AUSTIN, Texas—President Larry R. Faulkner of The University of Texas at Austin traveled to Arlington recently for Send-Off ’99, a celebration to personally welcome students from the Dallas-Fort Worth area who will be incoming freshmen next fall at UT Austin.
Faulkner described some of the wonderful opportunities a university environment provides for students to expand their horizons and to strive for excellence. He assured the parents that the University will help these students make a smooth transition from a home to a university environment. He said programs like Camp Texas help students make new friends as well as to learn about UT Austin traditions. About 200 students from the Dallas-Fort Worth area have been accepted to UT Austin for the fall semester.
The June 17 celebration in the Legends of the Game Baseball Museum at the Ball Park at Arlington was the first UT Austin “Send Off” in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The idea for these celebrations began in the Rio Grande Valley about seven years ago and has expanded to other cities.
Traveling with Faulkner to answer questions from parents and students were UT Austin representatives from the offices of admissions, financial aid, housing and the alumni association. UT Austin senior and student ambassador Nina Bathia of Arlington provided advice on some things she wishes she had known when she was an entering freshman.
The Dallas Texas Exes welcomed the UT Austin delegation in grand style, including a reception and a band of alumni musicians playing “The Eyes of Texas” and other traditional tunes.
Dr. Bob Galvan, special assistant with the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources and Community Relations at UT Austin, said several students participating in Send Off ’99 had received UT Austin scholarships. Many of the students participated this past year in the Bank of America pre-collegiate program called Texas Longhorn PREP (Partners Responding to an Educational Priority). He said PREP helps students develop skills that prepare them to be successful in their college careers.
For additional information, contact Galvan at (512) 475-6061.
