Roy and Linda Tindula are making plans today to impact the future. After living and working all over the world, they've chosen to retire in Tyler, Texas. As young retirees who want to make a difference, they have finalized estate plans that will benefit The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) students and, ultimately, the Tyler community. "We respect higher education, and wouldn't be where we are without it," said Roy, a retired metallurgical engineer.

Through a bequest in their wills, a $500,000 endowed chair will be established in Roy's name for industrial/manufacturing engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Linda, a retired registered nurse, has designated a $500,000 endowed scholarship as her legacy to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

"Roy and Linda's planned gifts are indicative of their generous commitment to the university as well as their belief in its future. The endowments they are creating through their financial and estate planning will be of enormous benefit to UT Tyler in the future," said Nancy Lamar, executive director of university advancement.

Natives of Virginia and Ohio, the Tindulas moved to Tyler in 1983. Roy was the resources manager for Carrier Air Conditioning where he observed a shortage of local engineers. At the time, there was no engineering program in Tyler, so quality engineers were not being "home grown." Career opportunities took the Tindulas elsewhere, but they returned to Tyler to enjoy their retirement. They were impressed with the city's growth, particularly at UT Tyler, which now not only included a rapidly growing nursing department, but also an expanding engineering program. "I was very impressed with UT Tyler when we came back. It makes sense to have a university here, and it's worth our time and investment. I just hope more students will pursue engineering locally," said Roy, 64.

Roy and Linda Tindula

"We both believe this country needs more engineers. We lag behind other countries like China, India, and Korea and if we don't have engineers, we don't have advanced technology. Without advanced technology, we don't have a competitive economy, so we need to get more engineers out there," said Linda, 61.

Linda is also aware of the shortage of nurses. "Since people are living longer, we are in need of nurses now and the need will only grow in the future. There are going to be a lot of us who will need nursing care, and I hope my gift will help meet that need." "We are very ordinary people and not extremely wealthy," said Roy. "Ordinary people can start thinking today in terms of what they can do to make a difference," he added.

UT Tyler is very proud of committed and visionary donors such as the Tindulas whose generosity ensures that this university continues to provide excellence in education.