Forty Acres Scholar Explores Public Health in Bangladesh

Stephanie Eisner spent her summer learning to give back to a community in need. Last summer, Forty Acres Scholar Stephanie Eisner traveled to Bangladesh, where she held an internship and a research position dedicated to helping underserved rural communities. "Bangladesh is fascinating because it's the poorest country in the world, but it's developing so fast," Eisner says. "It really felt like I was going back in time." Eisner began her summer at Grameen Bank, a microfinance company whose founder, Muhammad Yunus, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in economic and social development.  While there, she was given the opportunity to work in rural areas outside of Urpur helping to empower women by interviewing them individually. From these personal interviews, Eisner and her fellow interns were able to create a report that will help the Grameen Bank distribute its loans more effectively. "The goal of the internship program is educational," Eisner said. " They want us to be able to go back to our lives and use their buisness model to help people." She then moved to a research position with the International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research where she worked for a week studying cholera in the short-stay unit of the hospital before transferring to study reproductive health and domestic violence in the slums. Eisner worked as a literature reviewer for a research paper about marriage and its influence on reproductive health. Through reading hundreds of academic papers, she learned about the different types of marriages in Dhaka and their effects on women. Eisner says this summer helped her learn to be intentional in the way she helps people. She does not want to serve in a capacity that only benefits her, she says. "I've always been really interested in finding important ways to bring about change outside of my own life and experiences," Eisner says. As a public health major, Eisner's experience in Bangladesh gave her a greater understanding of the complexity and difficulty in the world, in addition to helping her make decisions about her future after graduation. For now, she's considering medical school to become an obstetrician/gynecologist and work abroad. "My time in Bangladesh made me realize that life is way too short and way too precious to plan so that you can have an extensive résumé," Eisner says. Without the Forty Acres Scholars Program, Eisner says she would have had to spend the summer working to pay for school instead of using her skills to benefit others. "I just really feel like I've been given a lot," she says. "I see the gift that I've been given in this scholarship as something I can use so that others who aren't as fortunate can benefit as well." Next semester—though she has no experience in engineering—Eisner will put her creative ability and biology background to use working on prosthetic hands in an engineering lab. "UT tells you that you can be anything you want to be, " Eisner says. She has certainly taken that to heart.

Forty Acres Scholar Explores Public Health in Bangladesh

Stephanie Eisner spent her summer learning to give back to a community in need. Last summer, Forty Acres Scholar Stephanie Eisner traveled to Bangladesh, where she held an internship and a research position dedicated to helping underserved rural communities. "Bangladesh is fascinating because it's the poorest country in the world, but it's developing so fast," Eisner says. "It really felt like I was going back in time." Eisner began her summer at Grameen Bank, a microfinance company whose founder, Muhammad Yunus, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in economic and social development.  While there, she was given the opportunity to work in rural areas outside of Urpur helping to empower women by interviewing them individually. From these personal interviews, Eisner and her fellow interns were able to create a report that will help the Grameen Bank distribute its loans more effectively. "The goal of the internship program is educational," Eisner said. " They want us to be able to go back to our lives and use their buisness model to help people." She then moved to a research position with the International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research where she worked for a week studying cholera in the short-stay unit of the hospital before transferring to study reproductive health and domestic violence in the slums. Eisner worked as a literature reviewer for a research paper about marriage and its influence on reproductive health. Through reading hundreds of academic papers, she learned about the different types of marriages in Dhaka and their effects on women. Eisner says this summer helped her learn to be intentional in the way she helps people. She does not want to serve in a capacity that only benefits her, she says. "I've always been really interested in finding important ways to bring about change outside of my own life and experiences," Eisner says. As a public health major, Eisner's experience in Bangladesh gave her a greater understanding of the complexity and difficulty in the world, in addition to helping her make decisions about her future after graduation. For now, she's considering medical school to become an obstetrician/gynecologist and work abroad. "My time in Bangladesh made me realize that life is way too short and way too precious to plan so that you can have an extensive résumé," Eisner says. Without the Forty Acres Scholars Program, Eisner says she would have had to spend the summer working to pay for school instead of using her skills to benefit others. "I just really feel like I've been given a lot," she says. "I see the gift that I've been given in this scholarship as something I can use so that others who aren't as fortunate can benefit as well." Next semester—though she has no experience in engineering—Eisner will put her creative ability and biology background to use working on prosthetic hands in an engineering lab. "UT tells you that you can be anything you want to be, " Eisner says. She has certainly taken that to heart.

Forty Acres Scholar Explores Public Health in Bangladesh

Stephanie Eisner spent her summer learning to give back to a community in need. Last summer, Forty Acres Scholar Stephanie Eisner traveled to Bangladesh, where she held an internship and a research position dedicated to helping underserved rural communities. "Bangladesh is fascinating because it's the poorest country in the world, but it's developing so fast," Eisner says. "It really felt like I was going back in time." Eisner began her summer at Grameen Bank, a microfinance company whose founder, Muhammad Yunus, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in economic and social development.  While there, she was given the opportunity to work in rural areas outside of Urpur helping to empower women by interviewing them individually. From these personal interviews, Eisner and her fellow interns were able to create a report that will help the Grameen Bank distribute its loans more effectively. "The goal of the internship program is educational," Eisner said. " They want us to be able to go back to our lives and use their buisness model to help people." She then moved to a research position with the International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research where she worked for a week studying cholera in the short-stay unit of the hospital before transferring to study reproductive health and domestic violence in the slums. Eisner worked as a literature reviewer for a research paper about marriage and its influence on reproductive health. Through reading hundreds of academic papers, she learned about the different types of marriages in Dhaka and their effects on women. Eisner says this summer helped her learn to be intentional in the way she helps people. She does not want to serve in a capacity that only benefits her, she says. "I've always been really interested in finding important ways to bring about change outside of my own life and experiences," Eisner says. As a public health major, Eisner's experience in Bangladesh gave her a greater understanding of the complexity and difficulty in the world, in addition to helping her make decisions about her future after graduation. For now, she's considering medical school to become an obstetrician/gynecologist and work abroad. "My time in Bangladesh made me realize that life is way too short and way too precious to plan so that you can have an extensive résumé," Eisner says. Without the Forty Acres Scholars Program, Eisner says she would have had to spend the summer working to pay for school instead of using her skills to benefit others. "I just really feel like I've been given a lot," she says. "I see the gift that I've been given in this scholarship as something I can use so that others who aren't as fortunate can benefit as well." Next semester—though she has no experience in engineering—Eisner will put her creative ability and biology background to use working on prosthetic hands in an engineering lab. "UT tells you that you can be anything you want to be, " Eisner says. She has certainly taken that to heart.

