Annual Giving Newsletter | Spring 2010
Texas Fight!New Meaning for an Old Battle Cry
You’ve heard me say I want The University of Texas at Austin
to be the best public university in America. It’s more than
an aspiration or a slogan — it’s what we strive for every day.
Not for the sake of being No. 1 in someone’s rankings but to
do the best job serving society by educating young people
and expanding knowledge. The stories we tell in this report
make it clear: What Starts Here Changes the World.
In order to be the best we must attract the best students and
faculty and have the best facilities. But today’s economy is
challenging all of us. At UT, we continue to develop ways to
do more with less.
There’s never been a more important time to strengthen or renew
your relationship with UT. We want you to become more
involved in the University you love. We want to strengthen our
connection with you and provide alumni more value — personally
and professionally. And we have some new tools to bring us
closer together:
• Our new UT iPhone app, which more than 80,000 of you
have already downloaded.
• The Ideas of Texas, an interactive Web site that lets you
contribute your ideas to shape the future of UT.
• Tower Talk, my blog on the life of the University.
• KNOW, a more effective way to navigate UT
Web pages.
But we also need your help.
I invite you to give to the
Campaign for Texas.
Right now, only 15.5 percent
of alumni contribute each
year. We all recognize
the refrain of “Texas Fight!” To me, it’s a reminder of the
extraordinary commitment that our alumni demonstrate in
countless ways. Let’s make our rate of alumni giving another
example of Texas pride. We can do better, and with your help
we will.
Read on about how UT is changing the world. Better yet,
come home to the Forty Acres and see for yourself.
At the end of this campaign I want us all to feel that this was
a team effort. I want us all to feel we achieved a goal worth
fighting for.
Bill Powers
Health and Wellness
Science and TechnologyDuring his announcement of an initiative to expand education in the fields of
science, technology, engineering, and math, President Obama cited the National
Math and Science Initiative, a nonprofit that is helping to replicate the teacher
preparation program UTeach on college campuses around the country. UTeach,
a collaboration between the Austin Independent School District and the Colleges of Natural Sciences, Education, and Liberal Arts, is currently employed at 14
universities besides UT.
The Marine Science Institute, located
on the Texas coast in Port Aransas, is
home to innovative research, education,
and outreach programs that educate
a global population dependent on the
ocean ecosystem. The Visitors Center
and Wetlands Education Center feature
educational displays, aquaria filled
with local plants and animals, and 3.5
acres of marshland.
Researchers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center used its high-powered supercomputer, Ranger, to help
design drugs to fight the H1N1 virus. Researchers also used the Lonestar super-
computer to study how the virus might spread throughout North America.
The McDonald Observatory is home to the Hobby-Eberly Telescope — one of
the world’s largest optical telescopes. The HET is being used to create the first
map of the universe, which will provide a better understanding of dark energy. In
addition to conducting groundbreaking research, the observatory makes astronomy
accessible to the public through its extensive education and outreach programs.
The Texas Natural Science Center spans the disciplines of biology, geology, and
paleontology, and its research has produced collections of more than 6 million
natural specimens providing a detailed picture of Texas biodiversity. The center is
also home to the Texas Memorial Museum, where visitors can view dinosaurs
and fossils, including the Texas Pterosaur, the largest flying creature ever found.
The Center for Molecular and Cellular Toxicology at the College of Pharmacy
received a grant to study environmental toxins and disease. This grant supports
research to help identify safe levels of exposure to man-made and environmental
pollutants to prevent the development of disease. The grant also prepares students
for careers in the toxicology field.
Focusing on children in rural communities and minority populations, the School of Nursing is expanding asthma-management education programs. Children
participating in these programs were 50 percent less likely to need hospitalization
and could properly self-manage their asthma attacks with the aid of an inhaler.
The College of Communication’s Speech and Hearing Center supports
groundbreaking research in the communication sciences and serves as a training
site for students. Each semester hundreds of clients are seen for speech/lan-
guage/hearing evaluations, and many receive therapy for speech and hearing
disorders related to aging, autism, stuttering, and brain injury.
