Comets Come Together for Summer Send-Offs

Morgan Kenyon BS’15 (left) met with incoming freshman David Perez at the Dallas summer send-off event on Aug. 7 at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center.

Incoming visual arts freshman Micayla Hemphill (second from right) attended the event with her family.

Computer science freshman Lillian Rodriguez (left) and her mom, Rosa Garcia, and sister, Fernanda, enjoyed the opportunity to meet other incoming freshmen and their families.

Alumna Emily Luth, BS’17, told students to get involved in campus and not be afraid to ask others for help.

Sirak Asfaw MS’12, chats with Elaine Whitney BS’83 and other alumni.

Hosts Kal Malik BS’86 (fourth from left) and his wife, Feli Wong (third from left), welcome the incoming students and their families to the Houston send-off.

From left: Incoming freshmen Erik Jimenez, Hunter Hoevker, Raquel Schmidt and student Natalie Becerra Padilla flash the mini-Whoosh at the Houston event.

Freshman Josh Guzman attended the Austin, Texas send-off with his father, Dave. The duo donned their matching UT Dallas gear.

Incoming students Miranda Pizer and Stephanie Abe met at the Austin send-off and became fast friends.

UT Dallas alumni welcomed incoming students and their families at a recent summer send-off event where Comets from across generations shared advice and support.

Held in the new Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center, the August 7 event offered the opportunity for incoming students to connect with each other before classes begin Monday, Aug. 21 and to get tips from alumni on how to make their most of their college experience. Similar send-offs were also held in Austin and Houston.

At the Dallas event, the program featured several alumni speakers including recent graduate Emily Luth BS’17.

“My advice to you is to ask questions. There are a ton of people here who are willing to help you,” she said. “Enjoy your time here because I promise you, it will fly by.”

Brandon Worsham BS’00, MS ’02 urged students to forge new connections with others on campus.

“Continue what you started today,” he said. “I encourage you to find a group here, and to be part of something.”

Raja Mir MS’09, PhD’14 encouraged students to make their most of their opportunities on campus.

“Here at UT Dallas, you have top-notch faculty, you have top-notch facilities — the only thing you need to provide is hard work,” he said. “I wish you all fun and exciting times here at UTD. Good luck.”

–Kathryn Hopper