Thanks to your continuing generosity over the years, we are very pleased to announce that this year, RFSA is awarding a total of $35,000 in scholarships to 14 accomplished UT students! Each student is selected by the Office of Student Financial Services on the basis of academic merit and financial need and will receive $2,500 for the year. RFSA has been awarding these scholarships every year since 1988, funded by the earnings of an endowment with a market value of $1,009,599 (as of 7/31/2018). Available income from that fund varies, depending on prevailing interest rates and market conditions. Our 2018-19 RFSA recipients are shown below, along with their amazing and inspirational responses.
In addition to undesignated donations, the scholarship endowment benefits from gifts made in memory or honor of family, friends and colleagues; in celebration of particular events; and estate donations. Please consider making a contribution to the scholarship fund – it will make a difference in a student’s life!
Contributions, made payable to “The University of Texas at Austin”, may be mailed to: Carol Barrett, RFSA Coordinator, Texas Exes, P.O. Box 7278, Austin, TX 78713. Or to donate online, go to http://giving.utexas.edu/RFSA2012 and complete the information
requested. If you are donating in honor or memory of a person or event, write that information in the “notes” section.
RFSA Scholarship Winners
Michael Truex
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
I chose my field of study because computers have always interested me as I’ve grown up, so getting able to work with them and learn how they work is an amazing opportunity. Also, I feel that as computers become more and more ingrained into our daily lives, it’ll become more and more useful to have experience working with them.
My career goals are to work backend for a tech company, probably doing IT and server work. However, i’m not entirely sure yet, so something else may pique my interest.
What’s influenced me the most would be my robotics teacher from school. He would always be very supportive of any project that we were working on, and whenever i needed help i felt like i could always go to him.
Receiving a scholarship means less worry after College. I have to pay for most of my tuition using student loans, so being able to lessen that burden for me and my family is incredible.
Outside of class, I volunteer for Texas Student Television’s show Video Game Hour Live. I’m also in Code Orange, a club where we all mentor kids on how to code. I’m also on the UT paintball team.
If I had two extra hours in a day, i would probably use it to either work more on my CS work, or play more video games (probably the latter, if i’m being honest).
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Sean Anderson
Dallas, TX
Finance major with a minor in MIS
Energy investment banking
My father has been the biggest influence on my live. He always encouraged me to strive for the best and work hard accomplish the goals that I set for myself. The work ethic and perseverance that he taught me will benefit me through my education and into my career in the future.
This scholarship is a privilege and it is is an honor to be recognised by the RFSA. I will continue to seek to to the best in my academics throughout my time here at UT.
Clubs – KA fraternity, Longhorn Energy investment team
Work – Housing Scout
Read and spend time in nature
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Tony Nguyen
What is your hometown?
I live in Fort Worth.
Why did you choose your field of study?
I’m actually a computer science reject, so my next best option was arts and entertainment technologies. It’s actually much more enjoyable and I can still earn my CS certificate anyway.
What are your career goals?
My goal is to break into the gaming industry. Hopefully I can work alongside a AAA game studio and experience the full-scale production of games.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
Just moving off-campus and living independently has changed my lifestyle and influenced me to take responsibilities and manage my time well. I will definitely benefit from this when it comes to balancing work and life.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving a scholarship, to me, means I can extend my stay in Austin and therefore gain more opportunities in pursuing work and a career.
Outside of class, what are your interests?
Food adventures, going to the gym, designing and playing video games, playing guitar, YouTube, seeking competitions, talking to people with common interests.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
If I had two extra hours, I’d become a master chef, renovate my condo, and open my own game studio. Realistically, I would most definitely sleep.
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Kyli M Schulz
*What is your hometown?
Spring, Texas
*Why did you choose your field of study?
The field of audiology gives people the power to interact with the rest of the world. Audiology provides receptive communication. This field is valuable because it provides the ability for certain people to communicate in a way that they otherwise could not. I have first-hand witnessed the emotion that can be evoked when someone hears sounds for the first time in years. The field of audiology gives patients the opportunity to understand and respond to the people that are the most important to them in their lives. Giving individuals the ability to hear speech provides them with the opportunity to take part in activities that they otherwise may have withdrawn from or not been able to attend due to an inability to comprehend what is going on in the environment. The field of audiology has changed the world in the opportunities they provide to babies born profoundly deaf. These babies now have the chance to acquire language development. Audiology has impacted the world by providing ease of communication between different communication partners.