A partnership between the Texas Center for Disability Studies in the College of Education and the Exceptional Family Member Program in Fort Hood has
created the Fort Hood Family Support 360 Project. The project teaches
military families how to navigate military and civilian public support systems to
get assistance and services for their children with disabilities.
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Arts and HumanitiesThe Casa Herrera is a new facility located
in Antigua, Guatemala, operated by the
Department of Art and Art History in
the College of Fine Arts. The Casa Her-
rera offers scholars from around the world
a place to connect on issues pertaining to
Central American diversity and is the new
home for the Maya Meetings, where
international scholars gather to discuss
Maya research, art, archaeology, history,
and culture.
A painting of the head of St. Michael from the Blanton Museum of Art’s
permanent collection was recently identified as the missing central fragment of
the “Petrobelli Altarpiece,” a Renaissance masterwork by Paolo Veronese. The
Blanton was the only U.S. venue to host the exhibition that reunited the fragments
for the first time since the 18th century.
The University of Texas Press was one of the most well-represented presses
at the 2009 Texas Book Festival. The festival poster was selected from “Fireflies,”
Keith Carter’s photography collection published by UT Press. In addition, many
UT Press books on Texas barbecue, music, art, and culture were featured at
the festival.
The ISESE Gallery, located within the Warfield Center for African and African American Studies, promotes the work of Austin-based black artists. In addition
to preserving local black artistic expression, the gallery also offers classes,
lectures, and exhibitions and strives to build community through shared public art.
The Harry Ransom Center, an internationally renowned humanities research
library and museum, advances the study of the arts and humanities and enriches
the intellectual life of the University. Using its collections of the works of writers
and artists, the center presents exhibitions where visitors can deepen their
understanding of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts.
Texas Performing Arts works closely with Del Valle ISD through the Performing Arts and Academic Collaborative (PAAC). PAAC is an interdisciplinary program
that integrates artistic performances with middle and high school English curricula.
Through this collaboration, Del Valle students experience the fine and performing
arts in their schools and on the UT campus.
Alumni InvolvementYou have the opportunity to inspire today’s students and remain a part of
UT’s time-honored tradition of Texas pride. Now is the time to get more
involved with UT — or to strengthen your lifelong relationship with your
alma mater.
It is now easier than ever to get connected and stay informed. The UT iPhone app; our interactive Web site, The Ideas of Texas; and the president’s
blog, Tower Talk, are just a few of the resources for our alumni. The
KNOW Web site is your guide to reconnect and includes a directory of
the many social networking sites available.
Additionally, Texas Exes members can make a difference in the lives of
today’s students through its many volunteer and mentoring opportunities.
Members can also stay connected to each other
through the Texas Exes Alumni Directory and take
advantage of the Texas ConnEXions Career Network.
We want you to get involved, stay involved, and show
your UT pride for years to come.
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Policy and LawThe School of Law has long been a leader in the field of oil and gas law, and
it is now a leader in energy law as well. In fall 2009 the school launched the
Center for Global Energy, International Arbitration, and Environmental Law to give students the opportunity to focus on these three vital and evolving
areas of international law.
The Center for Politics and Governance (CPG) at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs has partnered with The Texas Tribune, a new nonprofit
nonpartisan public media organization headquartered in Austin. CPG and the
Tribune will collaborate on a number of projects, including a lecture series, events,
student internships, and preparing future leaders during one of the most transfor-
mative eras in public communication.
The School of Social Work promotes the study of policy regarding youth legal
rights, violence, safety, and delinquency through the Inter-American Institute for Youth Justice (Justice4Youth). The purpose of the institute is to assist
local and national groups to respond proactively and responsibly to critical
youth-justice issues.
