Largest Philanthropic Gift in Laredo's
History Provided to TAMIU
by Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust

The gift, announced by Bruni Vergara Trust trustees Judge Solomon Casseb and J. C. Martin III, will support graduate education  scholarships at the University.

TAMIU president Ray Keck said the Trust’s latest gift will catapult the regional university to its next level in growth and development and open new doors for students.

“This is simply a life-changing gift.   It will change the lives of our students and put a graduate education, be it a master’s or doctoral degree, within their grasp.  It moves this University to its next level in growth and development and opens the door wider still to brighter futures here,” Dr. Keck said.

Trustees Casseb and Martin said the Gift is in keeping with the legacy of giving established by the Trust and its dedication to education.

“The late Lamar Bruni Vergara asked that her estate’s legacy support religious, health and educational initiatives in this community that she so completely loved.  We believe that this continues her outstanding legacy in a most meaningful way,” Judge Casseb said.

Martin concurred, noting that Saturday was the 16th anniversary of his late aunt’s passing and the dedication of the Science Center in her honor was especially powerful.

“I think we would all agree that she would find it especially fitting that this Center and Planetarium, dedicated in her honor today, will open minds, just as it opens heavens to Laredoans for generations to come.  I think that she’s smiling quite broadly from above,” Martin said.

The gift will support scholarships and internships for students seeking graduate degrees at TAMIU.

The three-story facility dedicated Saturday is 79,000-square feet in size and includes 40 distinct science labs in addition to classrooms, computer labs, an auditorium, faculty offices and the signature Planetarium. The Trust provided a $2.5 million gift in support of the Center in 2002.  The total construction cost was $24.5 million.

The Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center and Planetarium, designed by Kell-Muñoz Architects of San Antonio, will be home to both science and social sciences faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences.  The first and second floors are dominated by science labs and computer labs, while the third floor is primarily faculty offices.

For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at  956.326.2180, email pais@tamiu.edu, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library 268 or click on tamiu.edu.

TAMIU Dedicates LBV Science Center, Planetarium

TAMIU's Planetarium Open to the Public

Interesting Facts about the Planetarium

For more information Visit our Planetarium

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu