Investing in Others: A Forty Acres Scholar's Summer of Service

Tiffany Chan is the recipient of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn White Enrichment Award. Last spring, my women’s literature professor, Carol MacKay, introduced me to the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. Giving back to the community that continues to give me so much is important to me. I know the difference it has made to have been blessed by the presence of supportive people in my life: my family, my friends, teachers, professors, and, during my time now at The University of Texas, especially the Texas Exes, the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation, and Marilyn White through the Forty Acres Scholars Program. I knew immediately that I had to apply to this summer program in Washington, D.C. offered by the Fund for American Studies. It was an opportunity to discover how my passion could become my profession. With students from universities across the nation and around the world—including a fellow Stamps scholar from the University of Illinois—I quickly became immersed in both theory and hands-on experience. In June, Professor Richard Boyd led our class in an exploration of voluntary associations and how they function within a democratic society. In July, we tackled philosophical problems with Professor Gregory Wolcott through the lenses of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics to answer the question: What social responsibilities do individuals and organizations have? Additionally this summer, I interned at a nonprofit promoting children’s literacy called Everybody Wins! D.C. It was there that I learned the ins and outs of a nonprofit and discovered what it takes for one to succeed: truly dedicated and passionate people investing their time and energy towards a cause they strongly believe in. This sense of heart is irreplaceable. In the words of Douglas Adams, “To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” This summer, I also developed an unexpected lifelong friendship. I spent my last night with Alexandra Forte, my best friend, sitting on the other side of the Lincoln Memorial. Looking over the water and skyline, we recounted and reflected on the past two months. I am blessed by her presence in my life and our beautifully strong friendship. It is impossible to imagine the summer without our late night chats, spur-of-the-moment road trips, shared tears, and laughter. My experience in the nation’s capital intensified my love for service, and I returned beyond excited to continue connecting with my home community. I have realized that my passion is not with a cause in the traditional sense. Yes, I enjoy working with kids and facilitating STEM summer camps at the children’s museum; I enjoy interacting with animals and exercising shelter dogs around Town Lake; I enjoy helping to improve the environment and clearing greenbelts of invasive species. But my true desire is to inspire a lifelong dedication to philanthropic service in others. I learned so much this summer: what "business casual" really means, how meaningful a mentor-mentee relationship can be, and to always carry an umbrella in D.C. But, most importantly, I learned that service is not about the number of hours or amount of money you put in. It is about how much heart you invest in others.  Photo courtesy Tiffany Chan. 

Investing in Others: A Forty Acres Scholar's Summer of Service

Tiffany Chan is the recipient of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn White Enrichment Award. Last spring, my women’s literature professor, Carol MacKay, introduced me to the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. Giving back to the community that continues to give me so much is important to me. I know the difference it has made to have been blessed by the presence of supportive people in my life: my family, my friends, teachers, professors, and, during my time now at The University of Texas, especially the Texas Exes, the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation, and Marilyn White through the Forty Acres Scholars Program. I knew immediately that I had to apply to this summer program in Washington, D.C. offered by the Fund for American Studies. It was an opportunity to discover how my passion could become my profession. With students from universities across the nation and around the world—including a fellow Stamps scholar from the University of Illinois—I quickly became immersed in both theory and hands-on experience. In June, Professor Richard Boyd led our class in an exploration of voluntary associations and how they function within a democratic society. In July, we tackled philosophical problems with Professor Gregory Wolcott through the lenses of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics to answer the question: What social responsibilities do individuals and organizations have? Additionally this summer, I interned at a nonprofit promoting children’s literacy called Everybody Wins! D.C. It was there that I learned the ins and outs of a nonprofit and discovered what it takes for one to succeed: truly dedicated and passionate people investing their time and energy towards a cause they strongly believe in. This sense of heart is irreplaceable. In the words of Douglas Adams, “To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” This summer, I also developed an unexpected lifelong friendship. I spent my last night with Alexandra Forte, my best friend, sitting on the other side of the Lincoln Memorial. Looking over the water and skyline, we recounted and reflected on the past two months. I am blessed by her presence in my life and our beautifully strong friendship. It is impossible to imagine the summer without our late night chats, spur-of-the-moment road trips, shared tears, and laughter. My experience in the nation’s capital intensified my love for service, and I returned beyond excited to continue connecting with my home community. I have realized that my passion is not with a cause in the traditional sense. Yes, I enjoy working with kids and facilitating STEM summer camps at the children’s museum; I enjoy interacting with animals and exercising shelter dogs around Town Lake; I enjoy helping to improve the environment and clearing greenbelts of invasive species. But my true desire is to inspire a lifelong dedication to philanthropic service in others. I learned so much this summer: what "business casual" really means, how meaningful a mentor-mentee relationship can be, and to always carry an umbrella in D.C. But, most importantly, I learned that service is not about the number of hours or amount of money you put in. It is about how much heart you invest in others.  Photo courtesy Tiffany Chan. 

Investing in Others: A Forty Acres Scholar's Summer of Service

Tiffany Chan is the recipient of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn White Enrichment Award. Last spring, my women’s literature professor, Carol MacKay, introduced me to the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. Giving back to the community that continues to give me so much is important to me. I know the difference it has made to have been blessed by the presence of supportive people in my life: my family, my friends, teachers, professors, and, during my time now at The University of Texas, especially the Texas Exes, the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation, and Marilyn White through the Forty Acres Scholars Program. I knew immediately that I had to apply to this summer program in Washington, D.C. offered by the Fund for American Studies. It was an opportunity to discover how my passion could become my profession. With students from universities across the nation and around the world—including a fellow Stamps scholar from the University of Illinois—I quickly became immersed in both theory and hands-on experience. In June, Professor Richard Boyd led our class in an exploration of voluntary associations and how they function within a democratic society. In July, we tackled philosophical problems with Professor Gregory Wolcott through the lenses of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics to answer the question: What social responsibilities do individuals and organizations have? Additionally this summer, I interned at a nonprofit promoting children’s literacy called Everybody Wins! D.C. It was there that I learned the ins and outs of a nonprofit and discovered what it takes for one to succeed: truly dedicated and passionate people investing their time and energy towards a cause they strongly believe in. This sense of heart is irreplaceable. In the words of Douglas Adams, “To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” This summer, I also developed an unexpected lifelong friendship. I spent my last night with Alexandra Forte, my best friend, sitting on the other side of the Lincoln Memorial. Looking over the water and skyline, we recounted and reflected on the past two months. I am blessed by her presence in my life and our beautifully strong friendship. It is impossible to imagine the summer without our late night chats, spur-of-the-moment road trips, shared tears, and laughter. My experience in the nation’s capital intensified my love for service, and I returned beyond excited to continue connecting with my home community. I have realized that my passion is not with a cause in the traditional sense. Yes, I enjoy working with kids and facilitating STEM summer camps at the children’s museum; I enjoy interacting with animals and exercising shelter dogs around Town Lake; I enjoy helping to improve the environment and clearing greenbelts of invasive species. But my true desire is to inspire a lifelong dedication to philanthropic service in others. I learned so much this summer: what "business casual" really means, how meaningful a mentor-mentee relationship can be, and to always carry an umbrella in D.C. But, most importantly, I learned that service is not about the number of hours or amount of money you put in. It is about how much heart you invest in others.  Photo courtesy Tiffany Chan. 

