Among The University of Texas at Austin’s most dedicated and loyal alumni, Richard Mithoff (BBA ’68, J.D. ’71) and Ginni Mithoff (B.S. ’69) positively contributed to the lives and education of generations of teachers, students, children and future Longhorns.
In celebration of their latest gift to the College of Education, the main lobby of the George I. Sánchez Building has been renamed in honor of Ginni and Richard.
“I am thrilled that the Sánchez Building’s main lobby will now be dedicated to Ginni and Richard, reflecting their unwavering commitment to public education,” said College of Education Dean Charles Martinez. “Their philanthropy has positively impacted and will continue to make a difference for generations of children and those in need.”
Their most recent gift to the college exemplifies their commitment to supporting public education by establishing two new endowments and supporting the renovation of the Sánchez Building Plaza. The Ginni and Richard Mithoff Endowed Professorship Fund in Public Education and the Ginni and Richard Mithoff Public Education Fund will support LONESTARP3, Texas’ first education statewide research-practice-policy partnership.
The Mithoff’s endowments will strengthen LONESTARP3‘s work bringing together faculty experts, educators, and policy advocates. Their mission is to address a wide range of educational challenges and make a positive difference in classrooms across the Lone Star State while providing policymakers with the latest research to guide their decisions.
Their gift will also support the future beautification effort of the Sánchez Building Plaza, which will become an emblematic space of COE’s dynamic learning environment.
During the October celebration of the main lobby’s naming, COE leadership praised the Mithoffs for their continuing support for teachers and students and deep understanding of the power of public education, as well as their philanthropic contributions for the betterment of Texas and beyond.
Their previous support of the College of Education includes the establishment of an endowment in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction to support the early childhood education program.
Over the years, the Mithoff couple has also contributed to organizations such as Texas Appleseed, which promotes social, economic and racial justice, as well as UT Law’s Pro Bono Center and UT Health. Additionally, UT’s soccer and track field bears Richard Mithoff’s name for his generous support of the programs’ facilities.
Also in attendance at the naming celebration was Ginni Mithoff’s aunt, Sandra Wilson (B.S. ’58), who graduated from the College of Education and inspired Ginni Mithoff to become a teacher, as well as the Mithoff’s children, friends and alumni.
Now retired from teaching, Ginni Mithoff volunteers with nonprofit organizations and serves on numerous boards including as a Life Member of the College of Education Advisory Council, The University of Texas Development Board and The University of Texas Health Science Center Development Board.
Richard Mithoff is a practicing attorney at the Mithoff Law Firm, which he founded in 1984, and is also a trustee at The University of Texas Law School Foundation, where he has endowed a series of scholarships.
