Brain research fueled by $10 million Templeton Foundation gift

By Sharon Reynolds

The Richard and Mary Templeton Foundation is supporting UT Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute with a $10 million gift that will accelerate efforts to translate research discoveries into innovative new treatments for brain and nervous system disorders.

“Research is essential to the O’Donnell Brain Institute’s ability to make an impact in the global fight against brain diseases,” said Mr. Templeton, Chairman, President and CEO of Texas Instruments. “Mary and I are pleased to help provide the resources that allow UT Southwestern scientists to drive tomorrow’s medicine to groundbreaking discovery.”

“On behalf of the entire UT Southwestern community I want to express my deepest gratitude to Mary and Rich Templeton for their leadership and philanthropic generosity, which are instrumental in helping us advance towards our goal of ending brain disease,” said Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, President of UT Southwestern. “Their gift will enable our scientists to develop a greater understanding of the fundamental basis of brain functions, which will fuel the next generation of discoveries in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of brain disorders.”

Together, the Templetons have been a driving force in changing the world through their philanthropic leadership and giving. Mrs. Templeton had a 14-year career with General Electric Co. as a computer scientist, and she is currently President of the Richard and Mary Templeton Foundation. She has served on the Boards of Trustees for her alma mater, Union College, and for the University of Dallas, John Paul II High School, Ursuline Academy of Dallas, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Southwest Region, AT&T Performing Arts Center, and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. She is a member of the Advisory Council of The Catholic Foundation and received the 29th Catholic Foundation Award in 2011 for her support of Catholic education.

With more than 35 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Mr. Templeton has served as Chairman of the Board at TI since 2008, and President and CEO of TI since 2004. He has served as a member of Southwestern Medical Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2011. In his role on the Campaign for the Brain Steering Committee, he is committed to helping raise community awareness and support for the O’Donnell Brain Institute at UT Southwestern. He is also a member of the boards of the Semiconductor Industry Association and Southern Methodist University, and a member of the Business Roundtable. Mr. Templeton served as chairman of the 2012-2013 United Way of Metropolitan Dallas campaign, and the Templetons are continuing the tradition by co-chairing the 2018 – 2019 United Way of Metropolitan Dallas campaign, this time with an emphasis on getting the next generation engaged in volunteerism and charitable giving.

Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O’Bryan Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presidential Chair in Academic Administration, and the Doris and Bryan Wildenthal Distinguished Chair in Medical Science.