Tower Fellow for a Day: An Immersion into the Experience
Tower Fellow for a Day Attendees Visit Texas Studios
On March 2, the Tower Fellows Program welcomed a group of curious individuals for an immersive look into the academic and social fabric of our community.
The morning began with University Distinguished Teaching Professor Michael Starbird, who led a session on intentional thinking practices designed to unlock new insights and solutions. Following this opening conversation, attendees joined existing undergraduate and graduate courses, dispersing across the Forty Acres to engage in disciplines ranging from the Geology of National Parks and Postwar Japan to International Politics in Latin America, Brand Storytelling, and theSearch for Extraterrestrial Life. This return to the classroom offered a genuine taste of the academic conversations that occur at UT Austin daily.
Lunch served as a forum for deeper reflection. As part of our biweekly speakers series, Distinguished Teaching Professor Robert Prentice presented on the science of moral decision-making, highlighting the psychological biases that can cloud ethical judgment. The midday session concluded with a panel of Tower Fellow alumni—Blanca Cummins, Mannti Cummins, and Amit Maheshwari—who discussed how the program’s emphasis on reinvention has continued to influence their professional and personal journeys.
The afternoon transitioned from the classroom to a technical side of campus. The group received an exclusive look at Texas Studios inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. As the hub for Longhorn Athletics broadcasts, the facility provided a firsthand look at the sophisticated technology and creative production required to manage a global collegiate brand.
Ultimately, the day provided a window into the program’s core: a rare intersection of academic rigor and a deeply connected, curious community. It served as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is most impactful when shared with others who are equally committed to the journey.
The morning began with University Distinguished Teaching Professor Michael Starbird, who led a session on intentional thinking practices designed to unlock new insights and solutions. Following this opening conversation, attendees joined existing undergraduate and graduate courses, dispersing across the Forty Acres to engage in disciplines ranging from the Geology of National Parks and Postwar Japan to International Politics in Latin America, Brand Storytelling, and theSearch for Extraterrestrial Life. This return to the classroom offered a genuine taste of the academic conversations that occur at UT Austin daily.
Lunch served as a forum for deeper reflection. As part of our biweekly speakers series, Distinguished Teaching Professor Robert Prentice presented on the science of moral decision-making, highlighting the psychological biases that can cloud ethical judgment. The midday session concluded with a panel of Tower Fellow alumni—Blanca Cummins, Mannti Cummins, and Amit Maheshwari—who discussed how the program’s emphasis on reinvention has continued to influence their professional and personal journeys.
The afternoon transitioned from the classroom to a technical side of campus. The group received an exclusive look at Texas Studios inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. As the hub for Longhorn Athletics broadcasts, the facility provided a firsthand look at the sophisticated technology and creative production required to manage a global collegiate brand.
Ultimately, the day provided a window into the program’s core: a rare intersection of academic rigor and a deeply connected, curious community. It served as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is most impactful when shared with others who are equally committed to the journey.