Donning the Orange Jacket

Emily Gruener's early commitment to leadership is already paying off. As a sophomore, Emily Gruener has not had very much time to make an impact on The University of Texas, but her recent induction into the Orange Jackets will help. After serving as a representative, senator, and president of her high school student council, Gruener entered the University focused on pursuing a career in policy. As a government and Plan II major, she has joined Students for Education Reform and Student Government. She also serves on the executive board of the Undergraduate Research Journal. These qualities, she says, helped her become a good candidate for the Orange Jackets, a longstanding women's leadership organization. "I decided to apply because they've always had a really strong tradition of female leadership that I wanted to be a part of," Gruener says. As both a Forty Acres Scholar and an Orange Jacket, Gruener will have plenty of chances to embody the Orange Jacket tenets of scholarship, leadership, and service. "I'm so grateful for both of these opportunities," Gruener says. "I can continue trying to carry the tradition of so many of the famous [alumni] before me." "Emily is a compassionate, inquisitive, lovely new Tap [new Orange Jacket]," says the group's president, Maggie Gunn. "You can tell she is always thinking and always contributes volumes to the task or conversation at hand." Gruener will work with other new members on a yearlong service project that will benefit UT and the Austin community. "My goal for this year is really just to be a great, productive member of the tappee project," Gruener says. "I really just want that to be a huge success." Once the tappee project is completed in the spring, Gruener will be initiated as a member of The University of Texas' oldest honorary service organization. She will then be awarded the traditional orange vest worn by influential women before her, like Margaret C. Berry, Carol Keeton Strayhorn, and Lady Bird Johnson. "In general, I just want to leave a beneficial impact here at UT because the University has just given so much to me," Gruener says.

Donning the Orange Jacket

Emily Gruener's early commitment to leadership is already paying off. As a sophomore, Emily Gruener has not had very much time to make an impact on The University of Texas, but her recent induction into the Orange Jackets will help. After serving as a representative, senator, and president of her high school student council, Gruener entered the University focused on pursuing a career in policy. As a government and Plan II major, she has joined Students for Education Reform and Student Government. She also serves on the executive board of the Undergraduate Research Journal. These qualities, she says, helped her become a good candidate for the Orange Jackets, a longstanding women's leadership organization. "I decided to apply because they've always had a really strong tradition of female leadership that I wanted to be a part of," Gruener says. As both a Forty Acres Scholar and an Orange Jacket, Gruener will have plenty of chances to embody the Orange Jacket tenets of scholarship, leadership, and service. "I'm so grateful for both of these opportunities," Gruener says. "I can continue trying to carry the tradition of so many of the famous [alumni] before me." "Emily is a compassionate, inquisitive, lovely new Tap [new Orange Jacket]," says the group's president, Maggie Gunn. "You can tell she is always thinking and always contributes volumes to the task or conversation at hand." Gruener will work with other new members on a yearlong service project that will benefit UT and the Austin community. "My goal for this year is really just to be a great, productive member of the tappee project," Gruener says. "I really just want that to be a huge success." Once the tappee project is completed in the spring, Gruener will be initiated as a member of The University of Texas' oldest honorary service organization. She will then be awarded the traditional orange vest worn by influential women before her, like Margaret C. Berry, Carol Keeton Strayhorn, and Lady Bird Johnson. "In general, I just want to leave a beneficial impact here at UT because the University has just given so much to me," Gruener says.

Donning the Orange Jacket

Emily Gruener's early commitment to leadership is already paying off. As a sophomore, Emily Gruener has not had very much time to make an impact on The University of Texas, but her recent induction into the Orange Jackets will help. After serving as a representative, senator, and president of her high school student council, Gruener entered the University focused on pursuing a career in policy. As a government and Plan II major, she has joined Students for Education Reform and Student Government. She also serves on the executive board of the Undergraduate Research Journal. These qualities, she says, helped her become a good candidate for the Orange Jackets, a longstanding women's leadership organization. "I decided to apply because they've always had a really strong tradition of female leadership that I wanted to be a part of," Gruener says. As both a Forty Acres Scholar and an Orange Jacket, Gruener will have plenty of chances to embody the Orange Jacket tenets of scholarship, leadership, and service. "I'm so grateful for both of these opportunities," Gruener says. "I can continue trying to carry the tradition of so many of the famous [alumni] before me." "Emily is a compassionate, inquisitive, lovely new Tap [new Orange Jacket]," says the group's president, Maggie Gunn. "You can tell she is always thinking and always contributes volumes to the task or conversation at hand." Gruener will work with other new members on a yearlong service project that will benefit UT and the Austin community. "My goal for this year is really just to be a great, productive member of the tappee project," Gruener says. "I really just want that to be a huge success." Once the tappee project is completed in the spring, Gruener will be initiated as a member of The University of Texas' oldest honorary service organization. She will then be awarded the traditional orange vest worn by influential women before her, like Margaret C. Berry, Carol Keeton Strayhorn, and Lady Bird Johnson. "In general, I just want to leave a beneficial impact here at UT because the University has just given so much to me," Gruener says.

