For all those who know the Terry Scholars, you know that we have been given this enormous opportunity that is a free college education for the most part. What most do not know is that the Terry Scholarship is worth so much more than just the money. Terry's from across the state can call each other family whether they are transfers, alumni, or from rival schools such as UT and A&M. As of today, the Terry Foundation has awarded over $171 Million in scholarships to over 4,000 students across 13 Texas universities. Those 13 universities include UT, A&M, UT Dallas, UT San Antonio, UT Arlington, UT El Paso, TAMU Galveston, UH, Texas State, Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, UNT, and TWU. At UT Dallas alone, we have 139 scholars and are continuing to grow. Recently, the Terry Foundation extended funding to an additional study abroad semester. Many of us took advantage of this opportunity and have been all over the world. The life of Terry Scholar can be best illustrated by How I Met Your Mother.
When banquet, formal, alumni mixers, or pretty much any event every other week happens, you...
One of the mandatory events all Terry Scholars must attend is the annual banquet. Here we get to reenact taking high school yearbook photos for the Annuals, earn bragging rights if our guest speaker is chosen, and dress to impress. This is also where most scholars reunite and actually get a meal during midterms.
College students flock to free food or food in general. Luckily, the Terry Foundation and our school programs keep us well fed!
At almost every Terry event I have been to has had free or subsidized food. Though the fellowship is what is most important, every college student can appreciate some laughs shared over some delicious food. However, the monopolies that dining service companies have at universities has to stop. Chartwells anyone...
We all say we won't cry at the end of the year picnic, but it usually happens anyways.
They say college will be some of the best years of your life. Although, I refuse to give in to this thought, it is true that you will meet some of your lifelong best friends. It is also true that you will graduate and go your separate ways. As a Terry Scholar, you get the privilege to meet some of the best and most interesting leaders on campus and around the state. At the picnic, schools from each region attend their respective picnics and pay tribute to the graduating seniors. This is my favorite event of the year, but it is also very sad. Lessons are not only learned from the classroom. They are learned from people we meet. Terry Scholars come from diverse backgrounds, and we have all overcome and conquered obstacle after obstacle. Those obstacles do not define a person, but they can be used to help and teach others. The picnic is a time for reflection and thanks...and also for some Texas barbecue.
Lastly, Terry Scholars are leaders
Terry Scholars are leaders in the community and on their campus. Our graduates have gone onto becoming doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, businessmen/women, and philanthropists. Our current scholars are presidents of organizations, Dean's List placeholders, student government leaders, world changers, athletes, and philanthropists. In the arduous interview that all Terry Scholars must endure, the only question asked that had a correct answer was "How will you give back?" Time and service. Howard Terry started this organization to help those who may not have originally had a chance to receive an education. Now it is our turn. As Barney Stinson said, "Challenge Accepted!"
Some may wonder, how they can become of those cool cats. "Go tell your friends about it," and go to terryfoundation.org to find out how to apply as a Traditional Scholar out of high school or if you are looking to transfer schools to one of the previously mentioned universities. Join our ranks to become "legendary."