Forty Acres Scholar Studies Food Security at German University

Stephanie Eisner has wasted no time in getting real-world experience relevant to her public health major. The junior Forty Acres Scholar spent two months in Germany this summer at the Georg-August University at Göttingen’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, where she studied the market for palm oil in Indonesia and the economic, ecological, and human-rights aspects that play a role in agriculture. Following a lengthy application process, Eisner was selected to be a part of the RISE (Research and Internships in Science Engineering) program, sponsored by the German Exchange Service. The research being conducted explores the food-versus-fuel debate in agriculture in less developed nations. “My supervisor decided it would be interesting to look at food security issues that arise from growing interest in palm oil,” Eisner says. Her research consisted of studying how policies in developed nations—where there is a growing demand for economically and environmentally friendly oils—affect demands in developing nations. Eisner picked about 25 countries from all over the world and compiled statistics regarding imports, exports, development status, and agriculture status before compiling them into a coding program and standardizing the data by calorie intake. “I answered a lot of individual questions, but it was less of one giant question and more of developing understanding for my team and myself,” she says. “In Germany, the actual knowledge that I earned was mostly from interaction in research and the work I was doing at my desk. I learned about a whole different side of public health that I was very intrigued by: agriculture,” Eisner says. The RISE Program provided living, travel, and food expenses for her trip. Eisner also received a scholarship through the College of Natural Sciences that covered her plane ticket. The Forty Acres Scholars Program covered the remainder of her expenses. Forty Acres Scholars are required to complete a community component, a global experience, and a professional growth opportunity during their time at UT. Between her 2013 summer in Germany and her 2012 summer in Bangladesh, Eisner has completed all three requirements. These requirements served as a great motivator for Eisner to pursue global opportunities related to her major, she says. “It was never a question of 'Can I do it?’ or ‘Should I do it?’ but, ‘I’m going to be doing it, what field should do it in?’” Eisner says. “I feel like the sky is the limit.” Now that she's back on campus, Eisner is focusing on her junior year and her responsibilities as Student Government’s Women’s Resource Agency assistant director, and her work as an officer in the Texas Microfinance Group. “I’m absolutely thankful for the kinds of doors [The Forty Acres Scholars Program] opens,” Eisner says. “It’s just immeasurable.” Stephanie Eisner is a recipient of the Founding Donors Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Stephanie Eisner.

Forty Acres Scholar Studies Food Security at German University

Stephanie Eisner has wasted no time in getting real-world experience relevant to her public health major. The junior Forty Acres Scholar spent two months in Germany this summer at the Georg-August University at Göttingen’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, where she studied the market for palm oil in Indonesia and the economic, ecological, and human-rights aspects that play a role in agriculture. Following a lengthy application process, Eisner was selected to be a part of the RISE (Research and Internships in Science Engineering) program, sponsored by the German Exchange Service. The research being conducted explores the food-versus-fuel debate in agriculture in less developed nations. “My supervisor decided it would be interesting to look at food security issues that arise from growing interest in palm oil,” Eisner says. Her research consisted of studying how policies in developed nations—where there is a growing demand for economically and environmentally friendly oils—affect demands in developing nations. Eisner picked about 25 countries from all over the world and compiled statistics regarding imports, exports, development status, and agriculture status before compiling them into a coding program and standardizing the data by calorie intake. “I answered a lot of individual questions, but it was less of one giant question and more of developing understanding for my team and myself,” she says. “In Germany, the actual knowledge that I earned was mostly from interaction in research and the work I was doing at my desk. I learned about a whole different side of public health that I was very intrigued by: agriculture,” Eisner says. The RISE Program provided living, travel, and food expenses for her trip. Eisner also received a scholarship through the College of Natural Sciences that covered her plane ticket. The Forty Acres Scholars Program covered the remainder of her expenses. Forty Acres Scholars are required to complete a community component, a global experience, and a professional growth opportunity during their time at UT. Between her 2013 summer in Germany and her 2012 summer in Bangladesh, Eisner has completed all three requirements. These requirements served as a great motivator for Eisner to pursue global opportunities related to her major, she says. “It was never a question of 'Can I do it?’ or ‘Should I do it?’ but, ‘I’m going to be doing it, what field should do it in?’” Eisner says. “I feel like the sky is the limit.” Now that she's back on campus, Eisner is focusing on her junior year and her responsibilities as Student Government’s Women’s Resource Agency assistant director, and her work as an officer in the Texas Microfinance Group. “I’m absolutely thankful for the kinds of doors [The Forty Acres Scholars Program] opens,” Eisner says. “It’s just immeasurable.” Stephanie Eisner is a recipient of the Founding Donors Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Stephanie Eisner.

Forty Acres Scholar Studies Food Security at German University

Stephanie Eisner has wasted no time in getting real-world experience relevant to her public health major. The junior Forty Acres Scholar spent two months in Germany this summer at the Georg-August University at Göttingen’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, where she studied the market for palm oil in Indonesia and the economic, ecological, and human-rights aspects that play a role in agriculture. Following a lengthy application process, Eisner was selected to be a part of the RISE (Research and Internships in Science Engineering) program, sponsored by the German Exchange Service. The research being conducted explores the food-versus-fuel debate in agriculture in less developed nations. “My supervisor decided it would be interesting to look at food security issues that arise from growing interest in palm oil,” Eisner says. Her research consisted of studying how policies in developed nations—where there is a growing demand for economically and environmentally friendly oils—affect demands in developing nations. Eisner picked about 25 countries from all over the world and compiled statistics regarding imports, exports, development status, and agriculture status before compiling them into a coding program and standardizing the data by calorie intake. “I answered a lot of individual questions, but it was less of one giant question and more of developing understanding for my team and myself,” she says. “In Germany, the actual knowledge that I earned was mostly from interaction in research and the work I was doing at my desk. I learned about a whole different side of public health that I was very intrigued by: agriculture,” Eisner says. The RISE Program provided living, travel, and food expenses for her trip. Eisner also received a scholarship through the College of Natural Sciences that covered her plane ticket. The Forty Acres Scholars Program covered the remainder of her expenses. Forty Acres Scholars are required to complete a community component, a global experience, and a professional growth opportunity during their time at UT. Between her 2013 summer in Germany and her 2012 summer in Bangladesh, Eisner has completed all three requirements. These requirements served as a great motivator for Eisner to pursue global opportunities related to her major, she says. “It was never a question of 'Can I do it?’ or ‘Should I do it?’ but, ‘I’m going to be doing it, what field should do it in?’” Eisner says. “I feel like the sky is the limit.” Now that she's back on campus, Eisner is focusing on her junior year and her responsibilities as Student Government’s Women’s Resource Agency assistant director, and her work as an officer in the Texas Microfinance Group. “I’m absolutely thankful for the kinds of doors [The Forty Acres Scholars Program] opens,” Eisner says. “It’s just immeasurable.” Stephanie Eisner is a recipient of the Founding Donors Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Stephanie Eisner.

A Summer in Spain for Linda Shi

  Linda Shi visits the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy while traveling solo after her study abroad term ended. When Forty Acres Scholar Linda Shi walked into her Spanish Civilization class last spring, she had no intention of studying abroad in Barcelona. But that quickly changed. “After that class, I fell in love with this idea of Spain,” says Shi, a recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship.  “It was something I wanted to explore more.” Shi's four—yes, four—majors in business honors, finance, Plan II honors, and Spanish made it tough to find a study abroad program that would let her earn needed credit toward her degree. But with help from the Forty Acres Scholars Program staff, Shi ended up at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra Language & Culture, taking a class on the history of Catalonia and another on Spanish post-modernism. But classroom knowledge wasn’t all she gained. “I realized during my trip that it's difficult to have a good experience while traveling with people you already know, because you're speaking English,” Shi says. “But when traveling by yourself, you have to meet natives and you can immerse self in the culture much better.” The experience, Shi says, put her language skills on the fast track to being highly proficient and pushed her to meet people from all over the world. Apart from meeting people, the most educational activity Shi did was simply walk. “It took about 50 minutes to get to my school,” Shi says. “Barcelona’s public transit is fantastic, but I thought it was better to walk. There’s something calming and educational about walking, so I didn't bother to figure how public transit worked.” Not bothering to learn the ins and outs of European public transit caught up with her in Italy. One of Shi’s rare public transportation escapades taught her quite a bit about keeping calm in a crisis. While traveling through Italy after her program ended, Shi bought a train ticket and boarded. She learned later that you must validate tickets at a machine in the train station or face fines. It was a learning experience, she says. “I really panicked because of that,” Shi says. “I learned the importance of reacting quickly when you don't speak a language or understand norms. If this doesn't work out, that's fine. Something else will work out. Let strange things happen.” Shi’s ability to go with the flow led her to many solo trips all over Spain, Morocco, and Italy. But she hardly plans on stopping there. “[Study abroad] has made me thirstier,” Shi said. “It’s made me want to travel more. For me, it’s not about how much of the world I haven't seen- but about how many people I haven't met.” The Forty Acres Scholars Program served as more than monetary support for Shi’s summer. The program’s encouragement and emphasis on international experiences served her well, she says. “Study abroad has been a cornerstone of my college experience,” Shi says. “The [Forty Acres Scholars Program] encourages that. College should prepare you for the adult world, and studying abroad is instrumental to that.” Linda Shi is a recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Linda Shi.

A Summer in Spain for Linda Shi

  Linda Shi visits the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy while traveling solo after her study abroad term ended. When Forty Acres Scholar Linda Shi walked into her Spanish Civilization class last spring, she had no intention of studying abroad in Barcelona. But that quickly changed. “After that class, I fell in love with this idea of Spain,” says Shi, a recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship.  “It was something I wanted to explore more.” Shi's four—yes, four—majors in business honors, finance, Plan II honors, and Spanish made it tough to find a study abroad program that would let her earn needed credit toward her degree. But with help from the Forty Acres Scholars Program staff, Shi ended up at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra Language & Culture, taking a class on the history of Catalonia and another on Spanish post-modernism. But classroom knowledge wasn’t all she gained. “I realized during my trip that it's difficult to have a good experience while traveling with people you already know, because you're speaking English,” Shi says. “But when traveling by yourself, you have to meet natives and you can immerse self in the culture much better.” The experience, Shi says, put her language skills on the fast track to being highly proficient and pushed her to meet people from all over the world. Apart from meeting people, the most educational activity Shi did was simply walk. “It took about 50 minutes to get to my school,” Shi says. “Barcelona’s public transit is fantastic, but I thought it was better to walk. There’s something calming and educational about walking, so I didn't bother to figure how public transit worked.” Not bothering to learn the ins and outs of European public transit caught up with her in Italy. One of Shi’s rare public transportation escapades taught her quite a bit about keeping calm in a crisis. While traveling through Italy after her program ended, Shi bought a train ticket and boarded. She learned later that you must validate tickets at a machine in the train station or face fines. It was a learning experience, she says. “I really panicked because of that,” Shi says. “I learned the importance of reacting quickly when you don't speak a language or understand norms. If this doesn't work out, that's fine. Something else will work out. Let strange things happen.” Shi’s ability to go with the flow led her to many solo trips all over Spain, Morocco, and Italy. But she hardly plans on stopping there. “[Study abroad] has made me thirstier,” Shi said. “It’s made me want to travel more. For me, it’s not about how much of the world I haven't seen- but about how many people I haven't met.” The Forty Acres Scholars Program served as more than monetary support for Shi’s summer. The program’s encouragement and emphasis on international experiences served her well, she says. “Study abroad has been a cornerstone of my college experience,” Shi says. “The [Forty Acres Scholars Program] encourages that. College should prepare you for the adult world, and studying abroad is instrumental to that.” Linda Shi is a recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Linda Shi.

A Summer in Spain for Linda Shi

  Linda Shi visits the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy while traveling solo after her study abroad term ended. When Forty Acres Scholar Linda Shi walked into her Spanish Civilization class last spring, she had no intention of studying abroad in Barcelona. But that quickly changed. “After that class, I fell in love with this idea of Spain,” says Shi, a recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship.  “It was something I wanted to explore more.” Shi's four—yes, four—majors in business honors, finance, Plan II honors, and Spanish made it tough to find a study abroad program that would let her earn needed credit toward her degree. But with help from the Forty Acres Scholars Program staff, Shi ended up at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra Language & Culture, taking a class on the history of Catalonia and another on Spanish post-modernism. But classroom knowledge wasn’t all she gained. “I realized during my trip that it's difficult to have a good experience while traveling with people you already know, because you're speaking English,” Shi says. “But when traveling by yourself, you have to meet natives and you can immerse self in the culture much better.” The experience, Shi says, put her language skills on the fast track to being highly proficient and pushed her to meet people from all over the world. Apart from meeting people, the most educational activity Shi did was simply walk. “It took about 50 minutes to get to my school,” Shi says. “Barcelona’s public transit is fantastic, but I thought it was better to walk. There’s something calming and educational about walking, so I didn't bother to figure how public transit worked.” Not bothering to learn the ins and outs of European public transit caught up with her in Italy. One of Shi’s rare public transportation escapades taught her quite a bit about keeping calm in a crisis. While traveling through Italy after her program ended, Shi bought a train ticket and boarded. She learned later that you must validate tickets at a machine in the train station or face fines. It was a learning experience, she says. “I really panicked because of that,” Shi says. “I learned the importance of reacting quickly when you don't speak a language or understand norms. If this doesn't work out, that's fine. Something else will work out. Let strange things happen.” Shi’s ability to go with the flow led her to many solo trips all over Spain, Morocco, and Italy. But she hardly plans on stopping there. “[Study abroad] has made me thirstier,” Shi said. “It’s made me want to travel more. For me, it’s not about how much of the world I haven't seen- but about how many people I haven't met.” The Forty Acres Scholars Program served as more than monetary support for Shi’s summer. The program’s encouragement and emphasis on international experiences served her well, she says. “Study abroad has been a cornerstone of my college experience,” Shi says. “The [Forty Acres Scholars Program] encourages that. College should prepare you for the adult world, and studying abroad is instrumental to that.” Linda Shi is a recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Linda Shi.

Trailblazer

Meet Alejandra Ortega: UT freshman, Forty Acres Scholar, aspiring math teacher, and the first high school graduate in her family. The Houston native explained how UT’s most esteemed full-ride merit scholarship has changed her life. Did your parents push you to aim for college? They never pushed me, but when they saw it was what I wanted, they supported me all the way. My mom got her GED and worked her way up as a teacher’s aide and a secretary, and my dad owns a small contractor business. They’re amazing, the best role models I could have. They must be so proud. My entire family is full of Texas fans now! My aunts and uncles in Monterrey, Mexico, all have UT T-shirts and can do the hook ’em. I’m trying to convince my cousin to come to UT. We need another Longhorn in the family. How did you end up at UT? For a long time, I was convinced I would go to the University of North Texas, because I knew about a full-ride scholarship there. But then I came to UT for UIL [University Interscholastic League], I just had a gut feeling. After that, I knew I was going to do whatever it took to get here. What was your reaction to learning you’d won this scholarship? On the Sunday after Finalists’ Weekend, I waited by my phone all day. Finally, at 8 p.m., Kristy [Kimball, Forty Acres Scholars Program director] called. I remember thanking her over and over, then celebrating with my mom—laughing, hugging, crying. This is the biggest blessing ever for me and my family. I want to start my own scholarship fund next semester. It won’t be much, but I’ve gotten so much help that I want to start returning it. That’s a big reason why I want to be a teacher, too, so I can help kids with backgrounds like mine. How’s your first semester so far? There’s definitely been some culture shock, but it’s going great. I really love my physics class. I’m about to start teaching science to at-risk kids through UTeach Outreach. I like taking dance lessons with Texas Ballroom, too. Tell me about that culture shock. Walking into a class with 100 students was an adjustment. And I had been used to speaking Spanish most of the time at home. There was a lot of apathy in my high school, so it’s a big adjustment—in the best way—to be around all these people who are so excited about learning. Are you close to the other Forty Acres Scholars? We’re a family. When I told Connor [Frew, a fellow scholar] that I’m first-generation, he said, “We’ve got your back.” It meant a lot to me. Last week, two other girls and I brought our boyfriends to meet the scholars. We introduced them to everybody, and it was like, “OK, you passed the test!” That’s how close we are. Alejandra Ortega is a recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo by Andrew Alden Miller.

