Late UT Tyler Benefactor Ralph Spence Honored

TYLER — Longtime university friend Mary John Spence has given The University of Texas at Tyler a generous gift in honor of her late husband, Ralph Spence, Jerre Iversen, vice president for university advancement, announced. The gift will name a boardroom in the university’s future alumni center. UT Tyler is currently finalizing plans for the alumni center and raising funds toward the building’s construction. A dedication of the Ralph Spence Board Room and Gallery was held Tuesday morning in the UT Tyler James H. Stewart Jr. Administration Building.

The Spence Board Room and Gallery will be located on the first floor of the alumni center. Preliminary plans for the center include a two-story building with the boardroom and meeting space on the first floor and office space on the second. “The dedicated leadership and enthusiastic financial support of Ralph Spence will serve as an ongoing example to boards, councils and volunteer groups who meet in the room that will proudly bear his name,” Iversen said. “UT Tyler is grateful for the generosity of Mary John Spence for helping us honor her late husband in this way.”

Termed “a true champion of philanthropy” by university officials, Ralph Spence served as the founding development board chair for UT Tyler from 1982 until his death in 1995. Noted contributions to UT Tyler include his leadership on the university’s R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center campaign and the Spence Fountain and Plaza.

The Spence family has given land for future expansion and generously supported students and faculty with the establishment of numerous endowed scholarships and faculty positions, according to a UTT news release. The Spences were named Patriots of the Year, the highest award given by UT Tyler, and Ralph served as a member of UTT’s State Educational Board. He also was a charter member of both the UT Tyler Eisenhower Golf Classic Society and President’s Associates.