Thanks to Jeannette Holloway and the Estill Foundation, the goal of achieving a college degree became more attainable for 20 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi students this year. The students will receive a $1,500 scholarship every semester during the duration of their education.

Holloway, a CPA and local philanthropist who was honored with the A&M-Corpus Christi Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001-2002, listened intently as the scholarship recipients introduced themselves and named their majors and hometowns at a luncheon held in Holloway's honor.

Holloway has served on the Alumni Association's board of directors for many years, actively donating her time and resources to help promote the University. She told the students that the University is quite different than when she graduated from it in May 1954 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She also invited the students to give her a call some time so she could take them to dinner and get to know them better.

"These scholarships are so important," President Robert R. Furgason commented. "Some of these students would not be here without them. I want to see Jeannette Holloway back here in about four years to help us put the caps and gowns on these students."

In 1979, Holloway became the world's first woman John Deere dealer. Holloway still practices accounting and stated she "has the pleasure" of being president of the Estill Foundation where she is actively helping other people accomplish their goals. Other organizations that have benefited from Holloway's generosity include the YWCA of Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend Youth City, Children's Heart Institute, Texas Research League, Art Museum of South Texas and the Communities Foundation of Texas.