Union Pacific Foundation Provides A&M International $20,000 Grant

Students at Texas A&M International University will now have access to $20,000 in new scholarships thanks to the generosity of the Union Pacific Foundation, philanthropic arm of the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

The grant was presented by Ron Olson, Union Pacific Foundation representative and Carlos Mata, manager of terminal operations for Laredo, at a special luncheon attended by A&M International provost and vice president Dr. Ray Keck and vice president for institutional advancement Michelle A. Alexander.

Olson said the Union Pacific Foundation believes an investment in higher education is an investment in the community served by Union Pacific Railroad.

"We have a long-standing commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we serve and our employees live and work. As our president, Ike Evans, noted, we are proud to support Texas A&M International University and extend our best wishes to it and its students," Olson said.

Dr. Keck said the generosity and corporate citizenship shown the Union Pacific Foundation is laudable.

"The University is grateful to the Union Pacific Foundation for its generosity and fine spirit of corporate citizenship. While the State of Texas has provided us with a remarkable campus and programs, the need for student scholarship assistance is ongoing. We are pleased that the Foundation shares our vision and has provided its support to our students," Keck said.

Combined with past grants, the scholarship support provided by the Foundation now totals over $100,000.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326.2180.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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