LaredoBuzz.Com

           A $1 million gift from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust will create the Lamar Bruni Vergara Endowment Fund to provide emergency financial assistance to qualified students at Texas A&M International University.

            The Endowment Fund was announced Tuesday by  Trustees Judge Solomon Casseb Jr. and J. C. Martin III.

            The Trustees said they hoped that the Endowment would provide an added measure of security for TAMIU students who may experience temporary financial challenges.

            “In today’s economic climate, we’re well aware of the challenges that can suddenly affect hard-working TAMIU students and perhaps threaten to derail their dream of a higher education.  This Endowment is designed to provide the University with an additional avenue of providing qualified students with the help they need,” said Judge Casseb.
            

Trustee Martin concurred.  “Very often, these challenges we’re speaking about are temporary and can be resolved – but their timing can often create real concerns for students and their families.  Setting up this Endowment furthers the vision that Lamar Bruni Vergara had for supporting higher education here and we believe we are truly honoring her memory through this new initiative,” said Martin.

            TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck said the University and its students are humbled by the Trust’s Endowment and committed to deserving its generosity.

            “Universities of distinction are universities that have Endowments to supplement institutional funding to better address critical needs.  No one is more deserving than our students and this Endowment will help them secure their higher education future without the worry of a financial shortfall.  I know they appreciate this and will work diligently to be deserving of the Trust’s partnership,” Dr. Keck said.

           The Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust’s partnership presence is seen throughout TAMIU’s campus and programs.  It has supported profound scholarship assistance, and built the Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center and Planetarium and  Lamar Bruni Vergara Memorial Garden.

           To date, it has provided over $15 million in gifts to TAMIU including, in 2005, the largest cash philanthropic gift in Laredo’s history, $10 million, which accompanied the dedication of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center and Planetarium.

           For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Institutional Advancement at 956.326.2175, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 260, email chein@tamiu.edu  or click on tamiu.edu