A&M International Recipient of Prestigious CASE Award for Development

Texas A&M International University has been named the recipient of a national honor for its development program by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in Washington, D.C.

The Educational Fund Raising Award represents the data-driven portion of CASE's Circle of Excellence Awards Program that honors model programs in development.

The Award is for Overall Improvement and is based on data collected via a survey by the Council for Aid to Education's Voluntary Support of Education.

Dr. Charles Jennett, University president, said the award aptly heralds the University's continued growth and endorses its community-based development program.

"This is a recognition of our development initiatives and our ability to partner with our community in generating the support needed to enhance our program development, campus construction and student scholarships. We applaud CASE's selection of our program as directed by Michelle A. Alexander, vice president for institutional advancement, and look forward to continuing to grow with our service community and region," Dr. Jennett said.

Alexander, who has been a part of the University administration since 1998, came to A&M International from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

She said that while the award recognizes the University's overall improvement in its development efforts, it also serves to reinforce the importance of partnerships.

"This award attests to the importance of community-based advancement efforts that work to provide relevant ways for private philanthropy to enhance our programs, campus and our students' experience here. We appreciate the partnership of our community and this award underscores those partnerships," she said.

CASE, headquartered in Washington, DC, with an office in London, England, is the professional organization for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications, and development.

CASE's membership includes more than 3,000 colleges, universities, and independent elementary and secondary schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and 42 other countries. CASE is the largest nonprofit education association in terms of institutional membership, serving more than 38,000 advancement professionals on the staffs of member institutions and more than 23,000 professional members.

CASE helps its members build stronger relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession, and foster public support of education.

For additional information, please contact the Office for Institutional Advancement at 326.2175 or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 262.

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