Susie & John L. Adams Forty Acres Scholarship

John L. Adams, Life Member, BBA ’66, and wife Suzanne “Susie” Adams, BS ’67, on behalf of the John L. and Susie Adams Foundation of Dallas, endowed this scholarship for students at The University of Texas at Austin.

John L. Adams retired as Vice Chairman of Trinity Industries, Inc., a Dallas-based diversified industrial manufacturing company in March 2007. Prior to joining Trinity’s executive team in 1999, John was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chase Bank of Texas, National Association (formerly Texas Commerce Bank). During his 25-year banking career, John served as President of the Houston bank; Chairman and CEO of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and Chairman, President and CEO of the statewide organization.

John is presently on the Board of Directors of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., Trinity Industries, Inc., and Group 1 Automotive, Inc. – where he serves as non-executive Chairman. In addition, he serves on the Board of Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and is a member of the Board of the Rise School of Dallas, the Dallas YMCA Foundation and as a National Trustee for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He also serves on The University of Texas Chancellor’s Council and Business School Advisory Board.

He is the immediate past Chairman of Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, past Chairman of the Audit Committee and director of American Express International Bank Ltd., Chairman of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series at Southern Methodist University, The Dallas Plan, Central Dallas Association and Methodist Medical Center. He has also served on the Advisory Board of the Houston Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank.

During the past 15 years, John has been involved in a number of community fundraising campaigns. He served as Co-Chair of the Dallas Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way and as Chairman of the Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas’ annual luncheon; the Dallas Petroleum Club Ball, the Boys & Girls Clubs Southwest Region Dinner and the Southwestern Ball benefiting UT-Southwestern Medical Center. John also chaired the Fair Park Implementation Task Force, the Corporate Division of the Dallas Museum of Art Expansion Campaign and the Major Gifts Division of the Dallas YMCA’s Capital Campaign for the 21st Century. He has also served as Dallas County Chairman for the U. S. Savings Bond Campaign. John has been honored by the American Jewish Committee with its Institute of Human Relations Award and received the Dallas/Fort Worth Father of the Year Award.

John received his B.B.A. in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and earned his J.D. from The University of Texas Law School.

Susie Adams was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from The University of Texas. Susie has been a strong supporter of the College of Education at UT and is currently a member of the Chancellor’s Council. She also has been actively involved in supporting the Interfaith Housing Coalition in Dallas which uses a faith-based and intentional approach to help families with children transform their lives from poverty and homelessness to self-sufficiency.

John and Susie have two children. Their son John Ross Adams lives in Dallas, Texas with wife, Emily Cain Adams. Daughter Elise Adams Harper lives in Dallas with husband, Jonathan Harper.