University leaders and members of the UVM men’s basketball team join Vermont philanthropists and basketball lovers Rich and Deb Tarrant (center, holding jerseys) in celebration of the couple’s $15 million gift to UVM’s Multi-Purpose Center project, the third largest gift in University history. The ceremony took place in Patrick Gymnasium before the men’s team played StBonaventure Tuesday evening. In recognition of the gift, the university will name the new home for men’s and women’s basketball the “Tarrant Event Center.”
Vermont Business MagazineUniversity of Vermont announced Tuesday evening that it has received a $15 million gift from Rich and Deb Tarrant, Vermont philanthropists with strong ties to the university.The gift, one of the largest ever made to UVM and the largest capital gift in its history, will help bring the highly-anticipated Multi-Purpose Center project to fruition.The Tarrants were recognized with an on-court presentation prior to the start of the men’s home basketball game versus StBonaventure. UVM would go on to win the game in double overtime.
The Multi-Purpose Center project includes construction of a new event center that will be home to UVM’s men’s and women’s basketball programs, and also host a variety of academic, social, cultural, and entertainment programming.This new facility will be named the “Tarrant Event Center” in recognition of their gift.The project also includes a major renovation of historic Gutterson Fieldhouse and significant upgrades to campus health, wellness, fitness, and recreation spaces. The project is anticipated to start as early as this winter, and is scheduled to be completed in various stages throughout the 2020-21 academic year with minimal disruption to varsity athletics schedules. The total project cost is projected at $95 million, which will be funded through a combination of private philanthropic gifts and other institutional sources.
An artist’s rendering of the interior of the Tarrant Event Center, part of the Multi-Purpose Center project on the UVM campus. The facility will be named in recognition of a $15 million gift made to the project by Vermont philanthropists Rich and Deb Tarrant, the third largest gift in the University’s history.
“While this is technically a gift to the University, universities are an integral part of the community,” noted Rich Tarrant.“They provide entertainment, jobs, healthcare, and are a place for people to come together.A university of this caliber, especially in a small community, is an incredible resource.Deb and I believe in investing in projects that have an impact far beyond campus, including projects like this one.”
“Rich and Deb Tarrant are exceptional friends and allies of this University,” said UVM President Tom Sullivan.“Their leadership as philanthropists and thought partners on our campus has had remarkably positive effects on our students and faculty, and on students and community members around Vermont.We are deeply grateful to them for this transformative investment in the future of UVM Athletics and the health and wellness of our campus community.”
Exterior rendering of the new basketball/event center, right, with refurbished Gutterson hockey rink.
“The Tarrants embody everything we work to instill in our student-athletes,” observed UVM Athletics Director Jeff Schulman ’89, “they’re passionate, hard-working, loyal, and know how to deliver in that crucial moment when success hangs in the balance.The Tarrant Event Center will be among the finest mid-major college basketball facilities in the country while also finally providing our campus with an appropriate event space for countless other activities.This is a facility that will be enjoyed by our teams, our fans, and the entire community for generations to come.I’m so honored to have Rich and Deb as partners in this exciting endeavor.”
With this gift to the Multi-Purpose Center, the Tarrants become the second largest donors in UVM history.Previously, they have made substantial contributions focused on revolutionizing middle-level education through the establishment of the Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education in the College of Education and Social Services.They also have provided significant support for the UVM Cancer Center, the Larner College of Medicine, and the Dudley H. Davis Student Center, among other programs.In addition, the Tarrants have named a floor in the UVM Medical Center’s new Robert E. and Holly D. Miller Building in honor of dedicated hospital volunteers and supporters Allen and Bonnie Martin.
Within the Athletics Department, Rich played an instrumental role in securing funding for the Gucciardi Fitness & Recreation Center, which he named to recognize Richard and Mary Anne Gucciardi, long-time supporters of UVM Athletics and student-athletes.As part of the Multi-Purpose Facility project the Gucciardi Center will be transformed into a modern varsity athlete performance center with cutting-edge equipment and training space servicing all eighteen varsity athletic programs.In 2016, the UVM Foundation awarded Rich and Deb its Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award.
Rich was a First Team All-American basketball player at Saint Michael’s College (the only one in school history) and was drafted by the NBA Boston Celtics in 1965.Five decades later, he still holds records in Vermont for the highest single-season and career scoring averages, among others. Rich is co-founder of IDX Systems Corporation—one of the nation’s leading healthcare technology companies (acquired by General Electric in 2006)—and the founder and chairman of Marathon Health.He served as a member of the University of Vermont’s Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2000 and is the father of three sons who were all varsity athletes at UVM.
Deb is a summa cum laude graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.She traveled the world as a buyer for major department stores and later directed the National Sales Accounting Department for Office Depot.She has served as the mayor of Hillsboro Beach, Florida since 2016 and in 2018 gave the commencement address to UVM’s College of Education and Social Services.Rich and Deb currently lead the Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation, one of the most active private foundations in Vermont.
Rich Tarrant was a record-setting basketball player for Saint Michael’s College. (Photo courtesy St. Michael's College)
“We are absolutely thrilled that the lead gift to this project is also the third largest gift in UVM history,” said UVM Foundation President and CEO Shane Jacobson.“The Tarrants’ commitment is a monumental vote of confidence for the Multi-Purpose Center and signals that the time really has come.With this remarkable momentum added to the philanthropic leadership already demonstrated by other supporters, we are attaining new heights for fundraising.It has been a great joy working with Rich and Deb to connect their passion to our vision for UVM’s future.”
Fundraising for the Multi-Purpose Center project is a key component ofMove Mountains: The Campaign for The University of Vermont, a comprehensive fundraising campaign for the University of Vermont and the University of Vermont Medical Center.Thanks to gifts from more than 70,000 alumni, parents, community members, and friends, the campaign has raised over $538 million to date.At UVM, these funds benefit a wide range of programs and initiatives to enhance teaching, research, and a broad range of student experiences.
Tarrant Event Center Exterior Rendering
To learn more about how you can support the Multi-Purpose Center project—including about opportunities to name spaces within the Center—visitgo.uvm.edu/itstimeor contactDirector of Major Gifts for Athletics Chris Bernier at[email protected]or (802) 656-3910.
About the University of Vermont Foundation
TheUniversity of Vermont Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established to secure and manage private support for the benefit of the University of Vermont (UVM), one of the nation’s premier small research universities.The UVM Foundation, in partnership with the University and the University of Vermont Medical Center, is currently engaged in a comprehensive fundraising campaign with five strategic priorities: student access and scholarship; faculty research and support; student-centered programs; patient- and family-centered clinical care; and long-term investment in facilities.Move Mountains: The Campaign for The University of Vermontsurpassed its initial goal of $500 million in private support in July 2018, and will conclude on June 30, 2019.For further information about theMove Mountainscampaign or giving to UVM, contact the University of Vermont Foundation, 411 Grasse Mount, Burlington VT 05401; 802-656-2010;email[email protected].
Source: BURLINGTON, Vt. –UVM 12.18.2018