2016/2017
I MPACT REPORT
From the Dean's Desk 2017 Impact Report
T
he University of Texas receives funding from many sources, but none is more meaningful to our institution than the gifts made by alumni and friends of the university. This was abundantly clear to me in the months following last fall’s announcement of Sherri and Bobby Patton’s $20 million gift to the College of Liberal Arts. This generous gift, the largest ever received by our college, and one of the largest ever to the university, was meaningful not only for the transformational impact it will have on our college, but also because it came from an alumnus who attributes his success to the lessons he learned as a Plan II Honors student. The Sherri and Bobby Patton Jr. Challenge Campaign, launched in September 2016, has inspired others to make unprecedented investments in our college. We have been able to create 16 new faculty endowments — that’s six more than the total we funded during the previous seven years combined. What this underscores is a passion for the liberal arts shared by our donors. Like Sherri and Bobby Patton, you understand that
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LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
building excellence for the future depends on our ability to attract and retain the very best faculty and graduate students; provide real–world learning experiences for our undergraduates; and support, recognize, and reward exceptional ambition and innovation throughout our College. Like the Pattons, you haven’t forgotten the lessons and the deeper meaning the liberal arts has given to your life. In that sense, you are making a gift for the future that is truly priceless.
Randy L. Diehl, Dean, College of Liberal Arts
4–7
A Year in Review
8–9
Permanent University Fund
10–11
New Endowments This Year
12–13
Dean’s Circle Donors
14–15
New Quarter Century Donors
16–17
Population Research Center
18–19
Internship at the Texas Capitol Mimi Nguyen
20–21
Professor Interview Lisa B. Thompson, Ph.D.
22–23
Professor Interview Jeremi Suri, Ph.D.
24–25
Reserve Officer Training Corps
26–27
Study Abroad: International Relations and Global Studies in Paris Ludmilla Pierre
28–29
Study Abroad Stats
30–31
Lasting Impact Steven Dao
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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A YEAR IN REVIEW Living Alumni
132,477
TOP 10 MAJORS Economics Psychology
Undergraduates
Government
9,582
English International Relations and Global Studies
Graduates
1,195
History Sociology Anthropology
Liberal Arts Faculty
642
Total Students 10,777 Female 56% Male 44% 4
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
Plan II Geography
57% Received Financial Aid or Scholarship Support
TOTAL DOLLARS RECEIVED
$20,376,080
TOTAL GIFTS TO THE COLLEGE
6,496
UNIQUE DONORS
5,879
New Planned Gifts Committed
In New Planned Gifts Committed
15
$8,423,333
5,533
Median Donor Gift Amount
Gifts Under $250
First-Time Donors
1,743
1,227
$100*
Unrestricted Gifts
* This is the cumulative total individual gifts that allow the college to make a big impact. LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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A YEAR IN REVIEW PROGRAMS & RESEARCH $9,508,734 613 Gifts
(continued) STUDENTS $2,435,346 282 Gifts
UNRESTRICTED $5,305,294 5,533 Gifts
47%
26%
4%
DOLLARS BY DESIGNATION 12%
5% 6% BOOKS/PUBLICATIONS/ ART COLLECTIONS $796,893 4 Gifts 6
FACULTY $1,118,263 37 Gifts
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
BUILDING & EQUIPMENT $1,211,550 27 Gifts
INDIVIDUAL - ALUMNI $8,241,354 4,838 Gifts
INDIVIDUAL - FRIEND $2,987,596 1,094 Gifts
FOUNDATION $5,457,167 125 Gifts
40%
27%
4%
GIFTS BY ENTITY 15%
6%
8% OTHER $887,894 86 Gifts
TRUST/TESTAMENTARY $1,237,573 23 Gifts
CORPORATIONS $1,564,496 330 Gifts
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Permanent University Fund As recently as the 1980s, the state of Texas still contributed nearly half of the university’s budget. Today the state’s contribution is 12 percent.
university’s budget — which is the same amount that private philanthropy provides. What this shows is that our donors are as vital to our university as the PUF.
Part of UT’s funding structure is the Permanent University Fund or PUF. Contrary to popular belief, the PUF isn’t “extra” money; it’s part of the state’s higher-education funding structure. PUF assets include more than 2 million acres of oil and mineral producing land in West Texas.
With an increase in state funding unlikely in the foreseeable future, revenues are expected to remain flat, if not decline further. By necessity, UT has made up the funding difference through increased tuition and fees and through the vigorous pursuit of research grants and philanthropic support.
The revenue that the PUF generates annually (known as Available University Funding (AUF)) does not go exclusively to UT, but is divided in the following manner: 67% to UT System and 33% to Texas A&M System. UT System is divided into 17 institutions. Of the portion that goes to UT System, $268 million is assigned to UT Austin – making up only 10% of the
The university’s budget has grown substantially over the years to keep up with our changing world. The budget for 1984-85 was $503 million, or $1.15 billion in today’s dollars, versus $2.88 billion for 2016-17.
