On February 22, 2024, the McCombs School of Business welcomed more than 150 scholarship recipients and supporters to the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center for its annual Scholarship Appreciation Event.

Resuscitated in 2023 after a decade-long hiatus, the scholarship event offers an opportunity for individuals who fund scholarships to spend an evening getting to know student recipients. This year’s theme, Beyond Tuition, highlighted experiences that enhance student life outside the classroom.

Dean Lillian Mills greeted the attendees, encouraging them to converse with each other and learn more about student on- and off-campus involvement.

“Tonight, we look beyond tuition to learn what’s possible outside the classroom,” she said. “[With help from scholarship support,] these students study abroad, participate in student organizations, mentor younger students, and land stellar internships.”

During the course of the evening, attendees heard from a panel of MBA students that included Connor Hunerfauth, MBA candidate ’24; Emily McHale, MBA candidate ’25; Alex Mont, MBA candidate ’24; and Cindy Tieu, MBA candidate ’24, and moderated by Ashley Jones, Director of Student Experience, Full-time MBA. Each student shared about their undergraduate experience, their journeys as master’s students, and how to set – and achieve – goals.

Emely Valasquez, MPA ’24, and recipient of the Jessica and Clint Rancher Endowed Scholarship in Accounting and Weaver Endowed Scholarship in Accounting, took to the stage to share her own student story. As one of three daughters whose father never received an education, Emely said she knew attending The University of Texas at Austin was a longshot. Even after being accepted into the University, the cost of living in Austin seemed too daunting to overcome. Then she received a phone call that changed everything.

“On February 22, 2019, I got a call letting me know I had been awarded a full ride to The University of Texas [at Austin], which would not only cover my tuition for four years, but housing and supplies, as well,” she said. “The relief and happiness I felt at that moment was indescribable.”

She recounted how her father worked extra shifts to earn enough money to help her reach her goals, because “for him, higher education was the biggest inheritance he could leave for his three daughters.”

Emily went on to describe the impact her scholarship made, not just on her financial security, but on her life as a UT student. “It allowed me to take full advantage of all the opportunities I was presented with, as I had more time,” she said. “I am proud to stand before you in burnt orange today and share that on May 11, 2024, my father’s inheritance and dream of higher education will be complete, thanks to the generosity of people like you.”

Students Leo Ojeda and Estefania Ramírez also shared their own experiences as scholarship recipients with those in the audience.

Ojeda, BBA Management Information Systems and Marketing minor, is the recipient of the Dr. Timothy W. Ruefli Scholarship in IROM and will graduate in May 2024. As a McCombs Success Scholar, he found a home among his fellow McCombs students despite being the only one from his high school to attend UT Austin. He eventually became a mentor so he could help other students with similar backgrounds.

“My scholarship allows for academic and personal growth, [so I can] fully immerse myself in my passions academically and professionally,” he said. “It allows me to increase my professional network through unique social events, like this one tonight.”

Polly Trigger, Director of Student Affairs Outreach and Scholarships, Office of Student Life, International Programs, took to the podium to share what the study abroad experience means to students, as she highlighted videos submitted from students studying in far-flung parts of the world.

“McCombs has long invested in global learning opportunities for its students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels,” she said. “As a business graduate, no matter your major, you must understand how business works in the global context.”

As part of her talk, Trigger pointed out that 88 percent of study abroad graduates reported having a valuable network of peers from the experience. Ninety-eight percent report they gained soft skills from the program, and 58% of BBA study abroad participants received some level of financial aid. Of those students, almost 40% were classified as high financial need.

“McCombs continues to invest in transformational experiential learning, such as study abroad programs, for which I know we are all grateful, as it truly has the potential to change lives,” she said.

By the end of the evening, scholarship supporters and students had heard about the ways financial assistance can impact all levels of learning.

“This year was very special because we had the chance to recognize the many ways in which our scholarship supporters positively impact our students,” said Sara Jebaily, Associate Director of Stewardship. “These are areas a lot of our supporters aren’t as familiar with, so it’s great to bring them into the spotlight.”

Planning for next year’s scholarship event is underway, and a date will be announced soon. To learn how you can establish a student scholarship, contact development@mccombs.utexas.edu.

See photos from the evening here.