BYU Cougar 5k 2023

Thanks everyone who came out for the BYU Austin Alumni Cougar 5k. It was a great event! We have 139 runners and 29 volunteers.

Volunteers: The Unsung Heroes

The success of the Cougar 5K wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of the 33 volunteers who played an integral role in organizing and managing the event. From setting up the racecourse to handing out water and cheering on participants, these individuals worked tirelessly to make sure the day ran smoothly.

A Race with a Purpose

The primary goal of the Cougar 5K is to raise funds for student scholarships, and this year was no exception. The event raised an impressive net amount of $5,580.19, which will go directly towards supporting students in their pursuit of higher education. Every participant, volunteer, and donor contributed, thank you!

The BYU Austin Alumni leadership would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out for the 2023 Cougar 5K. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and generosity made this event a resounding success. The funds raised will have a tangible impact on the lives of students, and for that, we are truly grateful.

The Cougar 5K is more than just a race – it's a celebration of the BYU Austin Alumni community's commitment to education, personal growth, and unity. We look forward to seeing you at the next Cougar 5K!

Vocal Point is coming to town!

BYU’s very own Vocal Point is coming to Austin!

Early Bird ticket’s are on sale. You can snag them here!

Who: Vocal Point

When: April 30, 2020 at 7pm

Where: LifeAustin Church in Southwest Austin

Cougar 5k Results and Pictures - 2019

Thanks everyone for coming out for the Cougar 5k Run! We had a record turnout, wonderful weather, yummy waffles, and some great exercise!

We raised $4000 towards scholarships this year after expenses. This is a new fund raising record for this event! The scholarship recipients will be grateful to everyone who participated and contributed.

We had a total of 178 registered runners.

Race Results:

www.webscorer.com/racealldetails

2019 Replenishment Grant Scholarship Recipients

In 2019 the BYU Austin Alumni Association awarded seven replenishment grants to students from central Texas.  We will highlight these students who received grants due to generous donations and participation in Austin Alumni events.  If you know a current BYU student from central Texas, they can get more information about replenishment grants at this site.

Hunter Gray

Hunter Gray is a senior at Brigham Young University from Round Rock, Texas. He will be graduating in April 2020 with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Gerontology. He recently has been Awarded the Utah Lt. Governor Service Award, Presidential Service Award, and was named to the College of Life Sciences Academic Dean’s List.

After Graduation, Hunter plans to pursue a career in medicine. This summer he will be working in the Army Reserves as an Operating Room Specialist and will receive national certification as a Surgical Technician. He plans to pursue the military Health Professions Scholarship Program through the United States Army and attend medical school in the state of Texas. He hopes to have a practice in the Austin area working with veterans. 

Hunter and his wife love to travel. They recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Southern Uganda where they spent five weeks working with the Kigezi Healthcare Foundation. Working with local health workers, they were able to coordinate medical outreaches to the rural regions of Uganda. They also participated in research centered on maternal health and the social implications of HIV/AIDS.

---

Emilee McFadden

 Hello! My name is Emilee McFadden and I am a Junior at BYU studying Economics with minors in Spanish and Business. I am the oldest of five children who now live in Austin, Texas. They are everything to me. Our family lived in New Hampshire until I was fourteen, at which time we moved to San Francisco, California. There I went to high school, playing soccer, competing on swim team, trying out rugby for a year, and running track. I was also heavily involved in choir, taught piano lessons, and worked as a lifeguard. I served a mission in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Mission speaking Spanish. It was an incredibly influential experience, and though it was difficult, I am so grateful for the testimony of Jesus Christ I gained by serving a mission. 

I now attend BYU and have two years left. I plan on doing financial planning and advisement after graduating and then teaching in high school. I currently work for University Relations as a tour guide for BYU (so if you come visit campus, I would love to meet you and give you a tour!) I am a member of the BYU Student Advisory Council, which is comprised of approximately 40 students who research certain problems on campus and present solutions to the President’s Council each year. I have volunteered with Provo Youth Mentoring every week, spending an hour with sixth-grade students who move here from a South American country. 

I love the Hispanic culture and the Spanish language. I love hiking and being outside. I enjoy swimming and getting together with friends to play music and sing together. I am grateful for your contribution in helping me financially with my education. I am dedicated to making the most of your contribution. 

---

Naomi Rapier Sharman

My name is Naomi Rapier Sharman, I’m entering my senior year of studying Microbiology at BYU. I grew up in Texas and Utah. I have a large family whom I adore! My hobbies include singing, rock climbing, family history, working in a cancer research lab on BYU campus, and spending time with my husband. I’ve been fascinated with the microscopic world for as long as I can remember. I plan to pursue a PhD in Immunology following my graduation. My ideal future includes having a large family, helping to perfect cancer immunotherapy, and becoming a polyglot with my husband.

