Jessika Velazquez, a Texas Christian University senior from Fort Worth, did not think college was possible. Then she received a scholarship to TCU. Now she will be the first in her family to earn a degree.

“When I was younger, I never expected or was expected to attend college,” the honors student said. “My education provides me with the opportunity to give back to my community and family, and hopefully to inspire them to dream bigger dreams.”

Addison White, a junior from Dallas, can thank scholarships for the opportunity to participate in the University’s stellar pre-med track. “I am at TCU and could not be happier about it,” the Chancellor’s Scholar says. “Scholarship offers made that possible, and I am thankful for it every day.” Without the scholarships, he said, he would be at Duke or Notre Dame instead of TCU.

Many more students like Jessika and Addison will earn a TCU degree as a result of the Campaign Scholarship Initiative. Fundraising exceeded the initiative’s $100-million goal in March, and commitments now total more than $103 million.

Scholarships will remain the university’s top fundraising priority. “It is essential that this university keep its doors open to the students who can most benefit from a TCU education, regardless of family income,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr.

The Campaign Scholarship Initiative is part of The Campaign for TCU, which has received more than $425 million for scholarships, academic programs, faculty support (including endowed chairs and professorships), facilities and the annual fund. The Campaign for TCU is scheduled to conclude May 31.

“The generosity of the University’s alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations has been truly amazing and truly transformative,” Chancellor Boschini said.

Named one of the 2011 Top 20 “Up-and-Coming National Universities” by U.S. News & World Report, TCU was cited among the schools “making the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty and student life.” The Campaign for TCU has underwritten these changes, Chancellor Boschini said.