Trailblazer

Meet Alejandra Ortega: UT freshman, Forty Acres Scholar, aspiring math teacher, and the first high school graduate in her family. The Houston native explained how UT’s most esteemed full-ride merit scholarship has changed her life. Did your parents push you to aim for college? They never pushed me, but when they saw it was what I wanted, they supported me all the way. My mom got her GED and worked her way up as a teacher’s aide and a secretary, and my dad owns a small contractor business. They’re amazing, the best role models I could have. They must be so proud. My entire family is full of Texas fans now! My aunts and uncles in Monterrey, Mexico, all have UT T-shirts and can do the hook ’em. I’m trying to convince my cousin to come to UT. We need another Longhorn in the family. How did you end up at UT? For a long time, I was convinced I would go to the University of North Texas, because I knew about a full-ride scholarship there. But then I came to UT for UIL [University Interscholastic League], I just had a gut feeling. After that, I knew I was going to do whatever it took to get here. What was your reaction to learning you’d won this scholarship? On the Sunday after Finalists’ Weekend, I waited by my phone all day. Finally, at 8 p.m., Kristy [Kimball, Forty Acres Scholars Program director] called. I remember thanking her over and over, then celebrating with my mom—laughing, hugging, crying. This is the biggest blessing ever for me and my family. I want to start my own scholarship fund next semester. It won’t be much, but I’ve gotten so much help that I want to start returning it. That’s a big reason why I want to be a teacher, too, so I can help kids with backgrounds like mine. How’s your first semester so far? There’s definitely been some culture shock, but it’s going great. I really love my physics class. I’m about to start teaching science to at-risk kids through UTeach Outreach. I like taking dance lessons with Texas Ballroom, too. Tell me about that culture shock. Walking into a class with 100 students was an adjustment. And I had been used to speaking Spanish most of the time at home. There was a lot of apathy in my high school, so it’s a big adjustment—in the best way—to be around all these people who are so excited about learning. Are you close to the other Forty Acres Scholars? We’re a family. When I told Connor [Frew, a fellow scholar] that I’m first-generation, he said, “We’ve got your back.” It meant a lot to me. Last week, two other girls and I brought our boyfriends to meet the scholars. We introduced them to everybody, and it was like, “OK, you passed the test!” That’s how close we are. Alejandra Ortega is a recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo by Andrew Alden Miller.

Trailblazer

Meet Alejandra Ortega: UT freshman, Forty Acres Scholar, aspiring math teacher, and the first high school graduate in her family. The Houston native explained how UT’s most esteemed full-ride merit scholarship has changed her life. Did your parents push you to aim for college? They never pushed me, but when they saw it was what I wanted, they supported me all the way. My mom got her GED and worked her way up as a teacher’s aide and a secretary, and my dad owns a small contractor business. They’re amazing, the best role models I could have. They must be so proud. My entire family is full of Texas fans now! My aunts and uncles in Monterrey, Mexico, all have UT T-shirts and can do the hook ’em. I’m trying to convince my cousin to come to UT. We need another Longhorn in the family. How did you end up at UT? For a long time, I was convinced I would go to the University of North Texas, because I knew about a full-ride scholarship there. But then I came to UT for UIL [University Interscholastic League], I just had a gut feeling. After that, I knew I was going to do whatever it took to get here. What was your reaction to learning you’d won this scholarship? On the Sunday after Finalists’ Weekend, I waited by my phone all day. Finally, at 8 p.m., Kristy [Kimball, Forty Acres Scholars Program director] called. I remember thanking her over and over, then celebrating with my mom—laughing, hugging, crying. This is the biggest blessing ever for me and my family. I want to start my own scholarship fund next semester. It won’t be much, but I’ve gotten so much help that I want to start returning it. That’s a big reason why I want to be a teacher, too, so I can help kids with backgrounds like mine. How’s your first semester so far? There’s definitely been some culture shock, but it’s going great. I really love my physics class. I’m about to start teaching science to at-risk kids through UTeach Outreach. I like taking dance lessons with Texas Ballroom, too. Tell me about that culture shock. Walking into a class with 100 students was an adjustment. And I had been used to speaking Spanish most of the time at home. There was a lot of apathy in my high school, so it’s a big adjustment—in the best way—to be around all these people who are so excited about learning. Are you close to the other Forty Acres Scholars? We’re a family. When I told Connor [Frew, a fellow scholar] that I’m first-generation, he said, “We’ve got your back.” It meant a lot to me. Last week, two other girls and I brought our boyfriends to meet the scholars. We introduced them to everybody, and it was like, “OK, you passed the test!” That’s how close we are. Alejandra Ortega is a recipient of the AIM Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo by Andrew Alden Miller.

Monica Bischoff Interns at Microsoft

Monica Bischoff had never lived outside of Texas when she left for a 12-week financial internship with Microsoft in Redmond, Washington this past summer. While she admits that the adjustment to living and working on her own was difficult, she found her time with Microsoft too rewarding to say anything less than positive about the experience. “The sense of community I gained from the other interns made the transition much easier,” Bischoff says. “They provided support and friendship from the beginning. My 20th birthday fell only two weeks after I arrived in Redmond, and the other interns arranged a surprise party!” Bischoff, a junior Forty Acres Scholar pursuing majors in finance, business honors and history, says her time at Microsoft was a period of both professional and personal growth. “I gained an understanding of the lifestyles of corporate-finance professionals at a large technology company,” Bischoff says. “And now my classes seem to have greater meaning because I can relate the lessons directly to my work experience.” Interning in the finance rotation program at Microsoft allowed Bischoff to work in four business groups. She also worked on a small team that gave a presentation to the chief financial officer of Xbox. In addition to gaining experience analyzing discounting trends and distributing sales reports, Bischoff was able to meet and live with interns from around the world. Together they spent time exploring the Pacific Northwest. “At the Microsoft Intern Signature Event, Macklemore opened for Deadmau5 in a private concert at the Boeing factory,” Bischoff says. “We visited Vancouver twice and stayed a weekend in Whistler's Peak. We hiked Lake Serene and Mount Si, and we camped out for a music festival in Eastern Washington at the Gorge Amphitheater." Bischoff's time at Microsoft isn't over. After she completes a study abroad trip to Russia next summer, Bischoff will return to Redmond to participate in her final two business groups. This will follow a school year of continued participation in Alpha Xi Delta and the Texas Undergraduate Investment Team, garnering her even further experience in finance. “The Forty Acres Scholars Program has given me the support and network to achieve my dreams while at the University of Texas and beyond,” Bischoff says. “These last two years have been filled with the most amazing experiences a college student could hope for, and I could not be more grateful.”

Monica Bischoff Interns at Microsoft

Monica Bischoff had never lived outside of Texas when she left for a 12-week financial internship with Microsoft in Redmond, Washington this past summer. While she admits that the adjustment to living and working on her own was difficult, she found her time with Microsoft too rewarding to say anything less than positive about the experience. “The sense of community I gained from the other interns made the transition much easier,” Bischoff says. “They provided support and friendship from the beginning. My 20th birthday fell only two weeks after I arrived in Redmond, and the other interns arranged a surprise party!” Bischoff, a junior Forty Acres Scholar pursuing majors in finance, business honors and history, says her time at Microsoft was a period of both professional and personal growth. “I gained an understanding of the lifestyles of corporate-finance professionals at a large technology company,” Bischoff says. “And now my classes seem to have greater meaning because I can relate the lessons directly to my work experience.” Interning in the finance rotation program at Microsoft allowed Bischoff to work in four business groups. She also worked on a small team that gave a presentation to the chief financial officer of Xbox. In addition to gaining experience analyzing discounting trends and distributing sales reports, Bischoff was able to meet and live with interns from around the world. Together they spent time exploring the Pacific Northwest. “At the Microsoft Intern Signature Event, Macklemore opened for Deadmau5 in a private concert at the Boeing factory,” Bischoff says. “We visited Vancouver twice and stayed a weekend in Whistler's Peak. We hiked Lake Serene and Mount Si, and we camped out for a music festival in Eastern Washington at the Gorge Amphitheater." Bischoff's time at Microsoft isn't over. After she completes a study abroad trip to Russia next summer, Bischoff will return to Redmond to participate in her final two business groups. This will follow a school year of continued participation in Alpha Xi Delta and the Texas Undergraduate Investment Team, garnering her even further experience in finance. “The Forty Acres Scholars Program has given me the support and network to achieve my dreams while at the University of Texas and beyond,” Bischoff says. “These last two years have been filled with the most amazing experiences a college student could hope for, and I could not be more grateful.”

