The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation Announces Establishment of Endowed Scholarship at The University of Texas College of Education
The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation is honored to announce the establishment of the Katherine Frances Ferruzzo Endowed Scholarship at The University of Texas at Austin College of Education.
The scholarship will provide annual support to undergraduate students participating in the Professional Development Sequence (PDS), preparing to become special education classroom teachers. Funds may be used to help offset essential costs associated with student teaching and certification, including professional attire, transportation, and exam fees.
Students will apply through the College of Education’s general scholarship process, with recipients selected each spring for the following academic year. The first scholarship recipient will be named in August 2026.
“This scholarship is incredibly meaningful to our family,” said Andrea Ferruzzo, Katherine’s mother. “Katherine was so passionate about becoming a special education teacher and supporting the students and families she loved. To be able to help future educators in her name, especially in those final, important steps of their training, feels like a true continuation of her legacy.”
Prior to her planned enrollment at The University of Texas, Katherine had already spent years working with students with autism through the APPLE program at Frostwood Elementary in Houston’s Spring Branch ISD. She intended to pursue a career in special education and return to serve her community.
The establishment of this endowed scholarship ensures her legacy will continue, supporting the next generation of educators and expanding access to meaningful opportunities within special education.
Current UT Austin College of Education students majoring in special education are welcome to apply for the Katherine Frances Ferruzzo Endowed Scholarship though the College of Education – Undergraduate Continuing Students Scholarship Application in LASSO. The application is open from November to March each year.
About The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation
The Katherine Ferruzzo Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in memory of Katherine Frances Ferruzzo, who passed away in 2025 while serving as a counselor at Camp Mystic during the Kerr County floods. Katherine was dedicated to supporting children with special needs and was preparing to pursue a career in special education. The Foundation advances her legacy by providing funding, resources, and support to special education classrooms, educators, and students, with a focus on creating meaningful, lasting impact in the communities they serve.
