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UTA President Jennifer Cowley speaks during the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sept. 4 at Bluebonnet Ballroom. The ceremony honored five award recipients.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n More than 400 Mavericks gathered Thursday in the Bluebonnet Ballroom for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards. <\/p>\n The event honored five recipients: Trey Yelverton, Xavier Egan, Linda and Dan Dipert and posthumously, Allan Saxe. <\/p>\n The first distinguished alumni award was presented in 1965. Since then, 350 men and women in the Maverick community have received it. <\/p>\n Before the awards were given out, UTA President Jennifer Cowley said that the alumni were living proof of UTA\u2019s mission fulfilled. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cEach of our honorees tonight shows us that Maverick spirit can take many forms but always with the same results,\u201d Cowley said. <\/p>\n Areeb Khan, Student Government research assistant and former Student Government vice president, said the event was a source of inspiration. <\/p>\n \u201cIt 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,\u201d Khan said. <\/p>\n Trey Yelverton<\/strong><\/p>\n Trey Yelverton serves as Arlington\u2019s city manager, and since 2012 has spearheaded\u00a0projects around the city, including the Levitt Pavilion, College Park District and downtown city center. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n He was a founding director of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation and led the Housing Authority and Sports Facilities Development Corporation. <\/p>\n Yelverton was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes those who support UTA and have an impact in their community. <\/p>\n In his speech, Yelverton recalled his first time coming to the university in 1985, and said it felt like home. <\/p>\n \u201cSince that time I\u2019ve been all over this campus, I\u2019ve been all over this city, and I\u2019m grateful to be able to do what I do,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Xavier Egan<\/strong><\/p>\n Xavier Egan is the founder and president of Capital Asset Equities in Arlington. He chairs the mayor\u2019s Black Advisory Council and leads UTA\u2019s Black Alumni Chapter. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n Egan has been\u00a0named a UTA Distinguished Black Alumni, is a MAVS100 honoree and has received the City of Arlington\u2019s 40 under 40 award.\u202f<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n He said that in receiving the award, he feels he\u2019s a part of the university’s history and legacy. <\/p>\n Linda and Dan Dipert<\/strong><\/p>\n Linda Dipert is the founder of Women Inspiring Philanthropy. In 1972, Dan Dipert purchased a small\u00a0Arlington travel agency, expanding it into a leading tour and motor coach company.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n Together, the Dipert gifts to UTA include an endowed nursing scholarship, support for Athletics and the naming of the Dan Dipert Welcome Center. <\/p>\n The Diperts received the Alumni Service Award, which recognizes service to UTA and the community through the donation of time, treasure and talent. <\/p>\n Linda Dipert said that to her, the award means acceptance. <\/p>\n \u201cIt means I’m doing the right thing, at least that\u2019s perceived that way by my peers and those whom I respect, and that means the most to me,\u201d she said. \u201cThat I\u2019m doing good.\u201d <\/p>\n Dan Dipert said the thing that excited him was that his family was there and that he hopes to leave a legacy that they\u2019ll be able to carry on. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to do it yourself. It\u2019s another thing to mentor young people to come along behind you and say, \u2018If I’m successful or whatever I do, no matter what my status is, I’m going to give back,\u2019\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Allan Saxe<\/strong><\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Ruthie Brock, a UTA alumna and the widow of former UTA political science professor Allan Saxe, smiles during the\u00a02025 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sept. 4 at Bluebonnet Ballroom. Brock accepted the award\u00a0posthumously for Saxe.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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