Letter from the CEO: Shining On
I can still remember riding in the back of our Chevy station wagon, heading out from Gatesville, Texas, and passing through Austin on our way to family vacations at North Padre Island. Every time we rolled into the city, I’d crane my neck—sometimes climbing over my siblings—to catch a glimpse of the UT Tower on the horizon (back when no one wore seatbelts). Even as a little kid, I felt a connection to it; I knew it meant something special.
Now, all these years later, I sit in my office at the Alumni Center with a UT degree on the wall—and the Tower is still right there, looming large in my life.
If you’re reading this, I bet you know the Tower is finally getting the care it deserves. In 2023, the Alcalde featured a cover story called “Our Tower” that explored its history and the urgent need for modernization. Since 1937, the Tower has quietly watched over generations of Longhorns while the campus grew and transformed around it. Time has taken its toll, but the University has begun the important work of restoring and revitalizing this beloved landmark.
These days, when I walk past the Main Building, I see scaffolding wrapped around the Tower and artisans carefully bringing back details like the gold leaf near the clock face. Soon, the interiors—including the observation deck—will be completely renewed. The project is expected to wrap up in 2027, and when it does, it will feel like we’ve traveled back in time to see the Tower in all its original glory.
The Texas Exes will be supporting this project every step of the way, and I’d love for you to be part of it too. Inside this issue, you’ll find an envelope where you can make a gift. No contribution is too small—what matters most is that we do this together.
As the Austin skyline changes rapidly, the Tower is more important than ever. It’s a reminder of who we are: our history, our call to greatness, and our shared pride as Longhorns. Join me and thousands of alumni around the world in keeping this iconic symbol shining for generations to come.
Hook ’em,
Robert W. Jones, BBA ’87, Life Member
Texas Exes CEO
