It felt more like a family reunion than a formal endowment. Even surrounded by austere quotes of past University luminaries and the gilded seals of the Main Building's Lee Hage Jamail Academic Room, it felt like a homecoming.

Prominent members of The University of Texas community—from administrators to Texas Exes and students—gathered at the Tower on Tuesday to commemorate the endowment of the Senator Judith Zaffirini Scholarship by her son, Carlos Zaffirini Jr., BBA '03, JD '06, Life Member.

“Carlos, you know how much we love you,” said UT System chancellor Francisco Cigarroa, adding to personal and emotional praise from Texas Exes president John Beckworth and UT president Bill Powers.

Powers commended the Texas Exes for its rich history of providing scholarships to deserving students, Judith for her fiery spirit and unrivaled defense of the University, and Carlos Jr. for his gift, which Powers called "an expression of love."

Beckworth described Judith, BS '67, MA '70, PhD '78, Life Member, as a champion, friend, and advocate. To put the scholarship—which will help make college affordable for students in South Texas’ Webb, Starr, and Zapata counties—into context, Laredo native Cigarroa told the story of Peter, the most gifted student in his graduating high school class who couldn’t attend college because of cost.

Carlos Jr. is the founder of Adelanto HealthCare Ventures in Austin. He earned a BBA and JD from UT, but he’s still one short of his mother’s three UT degrees.

Carlos spoke of his mother's exceptional work ethic while attending the University, where she maintained a 3.9 GPA even as she considered dropping out because she could no longer afford to attend. She was lucky to be helped by a family friend, Carlos said, calling the prospect of a talented student not graduating because of cost unacceptable.

At just 30 years old, Carlos is endowing the scholarship in his mother’s name to make a college education accessible to capable students from the Rio Grande Valley. He intends to keep giving, and he encourages other young Texas Exes to give back as well.

“I’m impressed and grateful,” Judith said in her remarks. And even though the room was packed, it was clear she was talking to only one person.