March 2008 has started with a bang! First I want to announce the appointment of Erin Dougherty as UT Dallas’ new director of alumni relations and annual giving. Erin is well known to our active alumni as well as our e-alumni from afar. She has managed the annual giving/Loyalty Fund program for two years and has led the way to real growth in our alumni participation. In addition, Erin has been heavily involved in all alumni events for more than two years, including homecomings, the Alumni Awards Dinner, the Ring Presentation Ceremony and various networking activities. Erin is a graduate of UT Dallas with a B.A. in literary studies and a master's in public affairs. We are so pleased to have Erin’s UT Dallas experience, education and professionalism in this important leadership role.  Please join me in welcoming her to the director position.

As mentioned in the February issue of Alumni Link, the spring Comet Call phone-a-thon was held during the month of February. Our student callers enjoyed reaching out to more than 6,000 alumni by phone. Thank you for taking their calls and connecting with UT Dallas in an important way. If you have not already made a gift to the Loyalty Fund this year, please go online to do so at your convenience at http://alumni.utdallas.edu. Alumni participation counts, whether your gift is $25 or $25,000. All donations are important and support student life and other campus needs. Alumni involvement makes us stronger on a number of levels. Thanks for your support!

Laura Beall
Interim Vice President of Development