As the red curtains unveiled and the drum-roll came to an end, the room was filled with cheers as officials announced the end of With You. Without Limits. campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cups of champagne were passed around to celebrate $114 million that was raised for Texas A&M University \u2013 Kingsville (TAMUK) 20 months ahead of schedule with the goal to enhance education and discovery throughout South Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is what we call a comprehensive campaign. Where we count every dollar raised to any part of the university during a specific time period. This was the right size and the right time for Texas A&M \u2013 Kingsville, our donors and our supporters. With great volunteer leadership, we learned a lot about how to do this better and make sure we can do it again in the future,\u201d Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Relations Brad Walker said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walker, who has been part of the campaign since the start, mentions it began in April 2018 with the intention to raise $100 million. The campaign met its objective in January 2020 and officially ended it on Aug. 31. The accomplishment was celebrated at an event held last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe did not foresee that. In fact, we thought we had made a stretch goal for A&M – Kingsville, but we found that there\u2019s a lot of love for the university and individuals willing to give and corporations and foundations. We\u2019re very happy that we exceeded the goal and we\u2019re looking forward to the next game plan,\u201d campaign chair Gene Dawson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout the evening, several individuals spoke about the importance of philanthropy. Walker, President Mark A. Hussey and Dawson explained the significance of these donations and about keeping the Javelina tradition alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event also featured scholarship recipient, Amberly Zaragoza. Zaragoza, a San Antonio native, is a first-generation junior studying animal science in hopes of becoming a veterinarian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her speech, she expressed her gratitude, explained how this scholarship will benefit her and ended it with how she hopes to give back in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese scholarships are a blessing to me and my family. I\u2019m a first-gen student and these scholarships give me the opportunity to leave my mark here at Texas A&M \u2013 Kingsville,\u201d Zaragoza said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas A&M University \u2013 Kingsville started off as a gift of land from the King Ranch. Some 97 years later, Javelina Nation continues to reap the gift that fosters success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n