MATIAS DE LLANO CHARITABLE TRUST DONATES $100,000 TO NEW TAMIU BANKING ACADEMY In September, the Matias De Llano Charitable Trust, administered by the International Bank of Commerce, donated $100,000 to TAMIU in a gift earmarked to benefit the newly established Banking Academy at the A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business. 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 outreach, programs, and students strengthens the exceptionality that brands our campus’ experience and mission. This gift initiates a bold new venture answering a critical need for individuals equipped to handle the highly varied banking needs of the border,” said Dr. Arenaz. Dean of the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Dr. Luis A. Pérez-Batres said the Trust’s remarkable generosity jump-starts the development of tomorrow’s highly qualified banking and finance executives for South Texas and beyond. “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. He shared his concern with other local bankers, including retired banker Jim Moore and our former Sanchez School Dean, Dr. Stephen Sears, who spearheaded the initial response,” Dr. Pérez explained. FORMER TAMIU FACULTY MEMBERS DR. JANA AND DR. MICHAEL PISANI REMAIN STRONG SUPPORTERS OF DUSTDEVIL STUDENTS Despite living over 1,600 miles from Laredo in Michigan, former TAMIU faculty members Dr. Jana and Dr. Michael Pisani continue their strong support of TAMIU students. In 2018, they established a $50,000 endowment at TAMIU supporting first-generation University students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This year, they have pledged an additional gift of $25,000, ensuring students can receive renewable support for up to four years. Dr. Jana Pisani, a professor of History at Ferris State University, taught history at TAMIU for five years. "I will always treasure the experience of teaching my TAMIU students because they were so bright, so eager to learn, so curious, and so enjoyable to have in the classroom," she said. Dr. Michael Pisani, a professor of International Business at Central Michigan University, said he has deep connections to the Hispanic community as he has extensively worked in farming with migrant farm workers from México in rural northern California. As first-generation college graduates from workingclass families, the Pisanis understand students from this population need encouragement and support. "Both of us worked our way through college, juggling our studies with employment," Dr. Pisani said, "We hope in some small way that our financial support may lessen the burden, if just a little, for those seeking opportunity through higher education and hard work while achieving academic success," he said. Gift for TAMIU Banking Academy 14
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