UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Offers ‘Give Back’ Program to Student Volunteers

February 20, 2014

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

February 20, 2014

The University of Texas at Tyler has developed a universitywide program that allows students to track their service hours, Dr. William Geiger, vice provost for academic affairs, announced.

The UT Tyler Give Back Program is part of the university’s initiative that began in fall 2013 and enhances its community service and service learning efforts.

“Through our Give Back Program, UT Tyler students can now become registered university volunteers and track their service hours with the Office of Leadership and Service,” said Chase Ragland, UT Tyler student development specialist who coordinates leadership and service programs. “By doing these things, a student’s service hours will be verified. A UT Tyler student can also request letters of recommendation and service hour reports and become eligible for awards and scholarships.”

Awards through the program are both at the individual and student organization level. The Office of Leadership and Service awards the Bonnie and Scott Palmer Service Scholarship and the Stella Crews and Erwin Douglas Dyer Community Service Scholarship each semester.

UT Tyler has established partnerships with numerous nonprofit organizations, businesses and industries. Many UT Tyler student groups as well as all five Greek life organizations regularly participate in service projects.

Student volunteers may also be eligible to participate in the UT Systemwide President’s Volunteer Service Awards Program, Ragland added.

Through volunteerism, UT Tyler students help create solutions to critical challenges in the community while also building leadership skills, gaining a broader awareness of social issues and enhancing their overall collegiate experience.

The UT Tyler Office of Leadership and Service connects UT Tyler students to service opportunities on campus, in the East Texas community and beyond.

The office provides structure and resources to prepare UT Tyler students to become socially responsible citizens in a culturally diverse and complex society, while promoting service and leadership.

For more information, contact Ragland, 903.566.7050 or jragland@uttyler.edu or visit the UT Tyler Office of Leadership and Service Give Back Program webpage.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features 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 more than 7,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.