With $3M Donation, The Herbert D. Weitzman Institute For Real Estate Is Formed At UT Dallas

Weitzman Executive Chairman Herb Weitzman and his wife, Donna Weitzman, donated $3M to the UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management. The gift will establish the Herbert D. Weitzman Institute for Real Estate and will provide scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing a concentration in real estate. 

“Herb told me he wants this to be a legacy gift,” said Randall Guttery, the director of the school's real estate program. “He wants to help the next generation and generations to come. His and Donna’s generosity will help ensure that will happen in perpetuity.”

The gift will also help fund real estate student trips to case competitions and conferences and open doors for student internship opportunities. The Weitzmans announced this partnership Tuesday during the school's annual Scholarship Breakfast. 

“A program that trains our future leaders offers the potential of reshaping the North Texas community in a positive way for decades to come,” Weitzman said. “I’m honored to be able to contribute to that promise.”

Weitzman, who founded Dallas-based retail real estate company Weitzman in 1990, has nearly six decades of commercial real estate experience. In addition to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Weitzman has offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. 

The purpose of launching this institute was to give students from all socioeconomic backgrounds a shot at a career in real estate and provide the academic support and tools to assist in this endeavor, Weitzman said. 

As a graduate of UT Austin and a Dallas native, Weitzman has watched the development of the Jindal School. 

“This university has an excellent, highly rated business school with a diverse student population,” he said. “I watched this school grow over the past decades and have seen amazing things happen. It makes me proud to say that our company is associated with UT Dallas. This school has a zeal for excellence.”

Donna Weitzman is not a stranger to the real estate industry, either — she served as the city of Colleyville's mayor and as a city council member.  

“I’m so proud of Herb and what he has done for real estate and our community,” she said. “I’m delighted to be a part of this special day for him.”