Jayne and Richard Suhler Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Plan II Honors

Oct 1, 2008 | EPS/EPF

The Jayne and Richard Suhler Endowed Scholarship in Plan II was established by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on October 1, 2008, to benefit The University of Texas College of Liberal Arts. Gift funds were provided by Dr. Richard Suhler and Ms. Jayne Suhler. Dr. Suhler received a B.A. from the University in 1985 and Ms. Suhler graduated with a B.A in 1988.

Both Jayne and Rick Suhler graduated from the Plan II Honors program. Jayne was active in the English department’s Shakespeare at Winedale program and considers its founder, Dr. James “Doc” Ayres, her most influential professor. Rick was a member of the Liberal Arts Council and a co-founder of a premedical/pre-dental student association.

Rick went on to medical school at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he specialized in neuroradiology. He was a faculty member at the medical school before moving into private practice. He is now a partner with Irving Radiological Associates, which serves hospitals and imaging centers around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Jayne received a master’s degree in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and worked for many years as a reporter, including with the Dallas Morning News. She left the newsroom for Southern Methodist University in 2000, where she is a professor of practice in the Division of Journalism. She teaches a variety of advanced reporting courses. She also developed a literary journalism course based on the interdisciplinary tutorials and seminars she experienced in Plan II. The course, with its emphasis on critical thinking and class discussion, is one of the division’s most popular.

Jayne and Rick Suhler at the Great Wall of China.
Jayne and Rick have traveled around the world, including to Russia, China, South America, the Middle East, and throughout Europe, as well as through most of the United States. One of their favorite spots in the world is the Kona coast on the Big Island of Hawaii. When not traveling or working, they like to spend time with their nine nieces and nephews. They are also very fond of their two rescued pit bull terriers and are donors to several Dallas-area animal shelters and the SPCA.

Jayne and Rick believe every college student deserves an education like that offered by the Plan II program, with its challenging curriculum, small classes, and emphasis on liberal arts and sciences. By endowing a scholarship, the Suhlers hope that an exceptionally bright, hardworking young person who might otherwise consider UT too big or too expensive will reconsider. Jayne and Richard say they are both where they are today because of Plan II. The program taught them how to think, how to learn on their own, and the program propelled them into satisfying and interesting careers.

Through the Jayne and Richard Suhler Endowed Scholarship in Plan II the Suhlers want to help young people have the same opportunities they had to learn and grow. Donating to create the endowment is a small price for what they know will get a huge return.

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