Georgetown couple's $15 million gift for student scholarships caps Southwestern's $91 million campaign success story

October 17, 1998

A Georgetown couple's bequest of $15 million to fund student scholarships at Southwestern University caps a campaign that has raised in excess of $91 million for Texas' premiere liberal arts college.

Jack and Camille Garey, graduates of the nearby University of Texas, said they were attracted to Southwestern by the quality of the institution and by the opportunity to invest in student scholarships at a university recognized for its long-term financial stability and growth.

The Gareys assessed the programs of many well-regarded institutions before deciding to make their gift to the school. Jack Garey is owner and president of Garey Construction Company, Inc. of Austin, a highway construction general contractor. He practiced law in Austin until 1978 with a specialty in personal injury and workers' compensation before entering the construction business. His company was recognized as one of the fastest growing, privately owned companies in the U.S. from 1983-86 by "Inc." magazine as a member of its "Inc. 500." He received a gubernatorial appointment to the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission from 1990-96, serving as chair during 1990-91 and 1994-95. He is author of "Handling Workman's Compensation Case for the Plaintiff," published by the State Bar of Texas. At present, he serves as president for Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Texas.

Camille "Cammy" Blackmore Garey received her degree in physical therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She completed post-graduate study in advanced orthopedic physical therapy at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward, Calif. For more than 20 years, she practiced physical therapy in Texas, Califonia, North Carolina, Maryland and Washington, D.C. She currently manages the Garey Ranch, which breeds registered Brangus cattle.

For the past seven years, Southwestern has worked to raise $75 million for student scholarships, new facilities and current operations. The campaign total of $91 million marks the largest total ever for any undergraduate college in Texas. Georgetown's contribution to the campaign, including the Garey's gift, is more than $21 million. The campaign effort was led by Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs, a Southwestern alumnus and chair of the school's Board of Trustees.

CBS News Anchor Dan Rather and three-time national champion University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal attended a weekend event to celebrate the university's fund-raising achievement and to honor campaign donors.

Southwestern University, a selective, undergraduate liberal arts college located just north of Austin, is Texas' first institution of higher education, chartered in 1840. Southwestern is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

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