MAY 14, 2022 — Every year, thousands of UTSA students cross the stage at Commencement to receive their hard-earned diploma, signifying their preparation to become the future artists, engineers, scientists, architects, politicians and industry leaders they have always dreamed of becoming. Thanks to the philanthropic support of UTSA alumni, friends and donors, thousands of these graduates have pursued their dreams without the heavy burden of balancing coursework with employment to pay for the cost of their tuition and related expenses.
The value of a scholarship goes beyond solely providing financial aid. Being awarded scholarships provides students with more time to dedicate to their studies, conduct research, volunteer, participate in extracurricular activities and take part in experiential learning through internships and study abroad programs that enhance their overall educational experience. Scholarships also reaffirm that others believe in our students, building and shaping their confidence and driving their ability to achieve success.
Farah Hamed, senior finance major, was able to attend the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA with support from the H-E-B Endowed Scholarship. The award gave her the time to hold several roles in UTSA student organizations that enhanced her educational experience. She serves as both the president of the Business Student Council and as the justice of the UTSA Student Government Association. Hamed expressed that with her graduation fast approaching, she plans to attend graduate school and receive her Ph.D. to continue growing and learning for as long as she can.
“Thank you for taking a chance on me and making it possible to complete my education,” Hamed said.
Martin Ayala’s experience has been top-notch as a recipient of the Margie and Bill Klesse Endowed Scholarship in Chemical Engineering. Without the worry of financial barriers and the struggle of maintaining a job, Ayala has had the time to become heavily involved in research and other engineering opportunities alongside Gary Jacobs, assistant professor in chemical engineering. In the summer of 2021, Ayala had the opportunity to participate in the Undergraduate Research Experience at the University of Chicago, where he realized he wanted to pursue the industrial side of chemical engineering. He plans to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam after graduation with hopes of becoming a licensed Professional Engineer designing chemical processes for the semiconductor or energy industry.
“Thank you for believing in this program at UTSA and students like me,” Ayala said. “I am so grateful to be a Klesse Scholar. It is a wonderful feeling to have people like the both of you believe in me. You have pushed me to excel and gain even more than I thought was possible from my education.”
Rachel Okereke, is a senior civil engineering student in UTSA’s Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. With her mother having single-handedly raised four daughters after immigrating to the United States from Nigeria, Rachel expressed that her family has always had much financial need.
Thanks to her scholarship she is the first engineer in her family. This generous support has made it possible for her to pursue her goals in real estate and inspired her decision to eventually receive her master’s degree while working for an engineering firm.
“It means a lot to students like me that you think our efforts are worthy of support,” Okereke said. “Your support will go a long way in helping me to reach my goals.”
For UTSA students like these, gifts of all sizes make an impact. A scholarship can mean the difference between receiving a high-quality education or not having the opportunity to attend a university at all. Scholarships are investments with an everlasting impact in our workforce and communities across the state, nation and world.
UTSA is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution that is committed to increasing access to education and cultivating an environment where students from all backgrounds can excel.
UTSA awards nearly $300 million in aid each year. Approximately 70% of UTSA’s undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans and work-study jobs.
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Join the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventThis event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
