The Richard B. Dyke Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Communications was established by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on August 11, 2011, to benefit The University of Texas College of Communication. The endowment honors Mr. Richard Burt Dyke, and gift funds were provided by his daughters Ms. Ruth Reed Dyke and Ms. Laura Dyke Jackson and his granddaughter, Ms. Noëlle Paulette.

Noëlle Paulette is a fourth-generation Texan, living and working in Austin. She became the self-appointed family genealogist after losing her mother in December of ’89. Noelle was just 19 years old and valedictorian at her high school. She put off college plans that year, and after some time at ACC, she graduated summa cum laude from St. Edward’s University. Richard “Burt” Dyke is her main connection to The University of Texas at Austin.

Noëlle’s mother, Susan Dyke Reed, and aunt Laura Dyke Jackson attended UT and were Thetas, as was Noëlle’s grandmother Ruth. Noëlle’s uncle, Richard Burt Dyke Jr., earned a bachelor of business administration from UT in 1961.

Born on October 12, 1903, Richard “Burt” Dyke Sr. was from a poor family. He worked his way through UT playing in a band. He was a proficient piano player and had offers to have his original scores published. While attending UT he worked on student publications and cultivated a deep respect for newspapers. Burt graduated with a bachelor of business administration in 1926. Later he worked as the director of Texas Student Publications Inc., the nonprofit corporation that published the Daily Texan, the Cactus yearbook, and the Texas Ranger. Burt died May 30, 1980.

Ms. Ruth Dyke remembers her father as a religious man who was good with his words, enjoyed the newspaper, and liked to discuss books. She also remembers how he would play the piano at night for his children, Richard Burt Dyke Jr., Laura, Ruth, and Susan.

Ms. Dyke, Ms. Jackson, and Ms. Paulette were inspired to create an endowment in Burt’s honor by a family member who gave generously to another university. The generosity of their relative reminded them how highly Burt valued education.

Ms. Dyke, Ms. Jackson, and Ms. Paulette hope to honor Richard B. Dyke’s legacy with this endowment in the College of Communication. Burt worked hard to help educate his family, and the family considers an education to be an invaluable part of the life of an individual.