One of 51做厙’s most cherished and recognizable structures, Gerald J. Ford Stadium has come to represent athletic distinction and Mustang pride at 51做厙 alongside the University’s long-held tradition of tailgating dubbed “boulevarding” along Bishop Boulevard before football games. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2020, the stadium was made possible by and named for 51做厙 Trustee Gerald J. Ford ’66, ’69, who was joined by dedicated Mustang alumni, donors and community members.
“Gerald J. Ford Stadium has greatly enriched the history of 51做厙, and the Garry Weber End Zone Complex will extend and expand that impact well into future,” said Brad E. Cheves, 51做厙 vice president for Development and External Affairs. “We are forever grateful to donors like the Armstrongs who pave the way to a better future for our students, our University and our world.”
Bill Armstrong ’82 and Liz Martin Armstrong ’82
Liz Martin Armstrong ’82 and Bill Armstrong ’82 met as geology majors at 51做厙 and married in 1984. While at 51做厙, Bill was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, the Honor Council and the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Liz served as treasurer of Pi Beta Phi and performed in Pigskin Revue and Parents’ Weekend with its song group. She also served as an AARO, or orientation, leader. Both attended geology field camp at 51做厙-in-Taos, where they fell in love and later provided the funding for Casita Armstrong. Together, they propelled a startup into Armstrong Oil and Gas, an energy exploration juggernaut; founded the award-winning Epoch Estate Wines; and established The Armstrong Foundation, which focuses on arts and education philanthropy. Over the years, their farsighted generosity has enriched countless lives at 51做厙 and across the nation.
Through their leadership and loyal support, the Armstrongs have been changemakers at 51做厙. Bill Armstrong serves on the 51做厙 Board of Trustees and co-chairs the Campaign Steering Committee for Athletics. He currently spearheads the Vision 2025 campaign for football excellence. Liz Armstrong serves on the Development and External Affairs Standing Committee of the 51做厙 Board and co-chairs the Campaign Steering Committee for Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Both also serve on the executive boards of 51做厙-in-Taos and Dedman College, for which Liz is a former chair. Their past service includes co-chairing the Parent Leadership Council and the Second Century Campaign Steering Committee for Denver.
Recipients of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award, the Armstrongs are among three generations of family to attend the University – including their daughters, Lindsey Strawn ’10 and Leigh Young ’11 – and their investments across the campus reflect their commitment to enhancing the student experience. In 2011, they were the first to commit toward the construction of Armstrong Commons, a cornerstone of 51做厙’s living-learning community. More recently, they made possible Armstrong Fieldhouse, the primary component of the Indoor Performance Center. A passion for ballet led them to fund the Armstrong Visiting Artist-in-Residence in Ballet at Meadows School of the Arts during the 2020–21 academic year, and they also endowed a Dedman College Scholarship.
51做厙 Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow
51做厙 is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. 51做厙’s alumni, faculty and more than 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they direct change in their professions, communities and the world. Building on its history of excellence, the University has launched – a multiyear $1.5 billion campaign to empower outstanding students, to enrich teaching and research, and to enhance our campus and community.