Forty Acres Scholar Chosen for Microsoft Internship

Monica Bischoff may only be a sophomore, but the Forty Acres Scholar has already achieved enormous success at The University of Texas. Bischoff, who is majoring in business honors and history, recently learned that she has been selected to be a finance analyst intern with Microsoft, a Fortune 100 company. This summer, Bischoff will only afford herself a couple of weeks of vacation. On May 28, she will make her way north to Redmond, Washington, 13 miles outside of Seattle. Though the Houston native has never lived outside of Texas, she’s thrilled for a new experience. “My mother’s side of the family lives in and around San Francisco,” she says, “and I love the West Coast.” A member of the inaugural class of Forty Acres Scholars, Bischoff is the recipient of the John and Cynthia Adkins/Texas Exes Houston Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. She attributes much of her success to the Forty Acres Scholars Program. “The program just surrounds you with super motivated and inspirational people,” says Bischoff. “It’s gotten me to do things and go places I normally wouldn’t do or go.” In addition to being a Forty Acres Scholar, Bischoff has served as assistant financial vice president of Alpha Xi Delta, one of the nation’s longest-standing women’s fraternities. She is also a member of the Texas Undergraduate Investment Team, a student-led organization that focuses on giving undergraduates practical, real-life experience in finance. That experience will serve her well at Microsoft, where a demanding finance analyst rotation will task her with handling anything from financial analysis and reporting to internal auditing and venture integration. “What I really hope to gain from the internship is a way to apply hands-on what I’m learning in my classes,” Bischoff says. "I get a chance to see how a large company like this works." Bischoff has big plans for the future, but that doesn’t mean she’s in a hurry to graduate. “UT has just been amazing,” she says. “I don’t think I could be getting a better education.”

Forty Acres Scholar Chosen for Microsoft Internship

Monica Bischoff may only be a sophomore, but the Forty Acres Scholar has already achieved enormous success at The University of Texas. Bischoff, who is majoring in business honors and history, recently learned that she has been selected to be a finance analyst intern with Microsoft, a Fortune 100 company. This summer, Bischoff will only afford herself a couple of weeks of vacation. On May 28, she will make her way north to Redmond, Washington, 13 miles outside of Seattle. Though the Houston native has never lived outside of Texas, she’s thrilled for a new experience. “My mother’s side of the family lives in and around San Francisco,” she says, “and I love the West Coast.” A member of the inaugural class of Forty Acres Scholars, Bischoff is the recipient of the John and Cynthia Adkins/Texas Exes Houston Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. She attributes much of her success to the Forty Acres Scholars Program. “The program just surrounds you with super motivated and inspirational people,” says Bischoff. “It’s gotten me to do things and go places I normally wouldn’t do or go.” In addition to being a Forty Acres Scholar, Bischoff has served as assistant financial vice president of Alpha Xi Delta, one of the nation’s longest-standing women’s fraternities. She is also a member of the Texas Undergraduate Investment Team, a student-led organization that focuses on giving undergraduates practical, real-life experience in finance. That experience will serve her well at Microsoft, where a demanding finance analyst rotation will task her with handling anything from financial analysis and reporting to internal auditing and venture integration. “What I really hope to gain from the internship is a way to apply hands-on what I’m learning in my classes,” Bischoff says. "I get a chance to see how a large company like this works." Bischoff has big plans for the future, but that doesn’t mean she’s in a hurry to graduate. “UT has just been amazing,” she says. “I don’t think I could be getting a better education.”

Forty Acres Scholar Chosen for Microsoft Internship

Monica Bischoff may only be a sophomore, but the Forty Acres Scholar has already achieved enormous success at The University of Texas. Bischoff, who is majoring in business honors and history, recently learned that she has been selected to be a finance analyst intern with Microsoft, a Fortune 100 company. This summer, Bischoff will only afford herself a couple of weeks of vacation. On May 28, she will make her way north to Redmond, Washington, 13 miles outside of Seattle. Though the Houston native has never lived outside of Texas, she’s thrilled for a new experience. “My mother’s side of the family lives in and around San Francisco,” she says, “and I love the West Coast.” A member of the inaugural class of Forty Acres Scholars, Bischoff is the recipient of the John and Cynthia Adkins/Texas Exes Houston Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. She attributes much of her success to the Forty Acres Scholars Program. “The program just surrounds you with super motivated and inspirational people,” says Bischoff. “It’s gotten me to do things and go places I normally wouldn’t do or go.” In addition to being a Forty Acres Scholar, Bischoff has served as assistant financial vice president of Alpha Xi Delta, one of the nation’s longest-standing women’s fraternities. She is also a member of the Texas Undergraduate Investment Team, a student-led organization that focuses on giving undergraduates practical, real-life experience in finance. That experience will serve her well at Microsoft, where a demanding finance analyst rotation will task her with handling anything from financial analysis and reporting to internal auditing and venture integration. “What I really hope to gain from the internship is a way to apply hands-on what I’m learning in my classes,” Bischoff says. "I get a chance to see how a large company like this works." Bischoff has big plans for the future, but that doesn’t mean she’s in a hurry to graduate. “UT has just been amazing,” she says. “I don’t think I could be getting a better education.”

