International Connections of Houston formed a lasting
partnership with the University of Houston-Clear Lake on August 23, 2001 when a
check for $1,666.67 was presented to university representatives Ingeborg Hayes,
International Administrative Coordinator and Melissa Mares, Coordinator of
Corporate and Foundation Relations, for a scholarship endowment dedicated to
international students studying at the university. This gift marks the first
ever endowment at UH-Clear Lake dedicated solely to international students.
International Connections has pledged $5,000 to the
university for the endowment which will be matched dollar-for-dollar through Discovering Opportunities, a matching
gift initiative made possible through the generosity of Houston Endowment Inc.,
Texas’ largest private foundation, for a total gift of $10,000. Once
formalized, additional contributions may be added at any time and will be
matched dollar-for-dollar as long as matching funds are available.
Because the principal is preserved, and a portion of
the interest reinvested, endowment funds provide a permanent source of
financial support. International Connections of Houston’s gift will ensure that
the commitment to education and global understanding will live forever in the
lives of those students receiving scholarships for future generations to come.
With a growing international population, currently at
8.5 percent, UHCL’s international students represent approximately 60
countries. Once the endowment criteria are finalized by the Executive Board of
International Connections of Houston, a formal signing reception will be hosted
by UHCL’s President William A. Staples to commemorate the special occasion.
After the scholarship is awarded, organization members will be invited to
attend UHCL’s Scholarship Reception, held every April. This event pairs
scholarship donors with their award recipients, offering a chance to meet,
visit and take photos.
“The university is very excited about this scholarship
and the implications it will have for our international student population. As
a community-minded, partnership-oriented university, we strive to have a global
reach. This new endowment will help UHCL achieve its mission for many years to
come and we are deeply grateful to International Connections of Houston for
this opportunity,” notes President Staples.