Winter family provides generous gift for KU Gateway District project

August 20, 2024

Gift inspired by the power of sports as a catalyst for academic excellence

With two generations of the Winter family having played football for the University of Kansas and decades of philanthropic support for KU Athletics, one might assume the family’s recent gift to support the KU Gateway District was prompted by a love of athletics. But it was something more that moved three generations of Jayhawks to give.

“The primary motivation was support for the academic mission of KU,” said Wint Winter, Jr., who followed his father, Wint Winter, Sr.’s path, playing football for KU, earning his law degree in 1978 and serving in the Kansas Senate.

Like his father, who met his wife Nancy (Morsbach) Winter at KU, Wint, Jr. married fellow Jayhawk Mary (Boyd) Winter, who earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1975. Throughout his career, Wint has been a staunch advocate for higher education, including serving on the Kansas Board of Regents since 2021. Their three children are also all KU alumnae: Katherine Winter, who earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 2002; Molly (Winter) DeLeone, who received a bachelor’s degree in Latin American studies in 2004; and Elizabeth (Winter) Lewis, who earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in 2008. All four of Wint’s siblings also attended KU.

“The Winters are a true crimson-and-blue Jayhawk family that has shown unwavering support for Kansas Athletics and the university for decades,” said KU Athletics Director Travis Goff. “This generous gift for the Gateway Project demonstrates an understanding of its importance to the future of KU, and we deeply appreciate their commitment.”

Wint noted that sports can be a powerful catalyst for supporting a university’s academic excellence and cited record-breaking enrollment in fall 2023 on the heels of successful football and basketball seasons as just one example.

“It’s incredibly fortunate for our family to have the opportunity to support not just the football program and KU Athletics,” said Wint, “but more importantly, the university’s academic programs with this one gift.”

Wint was part of the KU football team that played in the 1973 Liberty Bowl under former coach Don Fambrough. He credits sports as being more important to him now, for the lessons it imparted, than back when he suited up.

“Sports taught me discipline, to not to give up and to keep working through,” he said. “Thank goodness law school came a little easier to me than football.”

“We are so grateful for the Winter family’s generosity to KU and their enduring legacy of dedication to higher education,” said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “Their gift underscores the Gateway District’s transformative role for the entire university.”

The family’s philanthropic giving to KU, which includes support for KU Athletics, the KU School of Law, the KU Alumni Association and the Pi Beta Phi Scholarship fund, began with Wint, Sr. and his wife Nancy.

“KU meant so much to him,” said Nancy. “He always felt — even in the early days when we couldn’t give a lot — that we should give what we could.”

It’s incredibly fortunate for our family to have the opportunity to support not just the football program and KU Athletics, but more importantly, the university’s academic programs with this one gift.”

Wint Winter, Jr.

The roots of the family’s philanthropy and service go back to 1869, when Wint’s great-great-great grandfather, Mathias “Ship” Winter, an early Lecompton, Kansas settler, donated land to help establish the area’s first school district and a one-room schoolhouse. Just a few years ago, the family raised funds to restore the building, Winter School No. 70, which now serves as a museum and event space.

Through their family foundation, the Winter Family Fund, they also provide grants to numerous nonprofits serving at-risk and vulnerable families and children in Douglas, Franklin and Johnson counties in Kansas and Taos County, New Mexico.

When the family discussed a gift for the KU Gateway District, they all agreed it was an ideal way to support the university. This project is transforming the north entrance to campus and will include a hotel, multiuse space for conferences and improved football facilities — all of which will strengthen KU’s ability to recruit and retain students.

It is also expected to drive student enrollment and boost the economy in Lawrence and beyond.

Wint and Mary have a front-row seat to the KU Gateway District’s progress, living just blocks from David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. On game days, their home serves as a nest for the Winter flock, including their nine grandchildren.

“We can hear when the Campanile rings, when we get a touchdown, we can hear the KU marching band — everything,” said Elizabeth. “I grew up going to the stadium and then I went to college at KU, so it’s awesome to bring my kids back, tailgate and see that tradition through their eyes.”

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

Posted on

August 20, 2024