It's Our Time To Give Back

I graduated from Trinity University in 1987 and, like most of our graduates, headed out into the world to make my way with a career and family. As many of you know, life happens to you, and you may wake up many years later and discover that you now have the time, energy, and desire to give back to the world that helped make you who you are today.

In my case, I have made a fairly successful career in San Antonio, having worked in accounting and finance for both private and public companies. I worked the last 20 years or so for the Holt family, helping build the Holt companies into one of the largest Caterpillar dealerships in the United States and their related companies into an industrial juggernaut in the Southwest United States. I have also raised my family by successfully co-parenting with my ex-wife, Lisa Sassano Westergard ’85, a former All-American tennis star at Trinity, to raise two awesome young men to adulthood, one as a commercial banker in San Antonio and the other as an actor in New York City. So, it was time to give back.

Jill ’85, P’16 and John Grace ’85, P’16, who sat on the Trinity University Alumni Association Board (TUAAB), asked me to get involved, as they said the University needed good people to be engaged. James Sanders ’98, who was a past chair of TUAAB, had also talked to me about being involved in the Board. The point here is that I was asked to be involved, so I responded to the call.

I also got involved as an alumni adviser for the Bengal Lancers. This came about through a request from John Grace and from Karla Phillips ’92, who at the time was working with the alumni advisers through her role with the University. I have been totally fulfilled working with the young men of the Bengal Lancers. Man, have times changed since my sons went through college 10 years ago! The adviser role has not only kept me close to the challenges that our young people face in these times today but has also kept my faith in the opportunities our country has ahead of it.

I came to Trinity as a student because I wanted to be involved in a community that was much like the high school I attended, Boerne High School. I was intimidated by the big universities with class sizes as large as my graduating class of 152 students. My high school guidance counselor actually knew the folks at Trinity and insisted that I talk to them rather than just go to one of the big schools in Texas. I was basically a first-generation college student, since both of my parents attended college while in the Army and did not have a traditional college experience. I was lucky that I got to experience the Trinity way. I lived at home for my first two years at Trinity, but I integrated into the school community by playing basketball and joining a fraternity, the Bengal Lancers. 

I’m not sure why I got disconnected from Trinity for all these years. I wish someone had asked me a lot earlier in my career to engage with the University. I think I would have had a lot more to impart to our students, especially when I was closer to their age. Now, I’m more like a grandfather to them than a father or even a mentor, but I really enjoy helping them in any way I can. I can tell you this: They are super smart, and I learn a lot from them, so I highly recommend getting to know them. They are our next judges, leaders, doctors, etc. You will be extremely impressed by engaging with them!

So, here I am today, president of the Trinity University Alumni Association Board, asking our alumni, “How can you get involved? How can you give back?” Because it’s not too late. It’s never too late. Our time is now, and we need you! We would love for you to engage in any way you feel comfortable, whether it’s by serving on the Alumni Association Board or the Board of Visitors, attending alumni events, or mentoring our students. Let us know by contacting Alumni Relations and Development at alumni@trinity.edu!