Terry and Mary Claire selected the College of Communication when they provided the gift to create the Terrence and Mary Claire Welch Endowed Presidential Scholarship because the excellent programs the college offers impress them and they want to help students who demonstrate academic excellence. Both received financial scholarships while they attended college.

Terry Welch is an attorney who holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Mary Claire works as a speech and language pathologist. Their son, Ben Wright, who graduated with an MA in 2007 from the College of Communication, learned how to think creatively while exploring the business of advertising in the Advertising Department.

The Welches have a long and storied history with The University of Texas. Mary Claire’s grandmother, Mary Lena Jones, and great-aunt, Alleene Williams, attended the University in the 1920s while her great-grandfather, Harvey Oscar Jones, served in the Texas Legislature. Granddaddy Jones, as he was called, served as representative for the 92nd District from 1933 to 1935 during the 43rd and 44th legislative sessions. Years later, Mary Claire’s grandmother taught her “The Eyes of Texas.” Mary Claire’s Aggie father, Gale Noble Brundrett, burst into the room to chastise her for singing the anthem. But it was all in good fun.

Terry’s respect for the University was born when he attended the LBJ School of Public Affairs in 1981. He cultivated a profound love of Longhorn sports, which he confessed to Mary Claire after they married. Terry has been a Longhorn football and basketball season ticketholder for many years. The Welch family attends the Longhorns’ football home opener as a family tradition. To demonstrate his Longhorn pride, Terry has been decorating the house with Longhorn paraphernalia of all kinds.

While Mary Claire earned a BA at Texas Christian University and an MA at Southern Methodist University, both in Speech and Language Pathology, she too has learned to “put her horns up” out of her love for Terry and a respect for the outstanding programs offered at UT.

Terry and Mary Claire live in Dallas. Terry is a partner in the law firm Brown and Hofmeister where he practices local government law in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Terry enjoys speaking to college classes, seminars, and continuing education opportunities for attorneys. He is active in the state and local government law section of the American Bar Association and is vice chair of the board of directors for Dallas Academy, a school for students with learning differences. Mary Claire has served as a speech and language pathologist in public schools, long-term care, and home health, as well as in private practice. She is active in the Texas Speech and Hearing Association, the American Speech and Hearing Association, and the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society of Women Educators.