UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Patriot Classic Sets Fundraising Record for Second Consecutive Year

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July 12, 2013

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

July 12, 2013

Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Director
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303 or 903.330.0495 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler 2013 Patriot Classic posted another record year, President Rodney H. Mabry announced.

Patriot Classic volunteers presented the university with a check for $200,269.69 to benefit the UT Tyler scholarship program. This is the largest amount raised in the fundraiser’s 27-year history.

“We are grateful to all of the volunteers and participants of this year’s event. Seventy-two percent of our students apply for some type of financial assistance, and these proceeds fund an endowment that provides permanent scholarship funding to UT Tyler students,” said President Mabry.

The Patriot Classic is comprised of the UT Tyler Suddenlink Patriot Million Dollar Hole-in-One Contest and the Patriot Golf Classic. The Patriot organization, led by this year’s chair Jon Honea, hosts the week-long Hole-In-One Contest. The Patriot Golf Classic Committee, chaired by Randy Childress, organizes the golf tournament.

The Genecov Group honored the memory of longtime Patriot Classic supporter, Bill Barrett, with a challenge to participants of the golf tournament.

The golfers raised $25,000, which was matched by The Genecov Group, for a $50,000 contribution to the Bill Barrett Memorial Scholarship.

“I am so deeply touched by the generosity of our friends who have kept the memory of Bill thriving. Bill had such a profound respect for higher education, and there is no greater way to fulfill one of his dreams than to provide these wonderful opportunities for others. Thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart for allowing Bill’s legacy to continue,” said Glenda Barrett.

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 degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 7,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.