Monica Bischoff Interns at Microsoft

Monica Bischoff had never lived outside of Texas when she left for a 12-week financial internship with Microsoft in Redmond, Washington this past summer. While she admits that the adjustment to living and working on her own was difficult, she found her time with Microsoft too rewarding to say anything less than positive about the experience. “The sense of community I gained from the other interns made the transition much easier,” Bischoff says. “They provided support and friendship from the beginning. My 20th birthday fell only two weeks after I arrived in Redmond, and the other interns arranged a surprise party!” Bischoff, a junior Forty Acres Scholar pursuing majors in finance, business honors and history, says her time at Microsoft was a period of both professional and personal growth. “I gained an understanding of the lifestyles of corporate-finance professionals at a large technology company,” Bischoff says. “And now my classes seem to have greater meaning because I can relate the lessons directly to my work experience.” Interning in the finance rotation program at Microsoft allowed Bischoff to work in four business groups. She also worked on a small team that gave a presentation to the chief financial officer of Xbox. In addition to gaining experience analyzing discounting trends and distributing sales reports, Bischoff was able to meet and live with interns from around the world. Together they spent time exploring the Pacific Northwest. “At the Microsoft Intern Signature Event, Macklemore opened for Deadmau5 in a private concert at the Boeing factory,” Bischoff says. “We visited Vancouver twice and stayed a weekend in Whistler's Peak. We hiked Lake Serene and Mount Si, and we camped out for a music festival in Eastern Washington at the Gorge Amphitheater." Bischoff's time at Microsoft isn't over. After she completes a study abroad trip to Russia next summer, Bischoff will return to Redmond to participate in her final two business groups. This will follow a school year of continued participation in Alpha Xi Delta and the Texas Undergraduate Investment Team, garnering her even further experience in finance. “The Forty Acres Scholars Program has given me the support and network to achieve my dreams while at the University of Texas and beyond,” Bischoff says. “These last two years have been filled with the most amazing experiences a college student could hope for, and I could not be more grateful.”

Forty Acres Scholar Spends Summer in Spain

From left Chelsey Bravenec, Rachel Larson and Michelle Byers in front of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.[/caption] Architecture and Plan II sophomore and Forty Acres Scholar Rachel Larson spent her summer in Spain packing picnic lunches to eat on the beach, gazing at Gothic architecture, and planning weekend trips to other countries—all while polishing her Spanish skills. Larson spent six weeks in Santander living with a host mother and her toy poodle and studying Spanish at the University of Cantabria with about 40 other UT students. “I've traveled a fair amount, but that was the first time—apart from [last winter break volunteering in] Honduras—that I traveled by myself,” Larson says. “I was planning a lot for myself. I had to take things into my own hands and step away from the security of having someone plan it for [me.]” In addition to soaking in the culture, Larson and her peers were enrolled in Intermediate Spanish. “The coursework wasn’t so strenuous that I couldn’t enjoy the country,” Larson says. “I looked at the experience as personal development.” The coursework took her language skills to the next level, Larson says. “I could watch a movie and have a conversation [in Spanish], but my grammar and word usage were pretty bad," she says. "This class helped to fill in the gaps." Apart from Santander, Larson traveled to Barcelona, London, and the area surrounding Madrid while abroad. Larson was especially impressed with the cathedrals and Gothic architecture in Europe. Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was her favorite building she saw while traveling. “I hope to work as an architect overseas after graduation,” Larson says. “This program will help especially if I go to a Spanish-speaking country. It has again reinforced in my mind the possibility of working overseas.” Her experience abroad has already been valuable to her in the classroom. “You already learn a lot of life skills in college, but being in a culturally different environment forces you to grow up and figure things out for yourself,” Larson says. “It makes you more dependable and more resourceful as a student.” Larson’s study abroad experience fulfills her global experience requirement for the Forty Acres Scholars Program. “Financially speaking, the program allowed me to go abroad in the first place,” Larson says. “It was a tremendous opportunity.” Larson is also thankful that the program has also allowed her to network with people she would not have previously met. As for now, Larson is focusing on her sophomore year and looking for her next travel opportunity. “I’ve had the travel bug for years," she says, "and it’s only growing.” Rachel Larson is a recipient of the Stuart W. Stedman Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Rachel Larson.

Forty Acres Scholar Spends Summer in Spain

From left Chelsey Bravenec, Rachel Larson and Michelle Byers in front of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.[/caption] Architecture and Plan II sophomore and Forty Acres Scholar Rachel Larson spent her summer in Spain packing picnic lunches to eat on the beach, gazing at Gothic architecture, and planning weekend trips to other countries—all while polishing her Spanish skills. Larson spent six weeks in Santander living with a host mother and her toy poodle and studying Spanish at the University of Cantabria with about 40 other UT students. “I've traveled a fair amount, but that was the first time—apart from [last winter break volunteering in] Honduras—that I traveled by myself,” Larson says. “I was planning a lot for myself. I had to take things into my own hands and step away from the security of having someone plan it for [me.]” In addition to soaking in the culture, Larson and her peers were enrolled in Intermediate Spanish. “The coursework wasn’t so strenuous that I couldn’t enjoy the country,” Larson says. “I looked at the experience as personal development.” The coursework took her language skills to the next level, Larson says. “I could watch a movie and have a conversation [in Spanish], but my grammar and word usage were pretty bad," she says. "This class helped to fill in the gaps." Apart from Santander, Larson traveled to Barcelona, London, and the area surrounding Madrid while abroad. Larson was especially impressed with the cathedrals and Gothic architecture in Europe. Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was her favorite building she saw while traveling. “I hope to work as an architect overseas after graduation,” Larson says. “This program will help especially if I go to a Spanish-speaking country. It has again reinforced in my mind the possibility of working overseas.” Her experience abroad has already been valuable to her in the classroom. “You already learn a lot of life skills in college, but being in a culturally different environment forces you to grow up and figure things out for yourself,” Larson says. “It makes you more dependable and more resourceful as a student.” Larson’s study abroad experience fulfills her global experience requirement for the Forty Acres Scholars Program. “Financially speaking, the program allowed me to go abroad in the first place,” Larson says. “It was a tremendous opportunity.” Larson is also thankful that the program has also allowed her to network with people she would not have previously met. As for now, Larson is focusing on her sophomore year and looking for her next travel opportunity. “I’ve had the travel bug for years," she says, "and it’s only growing.” Rachel Larson is a recipient of the Stuart W. Stedman Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Rachel Larson.

Forty Acres Scholar Spends Summer in Spain

From left Chelsey Bravenec, Rachel Larson and Michelle Byers in front of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.[/caption] Architecture and Plan II sophomore and Forty Acres Scholar Rachel Larson spent her summer in Spain packing picnic lunches to eat on the beach, gazing at Gothic architecture, and planning weekend trips to other countries—all while polishing her Spanish skills. Larson spent six weeks in Santander living with a host mother and her toy poodle and studying Spanish at the University of Cantabria with about 40 other UT students. “I've traveled a fair amount, but that was the first time—apart from [last winter break volunteering in] Honduras—that I traveled by myself,” Larson says. “I was planning a lot for myself. I had to take things into my own hands and step away from the security of having someone plan it for [me.]” In addition to soaking in the culture, Larson and her peers were enrolled in Intermediate Spanish. “The coursework wasn’t so strenuous that I couldn’t enjoy the country,” Larson says. “I looked at the experience as personal development.” The coursework took her language skills to the next level, Larson says. “I could watch a movie and have a conversation [in Spanish], but my grammar and word usage were pretty bad," she says. "This class helped to fill in the gaps." Apart from Santander, Larson traveled to Barcelona, London, and the area surrounding Madrid while abroad. Larson was especially impressed with the cathedrals and Gothic architecture in Europe. Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was her favorite building she saw while traveling. “I hope to work as an architect overseas after graduation,” Larson says. “This program will help especially if I go to a Spanish-speaking country. It has again reinforced in my mind the possibility of working overseas.” Her experience abroad has already been valuable to her in the classroom. “You already learn a lot of life skills in college, but being in a culturally different environment forces you to grow up and figure things out for yourself,” Larson says. “It makes you more dependable and more resourceful as a student.” Larson’s study abroad experience fulfills her global experience requirement for the Forty Acres Scholars Program. “Financially speaking, the program allowed me to go abroad in the first place,” Larson says. “It was a tremendous opportunity.” Larson is also thankful that the program has also allowed her to network with people she would not have previously met. As for now, Larson is focusing on her sophomore year and looking for her next travel opportunity. “I’ve had the travel bug for years," she says, "and it’s only growing.” Rachel Larson is a recipient of the Stuart W. Stedman Forty Acres Scholarship. Photo courtesy Rachel Larson.