A researcher in the School of Information has collaborated on the development
of a diabetes model and simulator aimed at informing health policymakers about
the possible effects of alternative policies. This collaboration also studies how
to use these technologies as an intervention mechanism for helping high-risk
populations prevent diabetes.
World and CultureWith a grant from the Bridgeway Foundation, the University of Texas Libraries
established the Human Rights Documentation Initiative (HRDI). The HRDI
aims to preserve the most fragile records of human rights struggles worldwide,
promote the security and use of human rights archival materials, and further
human rights research and advocacy around the world.
The Dallas Urban Laboratory is a research initiative of the School of Archi-tecture devoted to exploring development opportunities for the city of Dallas.
Dallas is one of the fastest-growing metropolises in North America, and the
Dallas Urban Lab focuses on the increased
demands upon the city’s resources and its urban
and environmental infrastructure.
The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
is home to one of the most comprehensive col-
lections of archival materials related to the history
of the news media. Recent acquisitions include
the papers of acclaimed broadcast journalist
Morley Safer and the photographic archive of
photojournalist Eddie Adams.
Working with community leaders, students from
the Cockrell School of Engineering will develop
water systems for two schools in villages in Ghana
and Peru. The projects are evolving from the
students’ participation in a new course, Projects for Underserved Communities.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a
participant in the Millennium Seed Bank Project, a global plant conservation effort.
With a seed bank, plants that become extinct in the wild are not lost forever. The
center is charged with Texas seed conservation, with a goal to collect 10,000 to
20,000 seeds of each targeted species.
The UT High School — a program in the Division of Continuing and Innovative Education — offers the rigor of a Texas high school curriculum in an online
format. The school helps students from around the world earn their diplomas
and prepares them for college and the future. UT High School serves students
across North America and internationally with students in Morocco, Vietnam,
and other countries.
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Campus and CommunityThe UT Center for Students in Recovery provides support for students who
are involved in recovery from addiction and for those whose parents are alcoholics
or addicts. Operating under the auspices of University Health Services in the
Division of Student Affairs, the center offers recovering students the oppor-
tunity to complete their education in an environment that values and supports
recovery from addiction.
Preliminary designs are under way for a new College of Liberal Arts building.
The building will give liberal arts students a space on campus to congregate and
study and will also allow many departments to move out of offices and labs that
have become overcrowded or obsolete.
The Graduate School, which is responsible for ensuring the overall quality of
the more than 100 graduate programs at UT, celebrates its 100th anniversary
this year. To celebrate, the Graduate School invites all graduate alumni to visit
www.utexas.edu/ogs/share to submit an entry in the “Share your Story” campaign.
Students Hooked on Texas is an initiative to educate students about the impor-
tance of philanthropy before they leave UT. Whether it’s through participating in a
student giving campaign or writing thank-you letters to donors, Students Hooked
on Texas believes that nurturing a student culture of philanthropy is key to
maintaining UT’s time-honored tradition of Longhorn pride.
Texas Parents — The Parents’ Association of UT Austin — keeps parents informed
and creates positive ways for them to be involved with UT. The organization
sponsors family weekend and family orientation, provides student scholarships,
and gives awards for outstanding teaching and research at the University.
UT Elementary School earned its second “Exemplary” rating from the Texas
Education Agency this year after only four years of testing. The model public
charter school not only provides an educational alternative for East Austin families
but also takes the research produced across campus and applies it in the classroom.
The school focuses on sharing best practices in elementary education through its
campus and community partnerships.
The Community Engagement Incubator, part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, works to promote and sustain community
engagement across campus. Through a host of different activities, the incubator
connects faculty, staff, and students with partners off campus to create projects
and programs that address urgent social issues for the entire community.
Business and EconomyAs part of their accounting coursework, more than 250 students from the McCombs School of Business volunteered to help low-income residents understand tax
code and file their tax returns in 2009. These students applied their class work
in a real-world setting and learned valuable lessons about educating community
members on financial issues.
