Texas Exes

Congratulations to Sen. Judith Zaffirini, BA ’67, MA ’70, PhD ’78, Life Member, Distinguished Alumna, for becoming the first female dean of the Texas Senate. Hook ’em! 🤘

Distinguished Alumna is First Female Dean of the Texas Senate For the first time in more than 175 years, the title of dean of the Texas Senate belongs to a woman: Judith Zaffirini, BS ’67, MA ’70, PhD ’78, Life Member, Distinguished Alumna. The role is held by the chamber's most senior member and oversees much of the legislative procedure. When Zaffirini...

This past November, we spent a night celebrating the 2023 class of recipients at the 65th annual Distinguished Alumnus Awards. From a fighter pilot to a football legend, these six alumni donned their burnt-orange jackets for the first time and took their place in University history. Learn more in the Alcalde.

Eyes on Them: The 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Awards On an unseasonably warm Friday night this past November, Bevo stood outside the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center to welcome a group of esteemed guests to the 65th annual Distinguished Alumnus Awards. From a fighter pilot to a football legend, to their loved ones and the alumni who came before them—and t...

Explore the stunning natural beauty of the Canary Islands and the treasures of Morocco with the Flying Longhorns next spring! On this one-of-a-kind, seven-night journey, you'll see panoramic views of Caldera de Taburiente, enjoy excursions to the spectacular island of Tenerife, and more. Book now at txex.us/3troREH or email [email protected]. ☀️

Our December grads look incredible! 🎓 Grads have until tomorrow to save 40% on their Life Membership offer. Learn more about the the next step to becoming a Texas Ex → txex.us/graduation 🧡

We all have questions about AI: What can it do? What should it do? These questions inevitably are connected to other important issues like data collection and privacy, surveillance, transparency, intellectual property, media literacy, and public trust. The Alcalde asked UT experts to distill the five most important AI concepts for beginners. 💻🤔

Society Faces Tough Choices About Artificial Intelligence On a Tuesday night last February, New York Times technology writer Kevin Roose sat down to experiment with an early version of the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot from Microsoft search engine Bing. Roose wanted to test the limits of the chatbot’s programming by asking questions most users wou...

A new year means a new issue of the Alcalde is here! Members, keep an eye on your mailboxes. You'll find stories about AI and its impact on our future, one Longhorn's journey to complete his degree, the work of Harry Ransom Center's world-class conservation lab, and more. Read the issue now at alcalde.texasexes.org. 🤘

Thank you Longhorn Nation for an incredible season 🤘

it’s GAMEDAY in the Big Easy! 🤘

Happy New Year! In 2024, we're wishing for more Texas Fight and for everything to be alright, alright, alright. 😉🎆

Happy holidays, and happy grad season! December grads, give yourself the gift of a Life Membership. Until Jan. 5, you can save up to 40% on our Life Member rates. Learn how you can take the next step to becoming a Texas Ex → txex.us/graduation 🎓🎄

When this photo was taken in 1966, the football stadium was still just the Texas Memorial Stadium. (Darrell K Royal’s name would not be added until 1996.) That year saw major changes to the campus landscape, on and off the field. Read more about a renovation project completed before the start of the '67 season and how leaders considered improving the stadium in the Alcalde.

The Way Back: Fanfare The Longhorns played the Arkansas Razorbacks on Oct. 15, 1966, in a stadium that would soon undergo significant renovations. This funky fisheye shot almost does justice to the electric feeling of cheering on the Longhorns under the late summer sun. When this photo was taken in 1966, the football sta...

The holiday season is the perfect time to give back to the community. Whether it’s at an animal shelter or a food bank, Austin has a wide array of volunteer opportunities. Here’s the Alcalde’s list of places you can volunteer around the city these next few months. 🧡

Where to Volunteer in Austin this Holiday Season The holiday season is the perfect time to give back to the community. Whether it’s at an animal shelter or a food bank, Austin has a wide array of ways to give back. All of these nonprofits also accept donations, so if you can’t donate your time, you can still support their efforts. Here’s the...

Act fast! More spots have become available for our Tanzania Safari! Travel into the majestic grasslands of Africa’s premier safari destination to observe one of Earth’s greatest spectacles—the annual Great Migration. Learn more at txex.us/47YXktc or email [email protected]. 🦓

Emily Shryock has the rare perspective of having been a student, staff, and faculty member at The University of Texas. She now teaches in the Critical Disability Studies program—and serves as the founding director of UT’s Disability Cultural Center, one of only 12 of its kind across the nation’s college campuses at the time of its founding. The Alcalde spoke with Shryock, MS ’15, Life Member, about the personal and professional significance of the new institution. Read more about Shyrock and the DCC in the Alcalde.