Funding Then and
Factors accounting for that growth, for the university and for universities nationwide,
1984-1985 UT Austin Budget: $503 million 3% Gifts and Endowments
33%
Source: UTBudget Office
Other Funding Sources
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47% State General Revenue
12% AUF
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
5%
Net Tuition
U
include not only an increase in students being served as the population increases, but also the ever-rising costs associated with:
at a remarkably affordable price. More importantly, the research done here, detailed within the pages of this report, really does change the world.
•
Attracting and retaining top faculty
UT works continuously to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve service, all in the most efficient ways possible.
•
Maintaining aging infrastructure while updating and modernizing the campus
•
Investing in new instruction and research technologies.
But it is an expensive undertaking to operate a top-tier flagship university, and there are limits to how lean the university can be administratively without affecting the quality of how we serve our students, our faculty, and the people of Texas.
Our international ranking among top universities means that our students receive one of the best educations in the world,
ng Then and Now
Funding sources we pursue are in the service of our core academic mission of teaching and researching in the spirit of making UT the best public university in the nation.
2016-2017 UT Austin Budget: $2.88 billion 10%
Gifts and Endowments
12%
47%
State General Revenue
Source: UTBudget Office
Other Funding Sources
10% AUF
21% Net Tuition *Other Funding Sources include: Grants, Auxiliary, Other Academic Core and Enhancement, Other Self Supporting, and Indirect Cost. Available University Funding (AUF) includes income from Permanent University Fund (PUF).
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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at a glance 193 total faculty endowments
275 total student endowments
171 total program endowments
New Endowments This Year Chairs Ellen Clarke Temple Chair in the History of Women J. Thomas Ward Chair in International Relations and Global Studies Stuart W. Stedman Director’s Chair in Plan II Professorships Bobby and Sherri Patton Endowed Professorship in African and African Diaspora Studies Bobby and Sherri Patton Endowed Professorship in Mexican American and Latina/o Studies Brooke and Corby Robertson III Endowed Professorship in Plan II Economics Advisory Committee Professorship Linda K. George and John Wilson Professorship Lisa and David Genecov Family Professorship in Plan II Biology Lisa and David Genecov Family Professorship in Plan II Social Sciences The Mahendru Family Endowed Professorship in Plan II for Expanding Global Views Murray “M5” Family Professorship in Plan II Biology Professorship for Plan II English Robert O. Walters Professorship in Plan II History Traci and John Young Professorship in Plan II English Wayne Dear and Patrick Dear Endowed Professorship in Plan II
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LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
Photo Credit: Samantha Eisenmenger
Graduate Fellowships Henry and Anne Dietz Graduate Fellowship Fund Julia Tucker Endowed Fellowship in Economics Lawrence K. Cormack Graduate Fellowship in Psychology Scholarships Alpha Kappa Alpha Delta Xi Chapter Legacy Scholarship Endowment Ana and James Yoder Undergraduate Scholarship in Economics David Kieschnick Memorial Scholarship in Economics Dawson Family Endowment in Liberal Arts James W. and Carla S. Vick Endowed Scholarship Janice C. May, Ph.D. Scholarship John and Tammy Cummings Undergraduate Scholarship in Economics John L. Stansbury Scholarship in Plan II Julie Tindall DeVincentis Endowed Scholarship in Plan II Katie and Al Nance Endowed Scholarship in Liberal Arts Marian Lyia Brancaccio Endowed Study Abroad Scholarship for the College of Liberal Arts Mimi and Stephen Houston Endowment in Sustainability Program Support Beth and Drew Cozby Plan II Study Abroad Endowment Bill and Katie Weaver and Gil and Dodie Weaver Excellence Fund Bill & Phyllis Rhea Endowed Excellence Fund in Plan II Carolyn and Peyton Townsend Excellence Fund for the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts & Ideas Chase Excellence Fund Dean’s Distinguished Graduates Endowed Excellence Fund in Liberal Arts Eleanor Butt Crook Endowment Human Dimensions of Organizations Founding Director’s Excellence Fund Ira Iscoe Excellence Endowment in Plan II Jean Oates Lowrey Excellence Fund in Sociology John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies Acquisition Endowment Jolyn Ferguson Caldwell Excellence Endowment Karl Butzer Excellence Fund in Geography Ladden Family Excellence Endowment for Liberal Arts Liz Carpenter Prize for Research in the History of Women LLILAS Benson Director’s Diversity Graduate Fellowship Fund Martha Newman Excellence Fund Professor Larry Carver Liberal Arts Honors Excellence in Writing Institute and Lecture Series Endowment Wombwell Family Excellence Fund in Government Endowments listed as fiscal year 2016-17
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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The Dean’s Circle is a group of donors who provide critical support that allows the college to seize opportunities as it strives toward its goal of excellence in liberal arts. All members are invited to an annual Dean’s Circle event each fall. In addition, members are recognized on the Liberal Arts website and receive periodic updates from the Dean. All giving, of $500 or more, to any area of the College, is counted toward Dean’s Circle membership.
