UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler to Hold 2013 Alumni Gala March 22

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February 21, 2013

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

February 21, 2013

The University of Texas at Tyler Alumni Association will recognize five graduates during this year’s Alumni Gala, Derrith Bondurant, director of alumni relations, announced.

An ‘Alumni and Friends’ Reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 22 at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center. The dinner and program will follow.

The 2012 – 13 honorees are Dr. Kenneth Hall, Jimmy Peña, S. Glynn Roberts, The Honorable Bryan Hughes, distinguished alumni and Deborah Tinsley, Distinguished Service Award recipient.

Charles Wheelan, author of “10 ½ Things No Commencement Speaker Has Ever Said” and “Naked Economics,” will serve as guest speaker. He also writes Yahoo!’s popular “Naked Economics” column and contributes to National Public Radio. Tickets and sponsor tables are $50 and $500, respectively. Reservations are required by Friday, March 15. Proceeds benefit the Alumni Legacy Scholarship Endowment.

For more information, call 903.566.7316 or email alumni@uttyler.edu.

Hall earned a bachelor of science in history from UT Tyler in 1974. He is President Emeritus of Buckner International and was recently named senior vice president for university development and strategic initiatives at Baylor University.

Peña earned a master of science in kinesiology from UT Tyler in 1998. An exercise physiologist and New York Times best-selling author, he is the founder and president of Prayfit, a faith-based fitness/training brand.

Roberts earned a bachelor of business administration in marketing from UT Tyler in 1977. He serves as president of Northstar Offshore Group, LLC, in Houston.

Rep. Hughes earned a bachelor of business administration in economics from UT Tyler in 1992. He represents District Five in the Texas House of Representatives and is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, the Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Business and Economic Development and Regulatory Agencies.

Tinsley earned bachelor of science in nursing from UT Tyler in 1993. She is the owner of Exceptional Home Care, with corporate offices in Tyler.

Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented to alumni who have distinguished themselves in their professional achievements, contributions to society and support of the university.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes the valuable contributions individuals make to others by demonstrated ‘above and beyond’ commitment and supreme example that inspires others to engage in aid to others.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 7,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.