Expect great things from UTA and the Alumni Association

I appreciate the opportunity to communicate with each of you after having returned to UTA for just about one full year. I returned to find a much different university than I left more than three years ago. The University community is growing. Student enrollment continues to increase, and the face of the campus is changing with the talk of new student housing and a new science building. Sites around campus—Connections Café, Click Café, the game room at Arlington Hall—are buzzing each day with activity of students experiencing the essence of college life.

As you venture outside the boundaries of the University, you continue to experience UTA’s influence in the community. UTA Alumni bumper stickers, license plates and decals are everywhere! More than 17,000 alumni live in the immediate Arlington area alone. However, don’t be surprised to see this same display of pride in the Houston area, or perhaps Arizona, the Metro Washington area or even Colorado. We have alumni in each of these locations, and several more areas are committed to keeping their immediate family of UTA graduates informed and involved with their alma mater.

You, our alumni, are our most valuable resource. I invite you to join the Alumni Association in our vision of being the most influential force in creating strong advocates and a lasting legacy for UTA.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The ornaments of a house are the friends who frequent it.” Each of you has made an impact on your University. You have left your mark and paved the way for UTA’s future. It is truly a pleasure to call you fellow alumni and friends. I encourage you to contact the Alumni Association Office and get involved in one of the many projects available to you. You may reach me at herczeg@uta.edu or 800-687-8855.

The Alumni Association continues to assist graduates from NTAC, ASC and UTA with establishing and promoting lasting and supportive relationships among students, alumni and the community. Listed below are a few of our accomplishments and programs this year for which alumni involvement has been critical.

• Increased alumni membership by 14 percent
• Appointed a Facilities Committee to explore the possibility of a new Alumni & Visitors Center
• Established a computer facility for alumni use
• Awarded more than $50,000 in student scholarships
• Negotiated new alumni benefits and services
• Hosted a legislative breakfast during the 77th Legislative Session in Austin
• Established a mentor program, Connections for a Lifetime, through the Student Foundation
• Continue to offer exclusive benefits for Century Club and Lifetime members
• Expanded reunion and Homecoming activities
• Identified seven new alumni chapters
• Adopted new value added programming for members
• Involved alumni with graduation ceremonies
• Involved alumni in freshman orientation
• Involved alumni with scholarship presentations at area high schools
• Involved alumni with planning of the Distinguished Alumni Gala
• Involved alumni with the Outstanding African American Award Ceremony
• Involved alumni with the long-range planning process for the association

Tamela Herczeg
Executive Director, UTA Alumni Association