The M. June and J. Virgil Waggoner Regents Chair in Chemistry was established by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on December 5, 1991, for the benefit of UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. Gift funds were provided by J. Virgil Waggoner, a UT Austin alumnus, and his wife June Waggoner.

 Mr. Waggoner received master’s degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics from UT Austin in 1950. After graduating he remained a dedicated Longhorn, serving on several committees and as the chairman of the Texas Science Advisory Council. In 2000, he received the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award. This is an honor reserved for alumni who reflect Longhorn pride, recognize the importance of a UT education, and demonstrate their loyalty to the university and college in deed or action.

When tragedy struck the Waggoner family, they turned sorrow into a call to action. Losing their only son to alcohol addiction motivated them to devote their personal resources to finding a cure for alcoholism. As part of their efforts, they made significant contributions to the Chemistry and Molecular Biology departments at the College of Natural Sciences.

 With their leadership support, The Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research on campus was established. (For further information about the Waggoner Center please visit the College of Natural Sciences homepage). The Waggoners knew that they were never going to have their son back, but wanted to try to make a difference for other people.  They created a Speaker Series where thousands of people come to hear and be inspired by stories of addiction and recovery from celebrity speakers.

 Although Mr. Waggoner passed away in November if 2013, the family’s legacy will live on at the College of Natural Sciences as students and faculty continue to push forward the frontiers of discovery, grateful for the opportunities created by their compassion and generosity.  A full list of their gifts to the College of Natural Sciences shows the broad reach of their hopes for future generations.

January 30, 2019

Additional Endowments

M. June and J. Virgil Waggoner Chair in Molecular Biology

M. June and J. Virgil Waggoner Professorships in Molecular Biology

M. June and J. Virgil Waggoner Endowment for Alcoholism Research