'The Most Exhilarating Two Months of My Life': A Forty Acres Scholar Goes Abroad

Akos Furton is a UT sophomore studying business honors and mathematics and the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. Furton was a featured speaker at this year’s Forty Acres Scholarship Program Dinner, which was held last week at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. The following is a transcript of his remarks. As the summer after my freshman year approached, I kept wondering how I would spend it. Should I work as I did after high school? Should I seek an internship? During one of the lectures in my business administration 101 class, guest speaker and supply chain professor Dr. Hasler mentioned that he would be leading a trip to Hong Kong to study the global supply chain, particularly how Chinese manufacturing fits into it. I had always wanted to visit Asia, and global logistics seemed interesting since I enjoyed the UPS “What can Brown do for you?” commercials. The entire Texas Exes staff was so supportive throughout the process of me applying and preparing for the program. The program was an intensive six-week trip across the supply chain of a series of Target products. I was with about 30 other students from the McCombs School of Business. On our first day, just after school ended and I had moved out of my dorm (and crashed my car into a garbage truck), we had a session at a local Target store to determine the specific product we would follow in China. After selecting a calculator, we followed it to the port of Los Angeles, then back across the Pacific Ocean to a port on the Chinese seaboard, then finally to a factory where hundreds of workers in an assembly line assembled TI-84 calculators by the truckload day after day after day. In addition, I took two classes while in Hong Kong, one a course on relationships with Chinese businesses, and the other an introduction to operations. The classes convinced me that I should declare a major in supply-chain management. While in Asia, because of the Forty Acres Scholars Program's generous funding, I was also able to travel to Thailand, where I got my picture taken with a tiger; Beijing, where I got to hike the Great Wall; India, where I got to sample homemade Indian cuisine; and finally Hungary, where I met up with my parents at my grandparents' house. All in all, I had collected the full set of currencies from six different countries. I found studying abroad to be the most exhilarating two months of my life. I experienced foreign situations daily, and learned to adapt to mystifying, bizarre environments. I even picked up a few characters of Chinese. I am incredibly grateful to the Forty Acres Scholars Program for giving me the opportunity to experience the second best city in the world (after Austin of course). You have provided me the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture unknown to me, and allowed me to grow from it. For that, I am so thankful! Thank you for your generous investments into our futures! Hook 'em.   Photo by Matt Valentine.

'The Most Exhilarating Two Months of My Life': A Forty Acres Scholar Goes Abroad

Akos Furton is a UT sophomore studying business honors and mathematics and the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. Furton was a featured speaker at this year’s Forty Acres Scholarship Program Dinner, which was held last week at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. The following is a transcript of his remarks. As the summer after my freshman year approached, I kept wondering how I would spend it. Should I work as I did after high school? Should I seek an internship? During one of the lectures in my business administration 101 class, guest speaker and supply chain professor Dr. Hasler mentioned that he would be leading a trip to Hong Kong to study the global supply chain, particularly how Chinese manufacturing fits into it. I had always wanted to visit Asia, and global logistics seemed interesting since I enjoyed the UPS “What can Brown do for you?” commercials. The entire Texas Exes staff was so supportive throughout the process of me applying and preparing for the program. The program was an intensive six-week trip across the supply chain of a series of Target products. I was with about 30 other students from the McCombs School of Business. On our first day, just after school ended and I had moved out of my dorm (and crashed my car into a garbage truck), we had a session at a local Target store to determine the specific product we would follow in China. After selecting a calculator, we followed it to the port of Los Angeles, then back across the Pacific Ocean to a port on the Chinese seaboard, then finally to a factory where hundreds of workers in an assembly line assembled TI-84 calculators by the truckload day after day after day. In addition, I took two classes while in Hong Kong, one a course on relationships with Chinese businesses, and the other an introduction to operations. The classes convinced me that I should declare a major in supply-chain management. While in Asia, because of the Forty Acres Scholars Program's generous funding, I was also able to travel to Thailand, where I got my picture taken with a tiger; Beijing, where I got to hike the Great Wall; India, where I got to sample homemade Indian cuisine; and finally Hungary, where I met up with my parents at my grandparents' house. All in all, I had collected the full set of currencies from six different countries. I found studying abroad to be the most exhilarating two months of my life. I experienced foreign situations daily, and learned to adapt to mystifying, bizarre environments. I even picked up a few characters of Chinese. I am incredibly grateful to the Forty Acres Scholars Program for giving me the opportunity to experience the second best city in the world (after Austin of course). You have provided me the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture unknown to me, and allowed me to grow from it. For that, I am so thankful! Thank you for your generous investments into our futures! Hook 'em.   Photo by Matt Valentine.

'The Most Exhilarating Two Months of My Life': A Forty Acres Scholar Goes Abroad

Akos Furton is a UT sophomore studying business honors and mathematics and the recipient of the Ray and Denise Nixon Forty Acres Scholarship. Furton was a featured speaker at this year’s Forty Acres Scholarship Program Dinner, which was held last week at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. The following is a transcript of his remarks. As the summer after my freshman year approached, I kept wondering how I would spend it. Should I work as I did after high school? Should I seek an internship? During one of the lectures in my business administration 101 class, guest speaker and supply chain professor Dr. Hasler mentioned that he would be leading a trip to Hong Kong to study the global supply chain, particularly how Chinese manufacturing fits into it. I had always wanted to visit Asia, and global logistics seemed interesting since I enjoyed the UPS “What can Brown do for you?” commercials. The entire Texas Exes staff was so supportive throughout the process of me applying and preparing for the program. The program was an intensive six-week trip across the supply chain of a series of Target products. I was with about 30 other students from the McCombs School of Business. On our first day, just after school ended and I had moved out of my dorm (and crashed my car into a garbage truck), we had a session at a local Target store to determine the specific product we would follow in China. After selecting a calculator, we followed it to the port of Los Angeles, then back across the Pacific Ocean to a port on the Chinese seaboard, then finally to a factory where hundreds of workers in an assembly line assembled TI-84 calculators by the truckload day after day after day. In addition, I took two classes while in Hong Kong, one a course on relationships with Chinese businesses, and the other an introduction to operations. The classes convinced me that I should declare a major in supply-chain management. While in Asia, because of the Forty Acres Scholars Program's generous funding, I was also able to travel to Thailand, where I got my picture taken with a tiger; Beijing, where I got to hike the Great Wall; India, where I got to sample homemade Indian cuisine; and finally Hungary, where I met up with my parents at my grandparents' house. All in all, I had collected the full set of currencies from six different countries. I found studying abroad to be the most exhilarating two months of my life. I experienced foreign situations daily, and learned to adapt to mystifying, bizarre environments. I even picked up a few characters of Chinese. I am incredibly grateful to the Forty Acres Scholars Program for giving me the opportunity to experience the second best city in the world (after Austin of course). You have provided me the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture unknown to me, and allowed me to grow from it. For that, I am so thankful! Thank you for your generous investments into our futures! Hook 'em.   Photo by Matt Valentine.

