Delfina & Josefina Alexander Family Foundation Announces TAMIU Gift

The lasting legacy of two Laredo sisters will in turn further the legacies of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students.

At TAMIU Monday, Trustees of the Delfina and Josefina Alexander Family Foundation announced a gift of $500,000 to TAMIU that will support student scholarships and emergencies. Students who are awarded a scholarship under this gift agreement will be known as the “Delfina and Josefina Alexander Scholars.”

The Foundation that honors the sisters said the gift was in keeping with the goals of their Foundation.

“The purpose of the Foundation is to receive and maintain real or personal property, or both, and to use and apply the income and principal exclusively for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, educational, purposes and also for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. This gift to TAMIU will further its educational focus and assist these students in reaching their higher education and career goals,” said Judith Zaffirini, president of the Foundation.

Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president, said the gift is momentous and will be crucial for deserving students.

“Many TAMIU students qualify for and need scholarship or emergency assistance. A gift of this size can help us make a difference in the lives of many students. With budget cuts and tightened resources for both the University, students and their families, this could not have happened at a better time,” Dr. Keck said.

Keck introduced the first recipient of the Delfina and Josefina Alexander Scholarship, Valerie Garza, a junior Communications Disorders major.

The Delfina and Josefina Alexander Family Foundation was formed in 1998, by the late Delfina Alexander, and Josefina Alexander Gonzalez. The Alexander sisters and their mother, the late Delfina Benavides Alexander, contributed the land for the John B. Alexander High School, which is named after their brother, a World War II hero killed in action. The Alexanders also contributed the land for the fire station near TAMIU.

The Foundation regularly provides scholarships to Alexander High School graduates and makes regular contributions to local churches.

The sisters also are the developers of the exclusive local residential area, D. and J. Alexander Estates, and established several businesses managed today by their trustees, namely, Judith Zaffirini, Clarissa Chapa, and David Arredondo.

The trustees also serve as officers of the Alexander Foundation: Senator Judith Zaffirini, president; Clarissa Chapa, vice president; and David Arredondo, secretary-treasurer.

For additional information, contact Candy Hein, TAMIU’s vice president for institutional advancement, at 326-GIVE (4483), email candy.hein@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library 261.

TAMIU’s Summer Session I begins Monday, June 4. Summer Session II begins Monday, July 9. Course offerings for Summer at TAMIU have been expanded in response to student requests for additional offerings.

The University’s online Summer and Fall schedules are available at schedule.tamiu.edu. Fall 2012 classes start Aug. 23.

For more information, please contact the Office of the University Registrar at 956.326.2250, e-mail registrar@tamiu.edu, click on tamiu.edu/affairs/registrar or visit offices located in the University Success Center, suite 121.

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