Contribution will help students pay for losses from Hurricane Ike
GALVESTON, Texas - The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has received a contribution of $250,000 from AT&T Texas and the AT&T Foundation to provide resources to students who suffered financial losses resulting from Hurricane Ike.
The contribution will help many of UTMB's 2,351 students by partially covering tuition and fees, temporary housing costs, and the expense of replacing lab supplies, computers, uniforms and other critical educational materials lost during the storm.
"We're privileged to help these courageous students. Some of them remained at UTMB during the storm to ensure the safety of patients," said Barry Beasley, regional external affairs director for AT&T. The contribution will be allocated to each of UTMB's four schools - School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Health Professions and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
"In the storm's aftermath, helping our students recover from the significant financial challenges has been one of our biggest priorities," said Dr. David L. Callender, UTMB president. "The AT&T Fund for Student Assistance will work wonders in getting the lives of UTMB students back to normal, helping alleviate a great deal of stress so that they may fully focus on their health sciences education."
"UTMB‘s recovery is critical as an economic catalyst on Galveston Island," said state Rep. Craig Eiland. "Anything we can do to help the students also helps the economic recovery of the entire area. Our students are vital to the future of health care in Texas - and beyond."