Founding Director of UT’s Disability Cultural Center Talks Campus Culture Shift Emily Shryock has the rare perspective of having been a student, staff, and faculty member at The University of Texas. Relying on her master’s in social work with a focus on community and administrative leadership, she now teaches in the Critical Disability Studies program—and serves as the foun...

From sweet treats to spa getaways, Texas Exes across the country are at the helm of businesses perfect for the gift-giving season. Check out the Alcalde’s Longhorn Business Gift Guide for the perfect presents and to support your fellow alumni this holiday season. 🎁

Longhorn Business Gift Guide This holiday season, whether you’re shopping for your parent, child, classmate, significant other, or just a good friend, you can support Longhorn businesses. From sweet treats to spa getaways, Texas Exes across the country are at the helm of businesses perfect for the gift-giving season. Check ou...

Giveaway alert! 🗣️ This holiday season enjoy some “me time” at Longhorn-owned Viva Day Spa! Viva offers award-winning spa and med spa treatments in Austin, Texas. Female-founded, Viva provides the finest quality services and products in an environment that is inviting and relaxing.

Longhorn Business Network Member Viva Day Spa + Med Spa is giving one lucky Longhorn a 75-Minute Viva Signature Massage! Head to our Instagram to enter!

Looking for more Longhorn businesses? Find them in our business directory at https://txex.us/Shop-Longhorn. 🤘

The Longhorns are playing in the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day. Planning to be in New Orleans? Meet up with the rest of Longhorn Nation at the official Texas Exes and Texas Athletics tailgate! We'll have an all-you-can-eat Cajun buffet, open bar, and live entertainment! Space is limited, so book your ticket today → txex.us/SugarBowlTailgate2024 🤘

Calling all Longhorns! Korman is the only destination for the officially licensed Longhorn Collection, available in a variety of sizes and metal colors. 🤘 Whether you're gearing up for game day or searching for the perfect gift, the Longhorn necklace is sure to score. Shop the collection exclusively at Korman, Austin's locally, family, and Longhorn-owned jewelry destination since 1973 → kormanfinejewelry.com/shop-by-category/longhorn-jewelry ✨

Texas Exes The alumni association of UT Austin, serving 110,000 members and more than 570,000 alumni. 🤘

2023 grads, make this year even better by becoming a Life Member! From now until Jan. 5, you can save up to 40% on our Life Member rates. Learn how you can take the next step to becoming a Texas Ex → txex.us/graduation. 🎓

Travel across Spain and Portugal with the Flying Longhorns next summer! Fortified cities and fishing villages, rugged Atlantic coastline, and commanding Pyrenees peaks await you. Learn more at txex.us/4187s0d or by emailing [email protected]. ☀️

Ruth Pennebaker, a Longhorn and longtime Alcalde contributor, reflects on 50 years of marriage to her husband. Follow them through law and graduate school at UT, raising children, and the many moves that led them back to Austin. Read more about Ruth and her story in the Alcalde.

A Longhorn Looks Back on 50 Years of Marriage We met in 1965 at Midland High School, but we weren’t high school sweethearts. In fact, we didn’t even like each other. I thought he was arrogant and snobbish. He thought I wasn’t very smart. He finally realized his big mistake when he was in the school counselor’s office and saw a grid of S...

We're going to be on the road to the Sugar Bowl soon, and luckily you can get a bottle of Still Austin Bourbon Whiskey along the way! Still Austin Whiskey Co. products are distributed in Louisiana, so you can snag yourself some bourbon for your at-home watch party here in Texas or your pre-game in New Orleans. 🥃

A true Longhorn for life, Jim Vick’s affinity for The University of Texas at Austin ran deep. The legendary former vice president for student affairs and mathematics professor passed away on Nov. 8, 2023. Alumni, former colleagues, University leaders, family, and friends are paying tribute to his many accomplishments and collaborations that benefit Longhorns today: the Gregory Gymnasium renovation, the Student Services Building, the creation of the University’s core values, to name a few. His many accolades reflect his number one priority—putting students first. Read more about Jim Vick and his service to the University in the Alcalde.

The Life of Jim Vick Jim Vick in 2005. A true Longhorn for life, Jim Vick’s affinity for The University of Texas at Austin ran deep. He was a mentor and a friend. A scholar and a visionary leader. An avid Longhorn athletics fan, a poet and a novelist. The Forty Acres was his workplace and classroom, but also his…