Alumnus Alex Gonzales wants to share his education with others. Alex Gonzales ’80 lived the mission of St. Edward’s University well before he arrived on the hilltop. For as long as he can remember, his parents have been active in social justice and made it a point to share their passion for helping others with their children. At St. Edward’s, Gonzales says he received “a great education and had a great experience.” But his time at the university also expanded his appreciation for social justice, which had been instilled in him by his parents. In 2009, Gonzales was able to connect his parents’ concern for others with the university’s commitment to service by honoring them with the Albert and Rosa Gonzales Scholarship. “Although it’s just one scholarship annually, I’m hopeful that each recipient will not only get a great education but will also share my parents’ attitudes toward helping others,” he says.
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Gonzales, who is managing shareholder of Winstead PC’s Austin law office — the firm founded by current university Trustee and former chair of the board, Pete Winstead — certainly shares that attitude. “When I was accepted into law school, I didn’t have it in my mind that I was just going to make a lot of money,” Gonzales says. “I wanted to practice law in a way that would provide liberty and justice for all.” He attributes his success as an attorney to both the education he received and
A TIME TO GIVE By Frannie Schneider
Jessica Attie ’05
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You start each journey with one step.
LOOK ING TO T HE FU T UR E
the values he learned at St. Edward’s and from his parents. And now, he says, he’s reached a point in his career where he can help others attain that same education that started him on the path to success. “It’s a very simple message: It’s time to pay back,” he says. “Our education gave us the opportunity to be successful. It really goes back to the tenets of the Holy Cross vision and the mission of the university.” Gonzales points out that an initial contribution doesn’t need to be large. “You start each journey with one step,” he says. So whether alumni begin by participating in the university’s general scholarship effort or create a named scholarship, the end result is the same for Gonzales: “deserving students get a great education.”
You Can Help St. Edward’s alumni, parents and friends give for many reasons. While the reasons may differ, each gift comes from the heart and in hopes of providing unique opportunities for current and future students, such as those featured in the pages of this magazine. Give the gift of opportunity today and demonstrate your commitment to St. Edward’s. Visit www.stedwards. edu/giving or return the envelope in this magazine.
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