W.W. “Bill” Caruth III was honored for his civic and philanthropic contributions at a luncheon hosted by the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) on May 6 at the Museum of Biblical Art. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the W.W. Caruth III Endowed Scholarship at GIAL.
Caruth was a founding member of the Board of Trustees of GIAL, and has served as the chairman of the board of trustees of GIAL since 2003.
GIAL is an upper level undergraduate school and graduate school located in the southwest corner of Dallas, providing training for applied linguistics, world arts and language development work with minority languages around the world.
“I met Bill Caruth 20 years ago and he has been a strong supporter and encourager of GIAL ever since it was first considered,” said Dr. David A. Ross, GIAL president. “He brought prior experience in board governance of institutions of higher education, as well as a passion for communication and translation across language and culture boundaries worldwide.”
A video was shown with many beneficiaries expressing thanks to Caruth, illustrating the depth and variety of his support for numerous organizations throughout the community. Featured were R. Gerald Turner, president of S.M.U.; Mrs. Nelson Bunker Hunt (Caroline), Katie Pedigo, executive director of New Friends New Life; David T. Ross, director of philanthropy services at Tolleson Wealth Management; and Jay McAuley, president and CEO for Texas Health Presbyterian Foundation.
The scholarship fund shows his commitment for helping minority communities throughout the world and was established by Tolleson Wealth Management. With nearly 3700 languages worldwide, only half have a written language. GIAL students learn how to develop an alphabet and an appropriate writing system so that they can promote literacy to cultures in their own languages.
In a second video, Caruth expressed his passion for GIAL’s work.
“When cultures read the Bible in their own language, it not only changes that person, but the community and its place in the world forever,” said Caruth.
Caruth is a descendent of the pioneer family that established their homestead in the Dallas area in 1848. The Caruths owned thousands of acres of North Dallas land that stretched from Downtown Dallas north to Forest Lane and from Inwood Road east to Abrams. The Caruth Farm legacy is now the site for some of Dallas’ most prestigious properties, including Southern Methodist University, Uptown, the West End, Highland Park, University Park and NorthPark Center.
He is the chairman of the Hillcrest Foundation of Dallas which was founded in 1957 by Mrs. W. W. Caruth, Sr. (Earle Clark Caruth). Over the years, the Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in grants to charitable organizations in Texas for the advancement of education, the promotion of health and the relief of poverty. More than 100 grants are given annually to local area organizations.
Along with wife Minnie, Caruth supports the law enforcement community and victims of family violence, both through philanthropic efforts as well as community and political advocacy.
The Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL), located at the International Linguistics Center, Dallas was incorporated March 31, 1998. However, it has a rich history dating back to 1972, when linguistics classes commenced on the International Linguistics Center campus.
In fall 1999, G IAL opened its doors to students offering graduate degrees in Applied Linguistics and Language Development.
Over 1,200 students have enrolled since classes began. Alumni are now serving in over 75 countries, focused on the holistic development of those people groups whose mother tongue languages have no written form.
GIAL provides training in the scientific study of language and culture to equip graduates for translation, literacy, and language-based development. The institute is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master's degrees.
GIAL offers an undergraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics as well as three degree programs: A Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics, a Master of Arts in Language and Culture Studies and a Master of Arts in World Arts. In 2014, GIAL received accreditation for an undergraduate degree and now also offers a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.
Photos by Chuck Clark