Gold Level Donors Mr. and Mrs. Todd S. Aaron Laura and John Arnold Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Beecherl S. Bruce Brown, Ph.D. Mrs. Elisabeth K. Butzer Mr. Gary T. Crum and the CFP Foundation Dr. and Mrs. William R. Childs Mr. and Mrs. Stephen S. Coats Mr. Robert K. Conklin Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Cozby Mr. and Mrs. John L. Crawley Ms. Peggy Dear Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Decherd Dr. Carolyn H. Denham and Mr. Robert E. Denham Mr. Martin W. Dies III Mr. and Mrs. Crawford H. Edwards Embrey Family Foundation The Nora England Institute Creekmore & Adele Fath Charitable Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Wilson S. Geisler III Drs. David G. Genecov and Lisa W. Genecov Dr. Austin M. Gleeson Mr. Rudolph H. Green and Ms. Joyce K. Christi Dr. Melissa C. Smith and Dr. Charles R. Hale Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Harper Mrs. Patricia H. Kelso and the Louis & Patricia Kelso Trust Dr. Robert Kieschnick and Ms. Viki Patterson Charles Koch Foundation
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LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
Ms. Virginia Lebermann and the Lebermann Foundation Joan D. Lewis, Ph.D. Elizabeth Crook and Marc Lewis Foundation Mr. and Mrs. W. Austin Ligon Mr. Joe R. Long and Dr. Teresa L. Long Mr. and Mrs. E. James Lowrey, Sr. H. Malcolm Macdonald Charitable Trust Ashish and Sameera Mahendru Dr. David and Dr. Jane Malin Dr. Madeline C. Sutherland-Meier and Dr. Richard P. Meier Mr. and Mrs. J. Mark Metts The Milisci Family Foundation The William A. and Elizabeth B. Moncrief Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James J. Mulva and the Mulva Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. J. Fulton Murray III The New York Community Trust David M. Newberger Philanthropic Fund of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation The Philanthropy Lab Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Patton, Jr. James and Ruth Pennebaker The Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Reasoner Roberta Wright Reeves Trust Mr. and Mrs. Corbin J. Robertson III The Thomas W. Smith Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Stuart W. Stedman and the Stedman West Foundation Mrs. Ruth L. Suzman and Mr. Andrew B. Suzman
Photo Credit: Samantha Eisenmenger
Dean’s Circle Donors
Mrs. Ellen C. Temple Mr. Louis Tharp Mr. Frank W. Denius and the Cain Foundation The Dedman Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James W. Vick Mr. J. Thomas Ward Bill and Katie Weaver Charitable Trust and the Gil and Dodie Weaver Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Craig L. Weiss Ms. Marilyn A. White Mrs. Marilyn M. White Mr. and Mrs. John R. Young
Silver Level Donors Mr. Muhannad Abulhasan Drs. Shanti J. and J. K. Aggarwal Mr. and Mrs. Morton W. Baird II Mr. and Mrs. G. Robert Beckham Ms. Carla A. Blumberg Mr. and Mrs. David K. Boone Charles Butt Dr. Guy N. Cameron Dr. and Mrs. Larry D. Carver Cogburn Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John C. Cummings Mr. Carter D. Copeland and Ms. Leslie A. Fall Mr. Robert L. Gartner Mr. Marshall P. Gorges Ms. Jennifer Horan Greer and Mr. James G. Greer Mr. Melvin J. Berning, Jr. and Ms. Mary Dell Harrington
Stephen H. Houston Dr. Robert Icenhauer-Ramirez and Ms. Jennifer B. Poppe Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Kass Mr. and Mrs. Adam N. Lampert Mr. and Mrs. Byron L. LeFlore, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Khalid Mahmood Mr. Craig Massey Mr. James W. McBride Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Moore Ms. Susan K. Morehead Mrs. Althea E. Osborn Mr. and Mrs. Hugh C. Pendery Ms. Julia S. Tucker and Mr. Nicholas R. Rasmussen Dr. Ion M. Ratiu and Dr. Simone M. Scumpia Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Reasoner Mr. and Mrs. William A. Reynolds Mr. Samuel D. Rhea David A. and Susan D. Sheppard Drs. Dina M. and Joel F. Sherzer The Shive Foundation and Mrs. Gwyn W. Shive Mr. and Mrs. Alden B. Smith Peyton and Carolyn Townsend Mr. and Mrs. Bruce E. Truitt Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Elizabeth VanPelt Ms. Suzi Weiss The Honorable Martha J. Wong Mr. and Mrs. J. David Woodruff Drs. Alba A. Ortiz and James R. Yates
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
New Quarter Century Donors
Photo Credit: Samantha Eisenmenger
Quarter Century members are donors who have given to the College of Liberal Arts for 25 years or more.
