COMMERCE, TX — East Texas A&M University has received an $8 million gift from alumnus Rene’ Griffin, the largest single philanthropic contribution in the university’s history and the largest naming rights gift in the 63-year history of the Southland Conference.
In recognition of the donation, the university’s new event center, currently under construction, will be named the Rene’ Griffin Event Center. The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved the naming earlier today.
Griffin, a 1975 graduate and Commerce native, has supported the university and Lion Athletics for decades. University officials said the gift represents a culmination of his longstanding involvement, which includes serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and as president of the Delta Tau Delta Education Foundation. Griffin has attended every Lion Football homecoming game for the past 65 years.
Construction on the event center is expected to be completed in early 2027. The multi-use facility will serve as the home of Lion basketball and function as a hub for student life and community engagement. University leaders said it is also expected to drive economic growth across Northeast Texas.
The gift will establish a new athletics unrestricted fund supporting student-athletes and competitive excellence initiatives. It will also create an endowment for the facility’s operations and maintenance and launch a new fund supporting students’ academic and social experiences.
The naming agreement will span 20 years.
