Elizabeth Lyons “Liz” Ghrist, leader of the successful $65 million Shining Star Capital Campaign, will now head the newly-announced Vision 2010 Council, an assembly of community leaders who will help bring life to the University’s vision and aspirations.

The University of St. Thomas is well positioned to enter this next phase of development. Our immediate goal is to add more strong leaders to our team and significantly increase philanthropic support," Ghrist says. "With major philanthropic leaders joining the St. Thomas team, success is inevitable.”

University President, Dr. Robert Ivany, has praised has praised Liz Ghrist and the dedicated leaders who are committed to the University’s vision for greatness. "By educating leaders of faith and character," Ivany says, "St. Thomas will fulfill an essential mission for our community and our nation."

Beautifying the campus with amenities that complement each other and draw their inspiration from the Chapel of St. Basil remains a top priority. University officials and Vision 2010 Council members meet with architects and others to review the Master Plan to develop specific objectives to focus on during the next five years. This next phase will complete the transformation of the campus into a magnificent Academic Village in the heart of Houston. The Vision 2010 Council will guide the major gift development and leadership recruitment.

The Shining Star Capital Campaign made possible the fulfillment of the 2001-2005 building program, which brought UST the Campus Life Mall, Moran Center, Malloy Hall and the Herzstein Enrollment Center. It also added three major campus enhancements:  Stumpf Memorial Plaza at Sul Ross and Yoakum, funded by the Wortham Foundation; The Landmark Plaza, a Philip Johnson design proposed for the Montrose and West Alabama corner; and the Gueymard Garden located on the Chapel’s west side.