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Harry Ransom Center

WHAT STARTS HERE CONNECTS US

The Harry Ransom Center has achieved international recognition as one of the world’s preeminent collectors, keepers, and interpreters of creativity. The Center’s extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of some of our finest writers and artists, deepening understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, performing arts, and early books and manuscripts. We invest in, conserve, and share the stories of EXCEPTIONAL writers and artists because they connect us to each other – a diverse and complex family. Sharing these stories helps advance the wisdom they hold, invites deeper investigation, and fortifies our bonds.

Much of the Center’s success has come from the generosity and advocacy of individual collectors, donors, and friends. We are now reaching out to our extended family of supporters to help advance the trajectory of excellence.

WHAT STARTS HERE HAS ENDURING VALUE

It all starts with you and a vision for what could be. The Center’s leadership in the world of research libraries compels us to excel and to connect with everyone who wishes to learn from the cultural record under our care.

You can help us meet our goal of raising $25,000 in the next 40 hours with a generous gift to the WHAT STARTS HERE FUND.

WHAT STARTS HERE CONTINUES WITH YOU

The Harry Ransom Center's leadership in the world of research libraries compels us to excel, evolve, and connect with everyone who wishes to learn from the growing cultural record under our care. The largest community the Center serves, however, is the FUTURE one, and ensuring the health of this institution over time is of utmost importance. 

We currently have vast collections poised for deeper curation and scholarship; students eager for greater access and engagement; a 50-year-old building requiring upgrades and renovation; and priceless materials in need of preservation and stewardship.

Your partnership is pivotal to securing the Center’s future and with your generous contribution to the WHAT STARTS HERE FUND, the Ransom Center can continue to lead with excellence.

The Final Challenge Winners

Sep 29, 2022

Thank you to everyone for another amazing campaign! Below are the challenge winners for the final hours of the campaign!

Time for Another Surprise Challenge

1st Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club

2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team

3rd place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet

Hungry, Hungry Bevo Challenge

1st Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club

2nd Place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet

3rd place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team

40 to the 40 Surprise Challenge

1st Place: WINNER Longhorn Racing

2nd Place: WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club

Final Countdown Challenge

1st Place: WINNER Texas Trap and Skeet

2nd Place: WINNER The University of Texas Weightlifting Team

3rd place: WINNER Texas Women's Rugby

Longhorn Pride Social Media Challenge
1st Place: Longhorn Band Student Association $1,000 Prize
Runner-up: Women's Club Lacrosse $250 Prize

Procrastinator Gift WINNER Longhorn Racing $500 Award

6,000 Milestone WINNER UT Men's Ultimate Club

7,000 Milestone WINNER Longhorn Racing

8,000 Milestone WINNER Black Student Alliance

State & International Challenge Winners - Check your donor wall these have been awarded!

Leaderboard Challenge Winners - Check the challenges page wall for the final leaderboards. Prizes will be awarded soon!

Get your UT Sticker Now!

Sep 29, 2022

Make your gift between 5 and 7 p.m. Central and we'll say thanks by sending you a Forty Acres sticker and display your Longhorn pride everyday!

Match

Faculty & Staff Big Give Match (Day 1)

The first $5,000 in gifts from UT faculty and staff members made within this period will be matched. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. September 28, 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

Match

Student Match

The first $2,500 in gifts from currently enrolled UT students made within this period will be matched. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $2,500, is exhausted. September 28, 1 – 3 p.m. Central

$2,500 MATCHED

Completed

Match

Student Support Late-Night Match

The first $5,000 in gifts from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends and students to student support initiatives made within this period will be matched. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. September 28, 10 – 11:59 p.m. Central

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

Match

Longhorn Parent Brunch Match

The first $5,000 in gifts from parents of currently enrolled UT students within this period will be matched. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. September 29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Central

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

$1,883

1,883rd Milestone Award

In September 1883, The University of Texas was officially opened in a ceremony inside an incomplete building on a grassy hill where the Tower now stands. To celebrate UT's founding year, the 1,883rd gift will receive a $1,883 award!

