Steve Hicks (UT-Austin)

University of Texas Regent Steve Hicks is donating $25 million to the University of Texas at Austin's School of Social Work, in part to help cut the debt of students whom he calls "heroes."

Hicks, a businessman with a UT government degree, doesn't have a background in social work, but he said he's always been focused on supporting institutions and causes that directly help people. He settled on the school after studying where he felt he could make the most difference.

"I think we have a great society, but in every social system, parts of it break from time to time and the social workers are there to pick up the pieces, whether in the hospitals or recovery centers, assisted living facilities and the prisons," Hicks said in an interview.

"It's not the most glamorous of jobs. I don't know that I could do it myself, but I have deep admiration for those who can."

The gift, announced publicly Wednesday, is believed to be among the largest ever to a public university's social work school, according to UT.

The UT-Austin School of Social Work is receiving a $25 million gift from Regent Steve Hicks. (Google Maps)

In recognition of his contribution, the university said it will name the school after Hicks, who built up a broadcasting business over several decades and later moved into private equity.

"By investing in our social work students, Steve Hicks is investing in a fabric that binds

communities together," UT-Austin President Gregory Fenves said in a statement. "Social work students commit to dedicate their lives to service and enriching the lives of others. In return, UT commits to support them thanks to Steve Hicks' generous philanthropy."

Of the funds, $10 million will establish a permanent endowment for student scholarships, $5 million will be used to match funds as an encouragement for potential donors and the remaining $10 million will enhance research and teaching in the field of addictions, as well as skills in fundraising and philanthropy.

Hicks works closely with several addiction recovery programs because it's a personal issue for him — he's battled alcoholism, which runs in his family.

"The root of all those diseases is you're trying to fix a broken part of your soul," he said. "It's given me a lot of humility and compassion."

Steve Hicks "this may be the best day of my life"#SSWmakingchange #UTMakingHistory pic.twitter.com/klMiTBj5Li — Steve Hicks School of Social Work (@TexasSteveHicks) September 6, 2017

His interest in social work runs even deeper than that, though, said Luis Zayas, dean of the UT School of Social Work.

"When he thought about the School of Social Work, he knew that one social worker could help impact thousands of lives," Zayas said. "Like the wise businessman that he is, he knew the investment it could have."

1 / 6University of Texas System Regent Steve Hicks has gifted $25 million to the School of Social Work in a celebration ceremony in front of the school on campus Wednesday afternoon September 6, 2017. His family, including 11 grandchildren he greets, were on hand for the announcement and reveled in the confetti sprayed to revel his name on the school building.(Ralph Barrera / Austin American-Statesman) 2 / 6University of Texas System Regent Steve Hicks has gifted $25 million to the School of Social Work in a celebration ceremony in front of the school on campus Wednesday afternoon September 6, 2017. (Ralph Barrera / Austin American-Statesman) 3 / 6USE THIS PHOTO ON A1 University of Texas System Regent Steve Hicks has gifted $25 million to the School of Social Work in a celebration ceremony in front of the school on campus Wednesday afternoon September 6, 2017. He shies away from the applause after the announcement is made. (Ralph Barrera / Austin American-Statesman) 4 / 6University of Texas System Regent Steve Hicks has gifted $25 million to the School of Social Work in a celebration ceremony in front of the school on campus Wednesday afternoon September 6, 2017. He embraces UT President Greg Fenves after being introduced.(Ralph Barrera / Austin American-Statesman) 5 / 6University of Texas System Regent Steve Hicks, right, puts up his Horns in the sign of a "Hook 'Em" before a celebration ceremony where he announced a gift of $25 million to the School of Social Work in front of the school on campus Wednesday afternoon September 6, 2017. At left is Dean Luis Zayas of the School of Social Work, and at center is UT resident Greg Fenves. (Ralph Barrera / Austin American-Statesman) 6 / 6University of Texas System Regent Steve Hicks, right, smiles as he talks with School of Social Work Dean Luis Zayas before an announcement of his gift of $25 million to the School of Social Work in a celebration ceremony in front of the school on campus Wednesday afternoon September 6, 2017.(Ralph Barrera / Austin American-Statesman)

On average, students are $45,000 in debt when they leave the School of Social Work, Zaya said. Hicks' funds will greatly reduce students' anxiety about financing their education, he said, which will allow graduates to better serve their communities.

"I'm going to work hard to really drive down that student debt load because what happens is they can't pay their debt, can't buy a house and have to leave the profession," Hicks said. "That's what I'm trying to solve."

Hicks also hopes the contribution will serve as a sign of appreciation to social workers whose selfless deeds often go unrecognized.

"It's really a cradle-to-grave profession," Hicks said. "To me, it's almost doing God's work. They're heroes in a lot of ways."