VAMOS, UTPA start endowment to help more students go to college

EDINBURG — Local philanthropists want to make sure Hidalgo County's best and brightest don't leave the Rio Grande Valley for college.

So, the Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships is starting a $2 million matching endowed scholarship program with the University of Texas-Pan American.

It is the largest donation UTPA has ever received from a non-profit group for scholarships.

The alliance and the university announced the endowment Thursday. It is expected to provide Hidalgo County high school graduates who attend UTPA up to $5,000 each year for up to four years.

VAMOS is contributing $1 million over five years, which will be matched by the UTPA Foundation.

Officials said the endowment will allow more students to stay in the Valley for college and become productive members of the community.

"We will all reap the benefits and so will our children and grandchildren," said UTPA President Blandina Cárdenas.

VAMOS has given scholarships to local students since 1996.

But the grassroots organization decided to start the endowment with UTPA to reach as many students as it can, said its president, Sonia Falcon.

One former VAMOS scholarship recipient said she would probably not have been able to finish school and continue to get her master's degree if it wasn't for the help.

Adriana Villarreal, 24, who will graduate in August with a master's degree in educational leadership, said the VAMOS scholarship allowed her to buy a car and pay for books as a UTPA undergraduate.

And the mentoring program through the organization helped her realize a career in law was not for her after all, after an internship she completed at a local firm.

Instead, she decided to become and educator and is a fourth-grade teacher at Henry B. González Elementary School in the La Joya school district. She is working on her certification to become a principal.

The program is expected to award its first scholarships in fall 2009. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident; rank in the top 25 percent of their graduating class; meet UTPA's minimum SAT and ACT score requirements; provide proof of acceptance to UTPA and show financial need.

Students are expected to maintain a 2.7 grade point average and be enrolled full-time to qualify for renewal.

For more information about the VAMOS/UTPAF Endowed Scholarship Program, call the UTPA Division of University Advancement at (956) 318-5301.

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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.