1,883 / 1,883 Gifts

Completed

$1,250

4,040th Gift Milestone Award

Every gift made during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres makes a difference. In honor of this Texas-sized giving day, the 4,040th gift will receive a $1,250 award!

4,040 / 4,040 Gifts

Completed

$1,250

6,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 6,000th Gift - $1,250 award

6,000 / 6,000 Gifts

Completed

$750

8,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 8,000th Gift - $750 award

8,000 / 8,000 Gifts

Completed

Leaderboard

Happy Horns Happy Hour Challenge

The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within the designated period will receive an additional award! September 28, 5 – 7 p.m. Central 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Happy Horns Happy Hour Challenge	Gifts
1	$1,500	UT Men's Ultimate Club	224
2	$750	Texas Trap and Skeet	138
3	$250	McCombs School of Business	20
4		The School of Architecture	9
5		University of Texas Libraries	8
6		Forty Acres Scholars Program	7
7		Moody College of Communication	7
8		College of Liberal Arts	7
9		School of Law	7
10		Cockrell School of Engineering	6
11		College of Natural Sciences	6
12		Texas Exes	6
13		UT Women's Club Soccer	4
14		Dell Medical School	4
15		Texas Athletics	4

Ended

Leaderboard

Early Bird Challenge

The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within the designated period will receive an additional award! September 29 from 6 – 8 a.m. Central 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Early Bird Challenge	Gifts
1	$1,500	Texas Trap and Skeet	64
2	$750	UT Archery Club	51
3	$250	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	23
4		First-Gen Equity	12
5		Texas Women's Rugby	6
6		College of Liberal Arts	5
7		McCombs School of Business	5
8		College of Education	3
9		Men's Lacrosse Club	2
10		UT iGEM Team	2
11		Steve Hicks School of Social Work	2
12		UT Outpost	2
13		UT Dance Team	2
14		Longhorn Wrestling	2
15		Moody College of Communication	2

Ended

Leaderboard

Final Countdown Challenge

The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within the designated period will receive an additional award! September 29, 8 – 10 p.m. Central 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Final Countdown Challenge	Gifts
1	$4,500	Texas Trap and Skeet	415
2	$2,000	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	216
3	$1,000	Texas Women's Rugby	60
4		UT Men's Ultimate Club	53
5		Longhorn Racing	45
6		UT Archery Club	22
7		Pre-Health & Diversity Scholars	15
8		McCombs School of Business	13
9		Cockrell School of Engineering	12
10		College of Natural Sciences	10
11		Texas Exes	9
12		IEEE Robotics and Automation Society	9
13		School of Human Ecology	8
14		Chapters & Networks	7
15		Men's Lacrosse Club	6

Ended

Leaderboard

University-Wide Leaderboard: Highest Amount of Dollars Received

The participating college, school, unit, or organization with the highest amount of dollars raised will be listed on the leaderboard for bragging rights only.

Rank	Department	Raised
1	Canfield Business Honors Program	$5,003,275.00
2	Center for Global Business	$2,500,000.00
3	Dell Medical School	$2,486,929.69
4	McCombs School of Business	$244,538.02
5	Global Leadership & Social Impact	$163,660.00
6	First-Gen Equity	$157,306.00
7	LBJ School of Public Affairs	$80,610.44
8	Jackson School of Geosciences	$77,801.00
9	Forty Acres Scholars Program	$44,570.40
10	The School of Architecture	$29,450.00
11	Cockrell School of Engineering	$28,448.50
12	Moody College of Communication	$22,641.00
13	School of Law	$21,500.00
14	The LaunchPad	$20,100.00
15	Longhorn Racing	$19,743.69

Ended

Leaderboard

It's a surprise!

