TOWER FELLOW JOURNEY
Tower Fellows Program Re-Energizes, Inspires UT Alumnus Ted Barnhill to Pursue Longtime Passion
Ted Barnhill attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he spent two years as a letterman on the football team and earned his Bachelor of Journalism degree. The first 25 years of his career focused on running his Austin-based video agency, which produced regional and national content for a range of corporate, non-profit and educational institutions. He was also heavily engaged in charitable causes and the Austin community, as well as with UT and with his children’s schools.
After over two decades in the business, Ted felt himself winding down as a small business owner. Changes were afoot in his personal life around this time, as two of his children prepared to enter college. While accompanying them on campus visits, Ted found himself feeling jealous of the experiences they had ahead. Having previously explored becoming a teacher, being on campus also stirred something inside.
Around the same time Ted came across an article about “second acts” while reading online. The idea of an encore program resonated, and Ted discovered the Tower Fellows Program. Although there were other programs out there, he didn’t ‘shop around;’ as a University of Texas alumnus and Austinite, if he was going back to school it would be at UT Austin.
After over two decades in the business, Ted felt himself winding down as a small business owner. Changes were afoot in his personal life around this time, as two of his children prepared to enter college. While accompanying them on campus visits, Ted found himself feeling jealous of the experiences they had ahead. Having previously explored becoming a teacher, being on campus also stirred something inside.
Around the same time Ted came across an article about “second acts” while reading online. The idea of an encore program resonated, and Ted discovered the Tower Fellows Program. Although there were other programs out there, he didn’t ‘shop around;’ as a University of Texas alumnus and Austinite, if he was going back to school it would be at UT Austin.
“The Tower Fellows Program embraces uncertainty. It doesn’t force you into a focus area but allows you to explore all kinds of topics.”
The Tower Fellows stayed in Port Aransas, Texas for their behind-the-scenes tour of UT's Marine Science Institute.
Ted appreciated the flexibility of the Tower Fellows Program. He’d toyed with the idea of going back to school before but never knew what to focus on. The choices were expansive, and the experience energizing. During his first semester Ted enrolled in leadership courses and a history class he’d missed during undergrad. Second semester things opened up more, and Ted selected classes based on the outstanding reputation of the professors. From Hitchcock films, to the Cold War, to a terrifying (his own words) conversational Spanish course, Ted dove in.
Ted especially enjoyed a course in facilitative leadership that included a semester-long project with a group of undergraduates, allowing them to get to know each other and form bonds. Outside the classroom Ted built relationships with his Tower Fellows cohort — most notably during a trip to Port Aransas — which have since turned into lasting friendships maintained over zoom and the occasional in-person reunion.
Ted especially enjoyed a course in facilitative leadership that included a semester-long project with a group of undergraduates, allowing them to get to know each other and form bonds. Outside the classroom Ted built relationships with his Tower Fellows cohort — most notably during a trip to Port Aransas — which have since turned into lasting friendships maintained over zoom and the occasional in-person reunion.
“It was really fun, just a blast. It was the most energizing experience I’ve had in a long time, and like a dream to be able to go back to The University of Texas.”
Ted Barnhill, UT Class of 1993
Ted had previously considered becoming a teacher, and being back on campus reignited his passion. Being in classrooms and around students was reaffirming, and the opportunity to observe professors running their classes inspiring. With two of his own children heading off to college, he had also been looking for a way to refocus the time he’d been dedicating towards their schools. It was time to take a leap.
After completing Tower Fellows in the spring of 2025, Ted applied to — and accepted — a job as an AV production teacher. He is now beginning his next chapter, pursuing a longtime passion, and couldn’t be more excited. Tower Fellows describes itself as being “an adventure to start what's next on your life journey,” and in Ted’s case, it was exactly that!
Read Ted Barnhill's Tower Fellow bio.
Read Ted Barnhill's Tower Fellow bio.
“
I went in thinking I was there for the classes, but it became obvious Tower Fellows is so much more.”