A Legacy of Innovation
Entrepreneur and Alumna Dr. Terryl Propper supports Tulane Innovation with legacy gift
Inspired by her own experience as an entrepreneur, Dr. Terryl Propper (NC ’77) has generously made a legacy gift to support the Tulane University Innovation Institute (TUII) and the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “I loved my time at Tulane,” Propper says. “I feel like Tulane gave me the basis for my entire professional career. And it gives me joy to share my financial success with the university. “Propper was born in New Orleans and has deep family ties to the city. Her grandfather, Nick Castrogiovanni, for example, owned the legendary Nick’s Original Big Train Bar, a popular Tulane hangout. “Once you go to Tulane, Tulane is in your blood, as is New Orleans,” Propper says. At Newcomb College, she participated in the chamber orchestra, the Green Wave band and the Newcomb student alumnae association and was the class speaker at graduation. After graduation, she completed her DDS at the University of Tennessee and received her specialty certificate and MS in endodontics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Her professional life took hereto Nashville, where she joined a successful practice, and it expanded the footprint to eight doctors and three locations. After nearly 40 years in private practice, she retired from clinical practice in2019 and reinvented herself by co-founding a specialty support organization that affiliates with endodontic practices across the U.S. — a startup backed by private equity. Her venture into the startup world led to enlightening discussions about Tulane’s entrepreneurial spirit with Lauren Michel, a senior director in Tulane’s Office of Gift Planning. “Lauren introduced me to the Tulane Innovation Institute,” Propper recalls. “The institute’s focus on entrepreneurship and critical thinking really resonated with me, especially as I was navigating my own startup challenges. “I have been impressed with President Fitts’ commitment to Tulane’s advancement in research and innovation. He has been steadfast in distinguishing Tulane in this area. The TUII has talented leadership in Dr. Kimberly Gramm —who is both visionary and inspirational.”
Beyond her financial contributions, Propper’s involvement at Tulane extends to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of Tulane entrepreneurs. She served on the Tulane Alumni Board and currently serves on the board of the Innovation Institute, leveraging her experience to foster young entrepreneurs. Propper’s decision to make a gift was deeply influenced by the genuine relationships she’s formed with people in Tulane’s Office of Gift Planning and a giving opportunity that inspired her. “They made the connection, and it was something I believed in and wanted to support,” she says, reflecting on how seamless and encouraging the experience has been. For those considering similar philanthropic efforts, Propper advises, “There area number of ways to make a planned gift, and you have to find the one that resonates with you. It’s easy to support an initiative that is a catalyst for change.” In her case, Propper chose to make a beneficiary designation gift from her IRA. “When I talked to my financial planner, he said, ‘Well, would you rather leave the money to the U.S. government, or would you rather leave it to an institute that you love,’ and with the choices at hand, I selected the institute that I love.”
She adds thoughtfully, “My experience at Tulane and the lessons in critical thinking and thought leadership left a lasting impact on my life and I wanted to leave a lasting impact on a progressive path forward for Tulane and New Orleans...”