My name is Edward Standefer and I am a third year history and government double major from Azle Texas. I have always loved the University of Texas, both of my parents and my grandfather earned degrees here, and am particularly partial to UT Football. In high school I was a four year member of the drumline and played many sports including four years of golf. In college I am a member of the Longhorn Band and have the distinct privilege to be one of five men tasked with taking care of the University’s giant bass drum affectionately known as Big Bertha. I hope to one day use my undergraduate degree to obtain a PhD and teach at the University level. My hobbies are golf, hunting, percussion, snowboarding, wake boarding, recreational sports, travel, and reading.

I think that the Texas 4000 is a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in the world, by combating a disease that has repeatedly impacted my family and my community, while simultaneously giving me the chance to gain many new friends and create a bevy of unique memories to last a lifetime.

I ride for Imogene Standefer and Ann Meder. Imogene Standefer was my father’s mother who lived with my family from early 1992 until she lost her fight with lung cancer in early 1996. She was an extremely strong women and a breast cancer survivor, a graduate of Texas Christian University and an artist. She was my near constant companion and friend for the time she lived with my family and her funeral was the first I can remember attending. Her death impacted me profoundly and I know that she would want me to help combat this terrible illness that she fought so valiantly. Ann Meder was the sister of my mother’s mother. I did not get to know Ann well until my mid-teens, but when I did I came to love her as a close member of my family. We started to spend time together when she moved from Florida to Austin to be closer to her son Scott and her only grandchild Ethan. After moving to Austin, and spending much time with me, Ann became a diehard fan of University of Texas Athletics watching every game and joining my father and me in deriding our mostly Aggie relatives at family gatherings. I know Ann constantly talked about how much it would mean to her to have me as a student here and I know that she would be bursting with joy if she could have shared my time at The University. Ann lost her battle with lung and brain cancer after a prolonged and valiant struggle in January of 2007, she is sorely missed.