Lover of Learning and Retired Army Veteran’s Legacy Lives On

A kind and generous man, Col. William Mastoris Jr., ’87, ’89, ’93 was deeply connected to UTSA. After entering the Army and graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1950, he served his country around the world. Upon retirement in 1983 to San Antonio, his passion for learning led him to UTSA to earn three more degrees – in finance, humanities and geography – where he established three permanent scholarships in his and his parents’ names.

“Bill cared so much about UTSA and wanted his family name to live on in a special way,” said Kim West, assistant vice president for development. “He loved to see the academic progress of all of the students his scholarships helped each year, yet he shied away from any recognition about the difference he was making.”

Mastoris found a simple and mutually-beneficial way to fund his scholarships through charitable gift annuities (CGAs), in which he received a fixed income stream for life in exchange for a donation. Every year for 10 years, he set up a new CGA and used the income to support many charities, knowing the remainder would support his UTSA scholarships. With each CGA he transferred his assets out of the volatile stock market to a secure, steady income while also avoiding upfront capital gains taxes.

Coupled with an additional gift in his will, Bill’s incredible generosity funded permanent scholarships valued at nearly $3M, resulting in scholarships for 155 students over 20 years, with more to come. His generosity ensures that his family’s legacy will live on while providing UTSA students with support as they pursue their degrees and become future leaders.