Donald A. Cole Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The Donald A. Cole Memorial Scholarship Endowment honors the life and legacy of a devoted alumnus of Sam Houston State University whose values were rooted in service, integrity, and family. Don Cole earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Criminology at Sam Houston State University, where his academic experience shaped a lifelong commitment to Criminal Justice and ethical leadership. His education laid the foundation for a career dedicated to public service, professional excellence, and community impact Central to Don’s life was his unwavering devotion to his family, particularly his wife, Sara, whose partnership and care defined more than five decades of marriage. In 1973, Don and his wife, Sara, founded The Cole Group, a nationwide company that provides comprehensive pre-employment screening, specializing in “background interviews” that analyze a candidate’s character, work history, and reliability. Don believed deeply in hard work, accountability, and creating opportunity not only for his own family but for others striving to build meaningful futures. This endowment reflects those values by supporting students as they pursue their education and prepare for careers grounded in service and integrity. Through this scholarship, Don Cole’s legacy lives on in the students who benefit from his belief in education, family, and the power of giving back.