TSC Foundation Emerald Gala

April 13, 2024

WELCOME FROM Texas Southmost College

This year, Texas Southmost College marks 97 years of service to the communities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Established in 1926, Texas Southmost College was the first institution of higher education in the Rio Grande Valley and the first accredited community college by SACSCOC in the great State of Texas. Today, the community’s need for a high-quality comprehensive community college remains strong.

The Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees have taken many steps to ensure TSC remains the most affordable institution of higher education in the Rio Grande Valley--including lowering tuition and fees three times since 2013, making Texas Southmost College the most affordable institution of higher education in the entire Rio Grande Valley. The Trustees have also lowered the tax rate for the last three consecutive years, providing relief for local homeowners. At the same time, we know financial aid doesn’t always cover the full cost of attending college, and scholarships from the TSC Foundation help students bridge that financial gap.

This academic year, the TSC Foundation has awarded $350,000 in student scholarships, helping students stay on track towards achieving their dream of earning a college education. And because their scholarship dollars go further at TSC, students are able to focus on their studies. Data shows that TSC Foundation scholarship recipients achieve even greater success as compared to other TSC students. Foundation scholarship students had a higher persistence rate from the fall to the spring semester (95% compared to 79%) and a higher grade point average (3.4 compared to 2.8).

With the support of your generous gift, TSC represents a pathway to increased prosperity for even more members of the communities we serve throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Because of the strong focus and collaboration with our communities, Texas Southmost College was chosen as a recipient of the prestigious 2023 Star Award by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This honor recognizes the college’s outstanding achievement in producing consistent and aligned educational outcomes, such as increasing the graduation rate for students, particularly students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Please remember that Texas Southmost College is your community college, and we are here to support our communities. Together, we will help keep our communities Scorpion Strong!

Adela G. Garza Chairwoman Board of Trustees

Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez TSC President

TSC BOARD of Trustees

Adela G. Garza TSC Board Chairwoman

Place 1

J.J. De Leon Jr., M.Ed. TSC Board Vice-Chair

Place 6

Ruben Herrera, J.D. †

TSC Trustee & Immediate

Past Chair, Place 5

Tony Zavaleta, Ph.D. TSC Trustee

Place 3

Alejandra Aldrete, M.Ed.

TSC Board Secretary

Place 2

Delia Saenz

TSC Trustee

Place 4

Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez

TSC President

Eva Alejandro TSC Trustee

Place 7

WELCOME FROM TSC Foundation

As a Brownsville City Commissioner and longtime community advocate, I understand the important role that having a highly-skilled workforce plays into strengthening local economic development, especially in attracting businesses on the forefront of technology. Our community is fortunate to be home to Texas Southmost College, which is our destination for regional workforce training.

I take tremendous pride in serving as Chair of the Texas Southmost College Foundation Board of Directors. It allows me to see, first hand, the direct impact your scholarship donations have on student success. Each year, the Foundation awards a variety of scholarships to assist students throughout their educational journey, including the First Year Experience, Scorpion Scholar, Finish Strong, and TSC Foundation Scholarships. This year, the TSC Foundation awarded $350,000 to 228 TSC students. And in just a few short weeks, some of these scholarship recipients will cross the stage at graduation, cheered on by their friends and families, headed for jobs that will improve their quality of life and contribute to local economies.

I thank you for your support and contribution to the TSC Foundation’s Emerald Gala, and I hope to see you throughout the year at the college’s many community and cultural events, including the upcoming TSC Mariachi Festival on April 20th and the Spazmatics Concert on May 25th both here at the Jacob Brown Auditorium. We are happy to have you as a valued member of the Scorpion Family and thank you for investing in TSC students, our future leaders.

