Terry Foundation Scholarship
The Terry Foundation based in Houston, Texas is the largest provider of private scholarships in the state of Texas having awarded scholarship funding to 2800+ scholars state-wide. It was established in 1986 by philanthropists Howard & Nancy Terry to help students attain their higher education goals. Scholars were first awarded at UT Austin and Texas A&M in 1987. Subsequent expansion included University of Houston and Texas State – San Marcos in 2004 and UT Dallas and UT San Antonio in 2006. University of North Texas and Texas Tech were added in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Texas Woman's University will have their first scholars in 2013. Their primary goal is to aid graduates of Texas high schools who show promise of future leadership distinction and to provide ample funding to students who might not otherwise be able to attend college. Currently, the Terry Foundation supports over 800 students at the eight institutions.
In order to maintain a Terry Foundation Scholarship there are required events each scholar must attend including the Terry Foundation Orientation, the annual banquet and the annual spring picnic. The Terry Orientation provides the opportunity for scholars to get to know one another and learn about the requirements to maintain their scholarship. It also provides the opportunity to meet the Terry Foundation staff. The annual banquet is an opportunity to engage with UTD faculty and staff as well as the Terry Foundation staff including members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board. The annual spring picnic is now divided into the northern and southern regions of Texas. UT Dallas participates in the north picnic which brings together scholars from UT Dallas, University of North Texas and Texas Tech. The picnic enables upcoming graduates to thank the Terry Foundation for their support and to receive the much anticipated gold pen which has been given to every graduate since 1991. Additionally, each student organization President reports on what the student organization has been doing throughout the year.