Thanks to a generous gift from Helen and Jeff Herbert, the University Lecture Series now has a new name: The Helen and Jeff Herbert Family University Lecture Series.

Both of the Herberts are Longhorns; Helen and Jeff graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with degrees in business administration from the McCombs School of Business. Jeff is on the board of the Center for Leadership and Ethics in the McCombs School of Business. Three of their children have earned degrees from UT and a fourth is currently studying at the university. The Herberts have become involved with the School of Undergraduate Studies because all four of the Herbert children started at the university enrolled in UGS. Helen also serves on the School of Undergraduate Studies Advisory Council.

It would be hard to find a family with deeper and more meaningful ties to UT and a bigger stake in ensuring that a UT degree is always of the highest quality. Their five-year commitment to fund the annual University Lecture Series will have an immediate and lasting impact on all first-year Longhorns.

“Helen and I are excited to support a program that will enrich the educational experience of thousands of undergraduates at The University of Texas at Austin,” Jeff Herbert said. “It’s important for first-year students to have access to some of the university’s top minds, and we are proud to create that opportunity through our support of the University Lecture Series.”

Designed to create a campus-wide conversation, the Helen and Jeff Herbert Family University Lecture Series gives first-year students an opportunity to interact with leading members of our faculty—scholars, scientists, and civic leaders who are nationally and internationally renowned. All students, faculty, alumni, staff, and community guests are invited, but the events are squarely aimed at entering first-year students.

Spring 2021 Virtual Events

How Self-Compassion Can Help Us to Thrive in the Midst of Challenge
Kristin Neff, Ph.D., Department of Educational Psychology
March 2, 8-9 p.m.

Change the Way the Eyes See: The Eyes of Texas as a Metaphor for History, Memory, and Meaning
Richard J. Reddick, Ed.D., College of Education
March 23, 8-9 p.m.

Personal Responsibility vs. Public Health During COVID-19
Harold W. (Bill) Kohl III, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
April 21, 8-9 p.m.

To view the lectures, all students, staff, and faculty must enroll in the ULS Canvas course. Enrollment will be available up until the start of each event.

Daron Roberts Speaks at the University Lecture Series