Campaign Priorities
In 2004, we conducted a feasibility study for our campaign. Based on results of the study and in counsel with our Foundation Board and other trusted alumni, friends, faculty and staff, we have identified a primary goal of $4.1 million for this campaign. Once we reach that vital goal, we have challenged ourselves to raise an additional $3.9 million and ultimately reach a goal of $8 million. We have developed the following priorities for our primary goals:
| Our primary goals for Building on Our Traditions | |
|---|---|
| Endowed academic scholarships | $1,100,000 |
| Endowed scholarships for student athletes | $500,000 |
| Endowed professorships | $1,000,000 |
| Faculty research endowment | $500,000 |
| Planned gifts - endowed academic scholarships | $500,000 |
| Planned gifts - endowed professorships & research endowment | $500,000 |
| Total | $4,100,000 |
Student Support
$1,600,000
Faculty Support
$1,500,000
Planned Gifts
$1,000,000
Student Support: $1,600,000
Endowed Academic Scholarships ($1,100,000)
The rising cost of a college education is among the most common challenges for many students, and as state support has decreased, we have been forced to increase tuition in order to continue meeting the needs of the university.
Endowed scholarships not only help turn our students’ goals into achievements, but they also help us attract high-achieving students to the university. Every university is vying for the nation’s best and brightest students; we need to offer competitive scholarship packages in order to attract more of these students to Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Scholarship gifts may be unrestricted, which allows for the greatest flexibility in helping our students, or they may be designated for specific programs. With an endowed scholarship, the principal always remains intact; therefore, your gift provides assistance to students in perpetuity.
Endowed Scholarships for Student Athletes ($500,000)
Historically, our student athletes have brought glory and a winning tradition to the university. Through the talents of our student athletes, the university owns seven national football titles and 26 Lone Star Conference (LSC) titles. The women’s basketball team holds one LSC title and boasts one appearance at the Elite 8, and the men’s team claims two titles. Our men’s and women’s track and field and cross country teams hold a total of four LSC titles. The baseball team has three LSC championships while the softball team has one.
Our student athletes have maintained this level of success along with being accomplished in the classroom. An athletic scholarship endowment would allow the university to independently fund a significant portion of its athletic scholarships and also recruit and retain top quality student athletes who can help take us to the next level of prominence in collegiate sports.
Faculty Support: $1,500,000
Endowed Professorships ($1,000,000)
Just as attracting high quality students has become more competitive between universities, so has recruiting the best faculty. To preserve our programs of distinction and to build new ones, we must have notable faculty on campus. Endowed professorships help the university to attract and retain faculty who demonstrate expertise in their fields through their research, scholarship and teaching. These endowments will provide salaries, research support and office resources for highly qualified faculty who are leading scholars in their fields. In turn, these faculty members will serve as inspirational leaders across our campus and provide a vibrant learning environment for our students.
Faculty Research Endowment ($500,000)
Texas A&M-Kingsville is well known for its widely respected research entities in agriculture, engineering and biomedical sciences. This endowment would enable us to support and encourage future research in these fields as well as to provide opportunities in emerging research areas such as pharmacy and our King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management.
Our goal is to provide researchers with increased opportunities to pursue their studies and scholarly activity. With sufficient resources, our faculty can make important discoveries and bring further distinction to the university. Some of those who already have brought acclaim to the university include:
- Dr. David Murphy also holds patents for improved chemical processes
- Dr. Sarah Gill placed first in the Young Artist Competition sponsored by the Flute Society of Kentucky
- Dr. Steven Lukefahr is a world renowned rabbit geneticist and an alumnus of the university
- Dr. Apurba Bhattacharya holds a patent for improving the production process for acetaminophen
- Santa Barraza is an internationally recognized Southwestern artist
- Dr. John Perez is an award winning venom researcher and founder of the internationally respected Natural Toxins
Faculty research also provides a unique learning opportunity for our students because they work alongside our researchers. Our undergraduate and graduate students receive hands-on experiences that better prepare them for advanced degrees or professional careers in science, technology and higher education.
Future Endowment through Planned Gifts: $1,000,000
One goal of our campaign is to include everyone who wants to contribute to our success. Some of our supporters are able to assist the university immediately with gifts of cash, real estate and securities. Others may wish to contribute through their wills, gift annuities, charitable trusts, life insurance or retirement plans. These planned gifts help to ensure that the university will provide endowed scholarships and faculty support far into our future, so they are crucial to our success.
Going Above and Beyond
| Our additional challenge goals for Building on Our Traditions | |
|---|---|
| Endowed academic scholarships | $1,000,000 |
| Scholarships for student athletes | $1,000,000 |
| Endowed professorships | $300,000 |
| Faculty research endowment | $300,000 |
| Technological improvements | $300,000 |
| Planned gifts - endowed academic scholarships | $500,000 |
| Planned gifts - endowed scholarships for student athletes | $500,000 |
| Total challenge goal | $3,900,000 |
| Grand total: | $8,000,000 |
Once we achieve our primary goal of raising $4.1 million for the university, we plan to continue working toward an ultimate goal of $8 million. By raising the bar for ourselves, we will be able to provide additional support for our students and faculty, and we also will be able to make other technological improvements on campus to further benefit the campus community.
Texas A&M-Kingsville has designated the Texas A&M-Kingsville Foundation to receive and administer gifts for this campaign. The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation, Inc. is an independent, private, (501(c)(3) non-profit corporation (federal tax I.D. 23-7166534) that exists for the sole purpose of supporting the university, providing an average of more than $1 million per year in support to the university through earnings from more than 65 endowments.