A new endowment and a planned gift for the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) will honor the legacy of Colton William Roberts, a former student who was killed by an intoxicated driver days before the beginning of Roberts’ junior year at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Established by members of his family, the Colton William Roberts Scholarship for Geosciences and a planned distinguished professorship will support generations of students and faculty exploring a field that captured Colton’s imagination.
“He was always curious, and he maintained that kind of childlike curiosity and wonder,” said his mother, Tanya Roberts. “He was the kid that wouldn’t fight with other people — never wanted to. He was the one who didn’t squash the spider on the playground but rather studied it.”
His father, Bill Roberts, loved his son’s ability to care for others.
“One of the things that really stood out to me about him from an early age was the way he loved and valued people,” he said. “He had a genuine feeling of empathy for others.”
Growing up in Austin, Texas, as the son of two hiking enthusiasts and a father with a biology background, Colton immersed himself in the awe of the lush trees and serene waters that define Central Texas.
“Every weekend we’d go out somewhere and talk about the trees,” Bill said. “He loved parks, like national parks, and their nature trails. His favorite was probably either Big Bend or Rocky Mountain.”
One of Tanya’s favorite memories with her son was when he skipped school in his senior year to hike Big Bend National Park with her.
When Colton enrolled at UT Dallas, he initially considered pursuing a degree in psychology, but after he discovered that he could get a job in environmental science, he chose geosciences as his major.
In August 2021, a few days before he would make the trip north to UTD for the fall semester, Colton was driving to a friend’s house when he was hit and killed by an intoxicated driver.
Devastated, his parents knew they had to honor Colton in a way they thought he would want to be remembered.
“I couldn’t see Colton’s education dollars being spent on anything but education,” Tanya said. “It was very important to me to be able to do something that let him have an impact in his field because he was ready to be a warrior for the environment, and I felt like when we can still raise geologists, he can still contribute to conservation by inspiring other people.”
To Give
To contribute to the Colton William Roberts Scholarship for Geosciences, please visit the scholarship’s giving page.
In December 2021, the Roberts established the endowed scholarship for students with an interest in environmental preservation and sustainability; sustainable use of water resources; or ecosystem health and preservation. The fund now stands at $100,000 thanks to additional contributions from Colton’s fraternity, Chi Phi, along with other family members, donors and organizations on campus.
Bill also pledged a planned gift to the University that will endow a distinguished professorship in NSM.
“He was my only child,” Bill said. “I wanted to honor the work that he didn’t get a chance to do.”
Dr. David Hyndman, NSM dean and the Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Distinguished University Chair, is a hydrogeologist who shares Colton’s passion for geosciences.
“The impact that his legacy will have on our students will be transformative. This scholarship will inspire students to make a deeper connection to their work, as they are not only accomplishing their goals, but also those of Colton.”
Dr. David Hyndman, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
“Colton will forever be remembered here in our school,” Hyndman said. “The impact that his legacy will have on our students will be transformative. This scholarship will inspire students to make a deeper connection to their work, as they are not only accomplishing their goals, but also those of Colton. We thank the Roberts family for their generous donations.”
The Roberts family plans to continue fundraising efforts for the scholarship fund.
“I would love for the fund to become large enough that it can give more support,” Tanya said. “That’s a way to contribute to the things that Colton would have been working on himself. I think Colton would be excited for that.”
Bill and Tanya want to keep their son’s presence alive.
“When you lose a child, you don’t want them to be forgotten,” Bill said. “We want his name to continue since he won’t get a chance to grow up and have children of his own to do that. Donating has been a way to maintain his memory. It’s important to us that he isn’t lost.”