The University of Texas at El Paso
| For many years, Les and Harriet Dodson's quiet compassion touched the lives of countless people in the El Paso area. From feeding the homeless to generously donating pup tents to a local Boy Scouts troop, the Dodsons were always willing to step forward to help those in need. Both intensely private people, they never sought acclaim or accolades for their generosity, receiving | 
Old El Paso, 1882 - 1916
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| gratification solely from the knowledge that their gift was of benefit to someone. |
For many years, Les and Harriet Dodson's quiet compassion touched the lives of countless people in the El Paso area. From feeding the homeless to generously donating pup tents to a local Boy Scouts troop, the Dodsons were always willing to step forward to help those in need. Both intensely private people, they never sought acclaim or accolades for their generosity, receiving gratification solely from the knowledge that their gift was of benefit to someone.
Their faith in a better tomorrow found its full expression in Harriet's decision to will their entire estate to The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Valued at $7 million, this generous contribution constituted the largest single donation in UTEP's history. It also marked a tremendous vote of confidence in the university's institutional mission because there were no restrictions placed on the use of the proceeds, other than that they be used at the discretion of UTEP's president to benefit students.
UTEP Scholarship Recipients funded by the Les and Harriet Dodson Endowment for fiscal year 2003-2004
| The Dodson's extraordinary investment in UTEP is paying dividends for key university programs, academic departments and students. The Les and Harriet Dodson Endowed Excellence Fund, which is invested in the Long Term Fund, distributed over $317,000 for the year ended August 31, 2003. Distributions |
| from the endowment provide much-needed scholarship support for the region's best and brightest students. The Dodson's generosity, in giving deserving students the opportunity to pursue academic success, allows students to realize their professional dreams and aspirations. Funding from the Dodson endowment also supported the creation of the UTEP Challenge Course (also known as a Ropes Course), which has become a prized asset and tool for student development and team building. Additionally, the Dodson's gift is allowing the arts to thrive at UTEP by providing matching funds for annual scholarships to students enrolled in the Music Theatre Program, as well as to music and non-music majors who perform with UTEP ensembles. |
The Dodson endowment also is playing a vital role in sustaining the UTEP Library's reputation as the region's premier research facility. With Dodson funds, the Library's Reference Department has been able to acquire two major research publications, the Loeb Classical Library and The International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. In addition, contributions from the Dodson endowment are helping to effectively respond to the region's pressing need for qualified health care practitioners and affordable health care services. Distributions from the endowment have provided the university's Medical Professions Institute (MPI) with critical infrastructure, scholarship and program support. Under the umbrella of the MPI, disadvantaged students from the El Paso community are provided with a wide range of services and programs ranging from preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to participation in the Joint Admission Medical Program, which allows students to apply to a Texas medical school in their freshman year.
Les Dodson, who passed away in 1999, was a principal owner of the Mountain Pass Canning Company. Known for its bright yellow Old El Paso brand label, the company operated for about 20 years before it was sold to Pet Foods in the 1960s. Harriet, who died less than a year after her husband, was an accomplished artist who sold many of her paintings. Although they had no children of their own, they left a gift - beyond price - to all of the young people in their community: the gift of a bright future made possible by education.
