Robert R. Rowling Philanthropy

Robert R. Rowling Philanthropy

Robert R. Rowling of TRT Holdings is a prominent figure in educational philanthropy through the Rowling Family Foundation, which has $ 9.2 million in assets. One of his most recent generous acts is the Reese M. Rowling Hall, an infrastructure that includes the Touchdown club suite area, 62 stadium suites, UT Athletics staff members’ office and The University of Texas Club. Located on Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium’s east face, this became a reality because of the $5 million Longhorn Legacy gift from Robert Rowling in honor of his father. Although not an alumnus like his son, Reese Rowling was a devoted benefactor to the school’s athletics and academics in his lifetime.

Over the years, Robert Rowling’s transformational donations include the university’s men’s and women’s basketball practice facility and Denton A. Cooley Pavilion. An indoor practice facility, nicknamed “The Bubble” by the students, is at the Frank Denius Fields.

Today, he is a member of the national board of Young Life and the board of Guaranty Financial Group Incorporated. Until February 2009, he sat on the University of Texas System Board of Regents. Robert Rowling is also The University of Texas Investment Management Company’s incumbent chairman of the board. Recipient of the Southern Methodist University Dedman Law School Distinguished Alumni Award, he has a number of other recognitions under his belt. He was inducted into the All-American Wildcatters, The University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame, and Texas Business Hall of Fame.

An alumnus of the University of Texas Austin, he proceeded to graduate from the Southern Methodist University as a Doctor of Jurisprudence. Today, with a net worth of $6.4 billion, he is ranked among the top tier of Forbes’ exclusive lists. In 2008, he was profiled as the 55th Richest American. The following year saw him secure the 124th spot in the World’s Billionaires.

Robert Rowling’s initial capital may have been inherited from his father’s Tana Oil and Gas Corporation, but he sought out to build his own name, and consequently vastly expanded his fortune. Texaco purchased the company in 1989 in a $476 million deal that eventually financed the incorporation of his new venture, TRT Holdings. The company he owns and is Chairman of has investments in energy, hospitality, real estate and fitness since 1996. Of its most prominent acquisitions are Gold’s Gym and Omni Hotels for $180 million and $500 million respectively.

Related posts:

  1. Robert Meyerhoff Philanthropy One of BusinessWeek’s consistent elite 50 most Generous Philanthropists, Robert...
  2. J.K. Rowling Philanthropy Joanna “Jo” Rowling, more commonly know by her penname J.K....
  3. Dan Duncan Philanthropy A consistent ranker in the exclusive Forbes World’s Richest People...
  4. John Mackey Philanthropy John Mackey currently serves as the chief executive officer of...
  5. Philip Knight Philanthropy Philip Hampson Knight, co-founder of Nike, Inc. built the company...


Leave a Reply