The Bridging Disciplines Programs (BDP)
in the School of Undergraduate Studies
offer a new interdisciplinary certificate starting
in the fall 2010 semester. The Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship BDP
combines courses from various colleges and
schools on campus to teach students about
innovation and commercial ventures.
Focused on energy sustainability, the Jackson School of Geosciences’ Center for Energy Economics has begun assessing Ghana’s
oil and gas sector at the request of the U.S.
Agency for International Development. The
goal is to strengthen the management of
Ghana’s emerging oil and gas industry and
boost economic development.
5
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Athletics
Texas Exes
On a campus where integrity and excellence are the standards, intercollegiate
athletics stand out among the best programs in the country. As a self-supported
auxiliary, UT Athletics receives no state funds and operates independent of UT’s
overall academic budget.
In 2008-09 the Longhorns ranked sixth nationally in the Learfield Sports Directors’
Cup Division I standings, according to the National Association of Collegiate
Directors of Athletics. It marks the eighth consecutive year UT placed among
the Top 10 in the all-sports standings. Additionally, the Longhorns recorded
top-five NCAA performances in baseball, football, men’s swimming and diving,
men’s tennis, women’s swimming and diving, women’s indoor and outdoor
track and field, and volleyball. The Horns added top-10 finishes in men’s indoor
track and field. In addition to its success on the national level, UT claimed six
Big 12 conference championships.
During the fall 2008 semester 246 UT student-athletes earned at least a 3.0 grade
point average, and 109 student-athletes achieved at least a 3.5 GPA. Twenty-eight
student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. In spring 2009, 273 UT student-athletes
(60 percent of all those at UT) recorded at least a 3.0 GPA, and 131 earned at least a
3.5 GPA, including 36 who posted a perfect 4.0 GPA. Sixteen of UT’s 20 intercolle-
giate athletics teams recorded at least a 3.0 team GPA in the spring 2009 semester.
The Longhorns produced 114 student-athletes who earned Academic All-Big 12
team honors during the 2008-09 season.
Student-athletes who have completed their sports eligibility have graduated at a
nearly 90 percent rate since 1988.
On June 17, 1885, 34 new graduates of the 2-year-old
University of Texas organized the UT Alumni Association,
later renamed The Ex-Students’ Association and today
known as the Texas Exes. 2010 marks the 125th anniver-
sary of the Texas Exes, which now has more than 90,000
members and connects nearly 400,000 UT alumni.
The association has made a lasting impact on the University and the student
body through what continues to be a robust scholarship program. In 1899 the
association awarded its first scholarship and now gives out nearly $2 million in
scholarships each year. In 2009 the association launched a fundraising campaign
for the 40 Acres Scholars Program, which will be one of the largest merit-based
scholarship programs in the country and the first program of its kind on the UT
Austin campus.
Texas Exes remains committed to providing
meaningful student experiences, and throughout
the summer the association welcomed more than
6,000 students and parents at orientation barbecues.
Camp Texas celebrated its 17th anniversary
in August, connecting 450 incoming freshmen
to UT’s top faculty, staff, and student leaders
at Camp Balcones Springs. The Texas Exes Student Chapter connects more than 2,000
members with alumni networking opportunities
and meaningful campus involvement through
events steeped in campus traditions.
To commemorate their 125th anniversary, the
Texas Exes are creating a $1.25 million endowment
to enhance the student experience. Members are asked to give a $125 one-time
contribution to the Student Opportunity Endowment, which will affect
University students for generations to come.
