Changing the World – July/August 2018

CHANGING the WORLD

PROMOTION

Your investment in UT makes a world of difference

WITH HONORS

The Class of 2018 starts a senior tradition

GLOBAL VIEW

Alumni and friends support UT’s international partners and programs around the world

WITH HONORS The Class of 2018 starts a senior tradition.

F

or the first time in a century, they have organized “the first fully student-run senior class gift at the university,” says Brad Wolff BBA ‘18, senior class gift director.

A senior class gift is just what it sounds like.

Members of the graduating class, as well as those who’d like to honor them, give back to the university in recognition of their time on campus. As the university’s on-time graduation rates have climbed to their highest ever, students have a stronger class affinity and identity, UT Austin’s Class lending special significance to a group from 2018 graduates. of 2018 is already giftLast winter, senior members of making history.

Student Government, in partnership with the offices of the president and provost, launched the senior class gift fundraising initiative. They surveyed the members of the Class of 2018 on what they preferred their gift support—something intangible, like a program?

A physical gift to the campus?—and secured a $50,000 matching gift commitment from President Gregory L. Fenves and a matching gift from Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly.

Based on the seniors’ vote, contributors to the class gift can designate their donation for the In-

terpersonal Violence Peer Supporters program, the UT Outpost food pantry, or to fund a new Longhorn silhouette installation in the Student Activity Center.

“This process has been entirely studentsourced, student-focused and student-voted,” Wolff explains. He points out that two of the three gift designations support programs that provide direct, high-impact services for students in need. The Interpersonal Violence Peer Supporters and UT Outpost are essential resources for those experiencing sexual violence or food insecurity, major problems across college campuses nationwide that impact roughly 20 percent of UT students.

“We’re trying to help seniors who have had a strong four-year experience at UT reflect on the services that have benefitted them,” Wolff says, “and ensure those benefits for future Longhorns.”

Wolff’s brother, Jared, will begin his freshman year in the McCombs School of Business this fall. “I hope he and other Longhorns can think of a gift as a uniting class experience to rally around—across all four years,” he says.

“Something between taking the class photo at orientation and walking across the stage at commencement.”

PROMOTION

THE CLASS OF 2018’S GIFT IS SUPPORTING:

Stipends or wages for Interpersonal Violence Peer Supporters, trained students who provide peer-to-peer support for Longhorns impacted by sexual assault or relationship violence.

Right: Brad Wolff (left), members of student government and Vice President Soncia ReaginsLilly (right) celebrate the first $30,000 raised for the senior class gift.

The Class of 2018 is still collecting support to make an even greater impact.

2018 graduate?

Maximize your impact. See if your new workplace will match your donation to the senior class gift and UT. giving.utexas.edu/ matching

Meals for UT’s new student food pantry, UT Outpost, which supports students with food insecurity.

HONOR YOUR GRADUATING SENIOR, Photo Credit: Marsha Miller, UT Austin

help kick-start a tradition of giving, or just support Longhorns in need.

Anyone can contribute to UT’s senior class gift.

A Longhorn Silhouette installation in the Student Activity Center to commemorate the Class of 2018 and future student gifts.

giving.utexas.edu/seniorgift

PROMOTION

GLOBAL VIEW Alumni and friends support UT’s international partners and programs around the world

LONDON ENGLAND SEATTLE WASHINGTON, USA BEIJING CHINA, JUNE 2018 SEOUL SOUTH KOREA, JUNE 2018

MEXICO CITY MEXICO, NOVEMBER 2017

SHANGHAI CHINA

NEW YORK CITY NEW YORK, USA MONTERREY MEXICO, NOVEMBER 2017

HAGEN GERMANY

PUEBLA MEXICO

SINGAPORE JUNE 2018 JAKARTA INDONESIA

THE TEXAS EDGE EVENTS INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF ADVISORS MEMBERS

President’s Award for Global Learning

The Texas Edge

From the inaugural event in Midland to stops in Beijing and beyond, The Texas Edge brings the best of UT to alumni and friends near and far. These events, sponsored by UT’s Development Board, offer close-up visits with the UT faculty, students, and alumni leaders changing the world. We held our first Texas Edge events abroad in fall 2017 and summer 2018.

Learn more at thetexasedge.utexas.edu.

International Board of Advisors

In September 2017, President Gregory L. Fenves convened the first meeting of the International Board of Advisors (IBA)— a group of 12 leading alumni and influencers around the world. IBA members advise President Fenves and university leadership on strategy to expand UT’s global reach, engagement, and impact.

The first program launched by the International Board of Advisors, this award provides funding for teams of undergraduates to design and implement international projects.

Students work with faculty members and international partners to support social impact, entrepreneurship, and expanding research in Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. For details, see world.utexas.edu/ presidents-award.