From Ankang to Austin: The Heart Behind the Scholarship

Half A World Away

Madison O’Hair’s story begins half a world away in Ankang, China. At just two days old, she was left at the gates of an orphanage, a moment that could have written a very different story. Instead, it became the beginning of one defined by resilience and possibility.

Adopted by a loving family in Corpus Christi, Madison says her grandmother, Meme, was her greatest champion. Meme instantly loved her and immediately began to call Madison “Tex” because she was so happy to be in Texas. 

Passion for Creativity and Structure

Meme was a lifelong educator. She taught little Madison how to read, to work hard, and to approach every challenge with grace. Those lessons carried her through W.B. Ray High School, where she graduated with a 4.9 GPA and an International Baccalaureate diploma, earning her place at the University of Texas at Austin’s prestigious School of Architecture.

There, Madison’s passion for creativity and structure merged when she discovered that architecture is more than just buildings. Her projects explore how art and design can create community and make space for empathy. She has volunteered across Austin, led campus organizations, and has earned recognition for design excellence.

A Foundation of Success

Yet for her, the foundation of success will always be deeply personal: a grandmother’s faith and the belief that education can transform more than one life. It can transform generations.

Madison’s story brings this to life in a way that left us humbled and inspired. We believe in the power of belief itself, the kind that sees potential before it’s proven and invests in people who keep reaching for new heights, even when the path isn’t easy. 

Every success story begins with belief, and at the Frazier Family Foundation, belief is where opportunity takes root. We’re proud to walk alongside scholars like Madison. Learn more about our scholarship winners at https://www.frazierff.org/news.