Alumni Community Profile: Houston

“Houston, we have a problem.” Well, not for the over 600 alumni who migrated south after graduation to this fourth-largest and second-fastest growing U.S. city.  Not only does Houston attract visitors to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, but it is also where Texas Medical Center — the world’s largest hospital — is located, along with 23 Fortune 500 companies.

For Christmas off Campus 2015, the Houston Alumni Community gathered to help pack 6,500 “backpacks,” providing children with six meals for the weekend. And, the loyal community enjoys having a strong following for basketball game watches throughout the season.

What out-of-this-world experience do you remember having while at UD?

“My senior year the men’s basketball team made it to the [NCAA Tournament] and the whole campus was agog. I don’t remember which game it was, but I stepped out on the porch for a moment. It was eerily quiet. I saw no one walking home, no one sitting out, nothing. And at that moment something happened in the game and I could hear the roars coming from every direction. College sports is about a shared experience, an ownership of our community. And at that moment I was definitely one with my community.” —Mary DeBauche ’90

“The student community at UD is extraordinary. I attribute that to the fact that it’s a Marianist school and students go there for the faith as much as the classes offered.  I was proud to be part of that community.” —Jason Gavula ’94 

 “My senior year we had second row tickets in the student section for the Xavier game — that was the most alive that I have ever seen the Arena. We beat Xavier when they were ranked.  That same year the team won the first NCAA Tournament game for UD since 1990.  I remember watching with all of my friends and being so happy to be a Flyer.  Watching the Flyers at UD Arena is really special because the entire community comes together united in support of our team.” —Brad Evans ’09

Houston Alumni By the Numbers
Total Alumni 633  
Single 186
Married 404
Flyer fusions 84

Graduation Classes
All 1940s-2010s
Most 1970s with 158

Academic Area
Arts & Sciences 199
Business 162
Engineering 157
Education & Health Sciences 90
Law 25