Nicole Tucker’s bequest will benefit students at the University and serve as a tribute to her mother.
Studying for a bachelor’s degree in psychology and working full time was sometimes overwhelming for Nicole Tucker BA’04. But the memory of her late mother helped motivate her.
“Though it was a struggle finding the time and money while working, I was determined,” said Tucker. "It took many years, but with the reassuring memories of my mother – who completed her degree while raising two children alone and working full time – and some financial aid during my last year, I graduated in 2004."
Now Tucker, 37, is focused on honoring the memory of her mother, Diane Milot Tucker, who died suddenly when Nicole was a teenager.
The real estate professional set up a campaign gift recently in her mother’s name through her will. The University is currently engaged in its first comprehensive fund-raising campaign, Realize the Vision: The Campaign for Tier One & Beyond, which seeks to raise $200 million by 2014.
Tucker hopes her gift provides peace of mind for other young students worried about paying for college and their futures.
“I learned at a young age to be prepared by having your finances in place. So, when revising my will last year, I contacted UT Dallas to get the information I needed to set up a scholarship in my mother’s honor.”
The bequest that Tucker established will eventually be used to create a scholarship that will benefit students. “I am proud to be able to help support an aspiring UT Dallas graduate with the money I leave behind. This way, my mother and I will have a role in another person’s future.”
For more information on gift planning, contact Anna LeBlanc at 972-883-6023 or visit utdallas.plannedgiving.org.