Ms. Lissa B. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Appleman Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Balz Ms. Mary Dell Harrington and Mr. Melvin J. Berning, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William D. Binder Mr. Monte Blaylock Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Boehm, Jr. Mr. John J. Burchfield Dr. Carole L. and Dr. Thomas M. Cable Mr. Larry A. Campagna Dr. Daisy Y. Wong and Dr. Stephen L. Chew Paul B. Clayton, Jr., Ph.D. Mrs. Jacquelyn A. Cohn Ms. Peggy Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jim H. Derryberry Mr. and Mrs. Earl W. Dittman Dr. and Mrs. John P. Farrell Mr. and Mrs. Victor de la Garza, Jr. Ms. L. Ann Griffith Mr. Wendell L. Herron Mr. and Mrs. Jim G. Hilsabeck Mr. and Mrs. William B. Hudson The Honorable and Mrs. Harry L. Hudspeth Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Irvin Ms. Sherry C. Irvin Mr. and Mrs. William G. Jackson Ms. Barbara J. Kennedy-Dalder Mr. and Mrs. David R. Kennington Dr. V. Wensley Koch James E. Lanier, O.D. Edwin M. Lansford, Jr., Ph.D. Dr. Victoria V. and Dr. John V. Lavigne John S. Lawrence, Ph.D. Mrs. Lorraine Leftwich Dr. and Mrs. James N. Loehlin
Mr. Jeff Londa Dr. Marion T. and Dr. Hans M. Mark Mr. Jonathan G. Mark Mr. and Mrs. James L. Mayfield Dr. and Mrs. Charles L. McClenon Mr. Kenneth L. McConchie, Jr. Ms. Sonia M. Merubia Mr. Gary K. Mitchell Mr. John H. Mize and Ms. Sharon E. Mize Mr. Keith L. Morgan Ms. Marion C. Muenzenberger Mr. and Mrs. D. Dudley Oldham Mr. and Mrs. Granville E. Ott Dr. Raymund A. Paredes Mr. Thomas L. Patterson Dr. James T. Peach Mr. and Mrs. Hugh C. Pendery Mr. and Mrs. James S. Ramsey, Jr. Dr. Peter N. Riskind and Dr. Carolyn Gayle Dr. and Mrs. Glenn A. Rogers Mr. Scot M. Rogerson Mr. and Mrs. Roger E. Schenk, Jr. Ms. Delia F. Schofield Mr. and Mrs. Jay W. Sharp Mr. Phillip Simon Mr. Marc A. Soto Dr. A. Joyce Stevenson and Dr. John Sheets Robert W. Sugerman, M.D. Ms. Mary A. Toborg Peyton and Carolyn Townsend Ms. Nancy G. Trieff Joel Tsevat, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Urey Mr. J. Thomas Ward Mrs. Carlene Wyndham
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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Population Research Center
In 2017, the Population Research Center (PRC) received national attention when they were ranked the number one graduate program for Sociology of Population by the U.S. News and World Report. For nearly 60 years the PRC has provided the opportunity for graduate students and faculty to collaborate through rigorous coursework and groundbreaking research projects. The PRC’s research is primarily focused on Family Demography and Intergenerational Relationships; Demography: Education, Work, and Inequality; Reproductive Health; and Population Health. Over the years, the PRC has earned a reputation for being a bedrock in population research and a respected source cited in publications such as the New York Times, Huffington Post, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and many others.
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LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rachel Donnelly
As a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology and the Population Research Center (PRC), my research focuses on demography, population health, and family relationships. I address questions about how stressful experiences across the life course affect health outcomes, with attention to differences by gender, race, and socioeconomic status. Working with leading scholars at the PRC has been incredibly beneficial for my academic development and career.
Rachel Donnelly Sociology Doctoral Candidate
ENDOWMENT SUPPORT
Centennial Commission Professorship in the Liberal Arts #1 Barbara Pierce Bush Regents Professorship in Liberal Arts
Persistent health disparities in the United States are a national concern; as such, I aim to conduct population health research that addresses these disparities. In a recently published paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, my colleagues and I show that black Americans experience earlier and more frequent exposure to the death of family members than white Americans. In a second paper, we show that the death of a loved one is a particularly traumatic stressor, experiencing the death of multiple close family members influences how long individuals, especially black individuals, expect to live. This has important consequences for future economic and health-related behaviors. This year, I had the opportunity to talk about the policy implications of these findings at the Population Reference Bureau in Washington, D.C. I am grateful for the support I have received through the Centennial Commission Professorship in the Liberal Arts #1 and the Barbara Pierce Bush Regents Professorship in Liberal Arts. Without the generous support of donors, I would not have been able to conduct important population health research and further my professional development. LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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Photo Credit: Kaylin Balderrama
Internship at the Texas Capitol
Mimi Nguyen Government, ‘19
T
he single most formative event of my life happened at the age of three when my family moved from Ho Chi Minh City to Houston. The second most formative event took place when I enrolled at The University of Texas with the intention of entering into
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LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
medical school. After taking a government class with Professor Sean Theriault, I began to feel an insatiable curiosity about the day-to-day operations of state and national government. I met with Professor Theriault and shared my enthusiasm for government and my concerns
