Christina Hixson, right, speaks at a Lied Center expansion ceremony Thursday. Hixson, the sole trustee of the Ernst F. Lied Foundation Trust, gave 0 million of the trust's money to build the Lied Center in the 1980s. Hixson has been named a life trustee of the Kansas University Endowment Association. At left is KU chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little.

The Kansas University Endowment Association has named longtime KU benefactor Christina Hixson as a life trustee of the association.

Just two other KU donors have received the designation — Al Self and former Senator Bob Dole.

Hixson, of Las Vegas, is the sole trustee of the Ernst F. Lied Foundation Trust, and has made possible more than $24 million in philanthropic support for KU — $22.7 million from the foundation and $1.6 million in personal support.

Dale Seuferling, KU Endowment president, said the honor was a way to recognize Hixson’s record of giving to KU that extends over a period of more than 20 years.

“She is very focused on carrying out the legacy of Ernst Lied and what he established for the Lied Foundation,” Seuferling said.

The most recent donation was celebrated Thursday as KU leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony to honor the foundation’s $2.5 million gift to expand the Lied Center. In 1988, the foundation gave $10 million for the construction of the $14.3 million facility.

Since its opening, Seuferling said the facility has been a testament to what private giving can accomplish at KU. More than 1 million patrons have taken in lectures, performances and other events at the building since it opened in 1993.

“With events ranging from Broadway shows this week to the chancellor’s inauguration this weekend, it’s one of the busiest places on campus,” Seuferling said.