Two years ago I started an effort to memorialize my late grandparents, Eugene and Janey Heath, by creating an endowment at Texas Tech University’s College of Engineering. You can read my testimonial concerning the gift, and my motivation behind it, here.
Although the endowment became fully funded after the first year because of the generosity of my family, today marked the completion of my initial pledge amount as I sent the university the last of my obligated donation. I am incredibly proud to have seen this project through its entirety and look forward to contributing, unencumbered, in the future!
For those looking to make an indefinite mark at your alma mater, I highly recommend establishing an endowment. With dollar-for-dollar employee matching and the lowering of creation thresholds, starting a fund has never been easier for a graduate. The amount universities (and their conferred degrees!) give to their graduates extend well beyond the price they recoup through tuition. I’ve had incredible experiences and created lasting relationships through my time at Texas Tech — so giving a little bit back after graduation was something I always knew that I wanted to do. Today marks a personal milestone for myself, my family, and my university!