University of Houston-Victoria breaks donors record during Giving Tuesday
The University of Houston-Victoria has set a new record of donors and was a recipient of a $10,000 and six $1,000 matching challenge gifts in this year’s Giving Tuesday event on Nov. 28.
A record 592 donors gave to the university, bringing in a total of $60,451.93, that includes a $10,000 challenge gift from KMH Wealth Management LLC and Keller & Associates CPAs PLLC which was offered as an incentive to reach a goal of 500 donors for UHV’s 50th anniversary during the 24-hour giving period.
“Year after year, I am filled with joy as I express my heartfelt gratitude to the unwavering support and generous contributions to our university,” UHV President Bob Glenn said. “These contributions serve as an investment in our students, institution and dedication to excellence.”
More than 50 programs, departments and funds benefited this year due to the outpouring of support with JP’s Market receiving the highest number of donors, said Kelsey Norgard, UHV director of alumni relations and annual giving. The market is a free and anonymous resource that helps with eliminating food insecurity on campus. It is open to all currently enrolled students at UHV and Victoria College and is located at Jaguar Hall, Suite 1135.
“We are overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity that the community has shown UHV and our students,” Norgard said. “It just goes to show how much the community supports the university and wants our students to thrive because it is a mutually beneficial relationship throughout the community.”
All six of the matching challenges were met with 25 donations to their respective funds, and the university will receive $1,000 from each of those six donors. The matching challenges this year were:
- Building Brands Marketing for the “Got Your Six” Veterans Scholarship.
- First State Bank for the College of Business Scholarship.
- Chick-fil-A for the 50th Anniversary Scholarship.
- Kenneth & Betty Vickers for the Athletics Scholarship.
- Kliem & Balusek for the General Scholarship.
- Mary Virginia Jacobs for the Florence Nightingale Memorial Scholarship Endowment.
The reach of the campaign spread far and wide, with donations coming in from Kansas to Japan, Norgard said.
“It is inspiring and so heartwarming to see so many people come together to support our UHV students and programs,” said Amber Countis, vice president of advancement and external relations. “Every gift makes a difference, no matter the size, and that is what our Giving Tuesday campaign was about this year – growing participation. The impact and lives changed by our donors are why we do this work.”
Patricia Nagle, a UHV alumna, embodies the sprit of giving back to her alma mater. Nagle earned her Bachelor of Business in Accounting in 1996 and later an MBA while balancing a full-time banking job during her years as a student.
“The professors were interested and invested in my education,” Nagle said. “I started taking classes with Dr. Ben-Ur back then, and he convinced me to get my master’s degree.”
Now, she serves as an executive vice president and Victoria market president for First State Bank, specializing in commercial lending, real estate loans and interim construction residential and mortgage loans, in addition to business development in Victoria and Sugar Land markets.
Nagle’s experience in the banking sector aligns seamlessly with her dedication to supporting UHV initiatives while also looking for good candidates coming from the university, she said.
“We have partnered with UHV on Jobs for Jags, and we’ve been involved in the soccer program,” Nagle said. “It’s just a good partnership; we understand the value of education that comes from UHV.”
David Faskas, a managing member of KMH Wealth Management and UHV alumnus, said his organization is honored to be the largest donor in this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign. His organization, KMH Wealth Management LLC and Keller & Associates CPAs PLCC, proudly has several employees who are UHV alumni, and supporting education has always been a priority, he said.
“We believe in the university's mission and its role in shaping the future. UHV not only provides quality education but also contributes significantly to our community's culture and development,” Faskas said. “We hope that our contribution encourages others to invest in the future of education and continue to support students’ success and empower them to achieve their goals. We thank UHV for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact this campaign will have on the university and the lives it touches.”
For more information about Giving Tuesday or if you would like to make a gift to support UHV students, please contact Kelsey Norgard at NorgardKN@uhv.edu or 361-570-4869 or visit www.uhvconnect.org/page/donate to give online.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.