UTSA | Catalyst 2020-2021
GIVING
A Proud Alumnus By Keith Herndon
Keith Herndon, pictured here while a student at UTSA, is a member of the college’s Advancement Council.
As a 1981 computer science graduate of UTSA, I could never have
I was thrilled to see many of the same professors I had known many
imagined how the university would grow to be such an amazing in-
years before, still actively involved in inspiring students. As the chief
stitution with the depth of programs, the incredibly talented staff and
information security officer at Shell Oil, I knew about UTSA’s nationally
faculty, the world-class facilities, and the recognition on a national
recognized cybersecurity program. I was inspired to learn more about
scale of key programs.
other university programs and hear about the vision of the College
I was the first person in my family to complete a four-year college
of Sciences.
degree. UTSA was very much a new school when I enrolled after high
After 36 years at Shell, I began work at Baker Hughes—an energy
school. I remember voting for the school mascot and picking the
transformation company—where I have put UTSA on our campus
school colors. I had a great college experience—playing intramural
recruiting schedule. I am proud to have onboarded both permanent
volleyball, punching computer cards late at night, editing a computer
staff and interns. I have personally attended several STEM career fairs
science department newsletter and studying nocturnal mammals
over the past few years at UTSA and continue to be impressed by the
around the UTSA campus for a summer research project. But most of
quality of the students. The programs offered at UTSA prepare stu-
all, it was a place to find lifelong friends.
dents to seamlessly join a Fortune 100 company and quickly make
After graduation, I moved to Houston to work for Shell Oil Company
a difference.
and eventually spent 12 years overseas in Muscat, Oman, and The
Participating on the Advancement Council and hearing about the
Hague, Netherlands. When I returned to Houston, I received a phone
plans for the College of Sciences and seeing the tangible accom-
call from Kim Fischer, UTSA’s senior executive development officer,
plishments of researchers and their students has inspired me to
asking me to join the Advancement Council for the College of Sciences.
give back to UTSA. I have been fortunate to work for organizations
Kim shared with me the latest statistics about the university and the push to be a Tier One institution, and she also highlighted that students from Harris County were the second largest population at UTSA.
with a matching gift program, so my financial contributions have a greater impact on the university.
I was quickly hooked on the opportunity to learn more about UTSA
I know that UTSA is on the map for more and more Houston fami-
and to see how I could promote the school within Shell and the
lies. I have staff in my department whose sons and daughters are
Houston community. On my first visit back to campus, I was overwhelmed. Where was the
attending UTSA. It is great to see more UTSA stickers as you drive around the Houston community. The new data analytics and cy-
science building? Where was that simple quadrangle outlined with a
bersecurity programs are getting major publicity in Houston-area
few four-story buildings? I could not have imagined the physical ex-
schools and businesses. I am proud to know that UTSA is getting
pansion of the university.
the recognition it deserves.
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