TAMIU employees generate record $1.2M in student support,challenge others to join them on TAMIU Giving Day

For 50 years, students attending Laredo’s hometown university have had powerful allies providing financial support and encouragement: University faculty and staff. Over the years, their giving spirit has generated $1.2 million in student scholarship support and more.

Through three identities as Texas A&I University at Laredo, Laredo State University and now Texas A&M International University, employee commitment has flourished, and their giving has encouraged others, explained TAMIU vice president for Institutional Advancement Rosanne Palacios.

“It’s really quite impressive, those who daily help encourage and educate our students have always been there for them, quietly giving and helping,” Palacios said. “A lot of colleges and universities don’t enjoy this sort of enduring support. In our most recent staff and faculty giving campaign, 60% of employees gave, generating over $65,300. I always remind potential donors that their gift joins support that our employees provide each and every year. I think it says a lot about how much our employees not only treasure TAMIU, but how they want to ensure that our students succeed.”

She said that as the community readies for Thanksgiving, they are encouraging others to join the university in being part of its annual TAMIU Giving Day.

“In this most challenging of years, we still have much to be thankful for, and we hope that others will join us in our ‘Giving Day,’ Tuesday, Nov. 17 and share in TAMIU’s giving spirit,” she said.

Giving Day for 2020 will come with challenges and a time extension, she explained.

“As we brought our 50th Anniversary Celebration year to its conclusion, we decided to continue celebrating TAMIU’s history by creating the ‘1970 Challenge,’ the theme for this year’s Giving Day. The 1970 Challenge will extend for approximately 1,970 minutes, about 33 hours, to commemorate our university’s founding year. The campaign ends Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m.

“We’ll also be including a total of five challenges during specific timeframes. The fund with the most donors with a minimum $5 gift wins the challenge and receives an additional $1,000 for their cause,” Palacios said.

Donors can make their gift online at alumni.tamiu.edu/givingday.

Last year’s TAMIU Giving Day raised over $53,000 for scholarships and campus programs thanks to over 600 generous donors. Giving occurred online, through a crowdfunding platform and through cash and check donations. Funds supported student Leadership Programs and Dusty’s Food Pantry, which fights food insecurity. Also benefiting were the Reading the Globe program, specific TAMIU colleges and schools, robotics and art programs. All funds are directed to help students, and their impact is immediate. Students participating in the campaign represented 32% of gifts.

“Despite the pandemic, this fall TAMIU celebrated record-breaking enrollment. Greater enrollment increases the demand for student scholarships and program and resource support, all of which can be helped by donor partnership,” Palacios said .

She said the community’s role in TAMIU’s success is a special legacy.

“Our friends here in Laredo and beyond play an important legacy role in helping TAMIU create the next generation of local, state and global leaders. The university and the community are one and the same. When TAMIU prospers, Laredo does too. While TAMIU is an international university, the majority of students are from Laredo and Webb County. We hope the community will join us in support of their university Nov. 17 and be a part of our giving spirit,” Palacios said.

For additional information, contact Palacios at (956) 326-GIVE(4483), email gobeyond@tamiu.edu, click on alumni.tamiu.edu/givingday or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 262.