January 31, 2022

Mike Cox ’77 has spent his life learning about what makes a good investment. For the last 24 years, he has worked with the Seabury Securities, an investment bank geared toward the airline industry. Prior to Seabury Securities, Mike was vice president and treasurer for Continental Airlines for many years and a was a self-described “airline geek.” However, his passions for investing and traveling extend beyond his career. With gifts planned for the Corps of Cadets, Mays Business School and the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute, Cox invests in the bright futures of Aggies across campus.

A Diverse Portfolio

While his decision to give back to the place that materially shaped him was easy, choosing how to give to Texas A&M University was more complex. Despite having already made an impact through current gifts supporting the Corps of Cadets and MSC programs, Cox wanted to make a more long-term commitment to Aggieland. Before meeting with Amy Bacon ’91, a planned giving officer at the Texas A&M Foundation, Cox was unsure how to make an investment that would impact a diverse group of Aggies for generations to come,

A firm believer in balancing education in the classroom and in campus leadership roles, Cox was immensely involved with the MSC as the Travel committee chairman and served on the Corps of Cadets Corps staff his senior year while in Mays Business School. “The Corps of Cadets, the business school and the MSC Travel committee are what shaped me most during my time at Texas A&M,” he said. “When Amy explained that I could divide my gift amongst multiple programs, I knew I wanted to give to all three.”

 

"Giving opportunities to those who need assistance to further their education is the best way I’ve found to share my success."
- Mike Cox '77

Although one of his three areas of interest, the MSC Travel committee, no longer exists, Cox wanted to find a program that would spark a passion for international travel in students like the committee did for him. The MSC L.T. Jordan Institute, through its on-campus programming and travel abroad opportunities, immediately caught his attention as the perfect investment.

Having traveled to more than 100 countries for his work and pleasure, Cox loves experiencing cultures around the world. “The food and sites of the places I visit are always fun, but meeting the people and learning about the country’s rich, unique history are why I love traveling,” he shared. I believe that traveling is one of the best investments anyone can make in their education. I hope my gift to MSC L.T. Jordan allows students to learn from others as I have.”

Capitalizing on Techniques

In addition to discovering that he could impact multiple areas on campus, Cox learned that there are diverse options on how to give to Texas A&M that can utilize specific financial assets. At first, he envisioned his contribution being a gift from his estate. However, further conversations with Bacon drew him toward a beneficiary designation gift, an easy and impactful way to give to the programs he wishes to support.

Cox’s technique to make a beneficiary designation gift through his IRA is one of many ways to plan a gift for Texas A&M. By naming the Texas A&M Foundation as a beneficiary of his IRA, retirement assets are passed on to the Foundation, tax-free, to support future generations of Aggies. “Planned giving is more than designating something in a will and/or writing checks,” Cox explained. “There are many ways to donate, and I’m glad I found a method that maximizes my ability to make Aggieland a better place.”

With wise investments come ample dividends, and Cox hopes his gift to Aggieland will have a lasting impact that encourages people to invest in students as he has. “I believe in sharing my good fortune with others,” he expressed. “Giving opportunities to those who need assistance to further their education is the best way I’ve found to share my success.”

Ready to invest in Aggies? Contact Angela Throne ’03 by completing the form below.

Planning for your financial future is one of the most important things you can do. Use our complimentary resource, Aggieland’s Ultimate Estate Planning Kit, as a step-by-step guide to build your plans and explore ways you can create a brighter future for Aggieland.​

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