When I decided to come to UT it was not because someone famous had graduated from this institution, but because numerous famous people had graduated from these prestigious halls. No one person can make an institution worthy, but the tradition of excellence that has become the norm over the years sets the University of Texas apart in many respects.As I read over the many accounts from different alumni that have gone on to greatness, certain points stand out to me: Margaret Cousins description of Austin as "the Athens of the West" (x: 942), Tom Jones honest admittance of having "loved it" (X: 951) when speaking about UT, or
even John Schwartz simple description of the UT experience being "illuminating" (X: 973). I tend to identify with each of these points. There has not been a single moment here on campus that I have not enjoyed with every fiber of my being. The world of academia is where I belong— it calls out to me, drawing me in as a mother hen shelters her young. I have known for a long time that UT is a place of illumination; but as I read over these accounts, I realized that what you choose to do with this illumination is ultimately what crowns you either a UT alumni or a UT hero.UT heroes are not necessarily the brightest students to walk our 40 acres, but they are always the leaders. As Red McCombs pointed out when
receiving the UT Distinguished Alumni Award, " I'm representative of the group of C-students who didn't distinguish themselves in a given field, but still were contributors to their communities and were in leadership roles." (X: 989) By his own admittance he was not the brightest business student, but he was a leader and knew how to make his degree and the knowledge he had gleaned from this institution work for him. As a successful man he became a true UT hero— learning not only to take in life, but to give back as well.Each of the heroes listed identify UT and Austin with a certain amount of surreal nostalgia that surrounds their time here at my current home— a time of “intellectual awakening” (X: 989) and “freedom without responsibility.”(X: 943) They describe being truly happy and content, full of life and opportunities. These accounts are inspirational and saddening at the same time. They remind me that this time of my life is only a short season, but inspire me to dream of all the opportunities that await me outside of these lush, "tree studded" (x: 942) grounds. I admire their accomplishments and imagine doing things even greater. Many may call these people UT heroes, but I deem them UT role models. They are people that every student can look up to; people that every student can relate to, because after all, in these accounts they are simply students like me and you.
