Paint wars, public-speaking seminars, and some serious group bonding—the newest Forty Acres Scholars had a packed and diverse schedule when they converged on campus last week for the program's annual introductory Scholars Retreat.

"The purpose of the retreat is for incoming scholars to come together and bond as a cohort," says Kristy Kimball, director of the Forty Acres Scholars Program. "These scholars will be together for the next four years, and we want them to make that connection early on."

The members of the program's 2017 class kicked off the week by attending the second session of Camp Texas together—a new addition to the retreat lineup. Held out at Camp Balcones Springs in Marble Falls, Camp Texas offered scholars the chance to get to know fellow freshmen through paint wars, water Olympics, a luau, and more.

Back at the Alumni Center afterwards, the scholars boarded a bus for the J.W. Marriott in San Antonio, where they attended a public-speaking seminar, group dinners, and a Forty Acres Scholars Program orientation.

"It was neat getting to meet everyone again. There's just so many people to get to know," says Caroline Read, a scholar from Dallas. "Everyone is so funny—our humor is so similar. It surprises me all the time."

In their free time, the scholars got to know each other while floating the Marriott's lazy river and exploring the hotel grounds. The group also took the opportunity to explore the Alamo—a first for a few out-of-state students.

"I love seeing new places and meeting new people," says McKay Proctor, a scholar from Nashville, Tenn., who had only been to Texas twice before the retreat. "There's a constant novelty of it all."

Prominent San Antonio alumni and generous Forty Acres Scholars Program supporters were on-hand to welcome the newest scholars to the UT family. Guests at the alumni dinner included Sally, MPA '84, and Craig Clayton, BBA '84, Life Members; Kathleen, BA '88, and Byron LeFlore, BA '86, PhD '89, Life Members; and San Antonio Chapter president Todd Hunt, BA '93.

"What we keep saying about the program is that we're the icing on the cake," Kimball says. "We want them to experience personal development opportunities that they won't necessarily receive in an academic setting, like presenting to a panel of alumni or talking to a room full of donors."

The Forty Acres Scholars Program prides itself on bringing the best and brightest to UT. This year's cohort is no exception—and the Class of 2017 is especially diverse. The program is welcoming its first-ever fine arts majors, including Sarah Vogts—a bassoon player—to campus this fall.

"Everyone is so different, so interesting, and so smart," Read, a journalism and Plan II major, says. "I know this small group is going to make such a big University feel like home."  

The Forty Acres Scholars Program is the premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship for The University of Texas at Austin.  

The Forty Acres Scholars Program Class of 2017. Inset, photo by Kristy Kimball.