Hal and Allyne Machat establish Blinn College endowed scholarships in honor of their parents
Couple, who met at Blinn, gift $42,341 to Foundation
March 25, 2021
Joseph H. “Hal” and Allyne Machat have added to their legacy of changing students’ lives by establishing two new Blinn College District endowed scholarships.
The Machats gifted $42,341 to the Blinn College Foundation to establish scholarships in honor of their parents – Lillian and William H. “Doc” Quade, and Tracy and Joseph Machat Jr.
The Quade scholarship will be awarded annually to a Blinn student majoring in piano. The Machat scholarship will be used for students participating in basketball and football.
The Machats have a long history of support for Blinn, including a $300,000 gift in 2010 to renovate the College band hall. The facility now bears their name.
Hal and Allyne met in 1953 when he arrived on the Brenham Campus with an athletic scholarship in hand. Hal went to Dean Henry Boehm’s office in Old Main to put together his class schedule and met Allyne, an assistant there who had graduated from Blinn in 1952.
They were married in 1955 and will celebrate their 66th anniversary this year.
“Blinn means a lot to us. It’s such an asset to the community,” said Hal, a member of the Blinn College Foundation Board of Directors. “We wanted to honor our mothers and fathers. We feel that establishing scholarships in their memory is the best way to do that. There are a lot of deserving students who need a helping hand to attend college.”
Sam Sommer, Blinn Foundation Board Chair, said these scholarships are especially gratifying.
“The Machats realize the importance of a good education and have always been staunch supporters of Blinn College’s mission,” said Sommer. “Their gift will make a difference in students’ lives for generations. We are truly grateful for their support.”
The Foundation oversees almost 300 endowed scholarships that are available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences.
The Foundation also provides financial support for programs and activities that enhance the quality of education for Blinn students, looks to heighten community awareness of the mission and accomplishments of the College, and promotes excellence in education.
More information on funding an endowed scholarship or applying is available at www.blinn.edu/foundation or by calling 979-830-4017.
Current high school and college students can apply for all Blinn scholarships through a single application at www.blinn.edu/scholarships. Prior to applying for scholarships, students must complete their application for admission to Blinn College at www.goapplytexas.org.
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