TAMIU Receives $100,000 Matias De Llano Charitable Trust Gift in Support of Banking Academy

The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust, administered by the International Bank of Commerce (IBC Bank), has donated $100,000 to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) as part of the Trust’s continuing mission of doing more for Laredo.

The gift, specifically earmarked to benefit the newly established Banking Academy at the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, was fittingly presented in the Matias De Llano Trust Auditorium in TAMIU’s Academic Innovation Center this Tuesday.

TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz said the University is honored to bring the Banking Academy to the Sanchez School and noted The Trust’s substantial legacy of generosity at TAMIU.

“We are honored to bring the Banking Academy here and to be ongoing beneficiaries of the Matias De Llano Charitable Trust.  Their legacy support of our outreach, programs, and students strengthens the exceptionality that infuses our campus’ experience and mission.  This latest gift helps initiate a bold new venture that answers a critical need for individuals equipped to handle the highly varied banking needs along the U.S-México border and beyond,” said Dr. Arenaz.

Dean of the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, Dr. Luis A. Perez-Batres, who joined the University in June 2024, said the Trust’s remarkable generosity will jump-start the development of tomorrow’s highly qualified banking and finance executives for South Texas and beyond.

Dr. Perez shared the Banking Academy’s origins, development, and relevance.

“The Banking Academy is a direct response to a pressing community need identified a couple of years ago by Ignacio Urrabazo, CEO and President of Commerce Bank. He firmly believed that having a local institution offering education and training for the banking industry is crucial for our region’s continued prosperity and shared his concern with our former Sanchez School Dean, Dr. Stephen Sears, who spearheaded the initial response. 

“Having met Mr. Urrabazo in May 2024, just before joining TAMIU, I found his vision compelling. The Sanchez School team recognized the lasting impact it could have on the region and students' lives. 

“The School was thrilled to develop further a proposal focusing on co-curricular action-based learning methods with the support of University colleagues Dr. Amit Ghosh and others, and the endorsement of president Dr. Pablo Arenaz and provost Dr. Claudia San Miguel. We are also grateful for local backing including retired banker Jim Moore, and Oscar Cisneros of the TCB Junior Bank Board, in addition to the noteworthy contributions of Dr. Sears and members of the Sanchez School team,” Dr. Perez explained.

On behalf of the Trust Committee of The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust, Dennis E. Nixon, CEO of International Bank of Commerce, said the Trust is steadfast in its commitment to realizing the late philanthropist’s dream for his Trust.

“Mr. De Llano directed that the Trust continue his legacy by helping the community he lived in and loved.  This special gift expands that legacy of caring by providing new opportunities for our community to engage with and be empowered by our hometown University,” Nixon explained.

 The Trust’s legacy at TAMIU has included student scholarships and a Ph.D. Endowment for the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, the Engineering Program, the TAMIU-KLRN Studio, the Jackson Art Exhibit, and in 2016, the gift of the Heritage Edition of The St. John’s Bible in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library’s Great Room. TAMIU’s Matias De Llano Trust Auditorium bears his name in recognition of the comprehensive spectrum of support the Trust has provided the University.

The late Matias De Llano, Jr. established the Trust. He was born in Laredo in 1918, one of eight children. He attended Laredo schools and the New Mexico Military Academy and was a veteran of World War II.

His father, Matias De Llano, Sr., founded the Texas Hat Company, formerly one of the country's largest manufacturers of straw hats, where De Llano, Jr., worked for many years. De Llano, Jr. had a zest for life and helping the disadvantaged. He contributed to many causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Sacred Heart Children’s Home, and other charitable organizations. Laredo’s Matias De Llano Elementary School was built and named in his honor.

De Llano, Jr. enjoyed many close friendships, including the friendship of his beloved nieces and nephews. He often said his favorite sport was enjoying life with his friends.

The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust was established under his Last Will on April 1, 2003, appointing IBC Bank as sole trustee. Since 2004, the Trust has donated more than $10.4 million to local organizations and schools.  Year to date, approximately 20% of Trust gifts have come to TAMIU.

De Llano, Jr. directed his legacy to be continued by the Trust by helping the community he lived in and loved. He was especially focused on assisting children and the less fortunate.  The Trust intends to maintain the corpus while distributing the annual income to charitable organizations in Laredo for many years to come.

The Sanchez School, which honors namesake Laredo businessman and philanthropist Antonio R. “Tony” Sanchez, Jr., is home to four undergraduate degrees with two majors and 10 concentrations, three master’s degrees, including Professional Accounting, and one doctoral degree--the Ph.D. in International Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Management. Online programs include the MBA with concentrations in Criminal Justice, Healthcare Administration, International Banking and Finance; International Business (also offered in Spanish) ;  International Trade and Logistics; Management, and the Master of Science in Information Science.

The School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). It is currently constructing a 27,000 square-foot, two-story addition to its Western Hemispheric Trade Center, part of a $71.2 million campus expansion.

For more on the A.R. Sanchez School of Business Banking Academy, email Dr. Perez-Batres at l.perez@tamiu.edu, call 956.326.2480, or visit offices in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, Suite 203.

For more on partnering in TAMIU’s advancement, contact Rosanne Palacios, TAMIU vice president for Institutional Advancement, at rosanne.palacios@tamiu.edu, phone 956.326.2178 or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Suite 262.

ABOUT TAMIU

TAMIU has been recognized as one of the nation's Top Ten-ranked Southern Colleges in Washington Monthly Magazine's 2024 College Guide "Best Bang for the Buck," ranking #5.  TAMIU also earned a # 2 ranking for low net price. 

 Niche, a Pittsburgh-based company that annually ranks colleges awarded TAMIU an overall grade of A-.  Other Niche TAMIU rankings included being recognized as the #4 Best Value in Texas, #7, Top Public Universities in Texas, and the #11 Best College in Texas. 

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