UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Breaks Ground on Alumni House

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April 23, 2015

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

April 23, 2015

The University of Texas at Tyler has begun construction of a multi-purpose, two-story facility that will be the UT Tyler Alumni House – the central home for all UT Tyler alumni, President Rodney H. Mabry announced.

A groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the latest addition to the Tyler campus was held today in the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center Ballroom.

At almost 13,000 square feet, the UT Tyler Alumni House will serve not only UT Tyler alumni but also the university and Tyler community.

“The UT Tyler Alumni House will serve as a beautiful and functional space for alumni, members of our campus community and Tyler community members to host a variety of events – both indoors and outdoors,” said Brittany Childs, UT Tyler alumni relations director. “Our vision is that the UT Tyler Alumni House will be a congregating place for potential and new students, a meeting place for campus and community organizations and a gathering place for our alumni when they come back to campus.

“The public rooms on the first floor, such as the Ralph Spence Board Room and Gallery, will be wonderful additions to our campus and available for organizations to host meetings, receptions and more,” she added.

In addition, the UT Tyler Alumni House will accommodate the alumni relations and university advancement offices on the second floor.

“This project will be an excellent addition to our beautiful campus,” President Mabry said. “More than 31,000 students have graduated from UT Tyler, and that number is growing exponentially every year. We are glad to be celebrating a project designed to help our alumni stay connected to their alma mater. More and more, we are hearing from alumni who want to support and remain associated with this university, and the alumni house will give them an additional opportunity to do so.”

The $2.8 million structure is expected to open early next year.

Other features will include the Patriot Plaza, complete with a garden area and custom bricks submitted by UT Tyler alumni and friends.

“For a limited time, we are inviting UT Tyler alumni and friends to celebrate our alumni and leave their mark on campus by purchasing a custom brick that will be laid in the Patriot Plaza, located at the Alumni House,” Childs said.

Bricks are $150 for alumni and friends/$100 for current Alumni Association members, and they can be purchased through the UT Tyler Office of Alumni Affairs in person, by calling 903.566.7316 or online at uttyler.edu/alumni/brick/.

UT Tyler connects, engages and celebrates its alumni and friends through the Alumni Association. Special events include homecoming festivities, the Alumni Gala and Distinguished Alumni Awards and support for the university.

For more information, visit uttyler.edu/alumni/.

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 8,000 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.