San Antonio is a big city with an even bigger heart, as evidenced by the new Lenora and Walter F. Brown Forty Acres Scholarship.

The scholarship—named in honor of Lenora Brown, BBA ’56, and Walter F. Brown, BBA ’57, Life Members—will give the best San Antonio-area students a premier education at UT-Austin. In addition to paying for all tuition, fees, and books, the Forty Acres Scholars Program provides a living stipend, study abroad and internship support, mentoring, and other resources.

About 40 alumni and friends of the University celebrated the news Thursday night in a ceremony at the home of Catherine and Walter Brown, JD ’76. Texas Rep. Dan Branch and Texas Exes executive director and CEO Leslie Cedar were among the attendees.

The Browns' gift was instrumental in making the scholarship possible, but it was also part of a larger community effort, says Blakeney Kurad, director of the Forty Acres Scholars Program and development.

"We’re so appreciative of our alumni and the Browns' efforts to support not only the Forty Acres Scholars Program, but also the San Antonio community," Kurad says.

Bruce Hill, BBA ’77; Sally Clayton, MPA ’84; Craig Clayton, BBA ’84; Jim Goudge, BBA ’76; and Suzanne Goudge, BBA ’76, all Life Members, were among the many San Antonio Longhorns who made the evening possible.

From left: Warren and Melissa Branch, Walter and Catherine Brown, and Dan and Stacey Branch.

Photo by Aaron Leondar.