Family members of the late restaurateur and philanthropist T.J. Moran, who died in May at the age of 84, have presented LSU with a $1 million gift to be split between four campus programs, the university announced today.
“For more than 40 years, LSU has been an instrumental part of our lives. Dad proudly watched all five of his children and one granddaughter become Tigers, with a total of eight LSU degrees earned by them. Through his connection with this wonderful institution, not only did Dad make lifelong friends, including Dale Brown, Bo Bahnsen, Robert Justis, Scott Berg and many others, but he also helped countless kids pursue their dreams by providing educational support along the way,” the family says in a prepared statement. “We are honored that his legacy will live on through the students and programs that will benefit from this gift.”
The donation from the T.J. Moran Family Foundation will benefit the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Manship School of Mass Communication, E. J. Ourso College of Business and College of Human Sciences & Education, all of which will receive $250,000.
Moran opened the first franchise of Ruth’s Chris Steak House in 1975 in Baton Rouge and held franchises in 11 other cities. He also successfully founded Baton Rouge restaurants such as TJ Ribs, Ninfa’s Mexican Restaurant and Ruffino’s Italian Restaurant. Though he grew up in Chicago and earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin, Moran spent much of his life in Baton Rouge.
“T.J. Moran was an esteemed member of our community who contributed in countless ways to the local business and nonprofit sectors,” says LSU President F. King Alexander in a prepared statement. “Part of his business philosophy was a commitment to serving the communities where his restaurants were located. LSU is humbled by his generous decision to extend this commitment to LSU. T.J. Moran’s legacy lives on in the meaningful difference that this selfless gift will make in each area it supports.”
LSU has more details on today’s announcement.
