Texas Exes

Texas Exes
Name	Texas Exes
Type	Alumni association
Founded	1888
Headquarters	Austin, Texas
Location	University of Texas at Austin
Leader title	President
Leader name	Bill Powers
Website	Texas Exes

Texas Exes is the alumni association affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin that serves former students, graduates, and affiliates of the institution. Founded in the late 19th century, the organization maintains a network of chapters, provides scholarships, operates affinity programs, and supports facilities and initiatives across campus. It interfaces with academic units, athletic programs, cultural organizations, and philanthropic partners to advance the interests of alumni and the university.

History

The association traces its origins to 1888 in Austin, emerging contemporaneously with expansions at the University of Texas at Austin under presidents such as Bonnell B. Turner and later William Cunningham; it formalized alumni activities as the university grew through the 20th century. During the Progressive Era the group aligned with fundraising drives that supported construction of landmarks like the Tower (University of Texas), the Main Building (University of Texas at Austin), and facilities associated with programs in the College of Liberal Arts (University of Texas at Austin). In the post‑World War II period the association collaborated with veterans’ programs connected to the G.I. Bill and with research initiatives tied to federal agencies including National Science Foundation and Department of Defense grants to campus laboratories. The Texas Exes expanded national presence during the late 20th century alongside alumni movements at peer institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University, while engaging with statewide politics in Austin and policy debates involving the Texas Legislature and governors like John Connally and Rick Perry. Into the 21st century, it adapted to digital communications pioneered by platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and to philanthropic models exemplified by campaigns at Princeton University and Columbia University.

Organization and Governance

The association is governed by a volunteer board of directors drawn from alumni who often have affiliations with entities such as Dell Technologies, IBM, AT&T, ExxonMobil, and academic partnerships with the McCombs School of Business and the Cockrell School of Engineering. Executive leadership has included university alumni and administrators who liaise with the University of Texas System administration and the Office of the President (University of Texas) for alignment with campus priorities. Committees within the board mirror those at other nonprofit alumni bodies like Alumni Association of Columbia University and address governance, finance, scholarship selection, and chapter development. Legal and fiduciary oversight follows standards set by Texas Secretary of State filings and nonprofit regulations influenced by rulings from courts such as the Supreme Court of Texas.

Membership and Chapters

Membership spans graduates, former students, and affiliates located across metropolitan centers like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., and international hubs including London, Hong Kong, and Mexico City. The chapter network mirrors models used by organizations such as the Alumni Association of the University of California and facilitates engagement through regional events, volunteer service, and career networking with corporations like Goldman Sachs, Google, Apple Inc., and Amazon (company). Student-affiliated affiliate groups connect with campus entities such as the Texas Student Government and the Longhorn Band, while special interest chapters align with professional schools including the School of Law (University of Texas at Austin) and the Dell Medical School. Chapters maintain bylaws and liaison roles to ensure compliance with university policies and with standards seen in associations like the Yale Alumni Association.

Programs and Services

The association administers scholarships, emergency aid, and mentoring programs that parallel offerings from foundations such as the Gates Foundation and scholarship funds at institutions like Duke University. It funds endowed scholarships in colleges including the College of Natural Sciences (University of Texas at Austin), supports faculty chairs exemplified by named professorships at MIT and Johns Hopkins University, and operates programs for veteran alumni similar to initiatives run by the Veterans Affairs community. Career services provide alumni access to recruiting events with employers such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and Bain & Company, while continuing education partnerships connect alumni to executive programs at the McCombs School of Business and professional conferences like those hosted by the American Bar Association and the IEEE.

Publications and Communications

The organization produces magazines, newsletters, and digital content that track trends within the university and alumni community, adopting distribution strategies comparable to publications from The Harvard Gazette and the Stanford Report. Communications channels include print magazines featuring coverage of campus research at centers like the Bureau of Economic Geology (University of Texas at Austin), email newsletters, podcasts, and social media presences on platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn. Editorial content highlights achievements by alumni who work at institutions like NASA, the Federal Reserve, NPR, and in arts organizations including the Dallas Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Traditions and Events

The association organizes signature events tied to athletic and cultural traditions at the university, including gatherings for Texas Longhorns football games at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, alumni tailgates, homecoming festivities, and reunion weekends modeled after collegiate traditions at Ohio State University and University of Michigan. It also coordinates lectures, fundraising galas, and award ceremonies honoring alumni recognized by entities like the National Medal of Science, the Pulitzer Prize, and the MacArthur Fellowship. Service-oriented events connect alumni with community partners such as United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and local schools in the Austin Independent School District.

Category:Alumni associations Category:University of Texas at Austin