January 17, 2008

Local Oncologist Makes Major

Donation to Tyler ISD Campaign

The “I Love Tyler ISD” campaign received a major commitment from a Tyler doctor who truly believes in the campaign’s slogan.

Dr. Gary and Lisa Gross have donated a major contribution which will provide approximately $8,000 annual income to the Foundation indefinitely.  Gross, a M.D. at the Blood and Cancer Center of East Texas, serves as a director of the Tyler Independent School District Foundation Board.

“All of us connected with the Tyler ISD Foundation admire and appreciate the Gross’ devotion to Tyler ISD,” commented Larry Goddard, Executive Director. “You see them at all the John Tyler sports events and their positive support is evident in their generosity.”

Dr. Gross feels strongly about the impact of public education and remembers with fondness the wonderful experiences his daughters, Natalie and Sarah, had as students of John Tyler High School. Both girls were enrolled in the John Tyler International Baccalaureate (IB) program and were active in sports.  

“Public education is the most important institution in our society. Ideally, public education can prepare our children to compete and succeed professionally and to interact with people of all backgrounds,” said Dr. Gross of the impact of public education.

“We value the contributions of Gary and Lisa Gross in our community,” said Mike Thomas, Tyler ISD Foundation President. “Dr. and Mrs. Gross is an excellent example of how important the private donors are to our public schools.”

The donation from Dr. and Mrs. Gross will make possible many opportunities for students of TISD that are not typically funded by tax dollars. With this donation the Foundation will be able to expand its capacity to fund programs that will inspire, enrich and enhance the educational experience of TISD students.

The I Love Tyler ISD Campaign, which kicked off in November of last year, will continue through March.  The campaign has raised over $300,000 in support of Tyler ISD to date with more contributions expected before the end of the campaign.

Gross said his older daughter, Natalie, graduated from John Tyler High School in 2000 as salutatorian.  She played four years each of tennis and volleyball.  She went on to Vanderbilt, graduated summa cum laude, got a Master’s degree in Human Resources, and is a consultant in Houston.

His other daughter, Sarah, graduated in 2002 from John Tyler High School.  She played freshman volleyball and four years of varsity soccer.  She graduated cum laude in psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler.

“Both had a great experience with lots of friends.  From subsequent performance, it seems they got a great educational start,” said Dr. Gross.  “They have both told me on numerous occasions that they feel the best part of their high school education was that they now feel comfortable interacting with people of every social and ethnic background.”

Lisa's daughters Ashley and Abby graduated from Brownsboro High School. Abby is a nursing student at Tyler Junior College and Ashley is on the staff of the Blood and Cancer Center of East Texas.