Austin Kent

University of Houston-Victoria senior Austin Kent has made a name for himself on the baseball field, but his athletic abilities aren’t the only things that give his loved ones bragging rights.

Once he completes his course work, the Austin native will be the first in his family to graduate from college.

The educational endeavor is something Kent’s family instilled in him early on.

“I was always told I needed to go on to college, and I needed to graduate,” he said. “Obviously, you don’t have to have a degree to be successful in life. But you close yourself off to a lot of options if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree.”

The psychology major, who arrived in Victoria in fall 2009, said he selected UHV mainly because of the school’s baseball program. A lifetime athlete, Kent has played the sport ever since he can remember and wanted to continue it through college.

“It’s been a great experience since I started,” said Kent, who typically plays left field or third base for the Jaguars. “I’ve even traveled to other states to play during the summer, in places like Oregon and Idaho.”

Much of his time is spent either in the ballpark or the classroom, but Kent maintains other interests, too. Outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing and golf, all rank high on his list, while a recent trip introduced a new pastime to the mix.

“My roommate and I tried white-water rafting on our way to Idaho, and I loved it,” he said. “It was definitely something new, but I loved it.”

Kent plans to graduate in December but after that he is unsure exactly what his future holds. His ultimate dream is to play professional ball, although he has a backup plan.

The UHV Outstanding Student is an online feature highlighting the exceptional students who attend the University of Houston-Victoria. To nominate a student, contact UHV Communications Manager Paula Cobler or call 361-570-4350.