Turning a gift into action
Nancy Parkans Ehrenkranz has nothing but fond memories about her time as an advertising major at The University of Texas at Austin. Back then, Moody College of Communication was known as the School of Communication.
“It was an overall great experience,” Ehrenkranz recalls. “I was both hard-working and blessed that the professors who were there saw my potential. I received recognition and encouragement that I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to.”
A Houston native, Ehrenkranz enjoyed a meaningful career as a storyteller and marketing advisor for various professional firms, medical institutions, museums and nonprofits. While her own experience and education at UT made for an easy decision on becoming a donor, it was her father’s legacy as a philanthropist that really inspired her.
“My father was the son of Russian immigrants who couldn’t afford to send him to college,” she explains. “My younger brother and I were fortunate to attend universities of our choice, but my father never experienced higher education. Because he valued what he never had, and wanted to help others in the same position have the opportunity he never enjoyed, I helped him establish a college scholarship program in Houston. He never imagined how much joy he would experience seeing the difference this made and meeting many of the scholarship recipients.Although my father passed away seven years ago at the age of 92, I knew this was a model for the kind of experience I wanted to create in my own philanthropic efforts. Today, I carry the torch for my family and get to meet many of the students who have received this support. Hearing stories of their plans and dreams, which my father’s vision helped shape, is inspiring. In turn, giving back while I’m here to see the impact has become the focus of my goals with the students in Moody College.”
Ehrenkranz already promised a large estate gift to the college but decided to start sharing pieces of this now with specific Moody programs. After making a few “uber-impressive” campus visits, Ehrenkranz couldn’t decide which programs to help fund, so, she is supporting Texas Creative, Texas Immersive Institute (TXI) and the Texas Challenge scholarship.
She described her meeting with the Texas Immersive team, including Erin Reilly, TXI’s founding director, as a one-of-a-kind storytelling experience filled with immersive technology. She even had a chance to meet Professor Moxie, Reilly’s digital double.
“I was super impressed,” Ehrenkranz confesses. “The sheer creativity and innovation of this media was mind blowing. The applications and how it will impact the future of communications, media, marketing, and advertising – everything - was just amazing. All the students I met were so enthused and excited, I took it as a sign.” She was equally impressed by a video production class she attended with Glenn Griffin, director of Texas Creative.
Ehrenkranz says the theme of storytelling continued with each Moody College professor and student she met. Ultimately, her gifts reflect her desire to pass on the importance of storytelling as a universal core skill and means of creative expression.
And when asked for a few words of wisdom for current and future communications students, she is quick to respond. “Do what you love and the rest will follow. Life will provide a roadmap to success when you least expect it.”
And she quickly adds, “I ultimately had a very non-traditional and fulfilling career path, but my writing and strong communication skills followed me everywhere. That was and will always be important and helpful in work and in life.”
That, and making a difference when its needed most. “If even one thing I do at Moody College causes a ripple effect that goes beyond expectations…then I know I’ve done something significant that will last beyond my lifetime.”
