By John C. Halton
Associate Dean for School Relations
Photo by Halton Photography
When Ben Streetman arrived at The University of Austin at Texas as a student 50 years ago, he found a good university and a good college of engineering. Likely he was not aware of it, but also in 1957 two groups of alumni began meeting with a goal to move both UT and what is now the Cockrell School “from good to great.” Their decisions would have an impact on UT proportional to that of Sputnik on the world’s technology community, launched half-a-century ago this fall.
One of these groups was the Committee of 75, which took its name from the 75th anniversary of the founding of the university. The other was the Engineering Foundation Advisory Council (known by the acronym EFAC until last year when the name was changed to Engineering Advisory Board). In true Texas style, those groups made big things happen. The Committee of 75 decreed that UT would become a top international research university. A 2004 survey by The Times of London newspaper recognized UT as the 15th best university in the world. Similarly, the EFAC declared that UT’s engineering program would be one of the best in the United States. The latest U.S. News and World Report collegiate survey (August 2007) ranked the Cockrell School of Engineering the 9th best undergraduate program in the country out of 364 colleges and universities that have accredited engineering programs. The forward-thinking alumni of 50 years ago envisioned this stellar educational institution that most of them would not live to see.
What is most interesting about 1957, however, is that Ernest Cockrell Jr. (patriarch of the family after whom the Cockrell School is now named) was a charter member of the EFAC. He and his fellow alumni on the EFAC saw then what the College of Engineering could become, and they took steps to ensure that it would happen. The Cockrell Foundation donated $40 million outright, which in the last 30 years has grown through matching gifts and capital appreciation. With the Foundation also providing $4 million annually in perpetuity, the combined impact of Cockrell giving is equivalent to an endowment of $220 million, as Dean Streetman noted in his message.
But Ernest Cockrell Jr. would be the first to tell you that he did not intend alone to help the College, now School. He wanted to encourage others to help too, and did so by setting the example—which many, many individuals have faithfully followed. In honoring the Cockrell Family, by giving the College their name, we also honor all other alumni and friends who have made gifts to the College over our more than 120-year history. We also honor all who will give in the future—a future that Mr. Cockrell saw perhaps a little more clearly than most.
Ernest Cockrell Jr.’s vision was not just what engineering at UT could become, but how you and other alumni philanthropists—the true stakeholders in the school—must receive a share of the credit for every good thing the Cockrell School has caused to happen, has become and will be in the future, all 10,000 of you! Wow! With our profound thanks!