All of this is made possible through the support of more than 90,000 dues-paying
members. Membership in the Texas Exes is a charitable contribution that protects
the value of your diploma, shows your pride in the University, and keeps alumni
connected to campus news and fellow alumni through social events and busi-
ness networking. For more information, visit www.TexasExes.org.
tear along perforated edge
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Annual Giving Programs Gift PlanningBeing a student caller for the Annual Giving Programs
has been far beyond a part-time job for me. I have
learned so much about UT and have enjoyed connecting
with alumni from across the
country. I have also learned
how crucial private funding is to
support the incredible academic
programs, extracurricular activi-
ties, and scholarships that enrich
our college experience. I am
proud to help raise money for
these opportunities to ensure
that UT remains at the top. Every
person I speak with on the
phone has a unique connection to UT and a unique reason
to give back to their college or school. After I graduate, I
know I will give back because being a Longhorn has
changed my life. On behalf of the student callers, I want
to thank you all for sharing your stories and giving your
support to the Annual Giving Programs.
— Kate Gordon, ‘12
Gift Planning helps alumni and friends plan for their
family’s future while retaining the resources to support
their charitable giving. Gift Planning assists donors
interested in including UT in their will, making a gift from
their retirement plan, or receiving tax savings from their
charitable giving.
Visit giving.utexas.edu/giftplanning, e-mail
[email protected], or call 866-488-3927
for answers to your gift planning questions.
We hope this newsletter stirs you to reconnect with UT or
furthers your already strong ties to the University. If you
haven’t done so, don’t forget to download your Longhorn iPhone app today and visit our KNOW Web site at
www.utexas.edu/know for other ways to stay engaged.
Another way to show your commitment is to make a
gift to the Campaign for Texas. Generous support
from alumni and friends will ensure that UT continues
to change the world. Simply fill out the reply card below
and return it with your gift today.
Make a Difference Today
Colleges and Schools
School of Architecture (512) 471-1922www.soa.utexas.edu
McCombs School of Business (512) 471-5921www.mccombs.utexas.edu
College of Communication (512) 471-5775www.communication.utexas.edu
College of Education (512) 471-7255www.utexas.edu/education
Cockrell School of Engineering (512) 471-1166www.engr.utexas.edu
College of Fine Arts (512) 471-1655www.finearts.utexas.edu
Jackson School of Geosciences (512) 471-6048www.jsg.utexas.edu
Graduate School (512) 232-3601www.utexas.edu/ogs
School of Information (512) 471-3821www.ischool.utexas.edu
School of Law (512) 471-5151www.utexas.edu/law
College of Liberal Arts (512) 232-6298www.utexas.edu/cola
College of Natural Sciences (512) 471-3285www.cns.utexas.edu
School of Nursing (512) 471-7311www.utexas.edu/nursing
College of Pharmacy (512) 471-1737www.utexas.edu/pharmacy
LBJ School of Public Affairs (512) 471-3200www.utexas.edu/lbj
School of Social Work (512) 471-5457www.utexas.edu/ssw
School of Undergraduate Studies (512) 475-7000www.utexas.edu/ugs
Academic Units and Offices
Dolph Briscoe Center for American History (512) 495-4515www.cah.utexas.edu
Athletics (512) 471-4439www.texassports.com
Blanton Museum of Art (512) 471-7324www.blantonmuseum.org
Division of Continuing and (512) 471-4652Innovative Educationwww.utexas.edu/cie
Division of Diversity and (512) 471-3212Community Engagementwww.utexas.edu/diversity
Harry Ransom Center (512) 471-8944www.hrc.utexas.edu
Office of the President (512) 471-2304www.utexas.edu/president
Division of Student Affairs (512) 471-1133www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa
Texas Advanced Computing Center (512) 475-9411www.tacc.utexas.edu
Texas Exes (512) 471-8839www.texasexes.org
Texas Parents (512) 471-2353www.texasparents.org
Texas Performing Arts (512) 471-2787www.texasperformingarts.org
University of Texas Elementary School (512) 495-9705www.utelementary.org
University of Texas Libraries (512) 495-4350www.lib.utexas.edu
University of Texas Press (512) 471-7233www.utexas.edu/utpress
Annual Giving Programs (512) 475-9614 giving.utexas.edu/hookedontexas
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The University of Texas at Austin
Annual Giving Programs
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Austin, Texas 78713-7458Address Service Requested
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