UT Dallas is welcoming the largest incoming Terry Scholars class ever, and the stipend total for all of the University's scholars has topped the $1 million mark for the first time.
The 44 incoming scholars represent a 41 percent increase over last year’s group and bring the total number of UT Dallas students in the Terry Scholars Program to 84. Their combined awards this year from the Terry Foundation total $1.38 million.
The number of Terry Scholars on campus has reached 84, with combined awards totaling $1.38 million.
Part of the reason for the increase in scholars is that transfer students are now eligible for the program. This year the scholars include 25 freshmen and 19 transfer scholarship recipients.
Yvonne Moody, the Terry Foundation's executive director, said the scholarship program was expanded this year to include transfer students.
“Howard and Nancy Terry originally created the Terry Foundation out of a belief that hard-working students across the state deserve the opportunity to pursue their educational goals at our state’s finest public universities," Moody said. "We are proud to extend that vision and commitment with opportunities for additional students through the Terry Transfer Scholarship."
The Terry Foundation is a Houston-based scholarship program founded in 1986 to provide scholarships to outstanding Texas high school graduates for attendance at public colleges and universities within the state.
Terry Scholars are selected in part for their leadership potential, character and scholastic achievement. Of the Freshman Terry Scholars, 17 are women and eight are men. Two are salutatorians, and half graduated in the top 5 percent of their class.
UT Dallas has one of the highest numbers of Terry Transfer Scholars of any university in Texas. They range in age from 19 to 55. Their work and life experiences will provide a different perspective for the other traditional scholars, said Blythe Torres, the program’s director.
“Howard and Nancy Terry originally created the Terry Foundation out of a belief that hard-working students across the state deserve the opportunity to pursue their educational goals at our state’s finest public universities.”
Yvonne Moody,
Terry Foundation executive director
“Our transfer scholars have different stories to tell,” said Torres. “They’re all leaders in some way. Most have worked, sometimes multiple jobs, to pay for their education and to provide for their families. Others have cared for a sick parent or a disabled sibling. Some have been active in student organizations and service. Many have grown up fast, and have demonstrated leadership in their circumstances.
“This is a population that can really use the funding. The foundation is helping students who might not otherwise receive a four-year education,” she said.
The scholarships cover a broad range of student expenses over four years of study, including tuition and fees, housing, books and living expenses.
Terry Scholars also have access to various academic, service, cultural, social and leadership opportunities intended to enhance their undergraduate experience.
The University of Texas at Dallas accepted its first 11 Terry Scholars in 2006.
The program also supports students attending the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, Texas State University-San Marcos, the University of North Texas, Texas Tech University and Texas Woman’s University.