Beverly and Jack Randall
He's a third-generation Longhorn engineer. She was born to a Longhorn mom. The UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering educated their children. The UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center cared for their families. Now, they say, it's time to pay it back.
Listening to Beverly and Jack Randall talk about their love for UT Austin and the UT System, one can't help but be reminded of the old joke: Either you were born here, or you got here as fast as you could.
In this case, it's no joke. A third-generation Longhorn, Jack Randall practically was born at UT Austin, in the original St. David's Hospital at the southern edge of campus.
"I went home from the hospital to a garage apartment where my parents lived at Speedway and 31st," says Jack.
Beverly is a Corpus Christi native and a graduate of Texas Tech University, but she's every bit as passionate about UT.
"We both love Texas, and the UT System is a wonderful thing for Texas," says Beverly. "It makes Texas stand apart in the world."
The Randalls have demonstrated their commitment time and again by generously supporting the UT System in multiple ways. They have given more than $2 million to UT Austin, primarily supporting the Cockrell School of Engineering. They are also contributors to the UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where their generosity has generated more than $4 million for research and patient care. And they are members of the UT System Chancellor's Council, where Beverly serves on the Executive Committee.
Most recently, Jack was asked to serve as Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Energy Institute at UT Austin, which promotes independent research to address complex energy issues. After graduating from UT Austin (B. S., Civil Engineering '72; M.S., Civil Engineering '75), Jack enjoyed a successful career in the oil and gas industry, first as an executive at Amoco and then as co-founder of Randall & Dewey, an oil and gas transactions advisory and consulting business. The investment bank Jefferies and Company acquired the firm in 2005.
"I think Beverly and I have made an investment – both a financial investment and an emotional investment – in the UT System," explains Jack. "And we are determined to protect that investment and see its value increase over time."
"It's an investment that pays off in economic growth for the U.S. and for Texas in particular," says Beverly. "Education is critical to staying competitive, and we want to do all we can to keep the quality of education at the highest level."