Mary E. McKinney bequeaths $22 million estate for UTSA student scholarships
Top photo: Mary E. McKinney
Second photo: Mary E. McKinney with her fourth grade students, St. Margaret Mary's School, 1974
Third photo: Elizabeth (Dee) Carnes McKinney (mother of Mary McKinney)
Bottom photo: Elizabeth (Dee) Carnes McKinney (left) and Mary McKinney
>> Read a San Antonio Express-News story (10/6/2010) on the McKinney gift.
Top photo: Mary E. McKinney
Second photo: Mary E. McKinney with her fourth grade students, St. Margaret Mary's School, 1974
Third photo: Elizabeth (Dee) Carnes McKinney (mother of Mary McKinney)
Bottom photo: Elizabeth (Dee) Carnes McKinney (left) and Mary McKinney
>> Read a San Antonio Express-News story (10/6/2010) on the McKinney gift.
Share this Story(Oct. 6, 2010)--UTSA President Ricardo Romo posthumously recognized Mary E. McKinney during his annual State of the University address today and announced receipt of the largest single private gift in university history, a $22 million estate gift to fund up to full-ride scholarships for students working to complete their degrees.
"Miss McKinney was an outstanding, humble Texan who did not care for fame or recognition," said Romo. "An avid reader who only wanted to help students, she strongly felt education was the key to success. Through this extraordinary gift, she has established a legacy that will help generations of UTSA students achieve their educational goals."
McKinney's estate, which includes real estate, personal property and a portfolio of stocks and municipal bonds, will continue to fund the Felix and Elizabeth McKinney Memorial Scholarship Fund at UTSA, established by McKinney to honor her parents in 1994. The fund offers renewable scholarships up to the full cost of tuition and fees for full-time students who have completed 30 hours of course work and have a G.P.A. of 2.75 or better.
"Miss McKinney firmly believed that students with strong academic records should not be prevented from completing their education due to a lack of financial resources," said Marjie French, UTSA vice president for university advancement. "The McKinney memorial scholarship fund is a great tribute to Miss McKinney and her parents. The scholarships awarded will help transform UTSA students' lives."
The largest portion of McKinney's estate includes three South Texas ranches in Atascosa and Frio counties on the Eagle Ford Shale, the most significant U.S. oilfield discovery in the last 40 years. Valued at $13 million, the real estate includes surface rights and oil and gas rights to a 640-acre ranch and two 2,300-acre ranches. To maximize the impact of the gift, UTSA has signed a mineral lease for one of the Frio County ranches entitling it to a 25-percent royalty on production.
The remaining portion of the McKinney estate included personal property, a home and securities. McKinney died in San Antonio on Nov. 16, 2009.
"We at Jefferson Bank enjoyed working with Miss McKinney and having her as our friend," said Robert E. Wehmeyer Jr., division president, trust and private asset management, of Jefferson Bank and executor of McKinney's estate. "We are deeply honored to serve as her executor and be the steward to carry out the magnificent charitable bequests made in her will. In working with Miss McKinney, we came to appreciate the importance she placed on education, and we are delighted to be a part of the team that will carry on her legacy at UTSA."
A native Texan born in 1930 and raised on San Antonio's South Side, McKinney earned a bachelor's degree in 1950 from Trinity University at age 19 and a master's degree at the University of Texas at Austin. From 1992 to 1996, she took post-graduate courses at UTSA including classes in Latin, philosophy and ancient history, and Dante.
"For nearly 20 years, Miss McKinney had quietly given nearly $250,000 to support UTSA's students," said French. "This additional donation of her estate is a significant and transformational gift that will support students for many generations to come."
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About Jefferson Bank
Jefferson Bank is a family-owned, community bank serving communities in San Antonio and surrounding areas in the Texas Hill Country. Through the years, the bank has created an elite team of highly skilled, family-oriented and civic-minded individuals who contribute to the bank's continuing success.
The bank was founded just after World War II in the Jefferson neighborhood in San Antonio. It expanded into New Braunfels in 2005 and into Boerne in 2007. Jefferson Bank has grown from a single location on Fredericksburg Road in San Antonio to be one of Texas' most respected independent banks with 11 banking centers, residential mortgage offices and a Trust, Estates and Wealth Management Division.
Characterized by consistent and conservative growth throughout its 63-year history, Jefferson Bank boasts assets close to $725 million. The Trust, Estates and Wealth Management Division of Jefferson Bank holds assets of approximately $870 million.
Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.
