An association for alumni and supporters of The Daily Texan, student newspaper at the University of Texas at Austin

News & Updates

Friends Oct. 1 Hall of Fame dinner postponed

The annual Friends of The Daily Texan dinner planned for Oct. 1 is being rescheduled due to the current worsening health situation in Austin. A new date will be announced as soon as possible; next spring seems likely at this stage. As the fall semester opens, the University of Texas is taking steps to lower the density of indoor gatherings on campus, and UT President Jay Hartzell has requested all large events to be held outdoors in the near future. And, if they must be held indoors, to encourage distancing and face masks, which is not easy to do when […]

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NYT’s John Schwartz takes a long joyful ride – back to UT

Former Daily Texan editor-in-chief, Daily Texan Hall of Fame honoree and long-time New York Times reporter John Schwartz is returning to the University of Texas, teaching journalism at his alma mater and serving as associate director of U.T.’s new Global Sustainability Leadership Institute. Here is his departure column from “Times Insider,” a feature published regularly in the Times to give readers insight into how the NYT works and into the people who work for it. A Long, Joyful Ride You know you have a good job when it lets you try a jetpack. But after 21 years of thrills at The […]

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William Valdez, former Texan staffer, nominated to Homeland Security post

WASHINGTON – William Valdez, a former Daily Texan staffer, has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security. Valdez was one of nine individuals nominated to serve in key roles. Valdez covered national politics while at The Texan and attended and reported for The Daily Texan from the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit. He was a reporter for the Austin American-Statesman from 1980-84. The nine nominees are: William Valdez, Nominee for Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security Erik Hooks, Nominee for Deputy Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency […]

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Karen Tumulty named Deputy Editorial Page Editor at The Washington Post

Karen Tumulty, a former Daily Texan staffer and bachelor of journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, has been named deputy editorial page director at The Washington Post. Karen, who previously worked  as a national political correspondent for the newspaper, received the Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting.  She became a political columnist in 2018. She will remain as columnist, as well as in her new role as deputy editorial page editor. She is married to fellow journalist Paul Richter, and they have two sons. Karen is a member of The Daily Texan Hall of Fame. Here […]

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Joe Galloway, journalist, war reporter, veterans’ friend

Joe Galloway, a native of Refugio, Texas and one of America’s most outstanding war journalists, died Aug. 18 in North Carolina at the age of 79. If you don’t know Joe, you may recall his book, “We Were Soldiers Once – And Young,” co-authored with Lt. Gen. Hal Moore. The book was turned into a movie of the same name, starring Mel Gibson and Samuel Elliott, and focusing on the first major battle during the Vietnam War. Joe was a journalist trying to get a better look at the real war, and hopped onto a helicopter with troops headed to […]

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It’s Here: “Growing Up in the Lone Star State: Notable Texans Remember Their Childhoods”

A 40-year labor of literary love, enhanced by detailed in-person interviews, is complete.  “Growing Up in the Lone Star State: Notable Texans Remember Their Childhoods” is now available to readers. Co-author Gaylor Finklea Hecker – a former Daily Texan staff member – and co-author and colleague Marianne Odom are now celebrating publication of the book, and beginning of a marketing campaign, including a tweet from Kay Bailey Hutchison, noting that the “fabulous book…illustrates the unique spirit of Texas ingrained from childhood.” It’s available at UT Press, Amazon and BookPeople in Austin, nestled between works by Stephen Harrigan (who praised the […]

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Friends of The Daily Texan Hall of Fame honorees – 2013-2021

Friends of The Daily Texan Hall of Fame honorees Sponsored by Friends of The Daily Texan, Inc.   2021 Honorees Hall of Fame Martin Crutsinger Sam Keach Dave McNeely John Moore John Reetz Krissah Williams Thompson Griff Singer Award Fernando Dovalina Rising Star Award Cassandra Jaramillo Kelsey McKinney Maria Mendez   2020 Honorees Hall of Fame Laura Beil Richard Cole David DeVoss Bill Little Renae Merle John McConnico Jean-Marc Bouju Griff Singer Award Art Rinn Delores Moore Ebert Rinn Rising Star Award Abby Johnston   2019 Honorees Hall of Fame Hartley Hampton Randy Harvey Dr. Leon McNealy Sylvan Rodriguez John Schwartz […]

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Hold the date – Oct. 1 – for annual Friends of The Daily Texan Hall of Fame dinner

Please mark Friday, Oct. 1 for the Friends of The Daily Texan annual Hall of Fame dinner on the University of Texas campus. The scheduled dinner/reunion will include honoring the 2021 Daily Texan Hall of Fame winners, and announcement of scholarships grants for eight Daily Texan staff members. The dinner is planned for the Shirley Bird Perry Ballroom, in The Texas Union Building. Tentative start time is 6 p.m. All health protocols in place by The Union and the University of Texas will be followed, and additional info will be provided as the event draws closer. At this time The […]

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Friends group adds sports-focused grant, 8 scholarships now open to staff members

The Friends of The Daily Texan Board of Directors has voted to fund an additional scholarship for a Texan staffer, bringing the total to 5 annual grants provided by the Friends plus three generous grants from former Texan staffers. Those three additional grants include one from Becky and Jerry Conn, and two from John McConnico and Jean-Marc Bouju. The additional $1,000 annual Friends scholarship will go to a staff member who has shown an interest in sports coverage. In addition, two $500 runner-up awards to the Friends of The Daily Texan Award have been increased from $500 each to $1,000 […]

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Friends donation to boost digital needs of The Daily Texan

A portion of money raised during a recent fund-raising campaign by Friends of The Daily Texan, Inc.  will be used to support the online effort of the student newspaper at the University of Texas. The board of directors of the Friends group recently voted to fully fund for a 12-month period the cost of infrastructure, web tools and technical support for the student newspaper’s recently relaunched website, thedailytexan.com. In addition, a portion of the grant would also allow employment of an intern to provide assistance and technical help in support of further growth and development of the website. The board […]

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