Like most incoming freshmen, Kathryn Trost will add personal touches to her dorm room. Each day, she’ll make the space her own as she embarks on her journey at UT Dallas. And each day, Kathryn will have the opportunity to learn and study in a new place on campus, thanks to her parents, Donald and Karen Trost.

The Trosts, whose son, Kyle, is a junior arts and technology (ATEC) major, had been tracking the progress of the new Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building on visits to campus from their home in nearby Keller. But it wasn’t until they read a University publication that they learned of naming opportunities for the building. From there, it didn’t take long for them to agree that a naming gift was something they wanted to pursue.

“We simply felt it was right to give something back to the program and UT Dallas now, while Kyle and Kathryn are both on campus, in a meaningful and lasting way,” Don said. In doing so, the Trosts have named the first space in the new building, a student lounge, in honor of their children.

The Trosts originally believed that supporting their children’s university began and ended with paying tuition.

“Everything we’ve seen since Kyle first visited campus — the construction of new residence halls, the Student Services Building and now the new Edith O’Donnell ATEC Building — has changed the way we think,” Don said. “What better way to support UT Dallas than to give back while Kyle and Kathryn are both ATEC students? We hope that every time they use the student lounge they’ll feel the same sense of pride and commitment that we do.”