University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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A Celebration of UT Excellence Since March 2, 1887, Texas Inde- pendence Day has been a day for Texas Exes to gather and celebrate advance- ments of The University of Texas. In 266 cities around the world and 62 for- eign countries, over 155,000 Texas Exes gathered in 1979 to participate in a cel- ebration of Texas excellence. In Scotland a bagpipe parade played The Yellow Rose of Texas, while a radio station in Italy featured other well known Texas folksongs. Exes groups all over the world celebrated the day in various other ways. Many orange- blooded Exes signed a Declaration of Dedication to The University of Texas. In Austin, Gov. Bill Clements began the celebration by publicly declaring March 2 Texas Exes Day, followed by a parade from the Capitol to the Univer- sity ' s Main Mall. The celebration continued with a cannon salute, the raising of the giant Alpha Phi Omega Texas flag and speeches by Dr. Lorene Rogers and John Ben Shepperd, president of the Ex-Students ' Association. The remain- der of the day was filled with parties, ending with a dance at Sholtz ' . Almost since its formation in 1885, the association has sponsored a schol- arship program. In 1978, during their annual Welcome to Campus Banquet, Texas Exes awarded over 110 scholar- ships, 70 of which were sponsored by Texas Exes clubs. Another annual event sponsored by the Texas Exes was the Football Awards Banquet, held January 28 in the Special Events Center. In addition to honoring football players, the most val- uable player in every sport was also recognized. For the first time, University of Texas Exes sponsored a three-mile, Forty Acres Fun Run on campus. All money raised during the fall run was used for scholarships. As a means of maintaining close con- tact with the needs of students, the association supported the Student Involvement Committee. In the fall, the student group held an open house at the Alumni Center, at which information on scholarships and financial aid was provided. The student committee also helped assemble a presentation con- cerning the Washington Internship Pro- gram, which enabled 25 students to serve in congressional, federal and independent offices as interns. In October, the Ex-Students ' Associa- tion awarded four alumni with the Dis- tinguished Alumnus Award. Those honored were Mrs. Perry R. Bass, Jack Sawtelle Blanton, Kraft W. Eidman and John Randolph Hubbard. The Ex-Students ' Association, inde- pendent from the University, was sup- ported by dues-paying members, all of whom received bi-monthly copies of Alcalde, the association ' s award-win- ning magazine. In 1978, the association numbered 36,000 members in 106 coun- ties, with 116 clubs emphasizing fellow- ship among Exes and support of UT. Student Involvement Committee hosts a Washington Internship Program. John Hubbard. distingui hed Alumnus, shows spirit at Arkansas game. 134 Texas Exes

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nt, the Board ol ro, raised the manda- 3 to 70 and reviewed Ike ked lo coordinate anil if the University. 10 Most-Cited W list to which received president, Dr I ' niversity projects, Hi IVuedale restoration he direction of James H. lice department, data . internal audit and the utgoing regent Allan Shivers announces delay of decision on new UT president during a regents meeting. Dr. Peter Flawn was later appointed iron Institute, search units at the Uni- Regent Jon Newton Regent James Powell Regent Howard Richards Regents Vice Presidents 133

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Student helps in the celebration of March 2, Texas Exes Day. Texas-Ex assists runner in the Forty-Acres Fun Run on campus. Texas Exes at the Sholtz ' Reunion, in Houston prior to the Rice game, enjoy the spirited charges of the Longhorn Band. i:t5