On Friday, April 17, the Davidson Auditorium in the School of Management was the site of the 2009 Ring Presentation Ceremony and Reception. An excited group of UT Dallas students, proud families and guests were on hand as UT Dallas Provost Dr. Hobson Wildenthal and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Darrelene Rachavong presented students and alumni with their official class rings.

Erin Dougherty, Director of Alumni Relations, kicked off the event with warm greetings and a history of the UT Dallas ring program. She explained that the UT Dallas ring program was established in 2001 by a team of alumni, students, faculty, and staff to give alumni the opportunity to proudly display their status as graduates of The University of Texas at Dallas. "Our class rings" she noted, "are not only the highest symbol of achievement a graduate can wear, but also tangible reminders of our pride in UT Dallas."

The annual Ring Presentation Ceremony and Reception is just one of the many ways that UT Dallas publicly recognizes students for their hard work and commitment to their education. In an initiative to celebrate graduating seniors and better prepare them for achieving their life goals, the Office of Student Development recently launched the UT Dallas Senior Year Experience Program. The first event of the new program will be the first ever Senior Send-Off on May 13. The Office of Development and Alumni Relations will also be welcoming UT Dallas' newest alumni and honoring the Class of 2009 with a New Alumni Happy Hour on May 14 in The Pub in the Student Union.

On May 21, UT Dallas will host the annual signature summer alumni event at the Dallas Museum of Art. Jazz at the DMA will be held in Seventeen Seventeen Restaurant on the second floor of the Museum from 6-9 p.m.

Be sure to join us for great food, art and jazz music along with remarks from President David E. Daniel as the Museum kicks off its "Jazz Under the Stars" summer concert series.

Register now for Jazz at the DMA!