All over the world, Longhorns are living, working, and leading. They are making the change they want to see and driving innovation across every field. It’s an exciting time to be a Texas Ex.
At your alumni association, we are proud to connect 570,000 Longhorns and help them be a force for good. The following is an overview of the impact the Texas Exes has made over the past year. We launched exciting new initiatives, doubled down on our support for Longhorn entrepreneurs, tapped into the power of our collective personal and professional networks, and as always, gave back to the place that changed our lives forever. We also announced ambitious goals to support the university’s What Starts Here Campaign, including an interactive exhibit at the Alumni Center that will showcase the greatness of our alumni.
As we rebound from such challenging times, the big takeaway from this past fiscal year is that the association was able to support Longhorn Nation with more scholarships, programming, benefits, and services than ever before.
And even though we’ve been at this now for more than 135 years … we like to think we’re just getting started. We've known it since the very beginning, and it's more true every year:
It wouldn’t be Texas without the Exes.
Chuck Harris
BBA ’86, Life Member
Executive Director & CEO
Membership powers the programs that strengthen UT, enhance the student experience, and keep alumni connected. Thank you everyone who answered the call by joining the Texas Exes this year or upgrading to Life Membership!
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Texas Exes chapters are located across the globe and serve the needs of more than 570,000 alumni. Each year, they provide scholarship support to hundreds of the best and brightest students from their local areas.
NETWORKS
Texas Exes networks are made up of Longhorns who share a common bond. These volunteer-led groups create a way for alumni to connect around shared interests, UT experiences, or affiliations. Each year, they provide scholarship support to deserving students who share those same bonds.
Read: The Hispanic Alumni Network Is a Home-Away-From-Home for Texas Exes
The above totals include Opportunity Scholarships, which were awarded to 109 deserving students this year and fall within every scholarship category. Established by alumni, these scholarships provide transformative funds for students from traditionally underrepresented groups, challenged geographic regions, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Read: New Scholarship Blooms With Help of Texas Law ‘Sunflower Lady’ Susana Alemán
Read: A New Scholarship for Black Students Aims to Help Longhorns in the Business World
CLASS RINGS
In 1996 the Texas Exes launched the Official University of Texas Class Ring. More than a piece of jewelry—the ring is a physical reminder of a Longhorn’s time on campus, the hard work put in to earning a degree, and the indelible impact UT has made on their life. To date more than 55,000 Longhorns have participated in the class ring tradition making it one of the largest programs in the nation.
Read: Fifty Years Later, Longhorn Siblings Gift Their Mom a Class Ring
TILES & PLAQUES
The Etter-Harbin Alumni Center is home on campus for alumni of The University of Texas at Austin. The surrounding tile and plaque pavilion is a picturesque, on-campus testament to the proud legacy of the university’s alumni. In 2021–22, more than 590 alumni and friends took part in the tradition.
TEXAS FIGHT RALLY
The Texas Fight Rally & Parade is held every year before the Texas vs. OU game. This year the celebration included special guests Coach Sarkisian, Texas Football, ROTC, UT Cheer & Pom, the Longhorn Band, Hook ‘Em, BEVO, and the Austin community.
In 1917, Governor Jim Ferguson vetoed the university’s appropriation fund, cutting off the very lifeline that funded the young university. The Texas Exes led the charge in opposing the governor and, as a result, Ferguson was impeached. Since then, the association has protected UT’s interests at the state and federal levels through the UT Advocates for Higher Education program. UT Advocates volunteers stay well-informed on higher education issues and work to make sure our alma mater is strongly represented with lawmakers and key decision-makers in Texas and Washington. The pinnacle event from 2021–22 was Longhorns on the Hill.
Read: How the Texas Exes’ Founding Shaped the State’s History
CAMP TEXAS
Each spring and fall semester, the Texas Exes transforms the lives of incoming students through experiences like Camp Texas, fostering connections with other students, professors, administrators, and UT traditions. The 2021 Summer Session was scheduled for August with 785* students registered to attend, but it was unfortunately canceled due to COVID. The Spring Session, held in January 2022, was the first in-person Camp Texas in two years with 11 students. Through it all, CT alumni, counselors, and new students were able to connect and keep spirits up! The extraordinary challenges of the pandemic made it clear how invaluable this program is to the Longhorn community.
Photos: Happy Campers — Photo Essay by a Camper
FLYING LONGHORNS
Since 1961, more than 25,000 alumni and friends have traveled with the Flying Longhorns. Our renowned trips set the stage for participants to reconnect with UT, deepen their relationship with Texas Exes, make new like-minded friends, and continue learning.
Read: Way Out West
HOOKEDIN
HookedIn is the official networking platform for UT Austin alumni and students. Texas Exes and Texas Career Engagement partnered with UT Austin colleges and schools to offer alumni, students, faculty, and staff this powerful online networking and career-boosting community. In 2021, the burnt-orange networking platform grew to 20,000 users in 58 countries.
Read: The Newest Class of Outstanding Young Texas Exes Define ‘Success’—And What It Means to Them
DONORS
Every year, thousands of alumni make an additional contribution beyond membership to the Texas Exes. Their gifts are put to good use and further our efforts to strengthen UT. Together we positively impact the university and its community.
Read: Texas Exes Scholarship Stats
Read: A Look at the Biggest Fundraising Campaign in UT’s History
LONGHORN BUSINESS NETWORK
We continued to evolve the suite of services under the umbrella of the Longhorn Business Network to support alumni-run businesses. From a growing Shop Longhorn business directory and a business membership to the launch of a new speaker series targeted to business needs, the Longhorn faithful can now shop and support one another.
Learn more: Connect with the Longhorn Business Network
More about Texas Exes leadership
Learn more
President and Chair
Patty Huffines
Executive Director
Chuck Harris
Immediate Past President
Robert A. Estrada
President-Elect
Courtney Jeans
Treasurer & Finance Chair
Lee Beckelman
Secretary
J. Coley Clark
Past President
Ricardo Hinojosa
Past President
Del Williams
Audit Committee Chair
Kathleen Farlow
Investments Committee Chair
Brien Smith
Chapters Representative
Christina Woodard
Scholarship Advisory Committee Chair
David Jones
UT Faculty Representative
Jay Bernhardt
UT Executive Officer
Sharon Wood
Directors
Lynn Davis
June Deadrick
Randy Erben
Frank Erwin III
Gay Gaddis
Cynthia Gonzalez
Brian Haley
Arleas Kea
Julie Kleberg
Amy Marcus
Alfie Meyerson
Eduardo Rodriguez
Nancy Seliger
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