*What are your career goals?
I plan to emphasize my studies in the area including cancer research and ototoxicity due to the drugs administered during chemotherapies. I am specifically interested in working in a pediatric cancer hospital after I obtain my Doctorate of Audiology.
*What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward? It could be a relative, friend, public figure, event, organization, sport —whatever you believe has been most important to you.
Being a student-athlete throughout my undergraduate studies taught me so much about myself as well as my future endeavors. Intercollegiate athletics also gave me many opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. I believe it strongly influenced the person that I am today. It has taught how to push myself to a higher potential even when I think I have reached my limits. It taught me how to lead, set goals, manage time, and stick up for what I believe in.
*What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving this scholarship was beneficial for me. All my graduate school expenses are paid for by loans or from my current jobs. I work over twenty hours a week right now on top of being a full-time student and being involved in projects, volunteer opportunities, and organizations. I am also in off-campus clinical placements a full day off the week. This scholarship allowed me more time to delve into unpaid projects and research on campus that benefit my future career. It was also a huge relief of financial burden for me.
*Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
*If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I am the Student Academy of Audiology social chair and love planning social events for others. In my free time I enjoy volunteering for events in SAA. I also love working out daily and getting to spend some time with friends and family.
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Mackenzie Thering
What is your hometown?
I am from Corpus Christi, TX.
Why did you choose your field of study?
I am studying both Architecture and Architectural Engineering with a focus on Structures. I have always loved math and physics as well as art and design, by studying both architecture and engineering I am able to pursue both passions. It is not always easy, in fact our program which started with ten students is now down to two, but I would not give it up. The two majors balance together so well, each working to supplement the other.
What are your career goals?
I am still figuring out what I want to do after graduation, but I am very interested in Adaptive Reuse and Historic Preservation from both an architect’s perspective as well as an engineer’s. Dealing with existing buildings posses an interesting design challenge and unique engineering problems.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward? It could be a relative, friend, a public figure, an event, an organization, a sport—whatever you feel has been most important to you.
I would say my father has had the most influence in my life. He has always supported me in following my passions, and has encouraged my math and science tendencies. He has instilled in me a strong work ethic and taught me that it is ok to fail just as long as you try your best and don’t give up. Because of him I know it is ok to ask for help sometimes, and I know that he will always there for me when I need him. I know that I will succeed in life, because my father has made sure that I had a great education, and that I would not take that education for granted. My father has given me both the knowledge and skills I need to do well in life.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship is extremely meaningful to me especially now. My family is going through some difficult times financially and they are not able to help pay for my college, because of this I already have a mind numbing number of student loans and I still have two years left. To receive the University of Texas Retired Faculty-Staff Association Scholarship is a great honor and I am extremely grateful. I am determined to succeed, and will put this scholarship and opportunity to good use.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
I love to read and I make a point to visit the Austin Central Library regularly. I read all kinds of books from the classics to sci-fi to fantasy to history and science. I also watch a lot of television and movies, basically anything that tells a story and fuels my imagination. In the past year I have gotten really involved in the local AIA chapter, the professional organization for local architects. I have been working closely with their our reach program on providing housing for the chronically homeless in central Texas.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
If I had an extra two magical hours in a day I would finally take up writing. Writing has been something I have wanted to do for several years now, however it just misses the cut on my priorities list which varies day to day but generally goes: sleep, school, food, books, exercise. An extra two hours would give me the opportunity to make writing part of my daily schedule. I think that writing helps improve many aspects of one’s self, and for me it would be another way of expressing my creativity and imagination.
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Jabir Rizvon
I would like to express my gratitude towards both you and the University of Texas Retired Faculty-Staff Association for selecting me to receive this scholarship and for the generous donations that the RFSA has made towards the scholarship fund. I would also like to thank you for featuring me in the RFSA fall magazine.
*What is your hometown?
I come from the great metropolis of Tomball, Texas (located just north of Houston).
*Why did you choose your field of study?
I am an exercise science (kinesiology) major and I picked this field of study because from a very young age I have had a deep interest in both medicine and sports. I was actually not aware of kinesiology until I spoke to a close mentor who introduced me to this field of study and advised me to combine my interests in healthcare and sports.
