University of Houston-Victoria President Philip Castille and his wife, Shannon, recently established a $10,000 endowment fund not only to support merit scholarships for UHV underclassmen, but also to encourage others to do the same.  

Philip and Shannon Castille with son Ned

The Philip and Shannon Castille Presidential Scholarship Endowment will fund UHV merit-based scholarships that recognize and promote academic excellence. The endowment will go toward the UHV Presidential Scholarship, which offers financial support for students with successful academic high school careers who continue their academic achievements at UHV.  

“As an emerging destination university, having enough scholarships for first-time college students is a top priority,” Castille said. “Shannon and I want to encourage others at the university and in the community to donate to more merit-based scholarships so we can reach out to top-ranking high school students and bring them to UHV.”  

The idea for the endowment began in August when Castille won a “$1,000 a Day Checking” prize from the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union. He quickly decided to turn the prize into a gift that benefited a future UHV student. That resulted in the Castilles contributing additional funding for the endowment.  

“Giving back to the university is a way to show support for UHV’s mission of providing high-quality education to qualified students at an affordable price,” Castille said. “Our goal is that this endowment will stand as a positive example for the wider community to also support higher education institutions located in the Crossroads region.”  

After a banner year of internal giving at UHV in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the Castille’s new endowment is a great way to kick off the All for One – One for All fundraising campaign, said Amy Mundy, interim director of UHV University Advancement.  

Amy Mundy

“It is exciting to see our president, staff and faculty supporting the university at a record pace,” she said. “This generous donation from Dr. and Mrs. Castille shows that they are truly invested in the university. It will inspire other employees to donate as well.”  

The All for One – One for All campaign started in 2006 as a way for UHV employees to give back to the university. “All for One” refers to everyone donating to UHV, and “One for All” refers to employees who give 1 percent of their salary to benefit everyone.  

Last year, a record $93,951 was donated by UHV employees to various programs and scholarships. This all-time high was matched dollar for dollar by the university, making the total contribution $187,902.  

Donors are able to choose from a range of options which program or scholarship their money goes to at UHV. If someone wants to donate to a fund that hasn’t been established, a new fund can easily be set up, Mundy said.  

The accounts receiving more than $1,000 in donations last year were the American Book Review, Campaign Victoria, Roy and Ileen Foley Scholarship, Wayne and Cheryl Beran Endowment Fund, Nursing Program Support, Library Excellence Fund and the School of Business Administration Excellence Fund.  

“The All for One – One for All Campaign is one of many ways UHV employees show their support for UHV and its communities,” Mundy said. “We see outstanding examples every day of UHV faculty and staff who go the extra mile to create opportunities and ensure excellence for our students, allowing UHV to change lives throughout Victoria and Greater Houston.”  

UHV employees and community members interested in donating to UHV can contact Mundy at mundya@uhv.edu or 361-570-4354.