AUSTIN, Texas—Larry R. Faulkner, president of The University of Texas at Austin, will meet with incoming freshmen and their families in McAllen and Brownsville Wednesday (June 4) during “Send-Off 2003” celebrations welcoming new students from the Rio Grande Valley to the university.
Faulkner will be accompanied by representatives from the university’s offices of student financial aid, student government and the division of housing and food. They will talk with the students and their parents about programs and services available on campus to support academic success during the critical first year of a student’s college career. A representative of the Texas Exes alumni organization also will participate in the celebrations that include announcements of special scholarships and an introduction to the university’s traditions.
Faulkner’s visit with students from the Upper Rio Grande Valley will begin at 5 p.m., Wednesday during a reception in the Renaissance Casa de Palmas Hotel, 101 N. Main St. in McAllen, sponsored by the Hidalgo County Texas Exes. Trey Murray is president of the local chapter.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday and will be at the Wells Fargo Bank Building, 835 Levee St. in Brownsville, sponsored by the Cameron County Texas Exes.
Dr. Bob Galvan, assistant vice president with the Office of the Vice President for Community and School Relations, said the tradition of “send-off” celebrations began in the Rio Grande Valley several years ago. Alumni chapters in other cities liked the concept and during the past few years similar celebrations have been started in Laredo, San Antonio, Houston, El Paso, Dallas and other cities.
