Page 5 - Dean's Award Ceremony 2021 Program

Gardere Endowed Scholarship in
Memorial of Ron Gaswirth ‘68
The Gardere Endowed Scholarship in Memorial of Ron Gaswirth offers financial assistance to a
qualified student who has overcome socio-economic obstacles, exhibits good moral character and
a strong work ethic. Preference will be given to a student who has financial need and/or family
obligations.

Donor: Gardere, Wynne, Sewell LLP
Recipient: Xiaohua Wei
Roxella T. Cavazos ‘82 Endowed Scholarship in Law
Committed to service and leadership, Roxella Cavazos has served in leadership roles with the American
Bar Association (ABA), worked on projects for the Texas Young Lawyers Association and wrote papers
and chapters in several books published by the ABA. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment
Law. She established this scholarship to recognize a student who has financial need, exhibits good
moral character and a strong work ethic.
Donor: Roxella T. Cavazos
Recipient: Austin M. Falcon

Houston Chapter of Tax Executives Institute, Inc. (TEI)
“Tax Executives Institute, Inc. (TEI) is a professional organization of business executives who are
responsible for taxation matters on an administrative or policy-making level, or whose work is
otherwise primarily concerned with the problems of business taxation.” - Tax Executives Institute.
The TEI Houston Chapter awards scholarships to students pursuing a law degree from the
University of Houston Law Center focusing in tax, and who also express an interest in pursuing a
career in the tax profession. Further, students selected for this award must have good academics,
and show a financial need for the scholarship award.
Donor: Houston Chapter of Tax Executives Institute, Inc.
Recipient: Marcos R. Sonthay

Houston Bar Association, Tax Section Scholarship
The purpose of the Tax Section Scholarship is to promote the objectives and standards of
professionalism of the Houston Bar Association within the field of tax. This scholarship is awarded
to a law student who has shown exemplary success in coursework in the area of tax.
Donor: Houston Bar Association, Tax Section Scholarship
Recipient: Marcos R. Sonthay
Ira B. Shepard Memorial Scholarship
In memory of Ira Shepard, one of the nation’s leading experts on tax law, who had a passion for
teaching tax courses and speaking at various conferences around the country on cutting edge tax
law issues. This scholarship recognizes a student who shows interest in a career in tax law, through
coursework, internships, and other activities.
Donor: Family and Friends of Ira Shephard
Recipients: Fariha Jawed
Marcos R. Sonthay

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