Endowment Named for “Mother away from Home”

The Sandra D. Jefferson Future Leaders Scholarship Endowment 

 

February 23, 2022 (Kingsville, TX) - College students might be missing that Sunday dinner after church, someone to confide in or a supportive hug. Often the secret to a first-time college student’s experience is finding someone who cares about their success just as much as their family. Many Javelina alumni have been lucky enough over the years to have found that sense of support through one special individual. 

 

Sandra Jefferson, a longtime Kingsville community leader and retired university police chief, has often provided that sense of family to generations of Javelina students. 

 

Javelina alumni gathered with their “mother away from home” last Saturday for a reception at the President’s Home on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Texas A&M-Kingsville). Joining them were trustees of the Texas A&M-Kingsville Foundation (Foundation) and friends of Sandra Jefferson, where it was announced that the Sandra D. Jefferson Future Leaders Scholarship Endowment had been established in her honor. 

 

“Mrs. Jefferson was – and continues to be – that spark, energy, love and guidepost for numerous students beginning their journey on the campus and in the community,” said Foundation Trustee Aaron Demerson. “She simply made a difference in both seen and unseen ways.” 

The scholarship honors the spirit of Mrs. Jefferson, who served as a mother “away from home” for a generation of students, particularly African American students at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville). To be eligible, a student must demonstrate leadership and participation in organizations designed to support African American students.  

 

“This scholarship will assist with providing a path forward for a deserving student, while also preserving the historic legacy and actions of a tremendous, phenomenal woman and mother figure to so many,” Mr. Demerson said. 

 

Mr. Demerson and his wife, Rose, took the lead in establishing the scholarship during the annual Javelina-Day-of-Giving campaign in September. They were motivated in part by a matching-gift opportunity from the Foundation. With each gift to the scholarship, the Demersons will match it in addition to the Foundation, turning $1 into $3. 

 

“We promote the ‘Javelina Family’ as one of the university’s strengths,” said Brad Walker, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Foundation CEO. “I cannot think of a better way to honor a beloved family member like Mrs. Jefferson than with an endowed scholarship. I am excited for Aaron Demerson and all the friends of Mrs. Jefferson who are making this a reality.” 

Donations can be made online or by check to Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation, mailed to 700 University Blvd, MSC 173, Kingsville, Texas, 78363 (please note in the memo line “Jefferson Scholarship”). To make a gift online, please visit us at: www.javelinagiving.org/jefferson-scholarship.