*What are your career goals?
I intend to complete undergraduate degree The University of Texas and attend a medical school afterwards to further my education. After completing medical school, I plan to utilize my background in exercise science to specialize as a physician in the field of sports medicine and orthopedics.
*What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward? It could be a relative, friend, public figure, event, organization, sport —whatever you believe has been most important to you.
In my life so far, and I believe for the rest of my life, I have been most influenced by my parents. I am very thankful that my parents have mandated it upon themselves to be a part of my life by teaching me important life lessons that transcend the pursuit for material gain. They have taught me what it means to be a contributing member of society and how to properly treat those around me. I intend to benefit from these lessons by applying them to my life in a way that can positively impact others, which I am sure is what my parents would want from me.
*What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving this scholarship means that I can comfortably focus on my education rather than having to worry about how I will pay for my college expenses such as living, textbooks, and of course my tuition. Being able to focus on my education, I believe, is the key to pursuing my post-graduate goals. This scholarship has already been beneficial for me and I aim for it to be beneficial for others through my endeavors.
*Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
My hobbies include running, playing ultimate frisbee and football, and cooking. I also enjoy volunteering at Nueces Masjid, the local mosque, where we have organized many events ranging from outreach/interfaith conferences to assisting the local homeless shelters with various needs.
*If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
If I had two extra hours in a day, I would spend them reading books of my choice because I used to read much more when I was younger and I miss being able to read books for hours on end.
Again, I appreciate being featured in the RFSA fall magazine and hope to inspire others to donate towards the scholarship fund. I was wondering if it would be possible for a copy of the RFSA fall magazine to be sent to me so that I may share this with my family? I would really appreciate it if you could let me know.
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Madalyn Graham
Hometown: Dallas, TX
I chose biology because I am fascinated with the sanctity and complexity of life. I enjoy growing my knowledge of nature and the incredible world we live in.
I plan to pursue a career in the medical field. Although I do not know what that future looks like yet, I anticipate that I will be working with children in hopes to promote the health of future generations.
My faith has pushed me to pursue my deeply-rooted passions. I long to love and serve people, no matter where I go or who I encounter, and I am only able to do that by the grace of God. I believe that the love of God is sustaining, and when presented opportunities, I plan to display that love to those around me.
My passions – academics, sports, and service – are highly prioritized in my life. As a recipient of the UT RFSA scholarship, I will have the opportunity to continue pursuing those passions and making a difference at the University of Texas at Austin.
In addition to my academic endeavors, I am a competitive member of the UT Olympic Weightlifting team. I plan to compete on the national level this spring, and hopefully make an international appearance next year. I am heavily involved in a student-led organization called Ignite Texas. We strive to provide Christian community for incoming freshmen and transfer students by hosting a retreat in the summer before their arrival on campus. I served as a camp counselor this past summer, and plan to continue as a staff member this spring.
If I had two extra hours in a day, I’d get another weightlifting practice in, or I’d spend some quality time with my closest friends & family.
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Ana Flores Monarrez
What is your hometown?
My hometown in Baytown, Texas.
Why did you choose your field of study?
I chose to study marketing and business administration because I have always been a curious individual that gets excited with fast-paced environments and people interactions. The business world and, especially marketing, continues to change as technology, globalization and people’s views change. We are currently seeing a big movement for business strategies to emphasize social responsibility and that makes me want to be involved in the business world, to be part of that change.
What are your career goals?
I would like to work with a company that is customer-centered and encourages employee’s development and learning. I am a person that believes in the necessity to have products that have utility and are user-friendly. That is why I would like to be part of the product development. If that is not a possibility, then, I want to interact with the clients that we serve in the client acquisition and retention team in a company. The industry does not matter much to me, is more about the solutions we are providing to the customers.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
The person that has influenced me the most has been my mother. She did not have access to an education; however, she has always made sure to make it a priority for my siblings and I. As a single parent, she is my inspiration and live-example of tenacity and work-ethic. She has done her best to provide for me and I am who I am thanks to her and her hard work.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
I am very appreciative for this scholarship because it lifts some of the financial burdens that I have to go through in college. During my entire college career I been working part-time (two to three jobs), while also having a full class schedule, and at times, it can be very difficult to balance academics and outside employment . This scholarship has alleviated some of the stress that come with working and going to school at the same time. I am so thankful for having this support.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
Outside of class, I am a Resident Assistant at one of the Residence halls in campus, I really enjoy that role and the opportunity to grow as a leader at the UT campus. I also really enjoy karaoking and watching comedy shows on streaming services. I also enjoy spending time with my three nephews and my niece, they are all under the age of 11 and they are very energetic and pretty funny.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I would try to cook more, I wish I had more time to do that. I save many recipes on Facebook that I been trying to make, but I lack the time.
