February 1, 2006

Retailers Donate $250,000 to College For All Texans Foundation to Aid Graduating Seniors

Senator Florence Shapiro and Representative Geanie Morrison announced today an initial $250,000.00 donation from the Texas Retailers Education Foundation to the TEXAS Grant program through the College for All Texans Foundation during a press conference at the Texas Capitol.

Shapiro and Morrison authored SB 1227 during the 79th Legislative Session to allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to solicit and accept gifts and donations from public and private sources for the TEXAS Grant Program.

 "This is an excellent example of how the private business industry should and can invest in our state's future most directly--through the education of our children," Shapiro said. "I have always been a strong proponent of the public-private partnership.  Today's check presentation from the Texas Retailers Education Foundation to the Texas Grant Program is a model of that partnership, and I'm pleased to be here to witness it." 
 
This donation marks the first private sector donation to the programs. “The State of Texas has made a huge commitment to the TEXAS Grant Program and other financial aid program, but demand will clearly be larger than the state’s ability to fund.  The private sector can help close this financial aid gap,” said Raymund A. Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education.

The Texas Retailers Association became aware of the TEXAS Grant program, and its struggle for funding and brought this to the attention of its affiliate, Texas Retailers Education Foundation.  This Foundation, along with retailers, created the Texas Retailers Community Partnership Committee to partner with the College for All Texans Foundation to offer financial support for the TEXAS Grant program.  Within two months the Texas Retailers Community Partnership Committee rallied together and raised $250,000.00.

“The retail industry employs one out of every ten Texans,” said Theresia Intag, Executive Director of Texas Retailers Education Foundation. “Texas retailers have a vested interest in ensuring that a well-trained, highly-educated workforce is available to our industry”. 

All Texas Retailers Education Foundation funds will go directly to graduating seniors from four-year public colleges and universities and second-year students at Community, State and Technical Colleges.

"The Texas Retailers Education Foundation is to be commended for its commitment to ensuring that Texas remains the leader it is today."  Morrison went on to say, "This partnership between business and education will benefit many Texas students, and exemplifies what we hope to accomplish through the enactment of SB 1227."

“The Texas Retailers Education Foundation has stepped up to the plate first and we expect that many more will want to follow to help Texas close the gaps it faces in student participation, student success, excellence, and research in higher education”, stated Commissioner Paredes.

“This is the first of what we hope will be many contributions to this important program.” said Intag.

EDUCATION NEWS

Fall 2007

Retail Human Resource Workshop

May 9, 2007

Annual Golf Scholarship Fundraiser! Battlefield Golf Course in Houston, Texas. To register, send an email to info@tref.info, or register on-line at www.txretailers.org.

January 1, 2007

Summer Internship available for college students. Apply to info@tref.info.

May 10, 2006

Organized Retail Theft Conference to be held in Houston. - Click Here for more.

February 1, 2006

Retailers Donate $250,000 to College for all Texans Foundation to aid graduating seniors. - Click Here for more.