This scholarship is given in memory of Maralyn S. Heimlich, who served students at The University of Texas at Austin for more than twenty years. For the last eleven years of her service, she directed the orientation program for new students and was responsible for the training and teaching of the student staff and Orientation Advisors (OAs). Maralyn was a teacher, mentor, and friend to the OA staff who served as a professional role model by demonstrating respect and care in the way she performed her job duties and lived her life. It is these attributes and values we seek to honor and recognize in scholarship recipients.
These students have all served as Orientation Advisors, where they went through a semester of training and successfully welcomed students to the University. They also submitted applications about their experience in Orientation and were chosen through a committee of professionals who work closely with orientation.
We are excited to celebrate them today!
2024 Maralyn Heimlich Scholarship Recipients
Lizbeth Varela
Orientation Advisor for Summer 2023
Favorite Orientation Advisor Memory: “My favorite memory of orientation was an icebreaker/game we played on our last night with session 2. It was the riff off and the orientees had so much fun singing different songs after getting past nerves. They had a little dance number too!"
Molly O'Brien
Orientation Advisor for Summer 2023
Favorite Orientation Advisor Memory: “My favorite memory from orientation was working social programs at nights where we helped the students come out of their shells and branch out through different games or activities. Also afterwards, the OAs would go on late night Whataburger runs which gave us time to unwind and spend time with each other after the long days."
Phung Huynh
Orientation Advisor for Summer 2022
Favorite Orientation Advisor Memory: "My favorite memory of orientation was when Karaoke Night was first introduced in the Summer of 2022. It was something new and out of the whim, so seeing it implemented for the Summer of 2023 was so fun!!"
Claudia Vazquez
Orientation Advisor for Summer 2023
Favorite Orientation Advisor Memory: “One of the highlights from orientation was the buzz of anticipation as I rolled out of bed early on Day 2, fueled by the promise of a new adventure. Armed with a cup of coffee, I dove head first into academic advising sessions, connecting with fresh faces from all walks of life and getting excited to meet them. There was a satisfying sense of purpose overseeing a day packed with advising sessions, where I shared the ropes as a seasoned business student, and it was one of my favorite moments of orientation. Making those natural connections and witnessing the impact of my advice on their college journey was nothing short of fulfilling."
Abraham Rodriguez
Orientation Advisor for Summer 2023
Favorite Orientation Advisor Memory: “I had a great time planning the Gotcha game that we played during workshop! Getting to see everyone enjoying themselves through friendly competition was awesome and the finale of having the finalists track me down in Jester to win was an experience I will never forget."
Gifts from alumni, parents and friends of The University of Texas at Austin fund the Maralyn Heimlich Scholarship.
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