Roy De los Santos TSC Foundation Chair

TSC FOUNDATION Board of Directors

Roy De los Santos Chair Adela G. Garza* Vice-Chair (TSC Board Chairwoman)

Norma Hinojosa Secretary

Andrea Gonzalez Director

Edward Bustos Director

Dr. Gustavo Stern Director

Joey Camacho Director

Dr. Nereida “Nellie” Cantu Director

Nikhil Shah Director

Roel Rodriguez Director

Alejandra Aldrete* Director

JJ De Leon, Jr.* Treasurer (TSC Board Vice-Chair)

Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez Foundation CEO & TSC President

Maru de la Paz Director

Ruben Herrera, J.D. † TSC Trustee & Immediate Past Chair, Place 5

DOUBLE EMERALD Scorpion Sponsor

MESSAGE FROM Port of Brownsville

The Port of Brownsville is committed to fostering educational growth and enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve. By investing in education, we help build a brighter future for the Rio Grande Valley, where knowledge and opportunity flourish hand in hand.

AGENDA of Evening

6:30 pm

GALA CHECK IN/COCKTAIL HOUR

Silent Auction Bidding, Liquor Cart Donation, 360 Photo Booth, Photos,

Live Music by TSC Faculty Jose Antonio Duran, Victor Martinez and Alexandro Lucero Quintana

Welcome:

Remarks:

Remarks:

Student Remarks:

Student Remarks:

Closing Remarks:

DINNER BEGINS LIVE BAND, ROCKSTAR DENIED 8:00 pm PROGRAM 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 9:30 pm

Roy De los Santos, TSC Foundation Chair

Adela G. Garza, Chairwoman, TSC Board of Trustees

Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez, TSC President and Foundation CEO

Emily Guerrero - Associate of Arts in Psychology

Xitlaly Zavala - Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Technology

Roy De los Santos, TSC Foundation Chair

Coffee Bar Available

Dancing

Coffee Bar Closes

EMERALD Scorpion Sponsor

Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez

In loving memory of:

Miguel V. Rodríguez

Enriqueta C. Rodríguez

Miguel A. Rodríguez

SILVER Scorpion Sponsor

Norma Hinojosa, TSC Foundation Board Member

Law Office of Ruben Pena

SILVER Scorpion Sponsors

SILVER Scorpion Sponsors

Dr. Stella Garcia

SILVER Scorpion Sponsors

WORKFORCE TRAINING & CONTINUING EDUCATION

SILVER Scorpion Sponsors

Dr. Gisela Figueroa

Dr. David Plummer

Mr. Luis Villarreal

SILVER Scorpion Sponsors

Dr. Gustavo Gross

SILENT AUCTION Sponsors

Auto Glass Tint

Andrea Gonzales

Brownsville Children’s Museum

Brownsville Police Department

Bubba’s Restaurant

Charro Days, Inc.

Cheddar’s Restaurant

Cita’s Boutique

Dance Center

Dolphin Watch

Don Breeden

Gabriella’s Restaurant

Gladys Porter Zoo

James Avery

Judge Adela Kowalski-Garza

Kang’s Taekwondo Academy

Kendra Scott

La Pale

Luxe Boutique

Natural Salon Spa

Olive Garden Restaurant

People Moving People

Perry Mechanical

Rancho Viejo Resort and Country Club

Redline Helicopter

Rudy’s Barbecue

Sam’s Club

Smiley RGV Photo Booth

Sombrero Festival

Sunrise Mall (Bath and Body Works and Pandora)

Tropical Home Furnishings

TSC Architecture Students

TSC Art Students

TSC Construction Students

TSC Foundation

TSC Soccer Teams

TSC Welding Program

THANK YOU TO OUR

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR BEER SPONSOR LIQUOR SPONSOR

SCORPION STING SPONSOR

THANK YOU TO OUR

LIGHTING SPONSOR COFFEE BAR SPONSORS

Mrs. Norma Hinojosa and Dr. Nellie Cantu

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

ARE YOU A FORMER SCORPION?

(Even if you only took 1 class, you are part of the #ScorpionFamily)

Yes No

TO SPONSOR OR DONATE to student scholarships, scan or visit tsc.edu/emerald

OR LEAVE YOUR INFORMATION WITH US

Name:

Company (optional):

Phone Number:

Email Address:

I would like to pledge my donation of $

I would like to learn more about planned giving opportunities.

I would like to schedule a tour of Texas Southmost College.