Development Board Chair Dr. Ashley Purgason is a third-generation UTMB alumna who earned her doctorate in population health sciences and environmental toxicology in 2013. Dr. Purgason is vice provost for student success at the University of Texas at Arlington. During a recent conversation, Dr. Purgason spoke about her time at UTMB, her giving history and her leadership plans for the Development Board.
Q: What does it mean to be a part of such a deep-rooted UTMB tradition as a third-generation alumna? (Dr. Purgason’s parents, Dr. Thomas and Ruth Purgason, who met at UTMB, and Dr. Purgason’s grandfather, Dr. John Purgason, are all UTMB graduates.)
A: I did not go through the MD program like my relatives. I went through the graduate school to earn my PhD. So, I took a different route, and I struck out on my own. When it came time to apply for schools, UTMB was at the top of my list...It was just always a part of my legacy. It felt like this is part of who I am because it’s part of my ancestors’. So, it was a no brainer I was going to school there. Only people who live there and spend time there can understand that being an islander just becomes a part of who you are. It is still part of my identity today. So, an opportunity to give back to the institution is really a privilege. I don’t view it as a service; I view it as an honor.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory or two about your time at UTMB?
A: There are so many. Intermural sports were really special. There was volleyball and basketball and all sports day. We even played against Texas A&M Galveston. Just lot of fun memories of those times together and the healthy rivalries.
There really is just something special about the education you get at UTMB. The cutting-edge knowledge that you are part of, and being a scientist, the world class equipment and people you are exposed to. At a health institution, every single day you can have access to a lecture by a visiting scientist who is probably world renowned in their field. That is one of the very unique cultural things about a health institution and the industry that is medical and health sciences education.
So, it’s not a specific memory, but I would say that I cherish the education I received and the exposure and the mentorship I received while I was there. UTMB is a world class institution.
Q: What are some of the reasons you agreed to serve our Development Board as chair?
A: The university president asked me if I would be willing to serve. As I said before, it’s a privilege and an honor to be able to give back. So, it was an immediate yes. I’m excited about the intentionality we can have behind the Development Board. There’s a lot of potential for the Development Board to contribute in meaningful ways. I’m excited to explore that with the leadership at UTMB.
Q: Your parents were also active at UTMB. Do you see your role here as an extension of your family’s tradition at the university?
A: They tried to instill in me that service is an important part of our lives. The world is not going to improve without that sense of being good stewards of the talents and treasure we all have to give back to our communities. My father and I talk often about the fact that we both received an education that has equipped us to go out into the world to not only earn a living but to do something we love. It’s the best investment we ever made. The most affordable investment we ever made is how we joke about it. It’s only right that we give back in some way.
Q: What did it mean to you to establish an endowed scholarship (Ashley and Eamonn Donovan Scholarship in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences) at UTMB, and what would you say to our Development Board members considering giving back in their own way?
A: I think it’s important in my role as chair to challenge all of the board members to consider giving a gift to the institution. As board members, we are really trying to set an example for others to consider giving to the institution. We’re really the people the university is counting on and asking to lead the way there. So, for me, I gave a gift to the institution, and we established an endowment. That was a way for me not only talk the talk but walk the walk in giving to the university that gave to me.
Q: What do you wish to accomplish as our Development Board chair?
A: I think there are two that James (Gallo, Vice President and Chief Development Officer) and I have really been thinking about. One, is how we can start to make better connections with alumni and alumni giving. I am an alumna. We definitely want to engage our alumni in more exciting and maybe new and different ways. Second, we have an opportunity to look at the 30,000-foot view of the Development Board, so to speak, and its purpose. So, we are really taking a moment to ask how we can we be as intentional as possible to ask what the Development Board’s purpose is. And how do we make sure the way we’re operating reflects that intentionality. And we are asking how we can we give our members opportunities to be as impactful as possible so that this is a great use of their time as well.
Q: What else do you want our Development Board members to know about you?
A: I want to be accessible whenever needed. This is my personal email address ampurgas@gmail.com and my personal cell phone number is 817-919-9581. Development Board members can feel free to contact me any time. I’d love to talk to them if they want to talk. Also, I want to share that James and I are talking with leadership, and we feel we have exciting conversations ahead with our membership.