A Legacy of Loving Pets

For many of us, pets are our trusted companions, with us through the ups and downs and all phases of life. This was certainly the case for Mari Nicholson-Preuss.

From Furry Friends to Family

Nicholson-Preuss grew up surrounded by animals. However, dogs were closest to her heart — and none held a candle to her beloved hounds Belle and Tuna.

“They were the best dogs,” Nicholson-Preuss said. “I’ve been around dogs my whole life, but the nature of their personalities just made them the best.”

“The girls,” as she calls them, came from the same litter. The biggest pup in the group was Belle. The smallest, Tuna. When Nicholson-Preuss came to visit her sister, who had adopted the girls’ mother, she knew she would be leaving with both in tow.

A Legacy of Love

Nicholson-Preuss is a proud Red Raider with two degrees from Texas Tech. It was a natural fit to honor the legacy of her girls by creating an endowed fund at the School of Veterinary Medicine.

“Texas Tech is home,” she explained. “When you go to Tech, it creates this special connection and common experience you share with all alumni. Those connections never go away.”

The Belle and Tuna Companion Animal Wellness Endowment at the School of Veterinary Medicine will support clinical programs focused on quality of life for dogs and cats. It was created by making the School of Veterinary Medicine a beneficiary of Nicholson-Preuss’ life insurance policy.

“I think if people knew they could make this kind of impact by planning ahead and with just a little bit every month, they would realize it is very doable, and the process is so easy, too,” Nicholson-Preuss said.

“When we look at endowments, they are important because they keep the community connection to the institution,” she continues. “It puts a real face on where funding’s coming from, and I think it’s such a great way to pay things back.

To learn how you can both honor a loved one and support Texas Tech, contact Nathan Rice, CFRE at 806-742-1781 and nathan.rice@ttu.edu today.

“With Texas Tech, it’s so much more than a single program — it’s the connection to my family and it’s who we are. If there’s going to be a gift made, I think supporting the University is the best way to go.”