2013 Texas Exes Annual Report

Welcome

Ninety-three years ago, legendary University of Texas professor H.Y. Benedict took to the pages of the Alcalde to welcome the University’s newest alumni and celebrate what he called “Texas Exdom.”

“If we had only our piney shacks to compare with the marble halls of some other institutions, Texas would lose out in nearly every intercollegiate competition," he wrote. "As it is, competing on a man-to-man basis, Texas gets her full share of the honors. Her Exes, not her buildings, are the glory of Texas.”

A lot has changed since then. We have our own marble halls now, but our University is still judged by its alumni. It’s inspiring to see the excitement and commitment our Exes showed this year. As president, I’ve seen that commitment in support of our scholarships, most notably the Forty Acres Scholars Program. We’ve helped to bring the very best to Texas through our premier merit-based scholarship for The University of Texas at Austin. With the help of our fundraising chair Tom Dunning, BBA ’65, Life Member, we’ve developed more robust systems for outreach and streamlined how we administer these life-changing and ultimately world-changing scholarship awards.

I could not be more pleased to share with you the success of our enlivened advocacy, organized around Travis County’s Proposition 1 last fall. Texas Exes helped ensure that a medical school will finally come to Austin. I’m excited to see the Exes continue to stay informed and support the policy issues that affect UT, as we saw throughout this year’s legislative session.

Of course, those who give themselves so fully to Texas—through scholarships, advocacy, volunteerism, and more—deserve our enduring respect and recognition. This year, we honored an amazing group of alumni, like Distinguished Alumnus Award winners First Lady Laura Bush and Admiral William McRaven. We fine-tuned some of our proudest traditions, bringing together honorees for the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award, the Texas Ten, and more, in a first-time event we called the EXies. At every stage, and everywhere I went this year, I saw deep, abiding pride in the eyes of Texas Exes.

Our Association includes a dedicated professional staff and 99,000 loyal, able, and generous Longhorns who day after day express their commitment to Texas, and that mission is more vital than ever. It’s been an exciting, productive year, and it was a tremendous honor to serve as president. I look forward to many more great years alongside our fellow Exes.

Hook ’em,
John Beckworth
President, Texas Exes 2012-13