So many stories to tell

Duct tape bought me some time, but the bottom of my heavy-duty accordion folder finally gave way. Too many pages of story ideas about outstanding graduates. At least this issue of UTA Magazine lightened the load a bit.

Our cover story features Don Fearing, who regularly rubs elbows with the rich and famous. As operations director at the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, the 1977 mechanical engineering alumnus has gotten to know the breathtaking structure inside and out. He has worked alongside megastars Bill Cosby and Tony Bennett and with up-and-comers like the Van Cliburn piano competition finalists. Just part of the job. He's even hobnobbed with Beauty of Beauty and the Beast fame.

Alumnus Undrey Wash ('86 BBA) also works among the wealthy and talented, but in a much different setting. On Sundays during the fall and winter, he leaves his job as an insurance claims manager and enters the world of professional sports. As a referee in the National Football League, he encounters legendary players like Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith. Some of these future hall-of-famers even know his name.

The articles on Fearing and Wash portray two alumni who have achieved a success matched by few of their peers. UTA will honor 13 other highly successful graduates in October at the annual Distinguished Alumni Gala. You can read about this year's honorees, including state Sen. Royce West and Southwest Sports Group Vice President John McMichael, in the Alumni Notebook section.

Perhaps a future distinguished alumnus or alumna attended one of the many camps held on campus this summer. Another story examines these offerings, which give hundreds of youngsters hands-on learning opportunities in science, engineering, music, athletics and other areas.

The impact of UTA's programs and the accomplishments of its alumni never cease to amaze me. We hope you enjoy reading about them; there are plenty more of these stories to tell.

–Mark Permenter, Editor