TAMIU Annual Report 2019

2019 Annual Report / AWORLDOF DIFFERENCE 5 Donors/ DIFFERENCE As part of the year-long celebration of its 50thAnniversary, Texas A&MInternational University hosted its President’sDinner andAwards in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Great Room. The event highlight was the presentation of the University’s first TAMIU Tower Award Recipients: individuals or groups who have shared a towering role in shaping theUniversity’s destiny andmission. The Inaugural AwardRecipientswere TheKillamFamily, The Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust and the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. Family. The Killam Family name is synonymous with visionary initiatives that have fundamentally changed our nation, county and city. That vision forever empowered higher education in South Texas with the gift of 300 acres of former ranchland that would become home to Texas A&M International University. In doing so, Laredo’s long- cherished dreamof a University campus that would fuel futures was fulfilled. Thatmonumental gift is part of a lasting legacy of innovative partnershipswith theUniversity that span academic, programmatic, research and scholarship support. TheA. R. Sanchez, Jr. Family, titans of innovativebusiness development onmultiple fronts, have ensured that their namesake School of Business fosters an expansive forum for the mind. Through programmatic, research and scholarship support, they have enabled the AACSB Accredited School of Business to excel, earning national ranking and recognition. Additionally, they have encouraged young scholars to explore their academic horizons here througha substancial endowment supporting the Sanchez School's ongoing development. TAMIU Presents First President’s Dinner and Awards While Lamar Bruni Vergara never lived to see the lasting impact her enduring legacymade possible, her Trustees, JoeMartin and Jim Pearl, have ensured that her impact lives on.Whether it is a garden that offers reflective pause, a science laboratory filled with cutting-edge technology, a scholarship endowment that secures student degrees, a Planetariumthat brings the stars a little closer, or a literacy program that nurtures young readers…the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust’s delivery of its namesake’s caring legacy has been fundamentally impactful. “TAMIU has been blessed by the generosity of somany in our community, but the combined legacy of these three Award recipients has fundamentally changed the destiny, secured the mission, and laid a foundation for future success for Texas A&M International University.” - Dr. Pablo Arenaz David Killam, Antonio Sanchez, Jr., Joe Martin and JimPearl join President Arenaz. OUR VISIONARY SPONSORS President Dr. PabloArenaz said the evening initiatedanewtradition and recognized Tower recipients for their remarkable legacy here. “TAMIU has been blessed by the generosity of so many in our community, but the combined legacy of these threeAward recipients has fundamentally changed the destiny, secured themission, and laid a foundation for future success for Texas A&MInternational University. Aswe observe our 50thAnniversary, it’s fitting thatwe pause and reflect on the power and scope of the impact empowered by these families and foundations. We hope to move forward by pausing annually to share additional recognitions,” Dr. Arenaz said. The evening's sponsors included: Visionary Sponsors--City of Laredo,WebbCounty, Texas Community Bank, FalconBank, IBCBank and La PosadaHotel; Leader Sponsors--BBVACompass, andSouthern Distributing. The dinner was provided compliments of Aramark.