On December 6, Dr. Charlie McCormick, president of Schreiner University in Kerrville, announced the launch of the university’s new banking program, created to help students navigate rural-focused banking needs in Texas. Schreiner University students will be admitted into the program by the end of their sophomore year. Upon acceptance, they will receive a scholarship for both their junior and senior years provided by Texas-based host banks. The host bank can then offer the student a permanent position upon graduation from the banking program.
Kenneth Early, executive vice president/relationship manager at Bandera-based Texas Hill Country Bank, and Darla Rooke, president and CEO of Junction-based Junction National Bank, spearheaded the initiative to equip Schreiner University students with the banking knowledge that Texas rural banks need. The duo reached out to Brent Cox, vice president and university alliance director for the Texas Bankers Association, and Christopher Williston, president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, who agreed to help with start-up funding for the new program.
“We think that students in finance, accounting, computer science and other majors will complete the course of study in the banking program, participate in internships in rural banks, receive scholarship support from a bank that wants to lock in its future employee and know where they’re going to work after graduation,” McCormick says. “That is going to be exciting for our future students and the banks’ future employees.”
“Regional banks confirmed that they have a need for graduates from the type of banking program we intend to [administer], and students who complete the program will find that they are on a career path that provides them a very good living,” McCormick continues. “This is exactly the sort of outcome we look for when we are trying to decide whether to start a new program. We appreciate our regional banking partners who will help us build out this program and who will continue to enrich their local communities.”
“As community bankers, we talk a lot about making people’s dreams come true,” Williston notes. “For many, that dream is to get an education and to be better positioned to provide for their families. We believe that support of the Schreiner University banking program will allow us to play a part in making those dreams come true.”
Above: Dr. Tom Simpson, developer of Schreiner University’s banking program; Dr. Charlie McCormick, president of Schreiner University; Brent Cox, vice president and university alliance director for the Texas Bankers Association; Christopher Williston, president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas; and Jay McCormack, visiting assistant professor of business at Schreiner University.