Scholar Builds Career and Character at UT

The recipient of the George Allan Odam Texas Exes Scholarship is a pro at managing her time. During her time on the Forty Acres, Jessica Schuck hasn't wasted a moment. The senior communications sciences and disorders major has revamped Texas Outdoorsmen, UT’s outdoors enthusiast group; interned in the developmental stuttering lab of the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Program; and been an active member of her sorority, Texas Kappa Delta. She has also given campus tours through SHARE, served as a nanny, and interned at local clinics. These experiences that go beyond just academics, Schuck says, have shaped her time at UT. “I feel I’ve been able to grow a lot better character,” Schuck says. “When I leave, I’ll be taking a lot more with me than I ever expected.” As a TEA scholar, Schuck enjoyed getting to connect with alumni mentors who’ve inspired her to stay involved with the University after graduation. “I don’t think I knew alumni had that sort of power,” Schuck says. “You can be just as involved as you were in school.” After graduation, Schuck plans on attending graduate school for communication sciences, then go on to work at a school or open her own practice. She’s also got big dreams for the long-term—even possibly becoming a UT professor. “I also hope to one day start a nonprofit alliance that works with home care and home therapy for families who have adopted or are fostering kids,” she says. “Because that’s a huge need right now, in Texas especially.”

Scholar Builds Career and Character at UT

The recipient of the George Allan Odam Texas Exes Scholarship is a pro at managing her time. During her time on the Forty Acres, Jessica Schuck hasn't wasted a moment. The senior communications sciences and disorders major has revamped Texas Outdoorsmen, UT’s outdoors enthusiast group; interned in the developmental stuttering lab of the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Program; and been an active member of her sorority, Texas Kappa Delta. She has also given campus tours through SHARE, served as a nanny, and interned at local clinics. These experiences that go beyond just academics, Schuck says, have shaped her time at UT. “I feel I’ve been able to grow a lot better character,” Schuck says. “When I leave, I’ll be taking a lot more with me than I ever expected.” As a TEA scholar, Schuck enjoyed getting to connect with alumni mentors who’ve inspired her to stay involved with the University after graduation. “I don’t think I knew alumni had that sort of power,” Schuck says. “You can be just as involved as you were in school.” After graduation, Schuck plans on attending graduate school for communication sciences, then go on to work at a school or open her own practice. She’s also got big dreams for the long-term—even possibly becoming a UT professor. “I also hope to one day start a nonprofit alliance that works with home care and home therapy for families who have adopted or are fostering kids,” she says. “Because that’s a huge need right now, in Texas especially.”

Scholar Builds Career and Character at UT

The recipient of the George Allan Odam Texas Exes Scholarship is a pro at managing her time. During her time on the Forty Acres, Jessica Schuck hasn't wasted a moment. The senior communications sciences and disorders major has revamped Texas Outdoorsmen, UT’s outdoors enthusiast group; interned in the developmental stuttering lab of the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Program; and been an active member of her sorority, Texas Kappa Delta. She has also given campus tours through SHARE, served as a nanny, and interned at local clinics. These experiences that go beyond just academics, Schuck says, have shaped her time at UT. “I feel I’ve been able to grow a lot better character,” Schuck says. “When I leave, I’ll be taking a lot more with me than I ever expected.” As a TEA scholar, Schuck enjoyed getting to connect with alumni mentors who’ve inspired her to stay involved with the University after graduation. “I don’t think I knew alumni had that sort of power,” Schuck says. “You can be just as involved as you were in school.” After graduation, Schuck plans on attending graduate school for communication sciences, then go on to work at a school or open her own practice. She’s also got big dreams for the long-term—even possibly becoming a UT professor. “I also hope to one day start a nonprofit alliance that works with home care and home therapy for families who have adopted or are fostering kids,” she says. “Because that’s a huge need right now, in Texas especially.”

Scholar Explores South African and South Korean Cultures

The Eugene McDermott Texas Exes Scholarship has sent Hannah Waitt around the globe. Inspired by a YouTube video a friend posted on her Facebook wall, Hannah Waitt, a senior Plan II Honors Program student majoring in international relations and global studies, traveled around the world to Seoul, South Korea, this past spring to study the emerging Korean music industry. Waitt says her research, which is for her Plan II thesis, explores the differences between the South Korean and American music industries. “There hasn’t been a lot of research done on the Korean music industry, and it’s this big, booming, flourishing thing that’s going on culturally,” Waitt says. “America is literally one of the last places that it’s reaching.” South Korea was Waitt’s second study abroad trip. In the summer following her freshman year, she traveled to South Africa, where she worked with underprivileged children. The two trips, Waitt says, would not have been possible without her TEA scholarship. “A lot of kids don’t even get to go one time,” Wait says. “I still can’t believe I got to go twice.” Waitt is just as involved on campus as she is abroad. She has served as vice president of public relations for her sorority, Texas Kappa Delta. She is a member of the Texas Spirits, a social, spirit, and service organization at UT, and played for UT’s women’s club soccer team. Being involved with the Texas Exes has led to other opportunities as well, including meeting her mentor, Rudy Garza, a former president of the alumni association. “It has been a really great networking opportunity,” Waitt says. “I’ve gotten to meet some really amazing people who have done some phenomenal things in life.” Next year, Waitt says she may attend graduate school, though she’s considering moving abroad and teaching for a year before continuing her education.