The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on September 28th from 10 – 11 a.m. Central will receive an additional award! 1st place - $1,500 | 2nd place - $750 | 3rd place - $250

Rank	Prize	It's a surprise!	Gifts
1	$1,500	UT Men's Ultimate Club	97
2	$750	Texas Trap and Skeet	77
3	$250	Texas Women's Rugby	50
4		Texas Blazers	36
5		Longhorn Racing	15
6		UT Archery Club	11
7		College of Liberal Arts	6
8		McCombs School of Business	6
9		Texas Exes	6
10		Moody College of Communication	5
11		School of Nursing	4
12		University of Texas Libraries	3
13		College of Natural Sciences	3
14		Department of Physics	3
15		School of Law	3

Ended

Leaderboard

Time for another surprise challenge!

Happy day two of 40 for Forty! The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on September 29th from 9 – 11 a.m. Central will receive an additional award. 1st place - $1,500 | 2nd place - $750 | 3rd place - $250

Rank	Prize	Department	Gifts
1	$1,500	UT Men's Ultimate Club	124
2	$750	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	90
3	$250	Texas Trap and Skeet	81
4		UT Archery Club	30
5		Texas Women's Rugby	30
6		McCombs School of Business	12
7		Plan II Honors Program	9
8		Cockrell School of Engineering	8
9		Kendra Scott WEL Institute	7
10		Texas Athletics	6
11		Student Engineering Council	6
12		Texas Exes	5
13		Chapters & Networks	5
14		Jackson School of Geosciences	4
15		Men's Lacrosse Club	4

Ended

Match

Student Support Kickoff Match

The first $5,000 in gifts from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends and students to student support initiatives within this period will be matched. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. September 28, 6 – 8 a.m. Central

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

Match

Alumni Match

The first $2,500 in gifts from UT alumni made within this period will be matched. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $2,500, is exhausted. September 28, 1 – 3 p.m. Central

$2,500 MATCHED

Completed

Match

Faculty & Staff Big Give Match (Day 2)

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

Match

Student Support Final Match

$5,000 MATCHED

Completed

$1,000

3,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 3,000th Gift - $1000 award

3,000 / 3,000 Gifts

Completed

$500

5,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 5,000th Gift - $500 award

5,000 / 5,000 Gifts

Completed

$500

7,000th Gift Milestone Award

To celebrate specific milestones in the campaign, an additional award will be added to the area that receives the following milestone gifts. 7,000th Gift - $500 award

7,000 / 7,000 Gifts

Completed

Leaderboard

Longhorn Lunch Special Challenge

The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within the designated period will receive an additional award! September 28, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Central 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Longhorn Lunch Special Challenge	Gifts
1	$1,500	Texas Trap and Skeet	123
2	$750	UT Men's Ultimate Club	122
3	$250	Texas Women's Rugby	99
4		Longhorn Racing	65
5		Texas Orange Jackets	25
6		McCombs School of Business	12
7		Texas Exes	12
8		VAV - Survivor's Emergency Fund	11
9		Texas Blazers	8
10		LGBTQ Studies	7
11		Longhorn Powerlifting	7
12		Multicultural Engagement Center	7
13		The School of Architecture	6
14		Texas Performing Arts	5
15		Cockrell School of Engineering	5

Ended

Leaderboard

Midnight Madness Challenge

The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within the designated period will receive an additional award! September 29, midnight – 6 a.m. Central 1st place – $2,500 | 2nd place – $1,500 | 3rd place – $1,000

Rank	Prize	Midnight Madness Challenge	Gifts
1	$2,500	Texas Trap and Skeet	166
2	$1,500	UT Archery Club	92
3	$1,000	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	81
4		UT Men's Ultimate Club	51
5		Cockrell School of Engineering	4
6		Longhorn Racing	4
7		College of Liberal Arts	3
8		College of Fine Arts	3
9		Longhorn Band Student Association	2
10		Texas Exes	2
11		First-Gen Equity	2
12		Moody College of Communication	2
13		McCombs School of Business	2
14		School of Law	2
15		Blanton Museum of Art	1

Ended

Leaderboard

Hungry, Hungry Bevo Challenge

The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts within the designated period will receive an additional award! September 29, 1 – 3 p.m. Central 1st place – $1,500 | 2nd place – $750 | 3rd place – $250

