There are numerous ways to support Lamar University and below are several avenues to facilitate your making a gift. Every gift makes a difference. All donations should be sent to:

Lamar University Advancement
P. O. Box 10011
Beaumont, TX 77710

For further information you may phone (409) 880-8422, fax (409) 880-8409 or e-mail development@lamar.edu.

Annual Giving Funds

Gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign may be directed to one of our five colleges (Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Development, Engineering, or Fine Arts and Communication), the library, a specific department, program, scholarship, or for unrestricted use. Donations to the Cardinal Club and Friends of the Arts are considered part of the Annual Giving Campaign.

Donors are recognized in the following giving clubs: Red Bird Roster ($1 - $99), Big Red Circle ($100 - $249), Mirabeau Society ($250 - $499), Cardinal Council ($500 - $999), Lamar Associates ($1,000 - $4,999), and President's Circle ($5,000 +).

Scholarships

Lamar University has over 275 privately funded scholarships valued at approximately $18,000,000. Scholarships may be endowed or funded on an annual basis. Donors may establish scholarships in honor or memory of a specific person or persons by contacting our Stewardship Coordinator at (409) 880-1844. Scholarships are awarded each year to qualified students, according to guidelines established by the donor, the Division of University Advancement and the academic department, if appropriate.

An endowed scholarship, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a contribution of $15,000 or more. Once established, the scholarship may be increased by gifts of any amount. Income from the endowment, as determined by the investment policy of the Texas State University System Board of Regents, is used for the scholarship award, thus preserving the initial gift in perpetuity. The donor and the President of Lamar University must sign an endowment agreement specifying the criteria for awarding the scholarship. Initial funding of $1,000 will be considered sufficient to fund an endowed scholarship if the donor makes a written commitment to increase the amount through additional gifts within two years. If the minimum principal is not achieved during this period, the principal will be added to a Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Annually funded scholarships, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be funded with any amount the donor wishes to contribute on an annual basis. The donor and the President of Lamar University must sign an agreement specifying the criteria for awarding the scholarship. The entire fund is awarded each year to qualified students.

Endowment Funds

An endowment fund, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a gift of $15,000 or more. Once established, the same fund may be increased by means of gifts of any amount. The income from an endowment fund supports a purpose, program, department, college or scholarship according to the wishes of the donor. Lamar University pools endowment funds for investment, and income is credited as determined by the investment policy of The Texas State University System Board of Regents.

The variety of purposes and giving levels of specific endowment funds is designed to appeal to a broad range of donors. Endowment funds that do not fit the categories below may be established in consultation with the Director of Development and the appropriate dean and vice-president. The minimum gift to establish an endowment fund not explained below will be $15,000.

Examples of restricted endowment funds are:

Endowed Chairs
An endowed chair, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a minimum contribution of $1,000,000, depending on the discipline, and must be approved by the appropriate dean, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President.

Endowed Distinguished Professorship
An endowed professorship, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a minimum contribution of $750,000 in any academic area approved by the appropriate dean, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President.

Endowed Professorship
A university endowed professorship may cross disciplinary lines and is not restricted to a college or department. This may be an existing position or a visiting professor. A university professorship, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a minimum contribution of $500,000 in any academic area approved by the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President.

Endowed Graduate Assistantships/Fellowships
A donor who would like to help graduate students further their education in a particular field may contribute to this program. An assistantship or fellowship, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a minimum contribution of $300,000 in any academic area approved by the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President.

Endowed Lectureship Series
The income from an endowed lectureship is used to bring a distinguished scholar to the University to present a lecture or series of lectures. A lectureship, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a minimum contribution of $200,000, upon the approval of the appropriate dean, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President.

Endowed Library Funds
Income from an endowed library fund is used to purchase books and/or other materials and equipment in an area based on donor desires. Income may also be used for the related support purposes of cataloguing, binding, book repair, and other expenses of the library. A library fund, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a contribution of $15,000 or more. If the donor wishes, each book purchased will bear a bookplate naming the donor and the person in whose honor or memory the gift was made.

Endowed Funds for Athletic Programs
Funds for the maintenance and endowment of athletic programs may be solicited and accepted to the extent that such funds will help to support established University priorities. All athletic funds should allow for income to be used for support of the general athletic program in the event that a particular sport is no longer offered. An athletic award fund, named according to the wishes of the donor, may be established with a contribution of $15,000 or more.

In addition to endowed athletic funds, expendable monies for the operating support of the athletic program may be contributed through the Lamar University Assistant Athletic Director for Development or directly to the Cardinal Club.

Sponsored Lectureships
The University accepts gifts to support a one-time lecture. The donor must agree to cover all costs involved in planning and producing the lecture, and the University retains the right to select the lecturer. Approval of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Executive Director of University Advancement is required.

Construction and Major Renovation Projects
The University solicits and accepts funds for new and on-going projects, including construction and major renovation projects. The President and the Texas State University System Board of Regents must approve all construction and major renovation projects, including the naming of facilities.