The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
From the field to the boardroom: Karim Meijer
01.18.2010 | Football
Jan. 18, 2010
Grant Abston, Texas Media Relations
Karim Meijer graduated from The University of Texas with a list of accomplishments.
He received a bachelor's degree in finance from the Red McCombs School of Business, was accepted into medical school at UT Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and capped off his collegiate career with a National Championship as a member of the 2005 Texas football team.
"It meant the world, it was incredible," Meijer said of his collegiate experience. "I was blessed, I was at The University at just a great time."
Now a semester away from graduating from Southwestern, Meijer remains involved in the Texas community, serving as the student regent on The University of Texas System Board of Regents after being selected as the fourth student representative by governor Rick Perry in May.
The Board of Regents is the governing body of the University of Texas System, composed of nine members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. In 2006, legislation was passed to allow one student representative on the Board each year.
Meijer was approached by current chairman James Huffines after his senior year and encouraged to apply, but after his first semester in medical school, Meijer decided to pass on the offer.
"I told them I would probably be doing them a disservice if I applied for that position and got it and I would let a lot of people down," Meijer said. "I didn't think I would give the time and the devotion to what I think that position truly needed."
Meijer told Huffines he would revisit the opportunity in his final year of medical school and remained in contact throughout his first three years of school. True to his word, Meijer applied at Southwestern and was selected as the school's representative. After a selection process, a handful of representatives were sent to the governor's office, which made the final decision.
"I was elated," Meijer said. "There are 195,000 students in the UT System and just to have the chance to be that one, it was great, and I just kind of felt a sense of responsibility at that point."
While Meijer's term will be finished in June of 2010, he enjoys representing the Texas community and working to resolve student concerns.
"[There are students] who expect me to do not only the right thing, but to ask the tough questions and to devote the time necessary to work on a lot of student issues that are out there," Meijer said.
As he works to balance his time with school and his position on the board, Meijer relates his experiences back to his involvement as a member of the Texas football team. He walked on as a defensive back as a freshman and played in every game on special teams his final two seasons. In addition to practices, early-morning workouts and maintaining his grades, he noted the role his coaches played in his development.
"Coach Brown will tell you this - always shake a man's hand and look them in the eye, always dress appropriately and always be on time," Meijer said. "That's carried a lot with me just because of the things I'm involved in."
After watching the 2009 Texas team play for the National Championship game, Meijer vividly remembers his experience as a member of the 2005 National Championship team. Meijer finished with one tackle in the game, but more importantly, walked off the field for the last time having shared a special experience with his teammates.
"I left that jersey dirty, the team as a senior gift frames it for you, it still has grass stains," Meijer said. "There were so many unbelievable guys on that team, just unbelievable talent that played well, but also carried themselves the right way off the field."
Meijer is one semester away from graduating from Southwestern and is studying to become an orthopedic surgeon, researching different programs to attend once he leaves Southwestern. He also teaches a course in personal finance at Southwestern and will continue serving on the Board of Regents until his term ends.
And while he continues pursuing his career, positively representing the Longhorns remains one of his greatest attributes.
"You could be involved in a million things at UT," Meijer explained. "If you're going to be a part of one thing, I mean playing football, being part of that family was probably the best thing I ever did because I think it opened the doors for everything else."