'We're Expecting Great Things From You': Named Scholarship Recipient Thanks Donors

Mark Mikhaeil is a UT senior studying mechanical engineering and the recipient of the Beverly R. and Jack P. Randall Family Challenge Grant. Mikhaeil was a featured speaker at this year's Texas Exes Named Scholarships Dinner, which was held last week at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. The following is a transcript of his remarks. On behalf of all the students here tonight, I want to thank all of the donors who took the time to come tonight and build a connection with their scholarship recipients. I also want to extend that thank you to the Texas Exes—and especially to the scholarships organization—not just because they’re feeding me the best dinner I’ve had in two weeks, but because they’ve given me and the other students present today the opportunity to meet people who care enough about our education that they have invested their own livelihood into it. Tiffany Gonzales, the scholarships coordinator for the Texas Exes, asked me to speak briefly tonight about my experience and the impact the scholarship has had on my education. That includes my relationship with my donors, Mr. Jack and Mrs. Beverly Randall, who are honestly the reason why I have succeeded here at the University. I’m a native Texan. I was born and raised in Houston. My mother and father were both Egyptians, and they both went to university there. My father studied engineering, and my mother studied pharmacy. When I decided to major in mechanical engineering, my mom said, “I guess I lost the battle." Four years later, when my younger brother also wanted to do engineering, my dad told her, “I guess you lost the war." When I was considering universities, I knew that UT would give me the most prestigious education that I could receive. It was my first choice by a large margin. Besides the quality of education here, I was smitten by the beauty of the campus and the Austin lifestyle. My parents, however, were not so infatuated. They were actually convinced that I should go to Texas A&M. From their perspective, they couldn’t understand why they should pay more for tuition and cost of living at UT when they could pay less for a similar quality education elsewhere. At the time, Texas A&M was also giving me a very large scholarship opportunity, and I could see their reasoning—so I bit my tongue and agreed with them. I didn’t want to burden them or myself with student loans. We decided that, unless I could find a way to ease the financial yoke, I would take the offer from Texas A&M. I will never forget the afternoon I received the email from the Texas Exes saying I had been awarded the scholarship. I had been playing chess and other board games with my friends that day. I’m sure I must have seemed like an idiot, because no matter how badly I was losing, I had this massive grin on my face. I knew that scholarship would be my saving grace. It was the golden ticket that allowed me to go to The University of Texas without the fear of burdening my family financially. [pullquote]The Randalls had strong faith—almost conviction—in my success, and that gave me untold confidence. They reminded me that I had already come so far in being accepted to the engineering program at UT.[/pullquote] When I actually arrived at UT, I was greeted by a different worry. I felt the way I’m sure most of the freshmen here are feeling today, and I can sum up that feeling in a single word: lost. My classes were challenging, and my colleagues were competitive. There were job fairs, internships, and research and leadership opportunities. A lot of people were trying to reach the same goals, and I was terrified that I would just be another face in the crowd. That terror was shattered when I came to the Named Scholarship Dinner my freshman year and met Mr. and Mrs. Randall. That night, they gave me a gift that I value much more than any donation: this tie. After that dinner, the Randalls handed me this burnt-orange tie, folded in a burnt-orange gift box, and told me, "We’re expecting great things from you." That dinner three years ago in this very hall changed my attitude towards myself and my purpose here at the University, and this tie is the emblem of that new mindset. The Randalls had strong faith—almost conviction—in my success, and that gave me untold confidence. They reminded me that I had already come so far in being accepted to the engineering program at UT. They were completely confident that I would triumph, and their assuredness gave me the ability to stride through my classes with aplomb. Not only did their confidence rub off on me, but they imparted to me a strong expectation for excellence. I knew that I wasn’t obligated to their generosity. If I wanted them to stay committed to my success at UT, I would have to be equally committed to meeting their expectations. I struggled, and I fought, knowing that I had the hopes of the Randalls behind me. These two pillars—confidence and responsibility—given to me by my donors are what I’ve built my success upon. This tie is my reminder of those two principles. I’ve worn it to every job interview, every first day of an internship, and every poster presentation (including the ones I give at A&M). On the days it doesn’t fit the dress code, I stash it in a coat pocket. Every time I wear it, I remember that I represent the hopes of the Randalls, my family, and this great University. If I’m nervous, I tighten up, adjust the tie, and tell myself the words the Randalls told me: “We’re expecting great things from you." The ideas this tie represents are what have built me up. They have allowed me to toil in my internships and research projects. They have inspired me to serve the University through tutoring, grading, and joining service organizations. And they are the same principles that I recommend to every student sitting here today. I want you to look at your donor—if he or she is sitting with you at the table today—and remember your responsibility to that person. We never cease to hear the famous words, “The Eyes of Texas are upon you." They serve as a constant reminder that each student carries the duty of meeting expectations, both inside and outside the classroom. Remember those responsibilities and you will not fail. Also, never forget the faith that your donors have in you. They have extended their generosity to you because they know that you can rise to meet whatever challenge faces you. Let their conviction be your confidence, and hold onto that confidence even in your darkest hours. Upon those two pillars, confidence and responsibility, you will be able to build for yourself whatever it is that you dream of. And your donors, like my own, and like my tie, should serve as an eternal token of those ideas. Above: Mikhaeil speaking at the 2013 Named Scholarship Dinner. Photo by Matt Valentine.

'We're Expecting Great Things From You': Named Scholarship Recipient Thanks Donors

Mark Mikhaeil is a UT senior studying mechanical engineering and the recipient of the Beverly R. and Jack P. Randall Family Challenge Grant. Mikhaeil was a featured speaker at this year's Texas Exes Named Scholarships Dinner, which was held last week at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. The following is a transcript of his remarks. On behalf of all the students here tonight, I want to thank all of the donors who took the time to come tonight and build a connection with their scholarship recipients. I also want to extend that thank you to the Texas Exes—and especially to the scholarships organization—not just because they’re feeding me the best dinner I’ve had in two weeks, but because they’ve given me and the other students present today the opportunity to meet people who care enough about our education that they have invested their own livelihood into it. Tiffany Gonzales, the scholarships coordinator for the Texas Exes, asked me to speak briefly tonight about my experience and the impact the scholarship has had on my education. That includes my relationship with my donors, Mr. Jack and Mrs. Beverly Randall, who are honestly the reason why I have succeeded here at the University. I’m a native Texan. I was born and raised in Houston. My mother and father were both Egyptians, and they both went to university there. My father studied engineering, and my mother studied pharmacy. When I decided to major in mechanical engineering, my mom said, “I guess I lost the battle." Four years later, when my younger brother also wanted to do engineering, my dad told her, “I guess you lost the war." When I was considering universities, I knew that UT would give me the most prestigious education that I could receive. It was my first choice by a large margin. Besides the quality of education here, I was smitten by the beauty of the campus and the Austin lifestyle. My parents, however, were not so infatuated. They were actually convinced that I should go to Texas A&M. From their perspective, they couldn’t understand why they should pay more for tuition and cost of living at UT when they could pay less for a similar quality education elsewhere. At the time, Texas A&M was also giving me a very large scholarship opportunity, and I could see their reasoning—so I bit my tongue and agreed with them. I didn’t want to burden them or myself with student loans. We decided that, unless I could find a way to ease the financial yoke, I would take the offer from Texas A&M. I will never forget the afternoon I received the email from the Texas Exes saying I had been awarded the scholarship. I had been playing chess and other board games with my friends that day. I’m sure I must have seemed like an idiot, because no matter how badly I was losing, I had this massive grin on my face. I knew that scholarship would be my saving grace. It was the golden ticket that allowed me to go to The University of Texas without the fear of burdening my family financially. [pullquote]The Randalls had strong faith—almost conviction—in my success, and that gave me untold confidence. They reminded me that I had already come so far in being accepted to the engineering program at UT.[/pullquote] When I actually arrived at UT, I was greeted by a different worry. I felt the way I’m sure most of the freshmen here are feeling today, and I can sum up that feeling in a single word: lost. My classes were challenging, and my colleagues were competitive. There were job fairs, internships, and research and leadership opportunities. A lot of people were trying to reach the same goals, and I was terrified that I would just be another face in the crowd. That terror was shattered when I came to the Named Scholarship Dinner my freshman year and met Mr. and Mrs. Randall. That night, they gave me a gift that I value much more than any donation: this tie. After that dinner, the Randalls handed me this burnt-orange tie, folded in a burnt-orange gift box, and told me, "We’re expecting great things from you." That dinner three years ago in this very hall changed my attitude towards myself and my purpose here at the University, and this tie is the emblem of that new mindset. The Randalls had strong faith—almost conviction—in my success, and that gave me untold confidence. They reminded me that I had already come so far in being accepted to the engineering program at UT. They were completely confident that I would triumph, and their assuredness gave me the ability to stride through my classes with aplomb. Not only did their confidence rub off on me, but they imparted to me a strong expectation for excellence. I knew that I wasn’t obligated to their generosity. If I wanted them to stay committed to my success at UT, I would have to be equally committed to meeting their expectations. I struggled, and I fought, knowing that I had the hopes of the Randalls behind me. These two pillars—confidence and responsibility—given to me by my donors are what I’ve built my success upon. This tie is my reminder of those two principles. I’ve worn it to every job interview, every first day of an internship, and every poster presentation (including the ones I give at A&M). On the days it doesn’t fit the dress code, I stash it in a coat pocket. Every time I wear it, I remember that I represent the hopes of the Randalls, my family, and this great University. If I’m nervous, I tighten up, adjust the tie, and tell myself the words the Randalls told me: “We’re expecting great things from you." The ideas this tie represents are what have built me up. They have allowed me to toil in my internships and research projects. They have inspired me to serve the University through tutoring, grading, and joining service organizations. And they are the same principles that I recommend to every student sitting here today. I want you to look at your donor—if he or she is sitting with you at the table today—and remember your responsibility to that person. We never cease to hear the famous words, “The Eyes of Texas are upon you." They serve as a constant reminder that each student carries the duty of meeting expectations, both inside and outside the classroom. Remember those responsibilities and you will not fail. Also, never forget the faith that your donors have in you. They have extended their generosity to you because they know that you can rise to meet whatever challenge faces you. Let their conviction be your confidence, and hold onto that confidence even in your darkest hours. Upon those two pillars, confidence and responsibility, you will be able to build for yourself whatever it is that you dream of. And your donors, like my own, and like my tie, should serve as an eternal token of those ideas. Above: Mikhaeil speaking at the 2013 Named Scholarship Dinner. Photo by Matt Valentine.