of my lagging interest in the medical field. He recommended that I join a local campaign to experience the world of politics. After our discussion, I joined the campaign of Texas State Representative Doug Miller as an intern. In that capacity, I was tasked with grassroots data collection, editing campaign literature, and volunteer outreach, among other responsibilities. In a matter of weeks I was captivated with the world of politics and all that it entailed. Following this experience, I was able to secure an opportunity to work with the Texas Legislature in the Office of the Speaker of the House Joe Straus, where I have been working since August 2016. Under the pink granite dome, my daily responsibilities include researching pertinent legislative bills, managing staff and constituent inquiries, and coordinating special events for our staff. This has confirmed my calling to public service. Working for the speaker has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Knowing I have contributed towards Texas history, it became clear that it was worth every late night and early morning. It is gratifying to know that I have given back to this great state in the best way I am able, while, at the same time, proudly representing the school that spurred my initial fascination with politics. I find the behind-the-scenes workings of government to be a compelling confirmation of the power and beauty of democracy. After discussing new opportunities with my professors, I was guided to The Archer Program*. After an extensive application and interview process, I discovered that
*The Archer Fellowship Program was founded to support qualified UT System undergraduates in the pursuit of noble public service in the tradition of the program’s namesake, Congressman Bill Archer, who was elected to serve the 7th District (Texas) in 1971. Beginning
I was selected as an Archer Fellow. I am determined to bring the utmost dedication and commitment to Washington D.C. with me this fall. This program, based in Washington, D.C., will afford me the experience of a lifetime, bringing me to the heart of national governance. My UT professors first introduced me to local politics, which in turn led me to the state level. Now, I am beginning my foray into national government, realizing my dreams and serving as a testament to my belief in the power of sheer grit and determination. I was seeking a vehicle upon which to further my dream of service and the Liberal Arts has been that vehicle. My background as a first-generation college student inspires me to seek the same drive for accomplishment and ambition that may go untapped in so many lives around the world. It is easy for me to imagine an alternative life, a life lived in a village in Vietnam, where by age 20, I would already be married and a mother with no prospects beyond the edge of my village. I recognize that this sensitivity, if wedded to national policy initiatives, could transform the lives of a vast number of individuals, not only in the United States, but around the world. Had it not been for the generous donors of the Archer Fellowship program, I would not be afforded the opportunity to pursue my aspirations and desire to change for the better the lives of people around the world. May these words not be in vain either, that my experiences prove that I strive to wave our colors with pride everywhere, with dignity, excellence, and gratitude. Hook ‘em.
in January 1995, he served as the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and he remained at the helm until his retirement from Congress in 2001. Congressman Archer remains very active in mentoring Archer Fellows.
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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Lisa B. Thompson, Ph.D.
Lisa B. Thompson, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the African and African Diaspora Studies Department. She is the recipient of fellowships and research support from Harvard University’s W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, the University of California’s Office of the President, Michelle R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research, UCLA’s Center for African American Studies, the Five Colleges Inc., the United University Professions, and Stanford University’s Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity.
When did you know you wanted to be a professor? That’s a great question. I honestly can’t recall, but I distinctly remember the minute I knew I had chosen the right profession. After I taught my first class as an assistant professor, I looked around the room at my student’s faces, and I felt completely comfortable and fulfilled. That day was the beginning of a magnificent semester. That moment
challenging topics, such as power inequity, racism, sexuality, and gender. I foster an atmosphere of mutual respect, honesty, and principled participation. By offering guidelines for civil discourse to my students from the outset, I maintain a balance between cultural sensitivity and critical engagement with complex subjects and theories.
shaped my career.
What is the most rewarding part of being a professor?
How would you describe your teaching style?
There are many things I find rewarding about being
I deploy several teaching strategies during a given class session. I may begin by leading my students in a close reading of the assigned text and then ask them a series of questions using the Socratic Method. My goal is to get as many students as possible speaking to me, and to each other, about the three to four main concepts we are discussing that day. My students describe my teaching style as “dynamic.” I often rely on humor to dispel tension
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and discomfort that may arise during discussions of
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
a university professor but one stands out: witnessing someone learn. It is truly satisfying to see students discover a new author or concept. Whenever a student I’m working with learns about an African American theatre legend (such as August Wilson, Ntozake Shange, George Wolfe) or a new theory (such as intersectionality), I realize that all the hours spent selecting texts, crafting syllabi, and preparing class lectures are worth it. The look on a student’s face
Photo Credit: Lisa B. Thompson, Ph.D.
Professor Interview
when she or he feels deeply connected to a concept or book
demonstrate their knowledge in less conventional ways
is extraordinary. This is where that metaphor about a light
and help them understand the power of the arts to convey
bulb coming on becomes real.
complex ideas and concepts.
How does your teaching change the world around you?