Scholar Explores South African and South Korean Cultures

The Eugene McDermott Texas Exes Scholarship has sent Hannah Waitt around the globe. Inspired by a YouTube video a friend posted on her Facebook wall, Hannah Waitt, a senior Plan II Honors Program student majoring in international relations and global studies, traveled around the world to Seoul, South Korea, this past spring to study the emerging Korean music industry. Waitt says her research, which is for her Plan II thesis, explores the differences between the South Korean and American music industries. “There hasn’t been a lot of research done on the Korean music industry, and it’s this big, booming, flourishing thing that’s going on culturally,” Waitt says. “America is literally one of the last places that it’s reaching.” South Korea was Waitt’s second study abroad trip. In the summer following her freshman year, she traveled to South Africa, where she worked with underprivileged children. The two trips, Waitt says, would not have been possible without her TEA scholarship. “A lot of kids don’t even get to go one time,” Wait says. “I still can’t believe I got to go twice.” Waitt is just as involved on campus as she is abroad. She has served as vice president of public relations for her sorority, Texas Kappa Delta. She is a member of the Texas Spirits, a social, spirit, and service organization at UT, and played for UT’s women’s club soccer team. Being involved with the Texas Exes has led to other opportunities as well, including meeting her mentor, Rudy Garza, a former president of the alumni association. “It has been a really great networking opportunity,” Waitt says. “I’ve gotten to meet some really amazing people who have done some phenomenal things in life.” Next year, Waitt says she may attend graduate school, though she’s considering moving abroad and teaching for a year before continuing her education.

Scholar Explores South African and South Korean Cultures

The Eugene McDermott Texas Exes Scholarship has sent Hannah Waitt around the globe. Inspired by a YouTube video a friend posted on her Facebook wall, Hannah Waitt, a senior Plan II Honors Program student majoring in international relations and global studies, traveled around the world to Seoul, South Korea, this past spring to study the emerging Korean music industry. Waitt says her research, which is for her Plan II thesis, explores the differences between the South Korean and American music industries. “There hasn’t been a lot of research done on the Korean music industry, and it’s this big, booming, flourishing thing that’s going on culturally,” Waitt says. “America is literally one of the last places that it’s reaching.” South Korea was Waitt’s second study abroad trip. In the summer following her freshman year, she traveled to South Africa, where she worked with underprivileged children. The two trips, Waitt says, would not have been possible without her TEA scholarship. “A lot of kids don’t even get to go one time,” Wait says. “I still can’t believe I got to go twice.” Waitt is just as involved on campus as she is abroad. She has served as vice president of public relations for her sorority, Texas Kappa Delta. She is a member of the Texas Spirits, a social, spirit, and service organization at UT, and played for UT’s women’s club soccer team. Being involved with the Texas Exes has led to other opportunities as well, including meeting her mentor, Rudy Garza, a former president of the alumni association. “It has been a really great networking opportunity,” Waitt says. “I’ve gotten to meet some really amazing people who have done some phenomenal things in life.” Next year, Waitt says she may attend graduate school, though she’s considering moving abroad and teaching for a year before continuing her education.

Great Scholars Are Brewing in Shiner, Texas

They can't even legally drink yet, but for four Shiner, Texas high school students, Shiner Beer is already having a profound impact on their college careers. Last fall, the Shiner Brewery Scholarship was awarded for the first time to two UT-bound high school students from the Southeast Texas town of Shiner—one each from the two local high schools, St. Paul and Shiner. Now in its second year, the scholarship aims to keep bright, talented students in the Lone Star State by providing $20,000 per year for four years to deserving future Longhorns. Devin Pesek, a junior microbiology and pre-med major at UT, was one of Shiner Brewery's first recipients. "Getting this scholarship is what made me ultimately decide to come to Texas," Pesek says. "Without it, I think I'd be in North Carolina [at Duke] right now." Carlos Alvarez, chairman and CEO of Shiner's parent company, Gambrinus, says that Gambrinus wanted to support education and the University. "The major factor that made a difference is the fact that we could do these through [the Texas Exes]," Alvarez says. "If we hadn't had access to a user-friendly system or structure to provide with selection and administrative tasks, it would probably not have been a decision that we would have made." This fall, the brewery has four students on the Forty Acres, who hopefully will continue to interact with the Shiner  community after graduation. Pesek says he has "no doubt he'll move back to a place like Shiner one day." "We may, down the road, benefit from their education and having invested in their education," Alvarez says. "They will hopefully come back to the neighborhood and help the area grow and prosper." Pesek has dreams of working in the medical field and is studying to take the MCAT this spring. Receiving the Shiner Brewery Scholarship has created opportunities for Pesek he didn't think were possible. "I've always wanted to study abroad, but it's kind of expensive," Pesek says. "Having this scholarship has allowed me to apply to study abroad in Spain next summer. I don't know if I would have had that opportunity if my school hadn't been paid for." Above, from left: Jimmy Mauric, Lisa Mauric, Recipient Jessica Arledge, Recipient Devin Pesek, Malu Alvarez, and Carlos Alvarez. Photo by Steve Moakley.  Top: Photo by AlphaTangoBravo via Flickr Creative Commons.

Great Scholars Are Brewing in Shiner, Texas

They can't even legally drink yet, but for four Shiner, Texas high school students, Shiner Beer is already having a profound impact on their college careers. Last fall, the Shiner Brewery Scholarship was awarded for the first time to two UT-bound high school students from the Southeast Texas town of Shiner—one each from the two local high schools, St. Paul and Shiner. Now in its second year, the scholarship aims to keep bright, talented students in the Lone Star State by providing $20,000 per year for four years to deserving future Longhorns. Devin Pesek, a junior microbiology and pre-med major at UT, was one of Shiner Brewery's first recipients. "Getting this scholarship is what made me ultimately decide to come to Texas," Pesek says. "Without it, I think I'd be in North Carolina [at Duke] right now." Carlos Alvarez, chairman and CEO of Shiner's parent company, Gambrinus, says that Gambrinus wanted to support education and the University. "The major factor that made a difference is the fact that we could do these through [the Texas Exes]," Alvarez says. "If we hadn't had access to a user-friendly system or structure to provide with selection and administrative tasks, it would probably not have been a decision that we would have made." This fall, the brewery has four students on the Forty Acres, who hopefully will continue to interact with the Shiner  community after graduation. Pesek says he has "no doubt he'll move back to a place like Shiner one day." "We may, down the road, benefit from their education and having invested in their education," Alvarez says. "They will hopefully come back to the neighborhood and help the area grow and prosper." Pesek has dreams of working in the medical field and is studying to take the MCAT this spring. Receiving the Shiner Brewery Scholarship has created opportunities for Pesek he didn't think were possible. "I've always wanted to study abroad, but it's kind of expensive," Pesek says. "Having this scholarship has allowed me to apply to study abroad in Spain next summer. I don't know if I would have had that opportunity if my school hadn't been paid for." Above, from left: Jimmy Mauric, Lisa Mauric, Recipient Jessica Arledge, Recipient Devin Pesek, Malu Alvarez, and Carlos Alvarez. Photo by Steve Moakley.  Top: Photo by AlphaTangoBravo via Flickr Creative Commons.

