The gift will fund research in circulatory disorders affecting the brain in the Medical School’s department of medicine.

"This generous gift will allow us to expand our important research and educational programs in the department of medicine," said John P. Howe, III, MD, president of the Health Science Center. "As our research and knowledge base grows, more patients will benefit from subsequent new therapies and treatments. As the Health Science Center begins its second quarter-century, gifts such as the one from Mrs. Sibert will help us continue the remarkable progress we have achieved in the field of medicine."

Eric G. Leung, their son, earned his medical degree from the Health Science Center in 1996. He is a pediatric resident at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland.

Also, the university will receive an annual award from the Dorothy B. Banks Charitable Trust beginning this year. The 1998 award is $85,969.

The funds will be used to train allied health and nursing students.

"The alumni association recognizes that the Dental School’s goal is to recruit students with the highest potential for success," stated C. Roger Macias, DDS, class of 1983 and alumni president, about the nation’s #1 dental school. "With the dean [Kenneth L. Kalkwarf, DDS], we determined that a scholarship endowment specifically benefiting top-ranked entering students is where the money is most needed."

Melinda Jones, DDS, class of 1990 and scholarship chairperson, added that the alumni association will continue awarding scholarships to students of all levels.

"Our goal is to support as many students as possible, with annual cash awards and the permanent presence an endowment provides the school."

The Dental School Alumni Association conducts several fund-raising events annually, including an equipment show for students during the James P. Hollers Memorial Lecture and continuing education programs, in addition to generating support from former students and faculty. The alumni association’s scholarship program began in 1993, with 26 students receiving $13,000 in scholarship assistance through 1998.

(L-R) Former Dental School classmates C. Roger Macias, 1997-98 alumni president, and M. Van Cannon, president-elect, unveil the $100,000 Dental Alumni Scholarship Endowment check with Kenneth L. Kalkwarf, DDS, Dental School dean, during the alumni social held in May in conjunction with the 1998 Texas Dental Association Annual Session.

The endowment was created by a generous gift from Col. Jean Migliorino (Ret.) and Lt. Col. Philip Piccione (Ret.) of San Antonio.

Col. Migliorino previously donated funds to establish the Col. Jean Migliorino Endowed Scholarship in the School of Nursing. This endowment will be used to assist students enrolled in the pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) program. The PNP program, one of the newest master’s degree programs, was inaugurated in fall 1997.

Col. Migliorino and Lt. Col. Piccione each led distinguished careers in the U.S. Air Force. She was a nurse for 27 years, and his 22-year career included the roles of pilot and flight instructor.