When Howard Terry was a high school student, his father pledged to give him a wrist watch if he completed his studies and graduated. When his hard work resulted in a high school diploma, he received the promised gift from his father. Their family could not afford a new watch, but this gift, although technically used, was new to Howard. It was a symbol of his accomplishment, and surely, of his father’s pride.
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Next, Howard Terry attended The University of Texas on a football scholarship. During his time on the UT campus, Mr. Terry would have witnessed the construction of the new University of Texas Tower.
In October 1937, the newly-completed tower was illuminated for the first time. The Daily Texan student newspaper described it as a “majestic splendor.” The Austin American-Statesman newspaper reported that residents from Round Rock, Manor and San Marcos could see the Tower illuminating the night sky.
An Unlikely Victory
On November 6, 1937, the University of Texas Longhorn football team shocked the nation by defeating number one ranked Baylor 9-6 in Waco. Howard Terry served as team captain during the game. The Tower was lit when the team returned to Austin, coincidentally marking the first time the Tower would be illuminated to honor a UT athletic victory.
An account of the evening notes:
“Celebrations in Austin continued well into the night, especially on campus, where the weekly All-University Dance was held in the Texas Union Ballroom. Just a few steps from the Union, up the West Mall, the Tower base glowed white with the top portion bright orange. Like a giant victory flame in the middle of the Forty Acres, it reflected the jubilant mood of the University.”
This event helped inspire the tradition of lighting the tower to celebrate athletic victories and other significant events at the university. Lighting the Tower in celebration of significant events for the university had not been the original intent of the designers (the Tower’s floodlights having only been in use a few weeks at that point), but the effect on the campus community was undeniable.
In recognition of one of the greatest upsets in Texas football history, the UT team was presented the following week with the Grantland-Rice Huskies Award.
Howard Terry, the captain of the team, received a gold watch and the game ball. These mementos of his success as a leader are displayed in the Terry Foundation office today.
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A Second Tribute
Howard Terry passed away in April 2012 at the age of 95. That year, the Terry Foundation had surpassed $100 Million in scholarships awarded to Texas students at eight affiliated universities.
In October 2012, the 25th anniversary of the Terry Foundation, the UT Tower was lit fully in orange to honor Howard Terry’s contributions to The University of Texas and to the state. Terry Scholars, students and alumni, gathered for a group photo in front of the Tower. Front and center, Ed Cotham the Terry Foundation President at the time, held the gold watch Mr. Terry received in 1937, in memory of the first time the Tower was lit in his honor.
75 years earlier, upon Howard Terry’s victorious return to Austin after UT upset Baylor, the light scheme used to light the Tower was reminiscent of a victory flame. This symbol of a burning torch honored both the achievement of the football team as well as the team who designed and built the Tower. Terry Scholars are now responsible for carrying the torch of Howard Terry’s mission into the future.
By choosing to invest in students through his scholarship, Howard Terry provided so much more than funding for a college education. The Terry Scholarship is a gift of time. Scholars are encouraged to develop and contribute their leadership skills on campus and in their communities. They work to make the best of the opportunity they have been given, and they honor their pledge to help those who follow them.
“The Terry Scholarship meant time to study that would have otherwise been spent working. It meant time to visit with other scholars at monthly volunteer events. It meant meaningful conversations with professionals in my chosen field of study at annual banquets. It meant leadership experience and personal growth. It meant the luxury of applying to graduate school without the crippling fear of insurmountable debt. It has meant everything to me personally, professionally, and emotionally. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities the Terry Scholarship granted me and look forward to supporting future scholars as an alumna.”
Meghan Andrepont, 2017 UH Terry Scholar
Honoring a New Milestone
The 2024 – 2025 academic year has added a new milestone to Howard Terry’s legacy — over $100 Million in Terry Scholarships funded at The University of Texas at Austin.
$100 Million is a massive investment in the education of promising students. This is quite an impressive number, but we must always remember that it represents individual students with goals and dreams. Each scholarship candidate is interviewed individually by their future Terry peers. Terry Scholars are selected based on their academic excellence, demonstrated leadership potential, and the need for financial assistance to obtain a college degree. Once selected, they are supported and given an opportunity to pursue their goals. The Terry Scholar Community thrives because of each individual who honors their pledge to give back and create opportunities for others.
Tower Lighting on April 16, 2025
Once more, the UT Tower will be lit in honor of Howard Terry’s vision and leadership. On April 16, 2025, Terry Scholar students at UT-Austin and any Terry Alumni able to get to the campus are invited to witness the lighting of the UT Tower in celebration of $100 Million in Scholarships at UT-Austin. A group photo will be taken to honor the occasion.
Those interested in attending the Tower lighting and group photo may register to receive details about parking, meeting time, etc.
“The Terry Scholarship has meant freedom for me. Terry lifted a weight off my shoulders that I couldn’t even fully comprehend when I was preparing to graduate from high school…Terry gave me the freedom to learn, develop skills and hobbies, travel, and give back to my community. Looking back on the last four years, I can see just how blessed I have been to be a Terry Scholar. I know that I am a better person because of the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Terry and the Foundation. Thank you, Terry family, for investing in me, my education, and my character. You have made an impact on me that will last a lifetime. ”
