AUSTIN, TexasA traditional summer event honoring Rio Grande Valley students who will attend The University of Texas at Austin next fall semester has become so successful that it has inspired the creation of similar send-off events in other cities in Texas.
UT Austin President Larry R. Faulkner will visit with UT-bound students and their parents in Brownsville on Monday (June 14) and in McAllen on Tuesday (June 15) to welcome the students to UT Austin. This will be the seventh year UT Austin has been a part of the Valley send-off celebrations, which traditionally have consisted of two celebrations — one in the lower Valley and one in the upper Valley.
The success of these send-offs in enhancing relationships between the University and a wide range of supporters and constituents throughout the community has served as a model for, and led to the development of, send-offs in Laredo and El Paso. This year, for the first time, a send-off also will be held in Arlington honoring UT-bound students from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Traveling with Faulkner on the “Rio Grande Valley Send-off ’99” next week will be representatives from the offices of admissions, student financial aid, housing and community service, as well as a representative from the Texas Ex-Students’ Association. They will be available to answer questions from students and parents regarding the transition to UT Austin.
“The summer after high school graduation can be an uncertain time for a college-bound freshman. This sendoff gives me an opportunity to meet and welcome new students to UT Austin, to assure their parents they are in good hands, and to create a smooth and helpful transition from living at home to living in a university environment. For most freshmen, arriving at the University is the beginning of their first great adventure, and we want them to realize they have made an outstanding choice,” said Faulkner.
Faulkner, the University’s 27th president, said the Valley visits provide a wonderful opportunity to enhance and expand the University’s relationships with its many constituents, including educators and the business and professional community.
Dr. Bob Galvan, special assistant with the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources and Community Relations, said Valley send-offs began seven years ago as a partnership between the University and constituents in the Rio Grande Valley and that, in recent years, the number of Valley students being admitted to UT Austin has grown considerably. He said for the next fall semester, UT Austin has admitted 134 students from the Lower Valley, including students from Willacy and Cameron counties, and 182 from the Upper Valley, including students from Hidalgo and Starr counties.
For additional information, contact Galvan at (512) 475-6061. On Monday and Tuesday, contact Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, (512) 656-8139.
Rio Grande Valley Send-off ’99
5 p.m. President Larry R. Faulkner and UT Austin delegation arrive via state plane at Brownsville International Airport, Hunt Aviation, and are taken to the Sheraton Hotel-Brownsville. (Note to editors/producers: Faulkner will be available for interviews upon arrival at the hotel.
5:30 p.m. Arrival at the Sheraton Hotel for “Send-off 99” for the Lower Valley, sponsored by The UT Ex-Students’ Association. Brownsville and Harlingen chapter members serve as hosts and Chapter President Jerry Linan will serve as master of ceremonies.
7 p.m. “Longhorn Hook ‘Em Up” for entering freshmen. Students and parents will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from the offices of admissions, alumni affairs, financial aid and housing.
June 15, 1999 (Tuesday)
5 p.m. Faulkner and other UT Austin representatives arrive at the Embassy Suites Hotel in McAllen.
5:30 p.m. “Send-off ’99” celebration for UT-bound students from the Upper Rio Grande Valley begins at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Reception is sponsored by the UT Ex-Students’ Association Hidalgo/Starr counties chapter members serve as hosts. Chapter President Chan Slusher will serve as master of ceremonies.
6:30-7 p.m. “Longhorn Hook ’Em Up” for entering freshmen. Students and parents have an opportunity to meet UT Austin representatives.
