Daniel Acosta, B.S. ’68 & Patricia Acosta

Austin, TX

What are your favorite UT memories?

I was the first in my family to go to college. My first time in an airplane was from El Paso to Austin to start at UT. Starting classes in the College of Pharmacy, meeting new people, making friends, watching TV in the Texas Union, getting cans of soup from the 7-Eleven and heating them on a hotplate in my room – all good memories.

How did UT prepare you for success?

When I was drafted into the Army, my education allowed me to work as a pharmacist in a hospital in South Korea. After I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Kansas, by luck there was a faculty position open at UT’s College of Pharmacy. I returned to UT as a professor; my work here allowed me to establish my career and my reputation, which opened doors to other things, like my role as deputy director of research at the National Center for Toxicological Research.

Why did you choose to give to UT?

Students have always been the center of my career. Patti got to know many of the graduate students that worked in my laboratory. We’re even godparents to some of my former students’ children. We know how hard it is for young people who are struggling with finances, and we both felt it was very important to help the next generation of incoming students.

What impact do you want your gift to make?

We hope our endowed scholarship will allow students to do things they might not be able to do otherwise. We have received many letters from students who have appreciated the support to go to a conference, for example. Their gratitude for the financial assistance we have provided means a lot. We hope our endowment, which we have funded through our IRA, will continue to grow and that others will also make contributions so there’ll be even more financial assistance available to students.

Leonette W. Slay, MPA ’74

Birmingham, AL

What are your favorite UT memories?

My first experience with a computer was in 1972 when I and other students in my cohort had to undergo two weeks of computer training before the semester began. After a particularly difficult day, my friend and I went to the Huddle House and ate as many hamburgers and fries as we could.

How did UT prepare you for success?

Thanks to a generous scholarship package, I was able to enroll in the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and complete a fully funded two-year master’s program. By the time I graduated, the LBJ School already had a reputation as one of the top public affairs schools in the state. Representatives from the Texas legislature called the University to recruit graduates, and I was hired right out of graduate school. The LBJ School has opened the door to many new and exciting opportunities that helped me carve a career path I may not have had otherwise.

Why did you choose to give to UT?

As a scholarship recipient, I know how even a small amount of financial aid can make a huge difference for students and their families. The experiences I had as an LBJ student were transformative. I want future students to have the same opportunities to make meaningful connections and pursue their educational dreams.

What impact do you want your gift to make?

My goal is to give students the freedom to fully engage with all the opportunities the LBJ School has to offer without the burden of financial stress. I want to help them overcome economic barriers, reach their full potential and become the next generation of policy leaders who will make a difference in the world. I hope to continue supporting LBJ students long into the future, even after I’m gone.

Kristin Roberts, BBA ’82 & Bob Roberts, BBA ’81

Houston, TX

What are your favorite UT memories?

Kristin: I loved all my classes. It was fascinating to explore a wide range of subjects in my freshman and sophomore years, then focus on specialized topics as a junior and senior. And, of course, meeting Bob!

Bob: My first football game in the fall of 1977 is unforgettable. That was the year UT introduced the Texas Fight chant, where one side of the stadium yells “Texas!” and the other responds with “Fight!” It was also the year Earl Campbell won UT’s first Heisman Trophy before being drafted as the NFL’s first overall pick.

How did UT prepare you for success?

Kristin: In my senior year, I studied commercial banking and cash management. I was captivated and knew that was the area of banking I wanted to pursue. My finance classes gave me a solid foundation that propelled my career in the banking industry.

Bob: UT is known worldwide for a reason. The talent and expertise coming out of the University are unparalleled. I gained knowledge and skills at the McCombs School of Business that have set me up for life and been invaluable in my career as a real estate professional.

Why did you choose to include UT in your estate plan?

We feel a deep connection to the Longhorn community and wanted to give back to the University that means so much to us. Including UT in our estate plan is more than a financial contribution — it’s a way to express our gratitude for the education and opportunities UT has provided us, even now.

What impact do you want your gift to make?

We want future students to have access to a top-tier education — especially those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. It’s incredibly rewarding to think our gift will help future generations of Longhorns experience everything UT has to offer.