A Winning Combination

Jon and Glena Pfennig

Glena Pfennig, B.J. ’64, and Jon C. Pfennig, B.A. ’64, J.D. ’67

On October 20, 1962, Glena Pfennig (née Glenadine Russell), B.J. ’64, and Jon C. Pfennig, B.A. ’64, J.D. ’67, met on a blind date at the Texas Longhorns vs. Arkansas Razorbacks football game. The Longhorns were the victors — 7 to 3 — but they weren’t the only lucky ones that day. The Pfennigs married the following year. Fifty-eight years later, they still hold season tickets in support for their favorite university, and that support is also evident through their generosity.

Glena and Jon have invested in Moody College of Communication students by creating a planned gift from their IRAs. They are leaving a legacy while reducing their estate tax. Their gift provides high-achieving students with undergraduate scholarships, established in honor of the Pfennigs’ parents, all of whom attended UT.

“Our parents instilled in us the tremendous value of an education, for which we are eternally grateful,” says Jon. “It’s rewarding to have the ability to give back to the university where we met and continue to support.”

Emboldening Students to Find Success

Between financial support from their parents and holding jobs during college, Glena and Jon graduated debt free. Jon practiced law for 53 years and eventually ran his own law firm, which he describes as the highlight of his career. Glena enjoyed a successful career in journalism and received numerous state and national awards for writing and photography.

Glena, who was UT’s first public relations intern, appreciates the outstanding journalism professors and the leadership opportunities she had at the Moody College of Communication. “I was open to change throughout my 37-year career, and my degree took me in many directions,” she said. “I want to provide the same opportunities for Moody College students to create a vision of success for themselves. Many students don’t have the advantages I had, and I want to pay it forward.”

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Join the Pfennigs in supporting the university you love. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Gift and Estate Planning Team at 512-475-9632 or giftplan@austin.utexas.edu for no-obligation help.