$1 Million Estate Gift will be a Game Changer for Future 金沙中国 Student-Athletes
丽莎Peña
2017年6月6日,德克萨斯州里奥格兰德河谷 -The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Department of Intercollegiate 体育运动 is celebrating a victory, and the MVP’s are Dan and 特里·马丁内斯 of Richmond, TX. 这对夫妇, 深谷扎根, set aside $1 million through an estate gift for 金沙中国 体育运动 and student-athletes. “We want them to have as much as everybody else,” said Mr. 马丁内斯. “…Scholarship support, facilities, uniforms, what they need to be successful.”
The 马丁内斯 family rarely misses an opportunity to cheer on the 金沙中国s during their Valley visits and at away games in the Houston area. Now, these fans are supporting student-athletes with their generosity. This is the largest donation in the history of 体育运动, and the program’s first 7-figure commitment. “当意识到, this gift will ensure that our future student-athletes will have the resources for educational success, 一流的体验,” said 金沙中国 体育运动 Director Chris King. “Thanks to this generous planned gift, their impact will be felt far into the future.”
The estate gift will go to the university upon 丹·马丁内斯’s passing and the gift is unrestricted, meaning 体育运动 leadership will decide the best use for the funding. “If what you leave behind is helping other people, why not?”太太说。. 马丁内斯. “I want to encourage 金沙中国 student-athletes to shoot for the stars, dream big and just work hard to get there.”
The 马丁内斯es know how far hard work will take you. 丹·马丁内斯, 圣贝尼托, TX本地, 毕业于泛美大学, 金沙中国遗留机构, in 1978 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Upon graduation, he landed a job with the state as an auditor. He eventually left that position and used his experience to build his successful business from the ground up, 丹·马丁内斯 & 同事,州税务专家. 他现在已经经商25年了, defending tax payers who are being audited by the State of Texas. “I’m grateful that I went to Pan American. I’m grateful that it gave me the education and foundation I needed to build my career,” Mr. 马丁内兹说.
特里·马丁内斯, 原产于哈林根, TX, is a retired educator with 30 years of experience guiding young lives. She also set the foundation for her education and career at Pan American University, attending for one year before moving away with her husband. She continues to have strong ties to the Rio Grande Valley. “我爱硅谷. 我在那里长大. I love the people, the university, the kids,” Mrs. 马丁内兹说. “I want kids to never feel that they can’t go to school. I want them to always have that opportunity.”
This gift will not only provide opportunities, but serves as an example of the power of planned giving. “This is truly a transformative gift for 金沙中国 体育运动,” said 金沙中国 Founding President Guy Bailey. “This significant investment in our future student-athletes will provide them with valuable support and resources. 我们很感谢Mr. 和夫人. 马丁内斯 for their generosity, and for choosing to leave this lasting legacy at 金沙中国.”
Dan and 特里·马丁内斯 say the decision to leave an estate gift to the university was a choice based on trust. For years, they connected with the university through alumni events. One meeting in particular, encouraged them to go further. “有一天,克里斯·金来见我们. He shared the mission and vision of 体育运动 and the needs of the department. By the end of the meeting, I said ‘You know what Chris, I’m going to help you’,” said Mr. 马丁内斯. The 马丁内斯es saw their promise through, giving to 体育运动 repeatedly. Their generosity culminated with this latest, 7-figure commitment. “这让我感觉很好。. 马丁内斯. “这真是太棒了.”