From President Benson: Welcome to the New Academic Year

Dear UT Dallas Community,

Despite the triple-digit temperatures, there is no doubt that it is indeed fall at UT Dallas. The Margaret McDermott Mall and buildings across campus are filled with people, including our new students and staff and a record number of new faculty. Welcome to the UT Dallas community, one and all!

The new academic year typically heralds a number of changes and improvements to campus, ranging from dining options to new classrooms to new buildings. UTD continues on its growth trajectory.

Some other milestones for UTD over the last few months include:

• A historic gift and the naming of the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology;
• And an invitation from the Lone Star Conference to join as a member, which will eventually result in a move of UTD Athletics to NCAA Division II.

We will officially celebrate the naming of the Bass School with a special event on Sept. 28. Then, on Oct. 26, we will hold a formal dedication of the Texas Instruments Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building, a physical representation of a significant joint effort between UTD and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Collaborations such as the one with UT Southwestern are the key to an exciting future for UT Dallas, moving us steadily up the ladder of the very best public research universities. Collaboration is also the hallmark of our approach to learning, working and thriving at UTD.

Thanks to each of you for bringing your talents, energy and enthusiasm to UT Dallas. Let’s make this the start of another great year!

Sincerely,