AUSTIN, Texas —Approximately 1,000 Dallas-area students entering as freshmen to The University of Texas at Austin this fall have been invited to a “Send-Off 2000” welcoming celebration Wednesday (July 19) featuring President Larry R. Faulkner as keynote speaker.
The incoming freshmen and their parents will be the guests of the Dallas-area chapter of the UT Ex-Students’ Association during a 7 p.m. celebration at the Double Tree Club Hotel, 8102 LBJ Freeway at Coit Road. James Bailey, president of the alumni chapter, will introduce Faulkner at the event.
The celebration includes a 7:45 p.m. “Longhorn Hook’ Em Up” session providing an opportunity for UT Austin representatives from the offices of admissions, alumni affairs, financial aid and housing to answer questions about the transition of students moving away from home to begin living in a university atmosphere.
“The Dallas area is very important to UT Austin. Last year we had more than 3,400 students from Dallas County. I look forward to meeting this year’s freshmen and their parents. We want to do everything possible to make their first year at UT Austin a meaningful, productive and enjoyable experience,” said Faulkner.
The concept of “Send-Off” celebrations for UT Austin students began about eight years ago as a partnership effort between the University and constituents in the Rio Grande Valley to welcome students before they moved to start classes at UT Austin. It was a way to assure parents that the students are in good hands. The Valley model became so successful that similar send-offs have started in other areas of Texas in recent years, including the one in Dallas, said Dr. Bob Galvan, special assistant with the Office of the President for Human Resources and Community Relations.
For additional information, contact Galvan at (512) 475-6061, or Office of Public Affairs Director Peggy Kruger at (512) 471-3151.
