Texas Tech University

Clinton Colgin, 1981-2010, in memoriam

"The person who has lived the most is not the one with the most years but the one with the richest experiences."

Jean-Jacques Rousseau


Texas Tech Alumnus Clinton Colgin packed a full and tremendously joyful amount of living into the 28 years he spent on this earth. Born in Dallas on November 18, 1981, Clinton grew up in Fort Worth and attended Arlington Heights High School. An avid Red Raider fan and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, he graduated from Tech with a business degree in 2005. One of his greatest experiences as a Texas Tech student was the semester that he spent at the TTU Center in Seville in 2003. Seville Center Director Doug Inglis remembers Clinton's ready smile and engaging personality: "Clinton came here in the early years of the Center. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Spain and made many friends while he was here. He was the type of young man people just instantly like—happy, outgoing, nice to everyone—a wonderful ambassador for Texas Tech University and for our country." Clinton considered his study abroad experience to be both memorable and life-changing.

After graduating from Texas Tech, Clinton moved to Dallas and worked in commercial real estate for Armstrong Development. In 2009 he married Bianca Elliott Colgin, his soul-mate and "once in a lifetime love." Together they renovated their home in the historic Oak Cliff neighborhood of Kessler Park in Dallas and settled in for what they expected to be a long and happy life together. Tragically, their time together was cut short when Clinton was killed in a hunting accident in Palo Pinto County—doing what he loved best: enjoying the great outdoors and the beauty of God's creation.

Clinton leaves a magnificent legacy of kindness and generosity to all who knew and loved him. To honor his memory, his family and friends started the Clinton Colgin Charities (http://www.cccharities.com). One of the philanthropies is the Clinton Colgin Study Abroad Scholarship:

“The Clinton Colgin Study Abroad Scholarship at Texas Tech University is designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Anyone who has traveled abroad understands that to study in a foreign country is one of the most memorable and life changing experiences one can have. Clinton believed this and was fortunate enough to have this experience when he lived in Seville, Spain in 2003. The goal of this scholarship is to enable any student who wants to share in this experience the ability to do so.”

Below is a portion of the letter of thanks written by the recipient of this year's Clinton Colgin Study Abroad Scholarship, a young woman who is currently studying at the TTU Center in Seville, an experience she could not otherwise have afforded:

“Being awarded this scholarship has extinguished the stress I've had of wondering if my dad back home is struggling to support me this semester. The Clinton Colgin Scholarship has lifted that burden from my family, and for that I cannot thank you enough….I am being challenged daily and feeling the true meaning of independence here in Spain. I am completely out of my comfort zone, learning a new language, having a great time, and for all these things I am humbled and grateful. I foresee a broadening of the range of people I will be able to help with my Psychology degree because of this study abroad experience, and I perceive a ‘successful career' as one that leaves a positive impact on the lives of others.”

Clinton Colgin always left a positive impact on the lives of others, and the fact that he continues to do so through this scholarship and the other charities established in his memory makes us recall the words of the Scottish poet Thomas Campbell: “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Clinton's legacy is alive and well, and for that we are most grateful.


Colgin

Clinton Colgin