The Dr. James G. Houston Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Business was created by Jim and Carla Vick in honor of a beloved mentor, Dr. James G. “Doc” Houston.

Jim was the first to graduate from college on both sides of his family, and on his father’s side, the first to graduate from high school. A chance meeting with Dr. Houston during Vick’s high school years led to an opportunity for Jim to work for him.

With Houston’s encouragement and support, Vick developed his plans for the future, which included getting a college education. Houston had confidence in Vick’s abilities, and to ensure that Vick would finish school, he underwrote his education at The University of Texas at Austin.

“His involvement in my education and willingness to pay it forward has had a direct impact on the successes I have enjoyed in my career,” Jim said. “I am indebted to him for what he has done and hope that this recognition of his contribution to my life can be shared with future students striving to achieve their own aspirations and visions for their lives.”

The Dr. James G. Houston Endowed Presidential Scholarship supports full-time McCombs School of Business students who have demonstrated financial need, with preference given to students who have lived in Texas counties of Jeff Davis, Presidio, Brewster, Reeves, Pecos, or Terrell.

Vick graduated from UT with a bachelor of business administration in finance in 1983. He serves as senior vice president of business information systems at Southwestern Energy.