“Today, of course, is about so much more than me,” said Jennifer Cowley to a jubilant crowd of Mavericks during her investiture ceremony at College Park Center on Sept. 30. The investiture, akin to an inauguration, is a formal ceremony conferring the official power of office upon a new university president. It’s a significant milestone for any university, and it’s one that Dr. Cowley—UTA’s 10th president and the first woman to ever hold the office—saw as an opportunity to celebrate the University’s past, present, and future.
Big things are ahead for UTA, she noted, because the University is filled with people who not only dream big, but also want what’s best for each other in our Maverick communities and far beyond.
“We are gathered to celebrate our past and present, but also to imagine our future,” she said. “This is about our dreams, our plans, and how we can meet the expectations of our current and future students, our communities, and our state.”
Before Cowley took the stage, UTA and community representatives shared their hopes and dreams for UTA’s future. All together, it amounted to a shared call to action—to dream big and work together to make the University, the state, and the world a better place.
“It is my sincerest hope that you leave today inspired and invigorated about the role each of us plays in building the future of UTA,” said Tamara Brown, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “With where we’ve been, there’s no limit to where we can go.”
Promise Robinson—a College of Nursing and Health Innovation student, McNair Scholar, and a research assistant in the Developmental Motor Cognition Lab—shared how UTA helped her determine what her dreams were.
LEFT: UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken, President Jennifer Cowley, Provost Tamara Brown, and Arlington Mayor Jim Ross | RIGHT: Chancellor Milliken addresses the crowd
LEFT: The Cowleys pose with Blaze during the donor dinner | RIGHT: Dr. Cowley visits with Maverick community members during the Street Festival that followed the investiture
LEFT: Dr. Cowley with her husband, Jon, and Gabriela Wilson, co-director of UTA’s Multi- Interprofessional Center for Health Informatics, during a special dinner honoring donors the night before the investiture | RIGHT: Students pause for a photo break outside of College Park Center during the Street Festival
“I quickly learned that UTA is the perfect place to discover my passions,” she said, describing her journey as an undergraduate researcher, her advocacy for kinesiology students on the Health Innovation Constituency Council, and how donor scholarship support helped her reach her full potential. “I can honestly say that attending UTA is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. UTA is truly a land of opportunity, a place where all things are possible, a university where dreams come true.”
After Robinson, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross took the podium to highlight the collaborative partnership between the University and Arlington. He also presented Cowley with the key to the city.
“She has hit the ground running, ready and able to lead The University of Texas at Arlington to the next level,” Ross said.
Finally, UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken formally conferred the duties and authority of the office to Cowley. Before the ceremonial declaration and presentation of the mace—a tradition that dates to the European Middle Ages—Milliken detailed how Cowley will take UTA to an even brighter future.
We are all here because we each harbor big dreams for this university.
“In just a few short months on campus, we’ve witnessed Jennifer’s tireless energy and passion while immersing herself in the University’s community,” he said. “When it comes to leadership, Dr. Cowley knows how to translate ideas into reality and how to transform vision into action.”
At the ceremony’s conclusion, Cowley called on everyone in the Maverick community to ensure UTA continues to be one of the nation’s most inclusive and impactful research universities.
“We are all here because we each harbor big dreams for this university,” she said. “We must remember this: A dream without a plan is just a wish. Now is the time to work to weave these dreams together, to turn them into a plan for action.”
To raucous cheers, she concluded: “I can feel our momentum, and I think you can, too. Thank you for listening. Thank you for being here. Thank you for all you do and will do on behalf of our great University. And GO MAVS!” UTA