Rank	Prize	Hungry, Hungry Bevo Challenge	Gifts
1	$1,500	UT Men's Ultimate Club	179
2	$750	Texas Trap and Skeet	128
3	$250	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	75
4		Texas Orange Jackets	22
5		School of Law	9
6		McCombs School of Business	9
7		Cockrell School of Engineering	8
8		College of Natural Sciences	8
9		Jackson School of Geosciences	7
10		College of Liberal Arts	7
11		UT Dance Team	7
12		UT Archery Club	6
13		Moody College of Communication	6
14		Women's Club Lacrosse	5
15		Kendra Scott WEL Institute	5

Ended

Leaderboard

University-Wide Leaderboard: Greatest Number of Gifts Received

The participating college, school, unit, or organization with the greatest number of gifts will be listed on the leaderboard for bragging rights only.

Rank	Department	Gifts
1	Texas Trap and Skeet	1,420
2	UT Men's Ultimate Club	1,186
3	Longhorn Racing	830
4	The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	546
5	UT Archery Club	437
6	Texas Women's Rugby	358
7	McCombs School of Business	317
8	Chapters & Networks	176
9	Cockrell School of Engineering	135
10	Texas Exes	128
11	UT Dance Team	109
12	College of Liberal Arts	87
13	Moody College of Communication	84
14	College of Natural Sciences	83
15	Texas Orange Jackets	75

Ended

Leaderboard

Day 1 Leaderboard: Gifts

The five participating colleges, schools, units and organizations with the greatest number of gifts raised during the first day of 40 for Forty will receive awards. September 28, 6 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. Central

Rank	Prize	Day 1 Leaderboard: Gifts	Gifts
1	$1,000	Texas Trap and Skeet	541
2	$750	UT Men's Ultimate Club	514
3	$500	UT Archery Club	217
4	$250	Texas Women's Rugby	172
5	$100	Chapters & Networks	146
6		McCombs School of Business	114
7		Longhorn Racing	108
8		Texas Exes	78
9		UT Dance Team	76
10		Cockrell School of Engineering	55
11		The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	53
12		Texas Blazers	49
13		Moody College of Communication	47
14		College of Liberal Arts	47
15		University of Texas Libraries	40

Ended

Leaderboard

Late Night Surprise Challenge

It's a late night surprise! The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on September 28th from 9 – 11 p.m. Central will receive an additional award. 1st place - $1,500 | 2nd place - $750 | 3rd place - $250

Rank	Prize	Department	Gifts
1	$1,500	Texas Trap and Skeet	161
2	$750	UT Archery Club	126
3	$250	UT Dance Team	61
4		The University of Texas Weightlifting Team	42
5		UT Men's Ultimate Club	28
6		Texas Women's Rugby	20
7		Omega Chi Epsilon	14
8		Longhorn Racing	12
9		McCombs School of Business	11
10		Chapters & Networks	6
11		Moody College of Communication	6
12		Women in Informatics	6
13		Dell Medical School	5
14		Women's Club Lacrosse	5
15		School of Law	4

Ended

Leaderboard

40 to the 40 Surprise Challenge

It’s a 40 to the 40 surprise challenge! The three participating colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on September 29th from 4:40 – 5:40 p.m. Central will receive an additional award. 1st place - $2,000 | 2nd place - $500

Rank	Prize	Department	Gifts
1	$2,000	Longhorn Racing	576
2	$500	UT Men's Ultimate Club	240
3		Cockrell School of Engineering	4
4		School of Human Ecology	4
5		Center for Women in Law	3
6		School of Law	3
7		Women's Club Lacrosse	3
8		LBJ School of Public Affairs	3
9		Global Leadership & Social Impact	3
10		Texas Ice Hockey	2
11		Center for Students in Recovery	2
12		Chapters & Networks	2
13		Dell Medical School	2
14		Longhorn Band	2
15		Texas Exes	2