Fond memories spark year of annual giving

Nothing ever starts where we think it does” writes crime thriller author James Patterson in his novel, “Violets Are Blue.” And, while Patterson is writing about a crime through the eyes of professional profiler Alex Cross, it might also be a sentence applied to Patterson fan and UHCL alumna Glenna Crist and her longstanding relationship with her alma mater.

Photo by Beryl Striewski Glenna Crist, ’91 BBA, says her favorite UHCL memory is walking across the platform in Atrium II on graduation day to accept her diploma.

Although she first set foot on the university campus in the late ’80s, it was her 1991 graduation and subsequent 1992 contribution to the university’s Annual Fund that has built a lasting connection between Crist and UHCL. She and her husband, George, have continued providing monetary support annually since that time, making Crist one of only a handful of donors who have contributed annually for more than 14 years. Adding to the annual donation is a matching gift program through ExxonMobil, the company George worked for his entire career.

“My husband and I began contributing to the Annual Fund because we were quite happy with the wonderful education I received at UHCL,” explains Crist.“My experience with UHCL was very positive.”

Despite UHCL’s non-traditional student demographics, Crist, then 44, still felt like one of the “older” students when she received her Bachelor of Business Administration. Her desire to finish the degree, though, prompted her to continue her education, and, with a family, she wanted that experience to be close to home, making UHCL the natural choice.

Crist describes her favorite UHCL memory as the day she walked across the platform in Atrium II of the Bayou Building to accept her diploma. She fondly remembers what she describes as “this special, long-anticipated milestone” shared by her family and friends in the audience.

“It was a moment I will always cherish, a moment that took many long hours of study and hard work to achieve,” says Crist.

Family remains an important part of Crist’s life and now includes two daughters, two stepdaughters, a stepson, their spouses and 13 “fantastic” grandchildren ranging in age from seven months to 25 years. And, although getting them all together can be trying with the many different schedules, one of Crist’s favorite events includes spending spring break with her husband and grandchildren in a Galveston condominium.

“We make sand castles and take walks on the beach; we play lots of games such as Scattergories, Sequence, Monopoly and Chickenfoot; we go to the Strand and have ice cream; and we ride the Bolivar Ferry and try to spot the dolphins,” says Crist. “But mostly, we just get to spend quality time together and catch up on what’s happening in everyone’s busy life.”

With two of those grandchildren recently graduating from college in May and one graduating from high school in June, Crist had a hectic month running from one ceremony to the other. Add to that activity her other hobbies such as playing tennis, reading, knitting, socializing with sorority friends and traveling with her husband and one would say that life is busy for Crist.

“Our last vacation was a 16-day transatlantic cruise last November, which began in Rome,” says Crist. “Our next vacation will be a two-week trip to Italy with friends in September.”

She’ll probably even take a book or two with her to read, maybe even the next Patterson novel. Wherever she goes, though, Crist will likely continue giving to UHCL’s Annual Fund.

“We continue contributing to the Annual Fund,” says Crist, “because we believe in the merits of higher education.”

Alumni wall unveiled

With the installation of the Distinguished Alumni Wall, Alumni Plaza is now complete. The granite wall was sandblasted with the names of UHCL’s Distinguished Alumni in January. In May, alumni and university friends attended the formal dedication of Alumni Plaza, including UHCL Distinguished Alumnus Mike Reeves, first president of the UHCL Alumni Association board of directors who served seven terms, and his wife Kathy, also a UHCL alumna.