The Texas Exes
The Texas Exes, the alumni association for the University, was established in 1885 and with 96,000 members is now one of the largest self-governed alumni organizations in the nation. The association exists to champion the University in several key ways: engage alumni, support the student experience, communicate the value of the University to stakeholders, and advocate on its behalf.
In 2012, the Texas Exes awarded $1.9 million in scholarships to almost 700 students. Many were freshmen who received scholarships from Texas Exes chapters across the United States. The Texas Exes also recently launched the Forty Acres Scholars Program, which is the premier four-year merit-based scholarship program and the first of its kind on the UT-Austin campus.
News of the University reaches members of the association through the bimonthly Alcalde magazine and its daily website
. The Texas Exes provide lifetime learning opportunities through worldwide Flying Longhorns tours, Alumni Campus Abroad programs, the annual Alumni College, and University library access. Discounts on services and merchandise and an online alumni directory are available to members. The association houses the Texas Exes Student Chapter; alumni networking and mentoring; Camp Texas for entering freshmen; and many more opportunities for student involvement. These activities help build students’ leadership skills and sense of loyalty to the University. The association also provides career services for alumni, including job listings, a résumé database, career workshops, individual consulting, webinars and other online resources, and a career network.
The Texas Exes’ home on campus is the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, which stands on San Jacinto Boulevard across from Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Facilities include a banquet hall, offices, meeting rooms, outdoor pavilion, and underground parking. The building is named for Lila B. Etter and John P. Harbin. Etter, whose bequest to the University financed much of the original structure in 1965, was the daughter of the University’s first president, Leslie Waggener. Harbin is a distinguished alumnus and past president of the Texas Exes. His gift provided site preservation, development, and landscaping.
The University depends on the time and talents of Texas Exes members to support and carry out many of its programs. Membership is a charitable contribution. More information is available at the Texas Exes Web site, http://www.TexasExes.org/
, by phone at (512) 471-8839, and by e-mail to alumni@alumni.utexas.edu
.