DENTON (UNT), Texas ¾ Robert Milnes, renowned ceramics artist, retired as dean of the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design in August of 2014. But, even after all of these years, he says he and his wife, Karen, still feel connected to the university and wanted to show their love for the CVAD with a monetary gift.

“The college, university and North Texas will always have a piece of our hearts,” Milnes said. “When I was at UNT, I worked all the years I was there with a number of wonderful people on and off campus on the long standing need for a new building for the college. It’s finally happening and, because we could, it seemed like a good time to make a gift to CVAD students.”

The commitment consists of funds to support The Robert W. Milnes Endowed Scholarship for the College of Visual Arts and Design and The CVAD Excellence Endowment Fund. They also have designated a bequest to UNT to create The Robert and Karen Milnes Graduate Fellowship Endowment.

“This pledge illustrates the dedication and generosity of our faculty and staff and comes just as we launch the 2018 We Care We Count Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign,” said David Wolf, vice president for university advancement. “Faculty and staff are vital parts of the UNT donor community.”

Greg Watts, current dean of the CVAD, says the Milnes’ dedication to UNT and its students is immeasurable.

“Robert and Karen’s generous gifts will provide an important scholarship along with funds to support our advising center – one of the critical organs of our college and a place of immense impact for our students,” said Greg Watts, CVAD dean. “This is a wonderful gift and we all appreciate the Milnes ongoing generosity to CVAD.”

Milnes says the gift was only natural since he forged so many strong relationships while in the CVAD.

“As dean, I enjoyed being able to make it possible for someone very creative and talented to do something they might not have been able to do on their own, at least not at the time when it was important for them to do it,” Milnes says. “I’m excited that this commitment will nourish the creative inquiry that lets artists and scholars help everyone see the world in new and important ways.”