Falcon International Bank Gifts TAMIU Student Scholarship Fund

Students at Texas A&M International University have a new champion for their higher education in Hugo A. Gutierrez Sr. and Adolfo E. Gutierrez, chairman of the Board and president, respectively, of Falcon International Bank.

Falcon International Bank has provided a $5,000 gift in support of TAMIU’s student scholarship fund in honor of Gutierrez Sr.  At a recent TAMIU reception, the Gutierrez’ met with the four students who will benefit from their gift. (photo)

The students are all TAMIU freshmen and May 2005 graduates of United South High School.  They are:  Kayla Nicole Brewster, Yevette Castro, Jenny Ramirez and Gabriela Ruiz.

Candy Hein, TAMIU vice president of institutional advancement, said the University salutes the Gutierrez’ family’s generosity and vision.

“This a fine example of a local business sharing its good fortune with the generation to come and helping to better the future of our students and our community as they do so.  We hope that others follow the example set by Falcon International Bank,” Hein said.

Sabas Zapata III, executive vice president of marketing for Falcon International Bank, said the Bank and the Gutierrez family were happy to partner with the University.

“We are all big believers in the power of higher  education.  We know that this is one way to help make a difference and to insure that we all have brighter futures.  We look forward to hearing of these students’ educational and career success and are glad to have a role in helping their dreams to come true,” Zapata said.

Falcon International Bank has assets of over $424 million. A family-owned privately held business, it has served the Laredo market for 18 years and was named 172nd in the top Hispanic-owned firms in the United States “Hispanic Business 500” in the June 2005 issue of Hispanic Business Magazine.

That same magazine recently recognized the bank as 74th on its list of 100 fastest-growing Hispanic-owned businesses. In 2004 the Gutierrez family was honored by the Laredo Chamber of Commerce as the Distinguished Business Persons of the Year.

For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Institutional Advancement at 326.2175, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 261 or e-mail chein@tamiu.edu

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 Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu