Closing the Divide

David Druley (BBA ’88, MBA ’03) always knew he wanted to be a Longhorn. As a young boy growing up in Fort Worth, he set his sights on pursuing a business degree at The University of Texas at Austin. But with few resources, he knew his path to the Forty Acres would have to be built with his own two hands.

“When I decided to enroll in school at UT, my folks didn't have much money,” says David. “I had to work to pay for my education. That effort gave me an unbelievable chance to get a good education I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

With a gift to the McCombs School of Business, David and his wife, Melissa, have smoothed the path for future Longhorns. The Druleys have created an endowed scholarship and documented a gift in their estate to further support their scholarship for generations.

“We want everyone who has the merit to attend The University of Texas at Austin to have the opportunity without worrying about how they’re going to get here,” says David.

A Strong Business Foundation Led to Career Success

David earned his undergraduate degree in finance from UT’s business school — only three years after arriving on the Forty Acres — before pursuing his MBA.

“Grad school gave me the opportunity to further refine my skills. The first-hand knowledge and skills I gained allowed me to pursue a career in the financial industry,” says David, who is now the CEO of the global investment firm Cambridge Associates.

The Druleys hope their gift will be a lasting legacy for generations to come. “UT has had a powerful impact on us, and we want to pay that forward,” says Melissa.

David adds, “Our life's goal really is to do all we can to close the ‘opportunity divide.’ And one way to do that is to support scholarships, both now and in the future through our estate.”

Join the Druleys in Making a Legacy Gift

Your estate plan is a powerful tool to make an impact on the people and causes you love. When you’re ready to create or review your plan, it’s a good idea to meet with an estate planning attorney. Our free resource offers tips to make the most of that meeting. Download your guide, “The Top 6 Questions to Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney,” today. If you have any questions about making an estate gift to McCombs, please contact the Gift and Estate Planning Team at 512-475-9632 or giftplan@austin.utexas.edu.