Faces of Impact
Philip and Diane Jonsson


“I come back at least once a year, and each time, the University has changed. It’s bigger, taking more of a leadership role. UT Dallas is something to be very, very proud of. It’s affecting Dallas; it’s affecting the whole United States.”

— Philip Jonsson

With a direct connection to UTD's roots, this second generation of leaders continue to drive the University’s founding vision.

Philip Jonsson is the son of UT Dallas co-founder J. Erik Jonsson. Philip and his wife, Diane, are ardent supporters of the University and the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Honorary chairs of the Jonsson School Executive Council, the couple established the Jonsson Family Graduate Fellowship in Bioengineering and have generously supported research at the Center for BrainHealth since 2011.

Their leadership in the Jonsson School’s Fearless 2020 initiative helped spur record giving to the school, enabling greater access to higher education for underrepresented and non-traditional students and supporting core priorities in teaching and research.

Philip also served as honorary co-chair of UT Dallas’ Realize the Vision campaign from 2009 to 2014. At the 2019 UT Dallas Awards Gala, his contributions to the University were recognized with the Gifford K. Johnson Community Service Award.

Through the Philip R. Jonsson Foundation, the couple also supports education, health and youth social services.

Jonsson School Executive Council

Philip and Diane Jonsson (center) are members of the Jonsson School Executive Council and ardent supporters of UT Dallas.