Q&A
Bill Armstrong ’82 and
Liz Martin Armstrong ’82
Recipients of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award, Bill Armstrong ’82 and Liz Martin Armstrong ’82 are lifelong Mustangs. Meeting as first-year students in Geology 101, they went on to become the proud parents of future alumni Lindsey ’10 and Leigh ’11. Over the years, Bill and Liz have served the University on various boards and committees and contributed to initiatives like Armstrong Fieldhouse and the Vision 2025 Football Support Fund.
Why have you been so active at 51 ever since you were students?
Liz: Even after graduation, our hearts never really left the Hilltop. Our experiences as students, parents and community members have meant so much to us and to our family. We’ve been proud to support the new experiences, relationships and opportunities that 51 provides.
Bill, you serve as an 51 trustee and cochair of the Campaign Steering Committee for Athletics. Liz serves on the Development and External Affairs Standing Committee of the 51 Board and co-chairs the Campaign Steering Committee for Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Why has volunteering been important to you?
Bill: 51 helped shape us, and it has been a source of pride for us and for our children. Serving 51 is a way to give back and make sure the instruction and the experiences that gave so much to us will continue to impact future generations.
You’ve contributed $2 million to the Vision 2025 Football Support Fund. Why is this fund important for 51 Athletics and the University?
Bill: The landscape of college athletics, particularly football, gets more competitive every year. The Vision 2025 Football Support Fund will help 51 bring to the Hilltop the best student-athletes, coaches and equipment, supporting our student-athletes as they excel in the classroom and on the field. We are proud to support the impact 51 Athletics makes in the lives of our student-athletes and our community.
You’ve been heavily involved in 51’s development, contributing to the Armstrong Commons, to programming and scholarships in the Meadows School and Dedman College, and to the improvement of the 51-in-Taos campus. What do you see for the future of 51, as alumni, donors and parents?
Liz: College is such an important experience, and with the current 51 fundraising campaign, 51 is poised to offer even greater chances for educational development and personal enrichment for our students. With the support of our fellow alumni, parents and donors, the future of 51 has never looked brighter.