Two Donations From the Talkington Foundation Announced on Thursday; Including one to Lubbock Christian University

Two separate donations from the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Charitable Foundation were announced on Thursday.

The first donation was a $10 million donation to Lubbock Christian University for the school's nursing program.  The donation will be used to build a new 57,000 square foot building for the LCU Department of Nursing and Covenant School of Nursing (CSON).

“This is an historic moment for Lubbock Christian University as we celebrate the transformative generosity of the Talkington Foundation. This gift will advance our mission of changing lives, strengthen our partnership with Covenant School of Nursing, and enhance nursing education in this region and beyond,” states Lubbock Christian University President Tim Perrin.

The donation is the largest single donation received by the LCUFoundation.

“In 2009, Margaret Talkington invited us to her home to discuss the LCU/Covenant School of Nursing partnership and our dream to build a center on LCU’s campus to house the two programs,” says LCU Foundation President David Pruett. “We are excited that this building is becoming a reality, and we are so grateful to the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Foundation, the LCU Foundation Board members, and dedicated members of the community, like W. R. Collier, who have made this groundbreaking possible.”

In addition to classrooms, computer labs and offices, the new building will also feature a 500 seat auditorium.  Construction will start next month.

“We always knew the partnership between CSON and LCU Department of Nursing would bring opportunities that alone may not have existed,” explains Alicia Anger, Dean of the Covenant School of Nursing.  “One of the most exciting opportunities for students of both programs will be a new building we can call home.  Not only will this new facility strengthen the relationship of the existing partnership, but it will provide an environment for students in both programs to blossom, which will, in turn, benefit the people of our region as well.”

The second Talkington Foundation donation announced on Thursday was a $500,000 grant made to All Saints Episcopal School.  All Saints is currently in the process of constructing a new high school, fine arts wing and gym.

All Saints first senior class will graduate in the 2015-16 school year.

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Background on the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Charitable Foundation

J.T. and Margaret Talkington served the Lubbock community from 1946-2010 in many ways, including their active support of the Early Learning Centers of Lubbock, the Louise H. Underwood Center for the Arts, Lubbock ISD, and the establishment of the Margaret Talkington School for Young Women Leaders.

Along with their philanthropic spirits, Mrs. Talkington was well known for her high fashion clothing store, “Margaret’s.”  The Talkington Foundation seeks to honor the history of J.T. and Margaret Talkington’s philanthropy and entrepreneurial endeavors in Lubbock by supporting proposals that enhance the quality of life through arts, culture, community-based education, youth services, and other areas of community improvement.

The opportunity to expand on the ability to provide more qualified nurses for the South Plains area made the new nursing building a natural investment and fit, particularly considering Mrs. Talkington’s service to the Covenant Foundation and the Talkington Foundation’s efforts to support community-based education.