Dr. Frank Madla III (Donor)

Late Senator Frank Madla Jr.’s profound legacy is woven in the fabric of Texas A&M University-San Antonio. In 1999, he requested a legislative proposal to establish an institution of higher education on the south side of San Antonio. Due to his unwavering commitment, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, then known as Texas A&M University-Kingsville System Center-San Antonio was established in the year 2000.

Although current students may not know his story, they see his Senator Madla’s lasting legacy on campus every day. “Madla Maroon”—one the University’s colors— is painted around campus on signage and buildings. And his likeness will forever be a part of the University’s landscape as his statue stands tall in front of the Frank Madla Building—the first building constructed on the main campus.

Senator Frank Madla is remembered by many as a pioneer, teacher and a kind-hearted man. And to Dr. Frank Madla III, he is all of those things, but most importantly he is dad and a mentor who taught him the importance of giving.

Dr.  Madla grew up on the South Side of San Antonio where his father was a school teacher before running for office. As a teacher and community advocate, he instilled the importance of education in his son.

Dr. Madla is a 1987 graduate of Texas A&M University-College Station, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Science.  In 1992, he received a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), where he completed his internship, residency training and Chief Residency years. He currently works as a hospitalist, specializing in internal medicine in San Antonio, Texas.

In 2002, Dr. Madla married Nenette Cardenas-Madla.  They currently reside in Helotes at the Madla family farm, where Senator Madla was born and raised. 

Between tending to patients and his’s family remote farm, Dr. Madla still finds time to be of service to A&M-San Antonio—continuing his father’s legacy while creating his own. Dr. Madla has served on the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Foundation Board since 2008. And years ago, he established the Madla Endowment to provide continuous financial support to A&M-SA students.

“If a student comes up to me and says, ‘I’m interested in medical school,’ or ‘I’m interested in being a physician’s assistant, a nurse practitioner or a nurse,’ that’s where I step in,” Dr. Madla says.  “I offer them to shadow me at work and to accompany at hospital rounds. I have found this to be a great opportunity for students to assess their desire to pursue a medical education.”

Over the years, Dr. Madla has seen what came to fruition at the University following his father’s passing in 2006. He is not surprised by the immense and rapid growth on campus, and is pleased that his father’s tireless determination and perseverance was well-worth the effort.

“If he were here, dad would never say, ‘I told you so’ to people because it sounds negative. But he knew there was a need on this side of town” says Dr. Madla. “He knew if the school was built, students would come.”