Texas A&M University-San Antonio hosted its 16th Annual Dream Maker Scholarship Celebration on Nov. 15. at the Witte Museum’s Mays Family Center. The event supports scholarships at the University, helping make the educational goals of its students a reality.
The Dream Maker Scholarship campaign raised a record-breaking total of approximately $350,000 this year. Dream Maker is one of the Texas A&M-San Antonio Foundation’s primary fundraising events. Founded in 2008, the annual campaign has awarded $5 million to students with financial need and helped fund over 5,000 scholarships.
“Tonight, we celebrate the transformative role your support has played in our students’ lives,” University President Salvador Hector Ochoa told the event’s guests. “You are the stars that guide their paths, and it is your generosity that creates opportunities for them to thrive.”
Speakers at the event included former Regents Henry Cisneros and Elaine Mendoza, as well as Chairman of the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System Bill Mahomes.
Alumna Alyssa Valdez, a former Dream Maker scholarship recipient, was recognized at the event. Valdez was a cheerleader and a freshman in high school when in 2008 she was involved in a car crash that left her in a wheelchair. Through hard work and determination, she earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in May and now teaches first graders at Sinclair Elementary for East Central ISD.
Alyssa Valdez and event emcee Ernie Zuniga
“When I started at A&M-San Antonio, I had no idea I would experience some of the best years of my life there,” Valdez said. “It prepared me to have a successful career in education. Dream Maker makes college possible for someone like me. I’m living my dream now.”
Each year, the Dream Maker Scholarship Celebration honors an individual who has made an indelible impact on the education of A&M-San Antonio students. This year's honoree was The Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp.
As the longest-serving chancellor in the history of The Texas A&M University System, Sharp became chancellor in 2011. Over the past 13 years, he has presided over a historic building boom with nearly $12 billion funding more than 300 projects that improved facilities at all 11 system universities and eight state agencies. Moreover, the Chancellor’s Research Initiative built up key research fields by recruiting elite faculty members. This summer, Sharp announced his plans to retire on June 30, 2025.
“Chancellor Sharp’s impact on the A&M System, on A&M-San Antonio in particular, and ultimately on our students has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Ochoa.
Henry Cisneros, Elaine Mendoza, John Sharp, and Salvador Hector Ochoa
During his remarks, Sharp shared how, with the support of the regents, the A&M System has invested more than $298 million at A&M-San Antonio since 2011. Recent projects include $32 million for a new residence hall, $19.2 million for the University Recreation Center, and $54.9 million for the Public Health and Education Building.
Sharp also touted the University’s collaboration with A&M Health Science Center and University Health, which is building a hospital, medical complex and its public health institute next to the A&M-San Antonio campus. This partnership will help provide training for students to become health care professionals and improve health care in South San Antonio.
“Helping to grow this campus and increase its ability to serve South Texas has been the greatest honor,” said Sharp after the event. “I think it is safe to say that, together, we have changed South San Antonio forever.”