Faces of Impact
Elizabeth Ann Graves BA’83 and Mike Redeker MBA’97, MA’01


“We see UT Dallas as a gathering place for like-minded students, faculty and business leaders who want to engage their gifts, talents and skills to be a blessing to those in need around the world.”

— Mike Redeker MBA’97, MA’01

A family of alumni sustaining UT Dallas’ momentum across generations.

Elizabeth Ann Graves BA’83 and her son, Mike Redeker MBA’97, MA’01, have been an integral part of UT Dallas’ growth for several decades. By their own individual contributions and through the support of their family-managed Ann and Jack Graves Charitable Foundation, Graves and Redeker have benefited students, faculty and the broader community on the UT Dallas campus and around the world.

Graves, who received the UT Dallas Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010, earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the School of Arts and Humanities. She is a prolific civic volunteer, former communications and public relations professional and served as chairman and CEO of several oil industry companies after the death of her husband.

Redeker is a graduate of the Naveen Jindal School of Management and currently serves on the boards of several local Christian nonprofit organizations. He was previously the director of evangelism and discipleship at ServingHIM Healthcare International Ministries.

Graves and Redeker have lent their support to improving the holistic University experience at UT Dallas. In order to provide a home on campus for the University’s growing alumni population, they made significant contributions to the construction of the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center, which opened in fall 2017. Their gifts named the Ann and Jack Graves Ballroom and the Mike Redeker Executive Boardroom in the alumni center.

They have also been avid supporters of the Naveen Jindal School of Management. In 2019, a $1 million gift created two new endowments that enhanced the school’s global efforts through new opportunities for international collaboration.

Dr. Milind Dawande (left) is the first Mike Redeker Distinguished Professor in Management. The professorship was made possible by Mike Redeker MBA’97, MA’01 (right).

The Ann and Jack Graves Foundation Global Business Scholars Fund provides scholarships for student travel abroad, while the Ann and Jack Graves

Foundation Society of Emerging Economies Development Fund supports a variety of initiatives, conferences and partnerships between UT Dallas and foreign universities.

Redeker also endowed the Mike Redeker Distinguished Professor in Management in the Jindal School, currently held by Dr. Milind Dawande.