UTA President Jennifer Cowley speaks during the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sept. 4 at Bluebonnet Ballroom. The ceremony honored five award recipients.
More than 400 Mavericks gathered Thursday in the Bluebonnet Ballroom for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
The event honored five recipients: Trey Yelverton, Xavier Egan, Linda and Dan Dipert and posthumously, Allan Saxe.
The first distinguished alumni award was presented in 1965. Since then, 350 men and women in the Maverick community have received it.
Before the awards were given out, UTA President Jennifer Cowley said that the alumni were living proof of UTA’s mission fulfilled.
Eric Nedderman speaks during the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sept. 4 at Bluebonnet Ballroom. Nedderman is one of the sons of Wendell H. Nedderman, a former UTA President.
“Each of our honorees tonight shows us that Maverick spirit can take many forms but always with the same results,” Cowley said.
Areeb Khan, Student Government research assistant and former Student Government vice president, said the event was a source of inspiration.
“It really motivates me how they were able to achieve so much after their time at UTA and really makes me want to strive for such things as well, if not more,” Khan said.
Trey Yelverton
Trey Yelverton serves as Arlington’s city manager, and since 2012 has spearheaded projects around the city, including the Levitt Pavilion, College Park District and downtown city center.
Trey Yelverton gives a speech during the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sept. 4 at Bluebonnet Ballroom. Yelverton spearheaded several projects, including the Levitt Pavilion and AT&T Stadium.
He was a founding director of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation and led the Housing Authority and Sports Facilities Development Corporation.
Yelverton was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes those who support UTA and have an impact in their community.
In his speech, Yelverton recalled his first time coming to the university in 1985, and said it felt like home.
“Since that time I’ve been all over this campus, I’ve been all over this city, and I’m grateful to be able to do what I do,” he said.
Xavier Egan
Xavier Egan is the founder and president of Capital Asset Equities in Arlington. He chairs the mayor’s Black Advisory Council and leads UTA’s Black Alumni Chapter.
Xavier Egan, founder and president of Capital Asset Equities in Arlington, speaks during the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sept. 4 at Bluebonnet Ballroom. Egan chairs the mayors Black Advisory Council.
Egan has been named a UTA Distinguished Black Alumni, is a MAVS100 honoree and has received the City of Arlington’s 40 under 40 award.
Egan received the Alumni Rising Star Award, which recognizes graduates 40 years old and younger who have demonstrated high achievement and impact in their early careers.
He said that in receiving the award, he feels he’s a part of the university’s history and legacy.
Linda and Dan Dipert
Linda Dipert is the founder of Women Inspiring Philanthropy. In 1972, Dan Dipert purchased a small Arlington travel agency, expanding it into a leading tour and motor coach company.
Linda and Dan Dipert hug after accepting the Alumni Service Award during the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sept. 4 at Bluebonnet Ballroom. Linda Dipert is the founder of Women Inspiring Philanthropy.
Together, the Dipert gifts to UTA include an endowed nursing scholarship, support for Athletics and the naming of the Dan Dipert Welcome Center.
The Diperts received the Alumni Service Award, which recognizes service to UTA and the community through the donation of time, treasure and talent.
Linda Dipert said that to her, the award means acceptance.
“It means I’m doing the right thing, at least that’s perceived that way by my peers and those whom I respect, and that means the most to me,” she said. “That I’m doing good.”
Dan Dipert said the thing that excited him was that his family was there and that he hopes to leave a legacy that they’ll be able to carry on.
“It’s one thing to do it yourself. It’s another thing to mentor young people to come along behind you and say, ‘If I’m successful or whatever I do, no matter what my status is, I’m going to give back,’” he said.
Allan Saxe
Allan Saxe taught at UTA for 54 years before retiring in 2019 and dying in 2024. Saxe was honored as an emeritus associate professor of political science in 2021.
Ruthie Brock, a UTA alumna and the widow of former UTA political science professor Allan Saxe, smiles during the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sept. 4 at Bluebonnet Ballroom. Brock accepted the award posthumously for Saxe.
Saxe’s legacy lives on at UTA through the Allan Saxe Field, Ruthie Brock-Saxe Patio at the Central Library, Allan Saxe Circle at the Planetarium and various other philanthropic investments.
Saxe received the new Distinguished Philanthropist Award, recognizing the generosity to UTA and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Ruthie Brock, Saxe’s widow and UTA alumna, accepted the award posthumously for him.
“Just knowing that the university appreciated him for his teaching years and for his generosity, it was very, very special,” she said.
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