Great Scholars Are Brewing in Shiner, Texas

They can't even legally drink yet, but for four Shiner, Texas high school students, Shiner Beer is already having a profound impact on their college careers. Last fall, the Shiner Brewery Scholarship was awarded for the first time to two UT-bound high school students from the Southeast Texas town of Shiner—one each from the two local high schools, St. Paul and Shiner. Now in its second year, the scholarship aims to keep bright, talented students in the Lone Star State by providing $20,000 per year for four years to deserving future Longhorns. Devin Pesek, a junior microbiology and pre-med major at UT, was one of Shiner Brewery's first recipients. "Getting this scholarship is what made me ultimately decide to come to Texas," Pesek says. "Without it, I think I'd be in North Carolina [at Duke] right now." Carlos Alvarez, chairman and CEO of Shiner's parent company, Gambrinus, says that Gambrinus wanted to support education and the University. "The major factor that made a difference is the fact that we could do these through [the Texas Exes]," Alvarez says. "If we hadn't had access to a user-friendly system or structure to provide with selection and administrative tasks, it would probably not have been a decision that we would have made." This fall, the brewery has four students on the Forty Acres, who hopefully will continue to interact with the Shiner  community after graduation. Pesek says he has "no doubt he'll move back to a place like Shiner one day." "We may, down the road, benefit from their education and having invested in their education," Alvarez says. "They will hopefully come back to the neighborhood and help the area grow and prosper." Pesek has dreams of working in the medical field and is studying to take the MCAT this spring. Receiving the Shiner Brewery Scholarship has created opportunities for Pesek he didn't think were possible. "I've always wanted to study abroad, but it's kind of expensive," Pesek says. "Having this scholarship has allowed me to apply to study abroad in Spain next summer. I don't know if I would have had that opportunity if my school hadn't been paid for." Above, from left: Jimmy Mauric, Lisa Mauric, Recipient Jessica Arledge, Recipient Devin Pesek, Malu Alvarez, and Carlos Alvarez. Photo by Steve Moakley.  Top: Photo by AlphaTangoBravo via Flickr Creative Commons.

Student Starts Nonprofit to Aide Native Americans Living in Poverty

Joseph Washington is the recipient of Mrs. Harold Myers Texas Exes Scholarship. A startling 28.4 percent of Native Americans live in poverty, according to 2010 U.S. Census data. Across the nation, income, employment, and education levels on Native American reservations are considerably lower than the national averages. Troubled by these facts, Joseph Washington, a senior international relations major, co-founded The Turquoise Boy: a nonprofit that helps better the lives of those living on reservations by increasing employment opportunities. “There are so many organizations around campus that focus on sending people to India or Africa, but there’s nobody that focuses on a group that’s been marginalized so close to home,” Washington says. “I don’t think it registers to the American people that there are people in our society that live at that level of poverty.” Washington is also very involved on the Forty Acres. He has worked with Texas Student TV as a producer for the current events program The Current and the comedy news show TNN (Totally Not News). He has also served as an assistant editor for UT’s Undergraduate Research Journal and as an editorial intern for The Alcalde. As a TEA scholar, Washington says being involved with the Texas Exes has been rewarding because he has been able to meet and network with amazing professors and alumni. “Being a part of this family as somebody whose parents are not from the state of Texas has been a really eye-opening experience into what it really means to be a Texan,” Washington says. “I think that Texas Exes are a special breed. They’re really close to each other.” After graduation, Washington says he plans to go to graduate school to study public policy. Although he’s not sure what he’ll do in the future, he knows that he wants to work in communities around Texas.

Student Starts Nonprofit to Aide Native Americans Living in Poverty

Joseph Washington is the recipient of Mrs. Harold Myers Texas Exes Scholarship. A startling 28.4 percent of Native Americans live in poverty, according to 2010 U.S. Census data. Across the nation, income, employment, and education levels on Native American reservations are considerably lower than the national averages. Troubled by these facts, Joseph Washington, a senior international relations major, co-founded The Turquoise Boy: a nonprofit that helps better the lives of those living on reservations by increasing employment opportunities. “There are so many organizations around campus that focus on sending people to India or Africa, but there’s nobody that focuses on a group that’s been marginalized so close to home,” Washington says. “I don’t think it registers to the American people that there are people in our society that live at that level of poverty.” Washington is also very involved on the Forty Acres. He has worked with Texas Student TV as a producer for the current events program The Current and the comedy news show TNN (Totally Not News). He has also served as an assistant editor for UT’s Undergraduate Research Journal and as an editorial intern for The Alcalde. As a TEA scholar, Washington says being involved with the Texas Exes has been rewarding because he has been able to meet and network with amazing professors and alumni. “Being a part of this family as somebody whose parents are not from the state of Texas has been a really eye-opening experience into what it really means to be a Texan,” Washington says. “I think that Texas Exes are a special breed. They’re really close to each other.” After graduation, Washington says he plans to go to graduate school to study public policy. Although he’s not sure what he’ll do in the future, he knows that he wants to work in communities around Texas.

