Denise Gaertner Tippy Endowed Scholarship for Veterans

James F. “Jim” Gaertner served as the 12th President of Sam Houston State University from August 21, 2001 through retirement on August 31, 2010. Jim earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (1965) and Master of Business Administration (1970) at Sam Houston State University, and his Doctorate of Philosophy (1977) at Texas A&M University. In 1970 he became a Certified Public Accountant and completed the Harvard University Management Development Program in 1989. Nancy Carol (Patrick) Gaertner earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University at South Bend and took classes at Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Notre Dame. During her teaching career, Nancy taught all subjects in elementary school and worked with all types of students with varying abilities, from struggling readers to gifted math students. However, most years were spent teaching fourth grade math and science. The Gaertners regarded their return to their alma mater in 2001 an honor and a unique opportunity to serve a very special university. During President Gaertner ‘s leadership of Sam Houston, Nancy Gaertner, was ever-present in her role as the First Lady. Both Jim and Nancy provided nine years of dedicated service, which included an impressive list of major accomplishments that raised the image and enhanced the academic stature of the university. Dr. and Mrs. Gaertner were persuasive advocates and effective supporters for the university’s outstanding performing arts programs during their presidency. They long held the belief and articulated publicly that Sam Houston State ’s programs are excellent, comparing favorably to the top programs in the nation.

Sam Houston State University President Emeritus Dr. James Gaertner and former SHSU First Lady Nancy Gaertner have established an endowment honoring their daughter, Denise Gaertner Tippy, who passed away February 13, 2020. Their gift, that created the Denise Gaertner Tippy Scholarship Endowment for Veterans, comes from a family’s loss, but also from a meaningful and personal legacy of helping others. Serving in the Air Force from 1986 to 1992, she spent most of her active duty at Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan where she served as a dental assistant specialist. "Denise’s happiest years were probably her time in the Air Force. She was married and had her son Cody, "Dr. Gaertner said. “I remember she drove a little red jeep and enjoyed scuba-diving with friends.” Paying tribute to their daughter’s independent and adventurous spirit that led her to serve in the Air Force, the Gaertners made the decision to focus their gift specifically on supporting student veterans.