You were recently awarded the prestigious honor of
As a professor I feel that my former students —both undergraduate and graduate—are evidence of my legacy both as a scholar and an artist. It’s the contributions that
the Millay Colony for the Arts Residence Fellowship. Can you tell us more about this experience and what it means to you?
my students make to their chosen field or profession that
I was thrilled to be awarded a Millay Colony artist
change the world. The ideas, theories, and facts that they
residency this year. It’s a wonderful place in upstate New
learn in my classroom will shape their future interactions
York that provides a working retreat for visual artists,
with others, whether they are clients, patients, students,
writers, and composers. During my two-week residency, I
or employees. The most important lesson I impart to my
had the opportunity to conduct research and draft a new
classes is about the power of the arts to transform lives
play, as well as draft an essay about what it means to be an
as well as expand our understanding of the world and its
artist and scholar. The Millay Colony artist residency gave
citizens. How those ideas translate into their future work
me a chance to fully immerse myself in my work and be in
becomes an extension of my legacy. It changes the world.
conversation with other artists. I must say that while the
How does your research inform your teaching? My teaching is informed by my work both as an artist and an intellectual. My research often takes me to Broadway shows and to theatre archives, and I bring those
residency was fully paid, the travel was not included. UT Austin’s support made all the difference for me. I was able to travel to and from New York using my research funds. How does private support impact your work?
experiences to the classroom in different ways. I’ve invited
Without private support I would not have the resources
Broadway artists to our campus to give UT Austin students
to conduct my research, collaborate with theatres on
an opportunity to meet and participate in workshops with
productions of my plays, pursue artist residencies, or invite
these award-winning actors, playwrights, and directors.
award-winning artists to the university. I am grateful to
Besides assigning exams and essays, I also create a space
be a fellow of the Lee and Joseph D. Jamail Chair in African
for students to showcase their own talents, asking them
American Studies and to work at an institution with such
to use their creativity in the class. Whether I give them
generous donors who understand the modern university
a chance to write a short play, direct a video, or create a
and the complex needs of its faculty.
Photo Credit: Lisa B. Thompson, Ph.D.
graphic comic, these assignments challenge students to
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Professor Interview
Jeremi Suri Ph.D.
Jeremi Suri, Ph.D. holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas. He teaches “The United States History Since 1865,” “Foreign Policy, Strategy, and Decision Making,” and “Readings in United States Foreign Relations.” Suri is a student-favorite whose teaching style is described as enthusiastic and thought-provoking.
When did you know you wanted to be a professor? As long as I can remember, I loved reading and arguing about ideas and history. I participated actively in debate tournaments during my high school years, and I attended college with the intention of becoming a lawyer. I was fortunate, as a freshman at Stanford University, to have a number of phenomenal history professors — world-class researchers, talented teachers, and wonderful mentors. I saw the future I wanted in their lives, how they blended 22
LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
the research, teaching, and public intellectual activities. I found my calling in the study of history as a young, enthusiastic college student, and that enthusiasm has never dimmed. How would you describe your teaching style? I push my students very hard. I want them to read deeply, I want them to write beautifully, and I demand that they argue civilly. My goal as a teacher is to present students with multiple rigorous perspectives on important issues, such as war and social justice. I want my students
to weigh facts, consider different viewpoints, and formulate original understandings of big issues. I want my students to become informed, intelligent interpreters of the world. I mix lecture, discussion, and writing in almost every class meeting. What is the most rewarding part of being a professor? I love the writing, and I love the students. I love presenting my new ideas to students, and eliciting their feedback. Students are my best critics, they are honest, sensible, and willing to question conventional wisdom. They make me a better historian. How does your teaching change the world around you? I am training future leaders every day in the classroom. I am also trying to deepen and broaden our public discussions around controversial issues, especially in politics. My goal is to change the world through the ideas I share, debate, and re-think with my students.
How does your research inform your teaching? I bring research into every part of my teaching. New research informs the topics I teach. It informs the facts I share. It shapes my interpretations. It influences my assignments. New research is the lifeblood of my teaching because it keeps the material fresh and relevant. I always share the research process with students, so that they can understand how innovation and new knowledge take shape. How does private support impact your work? I have a large group of graduate students who I am training to become leaders in our society. Private support helps to fund their research, teaching, and growth. The same is true for my undergraduates. Private funding allows us to go beyond the minimum and expose our students to exciting opportunities outside the classroom. Private funding takes our teaching program to the next level.
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In 1947, the College of Liberal Arts proudly partnered with the Armed Forces to educate men and women in uniform. Over the past 80 years, these young men and women have prepared themselves by taking courses specifically designed for leadership, ethical decision-making, and the pursuit of knowledge. Through coaching and mentorship, they graduate with the ability to think critically, to adapt and overcome adverse situations, and apply good moral judgment in all they do. The ROTC program instills in its students the ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty. The Dies and White families have created endowments for each branch of the ROTC programs: the Lois Clement White AFROTC Scholarship; the Martin Dies, Jr. Naval ROTC Leadership and Scholarship Award; the Lt. Col. Herbert C. White, Jr. Leadership and Scholarship Fund; and The Marilyn Ann White Endowed Discretionary Fund for ROTC.
