Joe and Teresa Long

Well-known Austin philanthropists Joe and Teresa Long were early donors to the Stark Center, making a critical donation to the Center in 2010 that resulted in the naming of the Stark Center’s art gallery in Teresa’s honor.   Teresa, or Terry, as she is often known, graduated with her Ph.D. in Physical Education from UT-Austin the same year that Stark Center founder Terry Todd did.   She and Joe were early visitors to the Center. She expressed her enthusiasm for our inclusion of sculpture, paintings and various forms of art into the design of the Center, understanding–as we do–that “sporting bodies” have cultural meaning and are not to be only physically understood. In addition to a financial gift to the Center, the Longs also donated the beautiful glass sculpture of the dancers in the reading room.  Teresa and Joe Long’s contributions to UT-Austin, the City of Austin and the State of Texas are immense, many and varied.  In the fall of 2019, Teresa Long even received the prestigious National Humanities Medal, commemorating her incredible contributions.  Their support of the Stark Center and encouragement on including art in our physical space has been especially gratifying.