Del Mar College Foundation receives largest gift ever

Del Mar College Foundation receives $1 million of appreciated stock

Cyndy and Timothy Legamaro recently presented a $1 million donation of appreciated stock to the Del Mar College Foundation. It is the largest scholarship gift directly aimed at first-generation college students attending Del Mar College and will be funded by the Legamaro Family Endowed Scholarship.
The $1 million donation will provide $40,000 to $50,000 for 10-15 students at Del Mar College each year.
An appreciated stock donation consists of securities that are worth more today than when they were purchased and are given at the appreciated value.
During a donor recognition and scholarship gift announcement, DMC occupational therapy assistant major Brittany Jones spoke. She is a non-traditional student undergoing a complete career change to provide a better life for her family and is one of the first students to receive funds from the Legamaro endowment.
“Hope and encouragement are incredibly important in the occupational therapy field, and part of my job is encouraging others to do things they may not believe are possible,” she said. “Kindness and generosity have given me the opportunity to help others realize their goals and believe in their own inner strength while developing my own. This scholarship has truly been a blessing for my family and me.” 
Jones graduates in May 2022.
The Legamaro Family Endowed Scholarship supports students pursuing a broad range of majors that lend themselves to careers available in the Coastal Bend. Recipients receive funds to cover tuition, fees, and textbooks. 
“Part of our goal was to help students graduate with limited debt because we know what a burden college debt can be,” Timothy Legamaro said. “Investing in scholarships is our way to mitigate some of that debt and support families now and into the future by supporting their ability to obtain better jobs.” 
Legamaro taught business and finance as an adjunct instructor in the Del Mar College business administration department in the 1980s and is now president of Legamaro Financial Services Inc.  The scholarship follows recipients to either Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi or Texas A&M-Kingsville to complete bachelor’s degrees in their chosen field, a first for a scholarship offered through the DMC Foundation. Also, recipients currently pursuing a career as a registered nurse in the college’s nurse education department can use the scholarship to continue studies in Del Mar’s RN-to-BSN program for a bachelor’s degree.  
“The Legamaros know that if you change the future of a student who is the first in their family to attend college, you help them change the future of their entire family for generations,” said DMC Foundation Executive Director Mary McQueen.  
The Del Mar College Foundation awards between $1.4 million and $1.9 million in scholarship assistance each year, benefiting 1,400-1,700 students. To inquire about scholarships or become a donor, individuals may contact the DMC Foundation at 361-698-1317 or foundation@delmar.edu.