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LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Alex Philip
Reserve Officer Training Corps
Alex Philip Economics, ‘18 — Army ROTC Joining Texas Army ROTC was an easy decision for me because it is filled with individuals who are never truly satisfied; they are always trying to better themselves, and that kind of self-motivation is infectious. As cadets, we give 100% effort not to receive any rewards or recognition, because we all have a common goal to serve as officers in the United States Army. That is why receiving the inaugural Richard Rand Rock II Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship Fund was such a blessing. The summer after receiving the scholarship I attended an ROTC-funded study abroad program in China. Despite the study abroad program being stationed in Shanghai, I was able to visit Nanjing, Suzhou, Beijing, Xi’an, among many others because of the generous donations from the Rand Rock, Marilyn White, and Martin Dies families. During my excursions, I learned about Chinese history and experienced true Chinese culture, which I couldn’t have experienced in the highly westernized city of Shanghai. I saw temples and monuments that out-date the entire history of the United States. I was able to observe the differences, and, more importantly, the similarities between the two cultures. In an increasingly globalizing world, the need for an internationally-focused officer corps is paramount. Traveling throughout China gave me something that I could never receive from a textbook, and it would never have been possible without the scholarship from the Rock, White, and Dies families. Even more important than my self-development, however, was the incredibly humbling thought that the Rand Rock Scholarship gave a sense of validation to my fellow cadets. We often put our heads down when times get tough and trudge through the difficulties of being an ROTC student, but having the reminder that people actually do care about the sacrifices we make for our country is more than enough reason to continue fighting on. The donation served as that reminder for my fellow cadets and myself as well, and I am very grateful for that.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Carolyn Smith
Phot Creidt: Courtesy of Jobin Murickan
Jobin Murickan
Carolyn Smith
Computer Science, ‘17 — Naval ROTC
Government, ‘19 — Air Force ROTC
I am a Midshipman First Class, and I had the privilege of receiving the Bill Patman ROTC Scholarship. The Naval ROTC program means a great deal to me, as it has changed my life completely. A few years ago, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life. I looked at the options to see if I could dedicate my life to a meaningful cause, and the military stood out. Upon joining this program, I neither knew what to expect, nor foresaw the impact that it would have on my life. I am a first-generation American with no family or friends in the Armed Forces. This was uncharted territory. Over the past three years, I’ve been a part of an officer training program where I was challenged physically, mentally, and spiritually. Physically, I pushed my body more in the past three years than I ever had before. Mentally, I balanced both the rigors of a challenging major at a top-tier university with the demands of this program. And spiritually, I’ve come to learn how to endure and persevere in the face of adversity. By the end of May 2018, I will officially commission as a naval officer. In August, I will report to Naval Air Station Pensacola to begin my training as a Student Naval Aviator. Eventually, I hope to fly jets off aircraft carriers in defense of my country. Looking back on my time here, I can definitively say that I’m not the same person that I was three years ago. This program has changed me, my ambition, and my sense of self. I am honored to receive the ROTC scholarship from the College of Liberal Arts, and I hope, while in the fleet, to make the University of Texas proud.
Upon entering the University of Texas, I learned of the AFROTC program and immediately joined my freshman year. Bright-eyed and ready to work, I was soon thrown into an atmosphere unlike any other. Because I have no military background, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Still, I worked hard to improve my physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership skills. Hard work and a passion to serve kept me on track to succeed in the program. This past spring, it was an honor to be the recipient of the Major Christopher M. Cooper Endowed Air Force ROTC Excellence Fund scholarship. I was humbled to have been recognized alongside Major Cooper’s name, as he was one of the most inspiring and well-respected leaders to have graduated from our detachment. Major Cooper was also a pilot in the Air Force. I believe that if he were alive today, he would agree that joining the AFROTC at the University of Texas was the best decision I have ever made. The program offers students the chance to gain a worldclass education, to build confidence, self-discipline, and organizational skills. I have developed life-long friendships in this program. We all come from different backgrounds, different ethnicities, and are different ages, but our common bond of wanting to serve our country brings us together beyond all of these barriers. We are challenged every day to better ourselves and one another. The Air Force’s core values have shaped me into the person I am today.
"The society that separates its scholars from its warriors is in danger of having its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools." Thucydides LIBERAL ARTS IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017
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Study Abroad
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ludmilla Pierre
International Relations and Global Studies in Paris
Ludmilla Pierre International Relations and Global Studies, ‘17
“One must travel, to learn. Every day, now, old Scriptural phrases that never possessed any significance for me before, take to themselves a meaning.” Mark Twain 26
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A month after graduating high school in Haiti, I moved to the United States to further my education. My freshman year in college felt like a study abroad experience because I was living in a different culture, traveling internationally, and learning a different language — all at the same time! The United States began to feel like home once my whole family was here permanently. I never thought that I would study abroad outside of the U.S. However, coming to UT as an International Relations and Global Studies* student, and being exposed to the potential of study abroad programs, I took the plunge and opted for a semester in Paris, France. Knowledge creates an insatiable thirst; the more I acquire, the thirstier I feel. I aspired to attend the Sciences Po** in Paris program. When the opportunity presented itself, I did not hesitate to fulfill my aspiration. I am truly appreciative of the Houston Endowment President’s Excellence Scholarship, without which I would have been unable to study abroad. I learned a lot from this experience, such as becoming confident in speaking a language different than my own. While I was studying in a country whose language is the same as my native language, French, I was lucky to stay with a host family of Spanish-French speakers. Increased language skills were a huge advantage I gained from this experience. This allowed me to improve my Spanish by conversing with my host parents and abuela (grandma). Our morning conversations over breakfast were memorable. She told me stories about Peru and her experiences as an immigrant in France. Presently, students are participants in a globalized world. My host family showed me that it is possible to meet people of multifarious backgrounds, dialects, and cultures in one place and to interact with them on a day-to-day basis. This is an *Study Abroad is an essential component of the International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) program. All declared majors are required to complete an academic experience abroad prior to graduating with their degree.
invaluable skill in our increasingly globalized society.
