of the UNT Alumni Association.

For more information about giving opportunities at the University of North Texas, visit Giving to UNT online.