Matias De Llano Charitable Trust Presents $400,000 Gift to TAMIU
The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust, administered by International Bank of Commerce (IBC Bank) donated a total of $400,000 to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). IBC Bank Trust Committee representatives presented the checks to TAMIU president Ray Keck and KLRN president and CEO Mario Vazquez this week.
A donation of $250,000 will benefit TAMIU’s Engineering Program. To better serve its students and respond to increased enrollment, the University plans to expand its engineering program offerings to include new engineering degrees.
“We are most humbled by the generous support provided by our partner, the Matias de Llano Charitable Trust and the IBC Bank Trust Committee. The Trust has long helped the University to further student dreams through dedicated scholarship programs. This dynamic gift will further fuel two areas of TAMIU program growth: engineering and communication. Both hold tremendous interest for our students, and allow them to realize new possibilities and career futures. We believe that Mr. De Llano’s vision for his Trust’s mission is truly being manifested by this remarkable gift to TAMIU,” said Dr. Keck.
The second donation of $150,000 was granted to help establish a KLRN Television studio on the TAMIU campus. The contribution will be used to purchase and install new video production equipment to produce programs locally and for TAMIU’s Communication program.
Matias De Llano was born in Laredo, Texas in 1918 to Mr. and Mrs. Matias De Llano. One of eight children, he attended Laredo schools as well as the New Mexico Military Academy and was a veteran of World War II.
His father was the founder of the Texas Hat Company, at one time one of the largest manufacturers of straw hats in the country. De Llano was employed by the Hat Company for many years. He had a zest for life and for helping the disadvantaged. He contributed to many causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Sacred Heart Children’s Home, and many other charitable organizations. Laredo’s Matias De Llano Elementary School was built and named in his honor.
De Llano enjoyed many close friendships, including his beloved nieces and nephews, and others. He often said his favorite sport was being with his friends and enjoying life.
The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust was established on April 1, 2003, under his Last Will and Testament. De Llano appointed IBC Bank as sole Trustee of his Trust and directed that the Trust continue his legacy by helping the community that he lived in and loved. He was especially interested in the Trust assisting children and the less fortunate.
The Trust intends to maintain the corpus of the Trust while distributing the annual income to charitable organizations in Laredo for many years to come.
IBC BankLaredo is a member of International Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ: IBOC), a $12.1 billion multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with 215 facilities and more than 335 ATMs serving 88 communities in Texas and Oklahoma. International Bancshares Corporation was named one of the nation’s 100 most trustworthy companies by Forbes in 2012.
More information is available at www.ibc.com or on YouTube channel, IBCBankWeDoMore.
ABOUT KLRN-TV
KLRN-TV is the Public Television station for South Central Texas and broadcasts to a 30-county region. The mission of KLRN is to enrich the lives of people throughout South Central Texas through the power of communication – providing quality programs and services that advance education, art and culture, and community. Visit klrn.org
ABOUT TAMIU
A Member of The Texas A&M University System, TAMIU is a primarily Hispanic-serving, State-assisted institution founded in 1970. Its 300-acre campus is located in northeast Laredo on former ranchland. Home to over 7000 students from around the world, TAMIU offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in the arts and sciences, business, education and nursing. It maintains a special focus on developing an international academic agenda for the State of Texas. Visit www.tamiu.edu
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