---

Scholarship Fund Raising Goals

The Austin BYU Alumni chapter has the goal to double the amount of scholarships that we give away in 2020. If you would like to donate to Austin BYU Alumni Scholarship Fund, or if you would like to volunteer to help with our awesome events, please drop us a note at byualumniaustin@gmail.com.

Alumni Ambassadors

We have a new Alumni Ambassador program to help get the word out for our upcoming Austin BYU Alumni events. If you would like to volunteer, please send us an email to austin@byutexas.org

Ambassadors simply spreading the word to their work friends, neighbors, and local church friends. Ambassadors also receive discount codes which can be used to get 20% discounts on upcoming events.

Ambassadors will be listed on our leadership page at byutexas.org/austin/leadership/#ambassadors so that alumni will know who they can contact for more information. We are inviting chapter members to reach out to you to find out more about upcoming Austin BYU Alumni events and to get discount codes. 

As an ambassador you can find out the latest of what's going on by asking one of our chapter leaders, by attending our monthly planning meeting which is held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 8pm via our zoom web meeting, or checking the Austin events page. Go Cougs!

September Networking Lunch

We had a great networking lunch with 9 BYU Alumni in attendance. We ate lunch at wise guys Chicago Eatery We had seven employees of Dell Technologies and two non-Dell employees. 

The Alumni lunch happens on the 1st Friday of each month, is always posted at the url : byutexas.org/austin/events/lunch

Hope to see you at the next lunch for some good food and great company!

2018 Replenishment Grant Scholarship Recipients

Six scholarships were awarded to BYU students from Austin in 2018. It is such an awarding experience to help students from Austin! Below is a highlight of a couple of these students. A huge thank you to all the generous donations from Austin Alumni who made these scholarships possible!

Learn more about the 2018 scholarship selection committee

 

Meet Riley: Future Nurse, Queso Connoisseur

Hello! My name is Riley Mattson and I'm going into my senior year at BYU where I am majoring in nursing. After I graduate in April, I hope to work in a hospital on a pediatric oncology unit in either San Diego, Boston, Denver, or good ol' Utah.

I am trying to pay for as much of my schooling as I can on my own, so receiving this replenishment grant scholarship has helped me in my goal to financially support myself. I am more thankful than I can express!

I love to hike, read, eat queso, run, listen to Christmas music, watch any sports game, and spend time with my loved ones. My most beloved quote of all time was spoken by a dear mentor of mine. She told me one day, "It's not our place to judge: it's our place to love." No words have so struck me as deeply as those -- I hope to live by them the rest of my life!

Meet Grant: Literature-loving Businessman

I am senior majoring in English, I will graduate from BYU this December.

My hobbies include tennis, reading the classics, writing, coaching, watching Netflix and generally spending time with my wife, and occasionally playing the odd video game.

My favorite quote is: “How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife, they say, there open the very bottom of their souls to each other; and some old couples often lie and chat over old times till nearly morning.” —Moby-Dick, by Herman Melville

I plan to use my English degree in business. I’m currently working as the head of customer service for a tech start-up — something like that would, I believe, suit me.

Receiving a replenishment grant will bless me and my family immensely. Because of this grant, we’ll be able to save for our future and perhaps even advance the arrival of our first child! Thank you so much.

Scholarship Fund Raising Goals

The Austin BYU Alumni chapter has the goal to double the amount of scholarships that we give away in 2019. If you would like to donate to Austin BYU Alumni Scholarship Fund, or if you would like to volunteer to help with our awesome events, please drop us a note at austin@byutexas.org.

Alexia Kaley Fund Raiser

The Austin BYU Alumni is holding a Scholarship fundraiser for Alexia Kaley. Alexia Kaley is from Austin and will be attending BYU-Hawaii as a Freshman this fall. Doctors recently delivered very difficult news to Alexia's mom (michellekaley.com/blog), presenting a serious challenge for the entire family. Please donate to help Alexia continue her dream to attend BYU. Note that all proceeds from our Memorial Day Breakfast event go towards Alexia's scholarship fund.

Alexia's mom Michelle got the horribly unfortunate news Friday May 4th that there are 13 tumors in her brain that have begun to hemorrhage.  Michelle and Cameron Kaley have four children: Alexia - 17, Devon - 16, Aubrey - 12, & Landon - 7

Alexia and her family have never asked for help but the Austin BYU Alumni is letting you know about this opportunity to bless a young lady who may have to go through life without a mom, but hopefully won't go without a college education. The Kaley's are a family that is ALWAYS helping others through church, school, and community. Now it's our turn to help and support them!  You can donate to family medical expenses gofundme or you can donate to Alexia's scholarship fund.