4 Notable Longhorns With Nontraditional Degree Plans—and More We Want to Return

By Trinity Flaten in Alcalde Online on August 8, 2024 at 1:32 pm | No Comments

While promoting his newest movie, Twisters, Glen Powell, ’11, Outstanding Young Texas Ex, recently confirmed to IndieWire that he would be returning to UT to finish his degree. Between shoots for his next film, The Running Man, in London, Powell plans to take online classes, returning to campus for in-person exams.  

With Powell making his entrance back to the Forty Acres, the Alcalde Online rounded up other Longhorn celebrities who made a return to campus to complete their diplomas.  

Vince Young, BS ’13, Life Member 
Degree in Youth and Community Studies 

After winning a national title and being runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, Young decided he wasn’t done with his time at Texas. Young left the Forty Acres in 2006 for the Tennessee Titans as the third overall pick in the NFL draft. He would return to UT in 2008 and later graduate in 2013, a day before his 30th birthday. 

“[Graduating] will rank No. 1 because it is what I came to school for,” Young told CBS Sports. “I came here to get an education and to win a national championship. And now I get to put that smile on my mom’s face.” 

Cat Osterman, BA ’07, Life Member 
Degree in Psychology 

Osterman is one of the University’s most decorated softball players. She pitched for Team USA at the 2004, 2008, and 2020 Summer Olympics, earning a gold medal and two silver medals, respectively. Osterman is also the only softball player to win National Player of the Year honors from USA Softball three times. She completed her eligibility in 2006 and was drafted into the National Pro Fastpitch, the professional women’s softball league. She finished her degree in 2007 while also serving as a student assistant coach. 

Ricky Williams, BS ’16 Life Member, Distinguished Alumnus 
Degree in Youth and Community Studies 

Heisman winner Williams admits he wasn’t much of a student his first time around, earning mostly C’s and D’s while playing football for the school. While playing for the Miami Dolphins, however, he started taking classes at Nova Southeastern University, earning straight A’s. After a volatile career in the NFL, Williams came back to Texas and graduated in 2016. 

“I find my biggest challenge is getting people to let go of me as a football player and be willing to consider me as that and something else,” Williams told Buzzfeed. “But for most people, being a professional football player is like the pinnacle of their imagined life or actual life. For me, as much as I tried to make it that, it just hasn’t worked. I still want more.” 

Marquise Goodwin, BS ’15
Degree in Public Health 

Goodwin went further than your average student athlete, playing for Texas Football as a wide receiver as well as competing in several track and field events. He competed in the long jump event at the 2012 Summer Olympics, placing 10th. He was later drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2013. Goodwin returned to campus and graduated in 2015. 

“I always knew I would come to The University of Texas, and I knew that I would graduate,” Goodwin told Texas Athletics. “I promised my mom when I came here that I would finish school, and I held true to that.”

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With so many notable Longhorns paving the way for others to come back and finish what they started, there are many other stars who started out at UT whom we can hope to one day make their return.  

Owen Wilson 

Wilson started in English degree in the late ’80s. He would eventually meet Academy Award–winning director and screenplay writer Wes Anderson on the Forty Acres. The pair would become roommates, fostering a disagreement with their landlord that led to them faking break-ins and secretly moving out. These actions would lead to the creation of Bottle Rocket, starring Wilson and his brother, Luke. Wilson left Texas in 1991, just a few classes short. Anderson would eventually follow him to Hollywood but did finish his degree in philosophy. 

Kevin Durant, Outstanding Young Texas Ex 

Although Durant’s time on campus was very limited—only one season—he left a lasting mark. He was the first freshman in NCAA history to win any of the major National Player of the Year Awards, is a three-time (hopefully soon a four-time) Olympic gold medalist, and even had his jersey number retired. 

Michael Dell, Outstanding Young Texas Ex 

Dell is a name known by virtually every American, with many even owning one of his products. Dell started his computer empire in his dorm room during his freshman year as a pre-med student, originally operating as PC’s Limited. At the age of 19, he would drop out to further his growing business. 

LaMarcus Aldridge 

Aldridge is tied for the highest draft pick in school history, after being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft. Aldridge left after playing for the Longhorns for two seasons and leading them to an Elite Eight appearance. He became a seven-time NBA All-Star. 

CREDITS: Texas Exes archive and Texas Athletics (4)

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