Gifts For The Graduate

Texas A&M Profs Continuing Tradition Of Giving Back To Their University

COLLEGE STATION, Aug. 4, 2011 — When an endowed scholarship program for undergraduate women in physics was established at Texas A&M University to honor the memory of Cynthia Woods Mitchell, 11 physics and astronomy professors elected to contribute to honor a generous donor to their department — in the process perpetuating the tradition of Aggie faculty giving back to their institution.

More than 1,500 Texas A&M faculty members have made financial gifts to the university through the Texas A&M Foundation, the non-profit organization that solicits gifts benefiting the university and manages the endowment that allows gifts to support Texas A&M forever.

Faculty in the Department of Physics and Astronomy alone have pledged more than $800,000 during the past decade to benefit a variety of student, academic and research causes. Other Texas A&M faculty have created planned gifts worth $1 million to benefit both the College of Geosciences and the Department of Political Science. Faculty have also gifted at least $100,000 to benefit 12 other departments.

“We obviously have a distinguished faculty that is recognized nationally and abroad for their teaching and research accomplishments, but what is less well know about them is that they are exceptionally caring and generous — with their time and energy as well with their financial support for Texas A&M,” Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin noted.

Texas A&M Foundation President Ed Davis agreed.

“Texas A&M faculty and staff have a long history of supporting the university financially,” Davis said. “While some university employees have chosen to fund academic endeavors on an individual basis, others have joined in department and college-based gifts.”

The 11 faculty members in physics and astronomy contributed matching funds for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Undergraduate Scholarship for Women in Physics at Texas A&M University, which was established by Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell’s daughter, Sheridan Mitchell Lorenz. The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation will also match Lorenz’s gift.

George Mitchell, a 1940 distinguished graduate of Texas A&M and former chairman and chief executive officer of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp., is a longtime benefactor of Texas A&M and its programs in fundamental physics and astronomy, as well as in numerous other endeavors benefitting the university. He was joined by his wife Cynthia in a variety of philanthropic endeavors prior to her death in December 2009.

College Graduation Gifts: Tips For Purchasing College Graduation ...

Graduation is an exciting time for every graduate, even though it can be an anxious event. It marks a special time in an individual’s life. Whether your family member or friend is graduating from a university or college, or your grandchild is finishing high school, original college graduation gifts always help make these historic celebrations additionally unforgettable.

Locating gifts for a college graduation or for high school graduates, like pens with engravings on them, wall clocks or wristwatches, is not too difficult. It is important to buy college graduation gifts that are not boring and ones that are unique. If you would like the recipient to value the thinking that went into the present when you chose it, you will need to purchase exciting gifts for a college graduation. Many options are available for him or her.

Aspects to think about when choosing college graduation gifts

One thing to think about when purchasing gifts for a graduate, a close friend or relative is what the person likes or dislikes. Additionally, think about what he or she might need presently as well. Along with those ideas, you should decide how much you are able to spend on gifts too. Knowing these things will help you shop faster and simpler. You can locate original college graduation presents for your close friend or family member no matter what kind of budget you follow. All you need to do is set some time aside to think about what he or she needs or would like.

For example, if it is your daughter graduating from school or college, and she has mentioned something about how she would love to have a cell phone of her own, you may want to consider buying her a phone. You could purchase a brand new one, like a prepaid cell phone, for instance. Charm bracelets are excellent for college graduation gifts too. You could opt to buy her a charm bracelet and have a customized jewelry box made as well. Other great options are frames for collages, picture frames, a portfolio made from leather and many more. Boys like these types of gifts too.

If the graduate you need a gift for is into music, you could buy recycled-LP Record Bowls that consist of charms representing music notes. You can find bracelets with musically designed charms as well. Another popular college graduation present is a guitar for the music lover. You can have any guitar personalized too. Conversely, if the graduate is a friend you have known since your younger years, you could choose a gift like unforgettable, traditional book or you could get a mini-statuette and have it personalized. You can additionally select sticky notes with funny jokes on them or a hilarious t-shirt for your loved one or friend who has a great sense of humor and loves joking gifts. For individuals who love to cook, varieties of cookbooks are available nowadays. Binders are great college graduation gifts too. You could make one up or have it done professionally and add all the favorite recipes that have been used for generations. You can additionally choose very popular cookbooks for a graduation gift as well.

Gifts for the graduate

Kiplinger's Personal Finance

The Boston medical and surgical journal

The Harvard graduates' magazine

The Graduate magazine of the University of Kansas