McDonald Observatory was founded on the gift of one single individual who used his estate to create a legacy that would endure for generations. Since that time, that same gift has created opportunity for millions of more individuals. The following donor stories highlight just a few of the great people who are making a difference for science education and astronomy through gift planning.

W. J. McDonald — The Gift That Started It All
Far-sighted banker William J. McDonald of Paris, Texas, left his estate to the University of Texas to build an astronomical observatory devoted to research and to educating the public. From this bequest has grown one of the country’s most renowned observatories, one of its top-ranked Departments of Astronomy, and one of the world’s most important sources of information in support of public knowledge about astronomy, perpetuating this forward-looking Texan’s wishes and his name.

More Donor Stories

John Cox — Equipping Students: In the early 1990s, lack of funds made it hard for the University of Texas at Austin Department of Astronomy to compete in attracting top graduate students. The bequest of the late member of the Board of Visitors, John Cox, changed that, providing for an endowment used by the Department for tuition, travel, and other student support.

Frank Bash: As a faculty member in the UT Austin Department of Astronomy since 1967 and as Director of McDonald Observatory from 1989 to 2003, I am very proud of the Texas Astronomy Program’s achievements, and I am very interested in its future. More »

Justine Miller: I am thrilled to include a gift to McDonald Observatory in my estate planning. I want to give something back for a wonderful experience I had when I was young and for a subject I deeply believe in. More»

Jim Johnson: It doesn’t take a monumental event to spark a lifelong passion that directs the thrust of one’s life and giving. Just ask Jim Johnson, who — along with his wife Coleen Quinn — support The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory as members of the Observatory’s Orion Circle donor group. More »

Learn more about how you can create a legacy to benefit science education today.