Supply chain management and management information systems senior Hilario Yanez was this year’s winner of the $500 scholarship during Bauer Pride Day. Yanez will graduate in May 2017, and will be the first in his family to graduate from college.

Dear Ted,

I just wanted to write you this letter to say thank you for making a direct impact in my life. Even though you are not here physically with us, your legacy continues through every student, staff, and professor that walks through the hallways of the Bauer College of Business. Every time I enter the building and see the image of you with your arms crossed and smiling, I always stop to say thank you for all that you have done for me. I now have hope of a brighter future because of your kindness and generosity.

You see Ted, I come from a place where there isn’t much hope. I come from what people like to call, the ghettos. I have lived my entire life in the 2nd Ward area of Houston where the average kid becomes a dropout, incarcerated, or ends up losing their life. The only way I was able to defy these odds was through higher education. Thanks to your contributions, I was able to attend the best college in the nation where I was presented with countless opportunities that I was fortunate to take full advantage of.

As I look back at my college career and my experiences, I would not be the man that I am now today if it wasn’t for the Ted Bauer College of Business. This college has given many so much through leadership programs, opportunities and most importantly the people.

As someone who values leadership, you were able to equip me with some of the best leadership programs in the country such as the Emerging Leaders Academic Success Program, Ted Bauer Leadership Certificate Program and Leadershape Retreat. These programs helped me discover my true passion, purpose, values, and vision for my life. I can now lead my family, friends, and community from my heart and not have to be conformed to the things of this world. I will make sure that every person I come across, I bring inspiration, love, and hope to them.

In regards to opportunities, I would always look up at the large skyscrapers in downtown every morning on my way to help my mom clean houses during the summer and I always dreamed of one day working in one of those tall buildings. I would never have imagined that a kid from El Barrio would one day would be standing on the 50th floor of a building on Smith street giving a summer internship presentation to the Chief Procurement Officer of Chevron. Not only did this college provide me with one internship but instead with a total of four internships from four different Fortune 500 companies. If you would have told my mom 23 years ago that one day her son would experience these type of opportunities, she would have thought you were crazy, Ted!

These leadership programs and opportunities did not happen on their own, it took a village for them to come to fruition. Ted, you have blessed me with some of the most selfless, inspiring and loving people in the world. You are the reason why I have met Whitney Thompson, Tommy Doss, Jonathan Shirley, Kathryn Wheatley, Professor Wayhan, Professor Parks, Professor Scamell, Jamie Belline, Reginald Toussant, and the list goes on of great individuals whose main purpose was for to me thrive in every area of my life. I thank you for bringing these people in my life, please save them a seat next to you in the future, they belong right next to you.

On an ending note, I hope you’re doing well up there Ted. I know that I am just one story of many that are out there of who you have impacted. I am just honored to be writing to you and to be reminiscing on what you have done for me. Thank you for deciding to give and leave a legacy of bringing hope to kids like myself.

Until next time Ted,

Hilario Yanez