Freshmen Terry Scholars

Of the 14 freshman Terry Scholars, one is a National Merit Commended Scholar and two are salutatorians. One interned at NASA. Another participated in the Clark Summer Research Program at UT Dallas.

The University of Texas at Dallas welcomed 21 new Terry Scholars this fall. The 14 freshmen are joined by seven transfer scholarship recipients.

Overall, the 118 Terry Scholars enrolled at UT Dallas will receive combined awards of more than $2.5 million this year. Since 2006, the Terry Foundation has given more than $15 million to the University’s 294 scholars, a significant expansion from the original 11 scholarships awarded that first year.

Now in its 12th year, the Terry Scholars Program at UT Dallas has seen several of its scholars recognized recently with prestigious scholarships.

Mai Huynh BS’16 was awarded the University’s Eugene McDermott Graduate Fellowship, which helps prepare outstanding doctoral students for careers in leading research enterprises. Huynh, who is starting her second year toward her PhD in chemistry, will have her tuition covered and receive a stipend for living expenses as well as a research budget.

Two computer science seniors also were recognized. Hailey Gage was accepted to the University’s Cyber Security Scholarship Program, which provides full tuition and other financial inducements for students studying technical cybersecurity. Ryan Pittman was awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a distinguished national scholarship that enables students to study or intern abroad.

Blythe Torres, the program’s director, said these recognitions demonstrate the academic excellence Terry Scholars have achieved during their undergraduate careers at UT Dallas.

“These prestigious opportunities and scholarship awards demonstrate that Terry Scholars are recognized for their academic and research promise in their respective fields. I am pleased that these opportunities are at UT Dallas because they help us retain these high-achieving scholars who can mentor the next generation of student scholars,” Torres said.

The Terry Foundation’s mission is to improve and develop the state of Texas by assisting Texas students to attend the state’s finest public universities. In its 30 years, the foundation has provided more than $210 million to help more than 5,000 students across the state.

The Terry Scholars are selected for scholastic achievement, leadership and service. Of the freshman — 10 women and four men — one is a National Merit Commended Scholar, two are National Hispanic Scholars and two are salutatorians.   

The transfer-student scholars, whose average age is 25, have experiences that provide different perspectives for the traditional scholars.   

The Terry scholarships cover a broad range of student expenses over four years of study, including tuition and fees, housing, books and living expenses.

Additionally, the Terry Foundation provides funding over and above the scholarship to scholars who study abroad. Approved programs take place from two weeks to a semester, with financial support of $5,000.

The Terry Foundation, based in Houston and founded in 1986, also supports students attending UT Arlington, UT Austin, UT El Paso, UT San Antonio, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, Texas State University, the University of North Texas, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman’s University, Sam Houston State University and Texas A&M University at Galveston.

Transfer Terry Scholars

The seven transfer-student scholars, whose average age is 25, have experiences that provide different perspectives for the traditional scholars.