Parents Create Endowed Scholarship to Honor Son Who Lost Battle to Cancer
This past summer, the UTSA Department of Music added a very special endowed scholarship for undergraduate music majors. The Michael Valdez Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established to honor the low brass music education major who succumbed to cancer in March of 2020. His parents, Sarah and Reynaldo worked with private donors to establish the first $10,000 needed to initiate the fund, and with an anonymous gift of $15,000, successfully reached the minimum funding level as established by UTSA to officially set up the perpetual award.
The scholarship targets full-time music majors whose principal instrument is in the brass family: trumpet, horn, euphonium, trombone, and tuba. Michael played the tuba and was in the studio of Gary Poffenbarger when he passed. Poffenbarger who directs the Boom Squad, an ensemble comprising euphonium and tuba players, remembers Michael as ready to step in and perform on euphonium if needed.
Michael Valdez was a talented musician and student with a bright future ahead of him. He was a vital member of the Tuba studio and the Boom Squad and was always enthusiastic and willing to volunteer to help the group and the school. Even after his health started to fail, he maintained his optimism and was always an inspiration to his peers and teachers.”
His mother also recalls the “giving” spirit in Michael that made him exceptional. “He loved campus life and made many friends,” said Sarah. “He loved giving back and was always ready and able to help in any capacity the music department needed. As ill as he was, he insisted on returning to help his band mates and continue with classes.”
Michael was a member of the Mu Tau chapter of the national band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi. Within the brotherhood, Michael made many friends. According to his parents, he loved going to school and enjoyed being with his KKPsi brothers. The sentiment was mutual and demonstrated when his brothers and band mates visited him on his birthday while he was undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
“We started this scholarship fund for our son Michael because he loved UTSA,” said Valdez. “He had a passion for music. We are hoping that his scholarship will assist future music majors with their passion.”
The UTSA Wind Ensemble performed a concert dedicated to Michael on October 7, 2021. His family was present to acknowledge the tribute event.
The first awards from The Michael Valdez Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be made for students beginning in Fall 2022. To make a gift to Michael’s scholarship, click here.
-Cynthia Solis
