$1 Million Gift Annuity Boosts Scholarships
By James Barnhardt

At a news conference in February 2003, officials at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi announced the establishment of a Charitable Gift Annuity by Marvin Collins valued at $1 million. The charitable gift annuity, the largest of its kind known to date in South Texas, is intended to enhance the profile of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University. The proceeds of the gift will be used specifically for student athlete scholarships.

Dan Viola, athletic director at A&M-Corpus Christi, knows that gifts of this magnitude are hard to come by. “A gift of this nature is highly unusual and it sets our program apart from others in South Texas,” said Viola. “The $1 million charitable gift annuity will strengthen our ability to provide scholarships to student athletes. We cannot thank Mr. Collins enough for the trust he has placed in Islander Athletics. His gift will only make us better.”

Collins was born and raised in Corpus Christi where his family owned and operated movie theatres. His family has lived and worked in the area since the 1800s, and he is proud to state that he is a South Texan at heart. He graduated from Southern Methodist University and Law School, served two years in the Air Force and then started working behind the scenes in politics. He eventually went on to serve as a respected and sought after consultant for the Republican Party in Texas and at the national level. Collins was instrumental in helping to plant the seeds that ultimately led to A&M-Corpus Christi becoming a four-year institution in the A&M System. He also contributed to the success of the Texas State Aquarium. He currently resides in Houston.

Collins says it has been a pleasure to see the University blossom but he would like to see further exposure on a national level. “In addition to academics, I am particularly interested in the Division I athletic program,” said Collins.

“I truly believe that athletics benefits the entire student body, as well as the community. It is because of this belief that I have designated the proceeds of the charitable gift annuity to provide scholarships for student athletes.”

He believes that name recognition for the University in newspapers throughout the country can be achieved through a respected athletic program and the result will be a more diverse student population and stronger academic achievement.

Rickey Richardson, the University’s executive director of Development, Planned Giving and Foundation Relations, says this type of gift allows donors to supplement their retirement income while making a significant contribution to charitable organizations.

“A charitable gift annuity through estate planning is truly an opportunity for people to see their acts of goodwill take shape while preserving their own financial future,” said Richardson. “The gift Mr. Collins has selected is a simple contract issued by the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Foundation which will guarantee him an income stream for life.”

A&M-Corpus Christi reinstituted its Division I athletic program in 1997 after a long hiatus. The program currently has successful programs in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, cross country, track and field, golf and men’s and women’s tennis.