By partnering with the Texas A&M Foundation—which invests donor-funded endowments in a diversified portfolio and provides annual distributions to the university for purposes designated by donors—Forrest is confident that once fully funded, this scholarship will continue to grow to perpetually impact both current and future Aggies.
In the past, the Federation has raised over $8 million dollars for the university in the form of scholarships and student organization support and is unquestionably fond of the Foundation’s mission to invest in Aggies. Forrest believes their partnership with the Foundation will prove beneficial as they aim to award one student scholarship each year to relieve some of the financial stress that comes with pursuing a Texas A&M education.
“When I decided to create a scholarship in the Federation’s name, I wanted to make sure it would grow in value and help students on a much larger scale. The Foundation is helping us establish a lasting legacy for our organization through this endowment,” she stated.
Personal Passions
Forrest’s mission stems from her personal desire to make education at Texas A&M more affordable, as she understands firsthand how difficult it can be to financially support children through college. While neither she nor her husband had the chance to pursue higher education themselves, they both valued the experience and instilled the importance of it within their sons. “We never asked them if they wanted to go to college; instead the question was, ‘Where do you want to go?’” she explained.
When the time came for their eldest, Wyatt ’21, to provide an answer, he decided Aggieland would be his home for the next four years. “When he told us he wanted to go to Texas A&M, the first thing my husband asked was, ‘Can we afford it?’ to which I responded, ‘We can’t afford to tell him no,’” she shared. To make these aspirations a reality, Forrest encouraged both of her sons to utilize the help of scholarships to support their Aggie-bound ambitions.
After witnessing both children achieve Texas A&M degrees, Forrest said the most rewarding part was the peace of knowing they graduated debt-free thanks to scholarship support. “I never want a student to decide not to attend Texas A&M just because they can’t afford it,” she emphasized. “My hope for the Federation’s scholarship is that it will continue to grow and outlive all who have contributed to it. I want to impact Aggie students as well as their families for generations upon generations.”
Join the Federation in its mission to support aspiring Aggies with academic scholarships! Contact Steve Blomstedt '83 below to learn more about contributing to the Federation’s endowment or other areas of your interest.
