What a year!

As 2018 counts down, it would take me forever to count down the number of blessings we have here at UHAA. We have so many great Cougars and volunteers. From the leadership of our UHAAF Board of Directors under the able leadership of Mr. Brent Chinn (FS’ 82) to each and every one of the 45 constituent alumni association volunteer leaders.

It’s at this time every year that it feels like family is what it’s really about. That’s what we have here, one big Cougar family. Whether you attended an event, became a Life Member, hosted a student internship, provided a monetary gift or just took time from your busy schedule to respond to a survey, we hope you feel as big a part of the Cougar family as ever.

I was honored enough to meet our recently passed 41st President of the United States, and Houston resident, George H. W. Bush on several occasions, not for long but long enough. And at one of those brief encounters he said, as I am sure he said many times “Never lose sight of the fact, that the most important yardstick of your success is how you treat other people”.

So this holiday season, regardless of which holiday we celebrate, let’s all vow to make 2019 the year, we elevate the way we treat each other, with the respect, honor and integrity that each of us deserves as we all strive to make for a better life. And in that we will also have the added bonus of elevating our beloved alma mater to even higher heights.

True We’ll Ever Be,

Mike Pede