Student Starts Nonprofit to Aide Native Americans Living in Poverty

Joseph Washington is the recipient of Mrs. Harold Myers Texas Exes Scholarship. A startling 28.4 percent of Native Americans live in poverty, according to 2010 U.S. Census data. Across the nation, income, employment, and education levels on Native American reservations are considerably lower than the national averages. Troubled by these facts, Joseph Washington, a senior international relations major, co-founded The Turquoise Boy: a nonprofit that helps better the lives of those living on reservations by increasing employment opportunities. “There are so many organizations around campus that focus on sending people to India or Africa, but there’s nobody that focuses on a group that’s been marginalized so close to home,” Washington says. “I don’t think it registers to the American people that there are people in our society that live at that level of poverty.” Washington is also very involved on the Forty Acres. He has worked with Texas Student TV as a producer for the current events program The Current and the comedy news show TNN (Totally Not News). He has also served as an assistant editor for UT’s Undergraduate Research Journal and as an editorial intern for The Alcalde. As a TEA scholar, Washington says being involved with the Texas Exes has been rewarding because he has been able to meet and network with amazing professors and alumni. “Being a part of this family as somebody whose parents are not from the state of Texas has been a really eye-opening experience into what it really means to be a Texan,” Washington says. “I think that Texas Exes are a special breed. They’re really close to each other.” After graduation, Washington says he plans to go to graduate school to study public policy. Although he’s not sure what he’ll do in the future, he knows that he wants to work in communities around Texas.

Forty Acres Scholar Elected to Liberal Arts Council

Arjun Rawal is a first-year Forty Acres Scholar, but he is already making an impact at UT. Rawal was recently elected as a member of the Committee on Academic Affairs for the Liberal Arts Council. As a member of the committee, Rawal will focus on facilitating discussions of academic issues and making sure that those problems become more transparent between the student body and the dean of the College of Liberal Arts. "I really want to use Liberal Arts Council as a medium to implement my change on the University," Rawal says.  Though only a freshman, Rawal has big plans for his upcoming years at UT. "I would really like to become an executive officer," Rawal says. "That's the long-term goal. I want to help impact the University in ways regarding academics." Rawal has had the opportunity to work on the passing of the new University honor code. He is grateful for the experience because it gave him insight into how legal documents are written and organized. "I'm considering law school, so I figured any experience I can get now, as an undergraduate, would help me understand what that future could look like," Rawal says. As a Middle Eastern studies major, Rawal hopes that his time with the Liberal Arts Council will help prepare him for the future. "I'm really interested in foreign policy," he says. "By majoring in Middle Eastern studies, I'll have enough knowledge of the cultures and the traditions of that region of the world to help craft policy that will take those into account." Rawal says that he is incredibly grateful to be a Forty Acres Scholar. "To be a scholar," he says, "is really the best. I feel like it is the most incredible opportunity here at UT. I'm excited to have the best four years here at UT that I possibly can."

Forty Acres Scholar Elected to Liberal Arts Council

Arjun Rawal is a first-year Forty Acres Scholar, but he is already making an impact at UT. Rawal was recently elected as a member of the Committee on Academic Affairs for the Liberal Arts Council. As a member of the committee, Rawal will focus on facilitating discussions of academic issues and making sure that those problems become more transparent between the student body and the dean of the College of Liberal Arts. "I really want to use Liberal Arts Council as a medium to implement my change on the University," Rawal says.  Though only a freshman, Rawal has big plans for his upcoming years at UT. "I would really like to become an executive officer," Rawal says. "That's the long-term goal. I want to help impact the University in ways regarding academics." Rawal has had the opportunity to work on the passing of the new University honor code. He is grateful for the experience because it gave him insight into how legal documents are written and organized. "I'm considering law school, so I figured any experience I can get now, as an undergraduate, would help me understand what that future could look like," Rawal says. As a Middle Eastern studies major, Rawal hopes that his time with the Liberal Arts Council will help prepare him for the future. "I'm really interested in foreign policy," he says. "By majoring in Middle Eastern studies, I'll have enough knowledge of the cultures and the traditions of that region of the world to help craft policy that will take those into account." Rawal says that he is incredibly grateful to be a Forty Acres Scholar. "To be a scholar," he says, "is really the best. I feel like it is the most incredible opportunity here at UT. I'm excited to have the best four years here at UT that I possibly can."

Forty Acres Scholar Elected to Liberal Arts Council

Arjun Rawal is a first-year Forty Acres Scholar, but he is already making an impact at UT. Rawal was recently elected as a member of the Committee on Academic Affairs for the Liberal Arts Council. As a member of the committee, Rawal will focus on facilitating discussions of academic issues and making sure that those problems become more transparent between the student body and the dean of the College of Liberal Arts. "I really want to use Liberal Arts Council as a medium to implement my change on the University," Rawal says.  Though only a freshman, Rawal has big plans for his upcoming years at UT. "I would really like to become an executive officer," Rawal says. "That's the long-term goal. I want to help impact the University in ways regarding academics." Rawal has had the opportunity to work on the passing of the new University honor code. He is grateful for the experience because it gave him insight into how legal documents are written and organized. "I'm considering law school, so I figured any experience I can get now, as an undergraduate, would help me understand what that future could look like," Rawal says. As a Middle Eastern studies major, Rawal hopes that his time with the Liberal Arts Council will help prepare him for the future. "I'm really interested in foreign policy," he says. "By majoring in Middle Eastern studies, I'll have enough knowledge of the cultures and the traditions of that region of the world to help craft policy that will take those into account." Rawal says that he is incredibly grateful to be a Forty Acres Scholar. "To be a scholar," he says, "is really the best. I feel like it is the most incredible opportunity here at UT. I'm excited to have the best four years here at UT that I possibly can."

