UT Dallas has established a new work and gathering space for its Terry Scholars, formally dedicating a study and meeting area at the Green Center in a ceremony last week.
Current scholars, alumni and representatives from the Terry Foundation joined University academic leaders in celebrating the program milestone.
“Terry Scholars are becoming an important force on campus,” said Associate Provost Edward Harpham. Then, addressing the scholars directly, he added, “You’re being given something. Use it well.”
There are currently 51 Terry Scholars at the University of Texas at Dallas.
UT Dallas, which became part of the Terry Scholars Program in 2006, graduated its first class of participants in May. The program covers a substantial portion of tuition, education and living expenses for students showing service and leadership potential. There are currently 51 Terry Scholars at the University, including the 14 who enrolled in August.
Blythe Torres, the Terry Scholars program director at UT Dallas, and scholars Joseph Chrasta, Amiee’ Wilkerson and Diana Iribadzhakova cut the orange and green ribbon and welcomed guests into the lounge and study.
“This is a major step forward for our program,” said Torres. “I have always felt the Terry Scholars would greatly benefit from a place where they could congregate within the larger UT Dallas community.
“I wanted a location where they would have 24-hour access, could engage one another in an environment outside of our regular Terry events and meetings, and further realize how extraordinary it is to be a Terry Scholar, both now and in the future as alumni.”
Amiee’ Wilkerson, immediate past president of the Terry Scholars student organization, spoke for the students at the occasion.
“We are so grateful that this space has become a reality,” she said.
Scholars provided tours of their new space. “I chose that” and “I worked on this” echoed around the rooms as the students pointed out features for which they had input.
Since its inception in 1986, the Terry Scholarship Program has assisted more than 2,400 Texas college students. The Terry Scholars Foundation seeks to support students whose orientation to service and community will have a significant impact on the future leadership of the state and nation.
Selection criteria for the Terry Scholarship include leadership potential, character, scholastic ability, and financial need. Terry Scholars must have graduated from a Texas high school, and they must attend one of the colleges selected by the foundation.
For the 2010-11 year, the foundation supports more than 660 students attending the University of Texas at Austin, UT Dallas, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, Texas State University – San Marcos and the University of North Texas.