Message from President Benson: Welcome to the New Academic Year

Dear UT Dallas Community,

The start of a new academic year is always a special time on our campus. We are excited to welcome new students, new staff and new faculty into our Comet family.

We are especially pleased to report that our total student enrollment could surpass 31,000 for the first time! A milestone, indeed.

You will find many new changes and improvements on campus, ranging from dining options to renovated spaces. In addition, construction continues on two new structures: the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum, which will be the hub of a cultural district on our campus, and the Texas Instruments Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building, a joint facility between UTD and UT Southwestern Medical Center located in the Southwestern Medical District.

I am inspired by all that we are doing to cultivate and advance equity. UTD thrives as a community that respects different perspectives and that learns from each other’s life experiences. Helping to lead us in this important work is the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. ODEI is reorganizing and will be sharing updates with you throughout the year on the changes being implemented.

So, as the new academic year gets underway, I want to thank each of you for ensuring that UT Dallas continues to engage in education, research and scholarship of the highest caliber. Because of you, our future remains bright.

Sincerely,



Dr. Richard C. Benson
President
Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership