Corpus Christi, TX Weather

Texas Exes Celebrate UT

Texas Exes Give Scholarships

by Kelly Koch Gilmore, Special to the Corpus Christi Caller~Times
August 18, 2008

CORPUS CHRISTI — The Eyes of Texas were upon us, the Texas Exes.  The former students of The University of Texas gathered July 31 at Corpus Christi Country Club to celebrate their alma mater, recognize achievements and present scholarships to incoming Longhorns.

I ran into Janis Herren sporting gold earrings shaped like school mascot BEVO.  The spirited Judge Robert Pate and his wife Linda Pate weren't alone in their burnt orange ensembles.

Jeanette Cantu-Bazar told me how she attended The University of Texas School of Law on full scholarship and now her two daughters have their undergrad degrees from The University.  Not all the talk was about school; she told of her excitement about her and husband Leon's upcoming Rome vacation.

J. Michael Carrizales III, a former gymnast and president of Texas Exes Corpus Christi, planned to watch the Olympics up close -- so close he'll be staying at the Olympic Village.

I found myself standing next to Cindy McWilliams and once again, put my foot in my mouth by casually asking, "What is your connection?"

I should have put two and two together and realized she is married to the speaker, former football coach David McWilliams, but no, not me.  She was very gracious about this week's faux pas and we went on to have a lovely conversation.

Turns out she is a professional photographer in Austin.  She and Coach have been enjoying their Texas Kick-Off tour, which has included stops in San Antonio and Dallas.  We were glad they sandwiched Corpus Christi in between.

I couldn't help but notice the men flocked around the coach, trading old football stories while the women scoped out the silent auction.  Coach told of the good ol' days when he and Hix Green played.  L.J. Cohen and the others are looking forward to the upcoming season.

During our barbecue dinner, I visited with Dr. Robert Bosquez.  He was a member of the 1947 freshman class, graduating from the School of Pharmacy and later UT School of Medicine in Galveston with a stop in Korea to serve our country.  He is a role model for his three children who also attended UT.  Son Robert Bosquez recently also graduated from pharmacy school.

In the elder Bosquez's day, an order of french fries at the Student Union cost four cents.  And for fifty cents, you could get an entire Mexican plate with tea and praline.  The Student Union is where I spent noon to 1 p.m. each day watching "All My Children."

Michael Cortez accepted Corpus Christi's inaugural Barry L. and Beatrice O'Neal Scholarship while Jonathan Holdforth won 2008 Camp Texas Scholar.  Ronald Lowe presented New Member of the Year to the busy Daniel Garner, whom you may recall won last week's John Mayer tickets.

Lastly, William Flynn bestowed wife Mary Flynn with 2008 Longhorn of the Year and promised he kept the honor a secret.

Chico Lipstreu took home the coveted pair of 2008 Longhorn season tickets and UT-themed barbecue pit, but did not reveal how many raffle tickets he had to buy.  Rest assured, Chico, the money goes to a good cause.

It's true, "you cannot get away" and judging by the school spirit, none there wanted to.  Hook 'Em Horns.

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(Information courtesy of the Corpus Christi Caller~Times.  Photos by Eddie Seal)