'We're Expecting Great Things From You': Named Scholarship Recipient Thanks Donors

Mark Mikhaeil is a UT senior studying mechanical engineering and the recipient of the Beverly R. and Jack P. Randall Family Challenge Grant. Mikhaeil was a featured speaker at this year's Texas Exes Named Scholarships Dinner, which was held last week at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. The following is a transcript of his remarks. On behalf of all the students here tonight, I want to thank all of the donors who took the time to come tonight and build a connection with their scholarship recipients. I also want to extend that thank you to the Texas Exes—and especially to the scholarships organization—not just because they’re feeding me the best dinner I’ve had in two weeks, but because they’ve given me and the other students present today the opportunity to meet people who care enough about our education that they have invested their own livelihood into it. Tiffany Gonzales, the scholarships coordinator for the Texas Exes, asked me to speak briefly tonight about my experience and the impact the scholarship has had on my education. That includes my relationship with my donors, Mr. Jack and Mrs. Beverly Randall, who are honestly the reason why I have succeeded here at the University. I’m a native Texan. I was born and raised in Houston. My mother and father were both Egyptians, and they both went to university there. My father studied engineering, and my mother studied pharmacy. When I decided to major in mechanical engineering, my mom said, “I guess I lost the battle." Four years later, when my younger brother also wanted to do engineering, my dad told her, “I guess you lost the war." When I was considering universities, I knew that UT would give me the most prestigious education that I could receive. It was my first choice by a large margin. Besides the quality of education here, I was smitten by the beauty of the campus and the Austin lifestyle. My parents, however, were not so infatuated. They were actually convinced that I should go to Texas A&M. From their perspective, they couldn’t understand why they should pay more for tuition and cost of living at UT when they could pay less for a similar quality education elsewhere. At the time, Texas A&M was also giving me a very large scholarship opportunity, and I could see their reasoning—so I bit my tongue and agreed with them. I didn’t want to burden them or myself with student loans. We decided that, unless I could find a way to ease the financial yoke, I would take the offer from Texas A&M. I will never forget the afternoon I received the email from the Texas Exes saying I had been awarded the scholarship. I had been playing chess and other board games with my friends that day. I’m sure I must have seemed like an idiot, because no matter how badly I was losing, I had this massive grin on my face. I knew that scholarship would be my saving grace. It was the golden ticket that allowed me to go to The University of Texas without the fear of burdening my family financially. [pullquote]The Randalls had strong faith—almost conviction—in my success, and that gave me untold confidence. They reminded me that I had already come so far in being accepted to the engineering program at UT.[/pullquote] When I actually arrived at UT, I was greeted by a different worry. I felt the way I’m sure most of the freshmen here are feeling today, and I can sum up that feeling in a single word: lost. My classes were challenging, and my colleagues were competitive. There were job fairs, internships, and research and leadership opportunities. A lot of people were trying to reach the same goals, and I was terrified that I would just be another face in the crowd. That terror was shattered when I came to the Named Scholarship Dinner my freshman year and met Mr. and Mrs. Randall. That night, they gave me a gift that I value much more than any donation: this tie. After that dinner, the Randalls handed me this burnt-orange tie, folded in a burnt-orange gift box, and told me, "We’re expecting great things from you." That dinner three years ago in this very hall changed my attitude towards myself and my purpose here at the University, and this tie is the emblem of that new mindset. The Randalls had strong faith—almost conviction—in my success, and that gave me untold confidence. They reminded me that I had already come so far in being accepted to the engineering program at UT. They were completely confident that I would triumph, and their assuredness gave me the ability to stride through my classes with aplomb. Not only did their confidence rub off on me, but they imparted to me a strong expectation for excellence. I knew that I wasn’t obligated to their generosity. If I wanted them to stay committed to my success at UT, I would have to be equally committed to meeting their expectations. I struggled, and I fought, knowing that I had the hopes of the Randalls behind me. These two pillars—confidence and responsibility—given to me by my donors are what I’ve built my success upon. This tie is my reminder of those two principles. I’ve worn it to every job interview, every first day of an internship, and every poster presentation (including the ones I give at A&M). On the days it doesn’t fit the dress code, I stash it in a coat pocket. Every time I wear it, I remember that I represent the hopes of the Randalls, my family, and this great University. If I’m nervous, I tighten up, adjust the tie, and tell myself the words the Randalls told me: “We’re expecting great things from you." The ideas this tie represents are what have built me up. They have allowed me to toil in my internships and research projects. They have inspired me to serve the University through tutoring, grading, and joining service organizations. And they are the same principles that I recommend to every student sitting here today. I want you to look at your donor—if he or she is sitting with you at the table today—and remember your responsibility to that person. We never cease to hear the famous words, “The Eyes of Texas are upon you." They serve as a constant reminder that each student carries the duty of meeting expectations, both inside and outside the classroom. Remember those responsibilities and you will not fail. Also, never forget the faith that your donors have in you. They have extended their generosity to you because they know that you can rise to meet whatever challenge faces you. Let their conviction be your confidence, and hold onto that confidence even in your darkest hours. Upon those two pillars, confidence and responsibility, you will be able to build for yourself whatever it is that you dream of. And your donors, like my own, and like my tie, should serve as an eternal token of those ideas. Above: Mikhaeil speaking at the 2013 Named Scholarship Dinner. Photo by Matt Valentine.

Texas Exes Awards Record $2.53 Million in Scholarships to UT Students [Infographic]

Texas Exes Awards Record $2.53 Million in Scholarships to UT Students [Infographic]