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Huston-Tillotson University president Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette will retire in June 2022 after seven years with the school. (Colette Pierce Burnette/Facebook)
Huston-Tillotson University President and CEO Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette has been named the 2021 Austinite of the Year by the Austin Chamber of Commerce for her work expanding the school and city leadership.
As the highest annual honor the Chamber awards, Burnette will be recognized at a March 9 “Cheers to the Year” event. The awardee is chosen by the board chair and the president and CEO of the Austin Chamber.
“I am deeply appreciative and eternally grateful to be the recipient of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Austinite of the Year award,” Burnette said. “To be recognized in this way is a highlight of my life.”
As she heads into retirement later this year, Burnette is credited with increasing funding for Huston-Tillotson University—a private historically Black university—by more than 55%. Burnette was also able to tackle some of the items on the deferred maintenance list, including remodeling the King-Seabrook Chapel and erecting the first new building on campus since 1974.
Additionally, Burnette is responsible for some partnerships with major companies: Apple partnered with HTU for its African American Male Teacher Initiative and created a manufacturing engineering curriculum and a career progression internship alongside Tesla.
“Upon moving to Austin to serve as the sixth president and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University, I unknowingly embarked upon a wondrous journey that would forever change my life in the most extraordinary, impactful and unimaginable ways,” Burnette said. “I have experienced firsthand the magic of a city of people collectively leaning in to do the hard work necessary to build a beloved community for all—even when it gets hard and uncomfortable to do so.”
Burnette’s activism stretches far beyond the university—the HTU president has also served as a co-chair for the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities, chair for the Central Texas Collective for Racial Equity and treasurer for the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas.
Burnette continues to serve on boards and committees for the Greater Austin Area Black Chamber, North American Association of Methodist Schools, Austin Community Foundation, IDEA Schools, Frontier Bank, Greater Austin Urban League , Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas Advisory Council, Urban Roots Advisory Council and Waterloo Greenway Board.
“Throughout (Burnette’s) tenure as President and CEO, she has worked tirelessly to ensure the students, faculty and staff have economic opportunities that help drive our community’s achievements,” Austin Chamber president and CEO Laura Huffman said. “She has played an integral role in the development of Austin’s higher education system, particularly for Austinites of color, and although she is retiring from this role, we know her energy, intellect and influence will be fundamental to Austin’s growth for years to come.”
The celebration will take place at the Austin Marriott Downtown on March 9, starting at 4:30 p.m. General admission will cost $125 per ticket.
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Austin FC kept rival FC Dallas to a draw Saturday night as it pulled off a 2-2 comeback. (Austin FC/Twitter)
Despite a 2-0 deficit, there was a pot of gold for Austin FC after all as it celebrated its annual Pride Night with rainbows and a 2-2 comeback draw to FC Dallas Saturday night.
After three FC Dallas losses last season, the Dallas derby draw marks the first time Austin FC has tied against its Copa Texas rival. Austin continues to edge over FC Dallas as it sits at 3rd in the MLS West.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the match:
A somber start
¡Ya Basta! Enough! End Gun Violence. #uvaldestrong
— Los Verdes (@LosVerdesATX) June 26, 2022
📷 @arubiophotospic.twitter.com/3PiVdTPtik
Decked out in colorful hues for LBGTQ+ Pride, Verde fans started the match on a somber note as they held up banners to take a stand against gun violence before the match.
As the national anthem began, fans held up banners with the names of each child that was killed in the Uvalde school shooting and a plea to "end gun violence."
The supporters' section was also dotted with Pride flags and a "Bans off Our Bodies" banner in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
(Claire Partain/Austonia)
FC Dallas earns a 2-0 lead
Paul Arriola is there to put it away and put @FCDallas ahead! pic.twitter.com/Z4AMmM6lp3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
That sober tone continued onto the pitch. With midfielder Daniel Pereira's absence due to a red card, the Verde and Black lost two goals to FC Dallas by the 70th minute of play.
FC Dallas played it sneaky for the first half of the match, giving Austin FC plenty of room to hold possession as it waited to strike on a Verde error. That mentality proved dangerous for Austin as Dallas' Paul Arriola took advantage of Brad Stuver's deflection to score the first goal of the night in the 57th minute of play.
Dallas struck once more as Brandon Servant pushed past the Verde line to score the second goal of the match.
#DTID double their lead!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
The substitute Brandon Servania with a fine finish within five minutes of coming on. 💥 pic.twitter.com/IZm0YsPxG5
Austin FC strikes back
Sebastián Driussi pulls one back!#AustinFC are still in this one. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Yoi0x768jb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
But energy quickly returned to Austin's favor thanks to Designated Player Sebastian Driussi, who scooted past several FC Dallas defenders alongside Moussa Djitte to snag an unlikely first goal for Austin.
A full Verde comeback
Late drama in this Texas Derby!@AustinFC ties it up, Danny Hoesen with the diving header. 😱 pic.twitter.com/Jk2f4fIEXG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2022
Austin's subs proved deadly as momentum returned to the home team toward the end of the match. A well-placed cross from Nick Lima—and a diving header from a fresh-legged Danny Hoesen—helped the team secure the draw with a second Verde goal in the 84th minute of play.
Hoesen, who was Austin's first starting striker last season, has now scored two goals with the team after a yearlong injury stuck him on the bench.
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(Bob Daemmrich)
Hours following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that guaranteed a constitutional right to an abortion, on Friday, about 1,000 people gathered in Republic Square with signs calling for change.
The rally, organized by the group Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights Texas, started at the federal courthouse on Republic Square on Friday at 5 p.m. before the crowd marched to the Texas Capitol. More protests are expected to ensue over the weekend.
People showed up with all types of signs like Mindy Moffa holding up, "Keep your filthy laws off my silky drawers."
Austin joined cities across the country that saw protests for a women's right to an abortion after the ruling.
According to a recent UT poll, 78% of Texas voters support abortion access in most cases.
Sabrina Talghade and Sofia Pellegrini held up signs directed at Texas laws. A Texas trigger law will ban all abortions from the moment of fertilization, starting 30 days after the ruling. When state legislators passed the trigger law last summer, it also passed laws for more protection of firearms, including the right to open carry without a permit.
Lili Enthal of Austin yells as around 1,000 Texans marched to the Texas Capitol.
From the Texas Capitol, Zoe Webb lets her voice be heard against the Supreme Court ruling.
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