Steve Hicks, Texas-Austin ’72, has ensured that social work students at his alma mater will have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of helping others. Aware of the support social workers provide to vulnerable members of society and that students often incur sizeable debt training for the profession, Hicks made a $25 million gift to the University of Texas at Austin’s school of social work.

A portion of the gift is being used to create a permanent endowment for scholarships. The gift will also support fundraising, philanthropy, and expanded education and research on addictions. In recognition of his donation, the university renamed the school the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Hicks has served on the University of Texas System Board of Regents since 2009.