Since 1998, the UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists has raised awareness of the role women play in philanthropy and has given more than $700,000 to 76 programs across the UT System. This year, the alliance has approved the following five projects for a total of $40,854 in support for the 2024-2025 Giving Circle Grant cycle:
$11,767 to UTC for Empowering Independence: Establishing an Innovative Aging in Place Lab
This funding will establish a state-of-the-art Aging in Place lab within the occupational and physical therapy programs at UTC. This innovative lab aims to cultivate excellence in research, practice and advocacy for the older adult population. Through collaborative inter-professional efforts, students will be prepared to address the needs of aging populations and foster healthier, more fulfilling lives for older adults.
$4,687 to UTC for Library Whole Student Wellness Collection
This funding will develop a circulating collection of wellness and stress/anxiety management resources, including noise cancelling headphones, meditation devices, weighted lap blankets and the development of guided stress relief activities and tip sheets to enhance student well-being and overall health.
$8,000 to UTHSC for Creating a Play Space to Support Learning and Development
This project will fund the purchase of inclusive playground equipment to contribute to an environment that will enhance the capacity to provide treatment in the context of active gross motor play activities for children and meet the varying cognitive, physical, social and sensory needs of patients and their families. It will enable students to experience best-practice treatment strategies incorporating ecologically valid methods.
$8,000 to UTM for Canine Model for Teaching and Demonstrations
Funding will be provided to purchase hyper-realistic canine models to enable hands-on practice of student skills prior to live animal use and supports the UTM Veterinary Science program goal of promoting the 3 “R”s of animal usage: replacement, reduction and refinement. Canine models increase student confidence, reduce use of live animal demonstration and increase interest in veterinary science through outreach.
$8,400 to UTM for Large Animal Reproductive Models for Animal and Veterinary Science
This project will provide animal and veterinary science students, as well as beef cattle producers, with models that replicate real world reproductive techniques. These models will reduce the need for unnecessary large animal procedures and allow for simulation of birthing difficulties and pregnancy palpation by multiple individuals.
