Scholar Spotlight: Olivia Pierce

Olivia Pierce, Class of 2024, is studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark where she is focusing on Engineering Communications. “It is pretty weird being a tourist in a country not open to American tourists," Olivia says. "Museums and cultural sites that are typically packed are empty, leading to truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Although I enjoy being the only person in a museum, I look forward to the day tourists come flooding back. And I’m not the only one who anxiously awaits the return of tourism: This past weekend I was over in Odense, Denmark, visiting a history museum. It was, like all museums right now, completely empty. As I was buying my ticket, the man at the front desk asked my group where we were from, and we responded 'Texas.' The two men at the front desk looked at each other and started cheering and high fiving, celebrating the return of tourists and thus some normalcy. It was a truly magical moment that I will never forget.” Olivia is the recipient of the Moore Family Forty Acres Scholarship and the Chevron Enrichment Award. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Scholar Spotlight: Olivia Pierce

Olivia Pierce, Class of 2024, is studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark where she is focusing on Engineering Communications. “It is pretty weird being a tourist in a country not open to American tourists," Olivia says. "Museums and cultural sites that are typically packed are empty, leading to truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Although I enjoy being the only person in a museum, I look forward to the day tourists come flooding back. And I’m not the only one who anxiously awaits the return of tourism: This past weekend I was over in Odense, Denmark, visiting a history museum. It was, like all museums right now, completely empty. As I was buying my ticket, the man at the front desk asked my group where we were from, and we responded 'Texas.' The two men at the front desk looked at each other and started cheering and high fiving, celebrating the return of tourists and thus some normalcy. It was a truly magical moment that I will never forget.” Olivia is the recipient of the Moore Family Forty Acres Scholarship and the Chevron Enrichment Award. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Scholar Spotlight: Olivia Pierce

Olivia Pierce, Class of 2024, is studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark where she is focusing on Engineering Communications. “It is pretty weird being a tourist in a country not open to American tourists," Olivia says. "Museums and cultural sites that are typically packed are empty, leading to truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Although I enjoy being the only person in a museum, I look forward to the day tourists come flooding back. And I’m not the only one who anxiously awaits the return of tourism: This past weekend I was over in Odense, Denmark, visiting a history museum. It was, like all museums right now, completely empty. As I was buying my ticket, the man at the front desk asked my group where we were from, and we responded 'Texas.' The two men at the front desk looked at each other and started cheering and high fiving, celebrating the return of tourists and thus some normalcy. It was a truly magical moment that I will never forget.” Olivia is the recipient of the Moore Family Forty Acres Scholarship and the Chevron Enrichment Award. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Scholar Spotlight: Nikita Kakkad

Nikita Kakkad, Class of 2024, is studying abroad in Ireland. Before she embarks on her research project working in a laboratory, she is exploring the beautiful country and getting to know her fellow students. “The first day we were able to leave the quarantine we went to the city, and it was so amazing—the streets were bustling, and the different restaurants and shops were so beautiful," Nikita says. "I love the architecture here, it reminds me of Boston, one of my favorite cities back in the U.S. We spent that whole week just exploring the city and the surrounding areas, trying new cafes, going to shops and museums! It was so nice to be able to have a free week in Dublin to explore and get acquainted. That Friday, we left early in the morning for Galway, and on Friday, we spent time exploring and enjoying the coast. On Saturday morning, we left early to catch the two-hour bus to the Cliffs of Moher—I don’t ever think I’ll forget how beautiful it was there.” Nikita is the recipient of the Carol and Gary Kelly Forty Acres Scholarship. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Scholar Spotlight: Nikita Kakkad

Nikita Kakkad, Class of 2024, is studying abroad in Ireland. Before she embarks on her research project working in a laboratory, she is exploring the beautiful country and getting to know her fellow students. “The first day we were able to leave the quarantine we went to the city, and it was so amazing—the streets were bustling, and the different restaurants and shops were so beautiful," Nikita says. "I love the architecture here, it reminds me of Boston, one of my favorite cities back in the U.S. We spent that whole week just exploring the city and the surrounding areas, trying new cafes, going to shops and museums! It was so nice to be able to have a free week in Dublin to explore and get acquainted. That Friday, we left early in the morning for Galway, and on Friday, we spent time exploring and enjoying the coast. On Saturday morning, we left early to catch the two-hour bus to the Cliffs of Moher—I don’t ever think I’ll forget how beautiful it was there.” Nikita is the recipient of the Carol and Gary Kelly Forty Acres Scholarship. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Scholar Spotlight: Nikita Kakkad

Nikita Kakkad, Class of 2024, is studying abroad in Ireland. Before she embarks on her research project working in a laboratory, she is exploring the beautiful country and getting to know her fellow students. “The first day we were able to leave the quarantine we went to the city, and it was so amazing—the streets were bustling, and the different restaurants and shops were so beautiful," Nikita says. "I love the architecture here, it reminds me of Boston, one of my favorite cities back in the U.S. We spent that whole week just exploring the city and the surrounding areas, trying new cafes, going to shops and museums! It was so nice to be able to have a free week in Dublin to explore and get acquainted. That Friday, we left early in the morning for Galway, and on Friday, we spent time exploring and enjoying the coast. On Saturday morning, we left early to catch the two-hour bus to the Cliffs of Moher—I don’t ever think I’ll forget how beautiful it was there.” Nikita is the recipient of the Carol and Gary Kelly Forty Acres Scholarship. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Scholar Spotlight: Kerry Mackenzie

