Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

UT Dallas Ties for First Place at ‘World Series of Chess’

The UT Dallas chess team tied for first place at the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship, known as the “World Series of Chess.” From Dec. 27 to 30 at Princeton University, the team competed against one of the most competitive fields since the tournament’s inception in 1946.

Sales Program Students Finish 6th in International Competition

Students in the Naveen Jindal School of Management’s new sales program achieved a sixth-place finish in the recent International Collegiate Sales Competition. Seniors Brittany Nieh, Monica Raofpur and Prashi Singh traveled to Florida State University for the event, where they showed their direct-to-consumer sales prowess using a luxury men’s clothing brand. Competition rounds mimicked a typical sales process where a sales professional works with a consumer to establish needs, present a solution and close the deal.

UT Dallas Grads Celebrate Milestone With Families, Colleagues, Friends

When Dustin Tsai celebrated his new master’s degree on Friday, he shared his accomplishment with two UT Dallas alumni in his life – his brother and his boss. Both came to support him during one of six graduation ceremonies held at The University of Texas at Dallas last week. More than 1,900 freshly minted graduates participated in the largest fall graduation in the University’s 43-year history.

Event Honoring Veteran Grads is a UT Dallas First

UT Dallas marked a new event during its fall 2012 graduation festivities, specifically recognizing the academic achievements of its veteran students. The first Veteran Cord Ceremony honored 22 veterans. Each graduate was given a braided red, white and blue cord to wear during graduation ceremonies.  

Growing in Popularity, Ring Ceremony Moves to Larger Pool

Smiles, tears and “whooshes” of joy abounded as nearly 100 students received their class rings at the UT Dallas ring ceremony December 6. Held on the eve of commencement, the ring ceremony has become a rite of passage for many Comets. Due to the tradition’s growing popularity, the ceremonial dunking of the ring was moved from the round trellis pool to a reflecting pool on the University mall.

4 Former Athletes, Photographer Inducted into Hall of Honor

Four former student-athletes and a volunteer photographer were added to the UT Dallas Athletic Hall of Honor during its annual Induction Ceremony. Former soccer players Theresa Buckles Walters and Zac Lindley, baseball standout Trent Elizondo and men's basketball star Martin Salinas were inducted into the honorary panel, along with Doug Fejer, a volunteer sports photographer. The induction event was held Nov. 14.

Grad is First Academic Bridge Alumna to Earn PhD

Rosalinda Valenzuela will become the first Academic Bridge student to earn a doctoral degree from UT Dallas this week. The program helps high-potential, first generation college students complete their college educations through advising, mentoring and tutoring.

Ideas to Improve Student Life Win Business Contest

This year, winning ideas were all about making life easier for students at the sixth Annual UT Dallas Business Idea Competition. Top proposals included simplifying on-campus parking and facilitating “crowd scholarships.” Team You-Park, winner of the Dallas Mavericks Entrepreneurship Award and first place prize in the undergraduate division, won with a model that helps students find the most convenient on-campus parking using a mobile phone app.

UT Dallas Expects to Set a Record for Fall Graduation

Gearing up for six graduation ceremonies this week, UT Dallas is anticipating its largest fall graduation cohort ever, with 1,911 students projected to complete their degrees. Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Hobson Wildenthal said the increase in graduates shows the University has furthered its mission of helping more top-tier students reach their ultimate academic goals.

Student Media Staffers Win National Awards for Work at UT Dallas

Three UT Dallas students have been nationally recognized recently for their writing, illustration and photography work in campus media. Staff members Cathryn Ploehn, Paul Dang and Akshay Harshe of the UTD Mercury student newspaper received their awards at the National College Media Convention for college journalists and advisers, held Nov. 1-4 in Chicago.

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