AUSTIN, Texas—President Larry R. Faulkner of The University of Texas at Austin will participate in a “Send-Off ’99” celebration in Laredo on Tuesday (July 6) honoring about 50 area students who have been accepted to attend the University next fall.
Students and their parents will have an opportunity to talk with Faulkner and members of his staff about housing, the admissions process, student financial aid and other questions that arise in the process of moving from a home environment to a university campus.
The Send-Off ’99 celebration at the International Bank of Commerce is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Angel Gonzalez, president of the Laredo Chapter of the UT Ex-Students’ Association, will serve as master of ceremonies and Oscar Lopez will introduce Faulkner.
“The summer before a student’s first year at college is a period of transition,” said Faulkner. “The Laredo Send-Off provides an opportunity for me to meet and welcome new UT students, to answer questions, and to assure their parents that they are in good hands. Attending the University is a great adventure, and I want new students to have the information they need to succeed.”
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a reception at the bank will honor Faulkner, State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, State Rep. Henry Cuellar and State Rep. Tracy O. Knight for their support of higher education and K-12 education during the recent legislative session.
The UT Austin Send-Off tradition began in the Rio Grande Valley seven years ago and expanded to Laredo and El Paso. This year, Faulkner attended the first Send-Off event in Arlington honoring students from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Faulkner plans to travel Wednesday to El Paso, where he will attend a Send-Off ’99 celebration honoring about 150 students.
“The Send-Offs began as a partnership between the University and constituents in the Laredo area to help the University maintain its position as the academic flagship of the UT System,” said Dr. Bob Galvan, special assistant with the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources and Community Relations. For additional information contact Galvan at (512) 471-6061.
