If you ask Austin, Texas-based Skip Courtney ’73 how many of his family members are University of St. Thomas-Houston alumni, his answer will go something like this: “There’s Uncle Joe, cousin Pat, brother Bud, sister Jill, my cousins, my cousins’ children—well, I can’t count all of them.”
If you’re a UST alum, you very likely know some of his kinfolk. The Courtneys, Delaneys, Maddens, and Clancys are part of the lifeblood of St. Thomas. And this family tree wouldn’t have it any other way. They have taken their acquired knowledge, goodness and discipline and made successful personal and professional lives as priests, an architect, an executive for Blue Cross, members of the military, a psychologist, and on and on.
But how did all these blood relatives wind up at UST?
A UST Connection Drew the Cousins
Courtney, the chief operating officer at HNI Healthcare, explained, “My Uncle Joseph Blaise Courtney was in the University’s first graduating class. He went on to become a Basilian priest on the faculty there and the Dean of Men. That was a big draw.”
So, Courtney, an avid snow skier who had planned to attend St. John’s in New York, got a UST scholarship, came to snow-free Houston, and never looked back. Cousins got the word and came, too. The more that enrolled, the more encouraging it was to the rest of them.
“All the cousins were close,” Courtney said, “so we were surrounded by family, did lots of things together, and all had part-time work on campus.”
The Rare UST Ethos Sustained Them
While getting his broad Catholic intellectual education with a business focus, Courtney worked in the library and the Economics Department. He grew his leadership skills in student government, and he participated in intramural sports. The stunning Chapel of St. Basil was not yet there, but God was.
“Campus had a chapel I always visited for solace,” he said. “At one point, I was in love and got my heart broken and was trying to figure out what to do. In that chapel, I could look out a window and feel connected to God. That’s another thing that made my UST experience great.”
He remembers his professors as “great role models” and took advantage of the many opportunities to visit with and learn from them.
“I could just walk in and talk to them. You don’t go through four years of that and not have it impact your life. My UST experience opened my mind and my heart to apply all that I learned and maximize my potential.”
Paying It Forward
Now semi-retired, this husband, father, and grandfather is still busy full-time maximizing his potential. He visits Honduras twice a year to work for HNI Charities, a charitable organization he set up and leads to provide humanitarian outreach to impoverished rural families and children in Honduras. The non-profit’s outreach includes medical services, education, literacy, clean water and construction projects.
Courtney also remains a very active alumnus, serving on the UST President’s Advisory Committee and organizing class reunions. Earlier this year, he and Mike Kennedy '75 hosted an alumni reception in Austin (see group photo).
Lifetime of Rewards for Being a Celt
Courtney could recite a lifetime of rewards he associates with his UST experience, and he is not alone in his extended family of Celts.
Brother Bud Courtney said, “The time spent at UST opened doors and friendships for me that endure to this day, almost 55 years later.”
Bud added that his liberal arts education, including the philosophy and theology requirements, has made his life’s journey richly rewarding.
Brother Mike Courtney ’80 said, “Every day opens a new door. You never know where it’s going to take you.”
Skip summed it up, recalling, “St. Thomas was like being in a bubble of friendship, learning and structure. I couldn’t have been happier. It was good for me and good to me.”
As Skip’s family tree continues to branch out, one thing remains constant: a strong connection to the University that helped shape all their careers and lives.
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University of St. Thomas Courtney Family Alumni (so far)
Rev. Joseph Courtney ’51
James Courtney ’62
Billy Courtney ’68
Kevin Courtney ’70
Rory Courtney
Mary Courtney ’79
Ed Walsh ’61
Vinny Clancy ’72
Charlie Delaney
Pat Delaney
Eileen Delaney
Bud Courtney
Skip Courtney ’73
Jill Courtney
Mike Courtney ’80
Mary Madden ’73
Liz Courtney