Who is EDDIE Austin? - August 31st, 2010

The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education has a new member who’s been keeping the college grapevine buzzing over the summer. In case you’ve seen mention of EDDIE Austin and wanted to know more about this man of mystery, Emily Cheek, president of the Education Council and kinesiology major, is on hand to answer questions and introduce the very intriguing EDDIE:

1. Who or what is EDDIE Austin?

EMILY: EDDIE Austin is the symbol of student philanthropy in the College of Education. He’s a joint project of the Education Council and College of Education Development Office and serves to promote unity, celebrate diversity and represent the college to The University of Texas at Austin community.

Officers of Minorities in Education at Gone to Texas

2. Who came up with the name?

EMILY: It was a joint effort and result of a combination of ideas that surfaced during a meeting about a potential student giving campaign in the College of Education.  We wanted to find a way to bring all majors in the College of Education together and bridge the gap between kinesiology and the education-related areas of the college, between the Sanchez Building and Bellmont. The idea of EDDIE surfaced as we tried to think of a way to spread the word about events in the College of Education and motivate students to give back to the college. University Federal Credit Union is our very generous founding partner and they’re supporting the EDDIE project this first year. Their logo is on the back of our EDDIE T-shirts – I guess you could say they "have our back"!

3. How is EDDIE going to be a positive thing for the College of Education?

EMILY: EDDIE will represent the spirit of all students, faculty and staff in the College of Education.  Having a mascot will bring the college together and make the students feel more united with a common symbol. We even see the brand expanding to our alumni, as EDDIE moves out into the world. We'll invite alumni to submit photos of themselves wearing an EDDIE T-shirt and tell us how they’re changing the world.

Bliss Angerman getting ready to distribute Eddie shirts to students at Gone to Texas

4. If someone wants a T-shirt with Eddie on it, how do they obtain one?

EMILY: If you’d like a free “Get Ready for EDDIE” T-shirt, you may contact me at emilychk@mail.utexas.edu.

5. How can we follow EDDIE?

EMILY: EDDIE Austin has a Facebook Page.

6. What's the next big step in EDDIE's development?

EMILY: We have a design contest running from Aug. 25 to Sept. 8 – after we determine a winner of the contest we should have a visual representation of EDDIE. A “fully realized” EDDIE will arrive on Sept. 23! We'll have a donor thank-you campaign to celebrate Tuition Free Week and then a fundraising drive in the spring. EDDIE's first birthday will be celebrated on April 29, 2011.

—Kay Randall, University Communications, 512-232-3910