This week, we shine the Scholar Spotlight on Kerry Mackenzie, Class of 2022. Kerry is majoring in government and Plan II Honors and is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. While abroad, she is concentrating on the relevant topics of sustainability and renewable energy. Learning from one of the most knowledgeable advocates on the subject, Professor Carlos Robles, Kerry has had the opportunity to gain some exciting first-hand experience—much of which hits close to home. “Since Carlos is well known around Denmark as a renewables advocate, we’ve supplemented each of our lessons with in-person tours of different key renewable spaces," Kerry says. "Last week, we even did a day study tour of different research, production, and supply chain spaces in the Danish renewable industry. Highlights included getting to climb and stand on the top of a medium-sized wind turbine, questioning a district government official after a presentation regarding the area’s plan to become a 100 percent clean energy consumer by 2025, learning at a research center where the first modern wind energy was developed, a bike tour of Copenhagen to learn about sustainable city planning, and visiting the site of the previously largest wind turbine in the world, which was built by the surrounding community of hippies in protest of government reinvestment in renewables. Of special interest to me was a discussion with many industry professionals about their thoughts on Texas’s ERCOT. I hope to learn more about solar power and complete a final presentation on solutions to ERCOT’s energy planning.” Kerry is the recipient of the Waltrip/Texas Exes Fort Worth Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Scholar Spotlight: Kerry Mackenzie

This week, we shine the Scholar Spotlight on Kerry Mackenzie, Class of 2022. Kerry is majoring in government and Plan II Honors and is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. While abroad, she is concentrating on the relevant topics of sustainability and renewable energy. Learning from one of the most knowledgeable advocates on the subject, Professor Carlos Robles, Kerry has had the opportunity to gain some exciting first-hand experience—much of which hits close to home. “Since Carlos is well known around Denmark as a renewables advocate, we’ve supplemented each of our lessons with in-person tours of different key renewable spaces," Kerry says. "Last week, we even did a day study tour of different research, production, and supply chain spaces in the Danish renewable industry. Highlights included getting to climb and stand on the top of a medium-sized wind turbine, questioning a district government official after a presentation regarding the area’s plan to become a 100 percent clean energy consumer by 2025, learning at a research center where the first modern wind energy was developed, a bike tour of Copenhagen to learn about sustainable city planning, and visiting the site of the previously largest wind turbine in the world, which was built by the surrounding community of hippies in protest of government reinvestment in renewables. Of special interest to me was a discussion with many industry professionals about their thoughts on Texas’s ERCOT. I hope to learn more about solar power and complete a final presentation on solutions to ERCOT’s energy planning.” Kerry is the recipient of the Waltrip/Texas Exes Fort Worth Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Scholar Spotlight: Kerry Mackenzie

This week, we shine the Scholar Spotlight on Kerry Mackenzie, Class of 2022. Kerry is majoring in government and Plan II Honors and is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. While abroad, she is concentrating on the relevant topics of sustainability and renewable energy. Learning from one of the most knowledgeable advocates on the subject, Professor Carlos Robles, Kerry has had the opportunity to gain some exciting first-hand experience—much of which hits close to home. “Since Carlos is well known around Denmark as a renewables advocate, we’ve supplemented each of our lessons with in-person tours of different key renewable spaces," Kerry says. "Last week, we even did a day study tour of different research, production, and supply chain spaces in the Danish renewable industry. Highlights included getting to climb and stand on the top of a medium-sized wind turbine, questioning a district government official after a presentation regarding the area’s plan to become a 100 percent clean energy consumer by 2025, learning at a research center where the first modern wind energy was developed, a bike tour of Copenhagen to learn about sustainable city planning, and visiting the site of the previously largest wind turbine in the world, which was built by the surrounding community of hippies in protest of government reinvestment in renewables. Of special interest to me was a discussion with many industry professionals about their thoughts on Texas’s ERCOT. I hope to learn more about solar power and complete a final presentation on solutions to ERCOT’s energy planning.” Kerry is the recipient of the Waltrip/Texas Exes Fort Worth Chapter Forty Acres Scholarship. Read more about her here. #ScholarSpotlight

Texas Exes Student Member Mentorship Program

Bringing alumni and students together to form meaningful connections with each other and deepen their ties to the university where students will have the opportunity to gain academic guidance, career advice, and personal development.

Texas Exes Student Member Mentorship Program

Bringing alumni and students together to form meaningful connections with each other and deepen their ties to the university where students will have the opportunity to gain academic guidance, career advice, and personal development.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Available to Life Members, Members, Student Members

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center uses native plants to restore and create sustainable, beautiful landscapes. Texas Exes members receive a 15% discount on select membership levels at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Available to Life Members, Members, Student Members

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center uses native plants to restore and create sustainable, beautiful landscapes. Texas Exes members receive a 15% discount on select membership levels at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.