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CHRISTIAN MESSA Houston couple establishes scholarship, commits to innovative educational programs Scholarship will help reward talented Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences students GALVESTON, Texas — A Houston couple has not only created a presidential scholarship for outstanding students in the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences but also pledged to establish a fund for innovative educational programs in the school. Robert and Edith Zinn endowed a presidential scholarship, one of the most prestigious of UTMB’s scholarship endowments. By offsetting recipients’ tuition, fees, book costs and living expenses, the Edith and Robert Zinn Presidential Scholarship will offer greater educational opportunities for future generations of biomedical researchers at the academic health center. The Zinns have also pledged to establish the Educational Enrichment Endowment to support learning programs like lectures and symposia, in addition to such special projects as health-related law and business management courses. Robert Zinn said he and his wife have great respect for the potential of biomedical science to help people. “We feel that members of the faculty at UTMB create a sense of community with young researchers that is nurturing and important for their development,” Zinn said. “It feels good to play a small role in helping with the financial burdens of the students. “It’s natural for us to be drawn to UTMB since it continues a tradition begun many years ago by my father, Will Zinn, when he established an annual award there for the highest-ranking medical school graduating senior. This was continued upon the death of my sister with the establishment of the Zelda Zinn Casper Foundation, which evolved into the Zelda Zinn Casper annual scholarship for a UTMB student who has demonstrated outstanding research ability after the first year of graduate school,” Zinn said. Dr. Cary W. Cooper, dean of the graduate school, thanked the Zinns for their investment in education at UTMB. “The Zinns’ generosity will help the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences maintain a vibrant learning environment for our students,” he said. “Their presidential scholarship will furthermore allow us to reward our exceptional students for their hard work and dedication to improving the health of others.” Added UTMB President John D. Stobo, “In creating these endowments, Mr. and Mrs. Zinn have ensured that their vision for bettering the health of society by enhancing graduate school programs of excellence and supporting its most promising students is secured well into the future.” The Zinns’ commitment will also support UTMB’s Timeless Values, Pioneering Solutions Campaign, a five-year, $250 million fund-raising initiative to enhance areas of excellence in teaching the art and science of health care; infectious diseases, biodefense and vaccine development; health care access and telehealth; and longevity, chronic diseases and neurological recovery. Robert Zinn, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Texas at Austin in 1952 and 1953, respectively, owns the Houston-based Zinn Petroleum Co. Edith Zinn also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UT-Austin in 1953 and 1955 and has been a volunteer teacher of advanced English to elderly immigrants at the Jewish Community Center in Houston for the past 14 years. In addition to their most recent commitment to UTMB, the Zinns have contributed to the university’s Zelda Zinn Casper Endowed Scholarship. UTMB |
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