Finding a Family: The Asian Alumni Network Scholarship

When the Asian Alumni Network awarded its first-ever scholarship to Elie Wu, they boosted a future leader who’s overcome some serious financial and family challenges. Read her story—and the story of the network's first-ever scholarship—on the Alcalde. Photo courtesy the Austin History Center

Finding a Family: The Asian Alumni Network Scholarship

When the Asian Alumni Network awarded its first-ever scholarship to Elie Wu, they boosted a future leader who’s overcome some serious financial and family challenges. Read her story—and the story of the network's first-ever scholarship—on the Alcalde. Photo courtesy the Austin History Center

Finding a Family: The Asian Alumni Network Scholarship

When the Asian Alumni Network awarded its first-ever scholarship to Elie Wu, they boosted a future leader who’s overcome some serious financial and family challenges. Read her story—and the story of the network's first-ever scholarship—on the Alcalde. Photo courtesy the Austin History Center

Texas Exes Scholar Alexandra Atalis Prizes Perseverance

At age 6, Alexandra Atalis knew she wanted to pursue a top college education. Through expectations from her endearing yaya (Greek for grandmother) Atalis studied hard and always strived for the best. This attitude landed her at one of the best universities in the nation: The University of Texas at Austin. She is a leader in the Delta Delta Delta sorority, which she credits with helping her develop administrative skills. When’s she’s not taking classes for her major (biomedical engineering), Atalis enjoys courses in history and English, subjects she says were a struggle for her in high school. Supportive professors make all the difference, she says. But her most memorable academic experience came far from the Forty Acres. At one of the most famous scientific sites in the world, Atalis took part in a hands-on study abroad program in Cambridge, England. There, she took a biomedical transport class and had the experience of a lifetime exploring the city. Atalis, the recipient of the Mrs. Harold B. Myers Texas Exes Scholarship, says her science research experience has not only enriched her academic skills—it’s taught her the meaning of perseverance. One week before being accepted to work in the biophotonic lab of James Tunnell, Atalis learned that her mother had ovarian cancer. Working in the lab under the tragic circumstances helped her cope. Atalis learned to juggle multiple experiments under great pressure; waiting for the right answer taught her patience. In the lab, Atalis studies an alternative form of chemotherapy with early cancer treatment and detection. This TEA scholar has learned to stay humble and enjoy the challenges that the University provides. “I’ve definitely been humbled being here, surrounded by the best and brightest students,” Atalis says. “It’s very challenging here at UT, but being surrounded by such talented students keeps me motivated.”

Texas Exes Scholar Alexandra Atalis Prizes Perseverance

At age 6, Alexandra Atalis knew she wanted to pursue a top college education. Through expectations from her endearing yaya (Greek for grandmother) Atalis studied hard and always strived for the best. This attitude landed her at one of the best universities in the nation: The University of Texas at Austin. She is a leader in the Delta Delta Delta sorority, which she credits with helping her develop administrative skills. When’s she’s not taking classes for her major (biomedical engineering), Atalis enjoys courses in history and English, subjects she says were a struggle for her in high school. Supportive professors make all the difference, she says. But her most memorable academic experience came far from the Forty Acres. At one of the most famous scientific sites in the world, Atalis took part in a hands-on study abroad program in Cambridge, England. There, she took a biomedical transport class and had the experience of a lifetime exploring the city. Atalis, the recipient of the Mrs. Harold B. Myers Texas Exes Scholarship, says her science research experience has not only enriched her academic skills—it’s taught her the meaning of perseverance. One week before being accepted to work in the biophotonic lab of James Tunnell, Atalis learned that her mother had ovarian cancer. Working in the lab under the tragic circumstances helped her cope. Atalis learned to juggle multiple experiments under great pressure; waiting for the right answer taught her patience. In the lab, Atalis studies an alternative form of chemotherapy with early cancer treatment and detection. This TEA scholar has learned to stay humble and enjoy the challenges that the University provides. “I’ve definitely been humbled being here, surrounded by the best and brightest students,” Atalis says. “It’s very challenging here at UT, but being surrounded by such talented students keeps me motivated.”

Texas Exes Scholar Alexandra Atalis Prizes Perseverance

At age 6, Alexandra Atalis knew she wanted to pursue a top college education. Through expectations from her endearing yaya (Greek for grandmother) Atalis studied hard and always strived for the best. This attitude landed her at one of the best universities in the nation: The University of Texas at Austin. She is a leader in the Delta Delta Delta sorority, which she credits with helping her develop administrative skills. When’s she’s not taking classes for her major (biomedical engineering), Atalis enjoys courses in history and English, subjects she says were a struggle for her in high school. Supportive professors make all the difference, she says. But her most memorable academic experience came far from the Forty Acres. At one of the most famous scientific sites in the world, Atalis took part in a hands-on study abroad program in Cambridge, England. There, she took a biomedical transport class and had the experience of a lifetime exploring the city. Atalis, the recipient of the Mrs. Harold B. Myers Texas Exes Scholarship, says her science research experience has not only enriched her academic skills—it’s taught her the meaning of perseverance. One week before being accepted to work in the biophotonic lab of James Tunnell, Atalis learned that her mother had ovarian cancer. Working in the lab under the tragic circumstances helped her cope. Atalis learned to juggle multiple experiments under great pressure; waiting for the right answer taught her patience. In the lab, Atalis studies an alternative form of chemotherapy with early cancer treatment and detection. This TEA scholar has learned to stay humble and enjoy the challenges that the University provides. “I’ve definitely been humbled being here, surrounded by the best and brightest students,” Atalis says. “It’s very challenging here at UT, but being surrounded by such talented students keeps me motivated.”