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Studying abroad expanded my horizons. It helped me cultivate my independence, personality, and, most importantly personal growth.
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I had the opportunity to venture out and explore other countries during weekends and academic breaks. I also had the opportunity to go on field trips which were included as part of the class curriculum. My favorite field trip was a visit to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands. This trip gave me the opportunity to see the practical implication of what I studied in a public international law course. Overall, I learned how to experience cultures different than my own and gain a deeper understanding of other perspectives. While the experience was challenging, overcoming barriers helped me build new friendships and have new experiences that taught me life lessons I will have forever. I can’t wait to go back and visit. My semester abroad was truly an experience of a lifetime. **Sciences Po (Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris) is one of the world’s foremost universities for the study of government and politics.
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STUDY ABROAD STATS Study abroad is an important part of a well-rounded liberal arts education. Being in a new cultural setting gives students an opportunity to discover new personal strengths and abilities, conquer new challenges, and solve new problems. Students develop skills that go beyond the classroom experience, and the College of Liberal Arts is committed to supporting our students in their travels.
TOP 5 STUDY ABROAD COUNTRIES Spain England France Germany Mexico
TOP 5 STUDY ABROAD MAJORS Int’l Relations Government Psychology Economics Plan II
706
liberal arts students
55
countries visited through study abroad
433
students received financial aid
$14,500
average cost to study abroad for one semester (including tuition)
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Steven Dao
Lasting Impact
Steven Dao Pixar Animation Studios
Steven Dao graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He currently works as a software engineer for Pixar Animation Studios in California. What made you want to study philosophy? I took Professor Dan Bonevac’s “Intro to World Philosophy” course during my first semester. It was the first philosophy course that I had ever taken, and I was hooked. The awesome thing about philosophy is that you don’t have to be Plato or Confucius or Kant to tackle the big questions, like “What do I know?” and “What is good and what is bad?” 30
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What did you gain from a liberal arts education? A liberal arts education taught me a lot about working with people who have different backgrounds than my own. Everyone brings different ideas to the table and they approach problems in different ways. It’s like making a movie: there are writers, artists, animators, engineers, and a whole lot of other people who
all think differently, where we have to work together to create one finished product. A lot of liberal arts classes were the same way, as you might have philosophy, government, and sociology students all working together on the same project. You mentioned movies; tell us a little bit about what you do? I work at Pixar Animation Studios in the San Francisco Bay Area on software that artists use to create movies. I’m part of a team that builds the tools used by set artists to create the virtual props, sets, and environments in which Pixar’s movies take place. It’s a collaborative environment; especially when the people who use the software you write are sitting only a few doors down. The artists are always pushing the limits of what the computer software can do, which definitely keeps us on our feet! How do you apply what you learned on the Forty Acres to your career path? Much of my experience related to the media and animation field I learned by participating in Texas Student Television and the Game and Mobile Media Applications Program, both of which are open to all majors. One thing that continues to surprise me is how impressive good writing can be. While writing good software is important, writing a good design document is imperative for getting stakeholders on board. If I have a tool that I want to develop, then writing quality user documentation is critical. It’s a necessity if I actually want artists to use the awesome new thing that I’ve been working on. How does your education inform your worldview? My liberal arts education taught me to appreciate other opinions and beliefs. Someone might have an opinion that you find completely implausible at first, but their argument may be
well-reasoned, causing you to question your own beliefs. That’s been really evident to me coming on the heels of the recent election. How did endowment support impact your student career? I attended the University of Texas on the Dedman Distinguished Scholars Program Endowment. I was fortunate to have a wide breadth of experiences that weren’t directly applicable to my classroom or career goals, such as spending a semester abroad in Paris and taking a drawing course in the Department of Art and Art History.
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As a scholarship student, I didn’t have to worry about how to pay for each class; I had the opportunity to explore everything that I wanted to learn. These opportunities rounded out my academic experience.
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You are giving back to the college. What inspires you to give at such an early stage in your career?
Every Longhorn should have the freedom to explore their interests, and I’m happy that the College serves not only liberal arts students but those from all across the University. I owe a lot of who I am today to the faculty, staff, and students of the College. I hope that I can pay it forward by providing opportunities to future students.
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website: liberalarts.utexas.edu phone: 512-471-8861 The College of Liberal Arts The University of Texas at Austin 116 Inner Campus Dr. Stop G6000 Austin, TX 78712