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Milena S Cuellar
I am from a small town deep in the south of Texas by the name of Mercedes. Mercedes is where I grew up; however, I was born in California.
I originally was inclined to go into one of the business programs here at UT, but it turns out God didn’t have that in the books for me. I was given the opportunity to explore other majors I didn’t even know existed and found that Corporate Communications is very fitting for me and what I wish to accomplish in life. I have decided to double minor in Business as well as Arts Management and Administration and I believe these two minors represent key parts of myself in my degree and what I wish to do with it.
After graduating from UT, I hope to continue my studies by pursuing a business law degree. My dream job would to one day become the first Hispanic female CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
There are two individuals that have influenced me the most in my short life and encouraged my aspirations. The first is my mother; Rose Salas. she has been there for me and my two sisters through thick and thin and always pushed us to “let our lights shine” and be the best versions of ourselves. It is my goal in life to make my mother proud and I hope I’ve done alright thus far.
The other most influential individual on my life would be God. It has certainly been a long, bumpy road, but I do know now that everything happens for a reason and that he has my best interests in mind. I would not be the person I am today nor have the spirit I do today without these key individuals in my life.
To me, receiving a scholarship means that someone else outside of me and my family, sees the hard work I put into my studies and has faith in me to keep going and striving to accomplish great things. It relieves a burden -that all too many students know- and reminds me that what you are doing is not unnoticed and it is important.
To the committee that saw that in me and selected me for the honor of this scholarship, I would like to say thank you. The fact that you all are former members of The University of Texas at Austin and selected me as part of the short list of recipients for the RFSA scholarship means more than I can put in words; from the bottom of my heart, I thank you!
Things that interest me outside of class and that I enjoy in my spare time are theater (just bought my Wicked (touring) tickets!), I am an RA so I like spending my time getting to know my residents, calling my family on Skype to watch my two nieces grow, and catching up on a show on Netflix.
If I had two extra hours available in a day I would be sure to get a workout in…With two extra hours that shouldn’t leave any room for excuses!
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Juan Benavides
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Field of Study/Career Goals: I first chose to study geology because I love being outdoors and dreamed of being an exploration geologist. I always enjoyed science and math so a field that combined those things with my love of nature seemed perfect. All throughout college I’ve been looking forward to this coming summer when I’ll be going on the 6-week capstone geology field camp course, camping in NM, CO, WY, and MT to study geologic formations. I also chose Civil Engineering as a major because I’m passionate about environmental issues and infrastructure. Now towards the end of my degrees I have started considering my specific career goals. I want to work as a field engineer/geologist on large projects, hopefully ones that help keep the environment clean or provide infrastructure to places where access to clean resources is lacking.
Influences: My parents, who have always made huge sacrifices to make sure my sister and I could get the best education and opportunities available. They are always the biggest motivators I have to continue working hard even when there are struggles.
What Scholarship means to me: Receiving a scholarship is incredibly motivating to students like me. It reassures us that the hard work we do is being recognized and reminds us how privileged we are to attend school at UT; a school where so many opportunities exist to get help, financially and otherwise.
Outside of class: I enjoy spending time with friends, camping, hiking and swimming. The attached picture of me is from my hike to the highest peak in Texas at Guadalupe Mountain National Park. I am an active member of the engineering fraternity Theta Tau and In the spring I participate in the UT Wakeboarding team that practices daily on lake Austin. This summer I interned with AECOM at the DOE nuclear waste disposal site in Carlsbad, NM. In prior years I have worked various jobs on campus, including one doing geophysical research at the pickle research center.
Two extra hours: If I had two extra hours every day I would spend them playing soccer with friends or exploring off-road trails on my motorcycle.