Dr. Franklyn Jenifer to Be Honored At UTD Partners Recognition Dinner

RICHARDSON, Texas (Feb. 10, 2004) — Dr. Franklyn Jenifer, president of The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), will be lauded for his leadership and the many outstanding contributions he has made to higher education at the UTD School of General Studies’ fifth Partners Recognition Dinner on Feb. 23.

Also scheduled to be honored that evening are graduates of UTD’s Academic Bridge Program, outstanding faculty member Dr. Elizabeth Salter, outstanding alumni Jean Stuart and Suzanne Anderson, as well as students in the School of General Studies who have achieved a 4.0 grade point average.   The event will take place in the Preston Ballroom of the Westin Galleria Hotel, and proceeds from the dinner will raise funds for need-based scholarships for students in the school.

Jenifer, who became the third president in UTD’s 35-year history in 1994, announced last fall that he would retire once a successor is named.   Under his direction, the university’s enrollment has increased more than 61 percent, and the campus has undergone major changes, including the addition of several new buildings.   Jenifer took part in helping UTD to reach an historic agreement with Texas Instruments and the State of Texas that is expected to bring the university as much as $300 million and enable it to move much more quickly toward its goal of becoming a first-tier research institution.

“The Partners Recognition Dinner was established to honor those who have contributed to UTD and specifically to the School of General Studies,” said Dr. George W. Fair, dean of the School.   “In that spirit, it is fitting this year that we applaud Dr. Jenifer for all he has done to support and grow the school and its many programs.   Further, we are proud to acknowledge the graduates, faculty and students of the school for their achievements.”

The Academic Bridge Program was established in 2000 and, among other things, provides summer scholarships to selected entering freshmen who have graduated from Dallas-area urban high schools with high class rankings but have not completed the full university-track curriculum.   At the conclusion of the 2004 academic year, 12 students from the program will have graduated from UTD, with 99 others currently enrolled.

Dr. Salter serves as associate dean in the School of General Studies and has helped to increase the number of degrees offered by the school, developed numerous programs and supervised advising programs.   Stuart and Anderson both are alumnae of UTD and the School of General Studies.   Stuart, who recently retired, served as registrar and an admissions officer at UTD for nearly 30 years, and Anderson has served as an active member of the General Studies alumni board for many years.  

The evening will begin with a reception at 6:45 p.m., and dinner will start at 7:30 p.m.   Alumni and friends of UTD, educators and members of the general public all are invited to attend.   Tickets are $75 per person and table sponsorships, which include eight seats, are available for $1,000.

For additional information or to make a dinner reservation, please contact Brooke Penn at 972-883-2354 or bbailey@utdallas.edu by Feb. 16.

About UTD
The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor®, enrolls about 13,700 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s web site at www.utdallas.edu.