Grand Tribute
1895 Society event fetes president, donors.
Spring 2013 · Comment ·
A decade of unprecedented growth in enrollment, research activity, philanthropic support, and the physical campus is cause for celebration and for recognition of those who made the achievements possible.
With a theme of 鈥淭riumph + Tribute,鈥� the annual 1895 Society gala honored retiring President James D. Spaniolo for his leadership and the donors whose generosity has helped fuel UT Arlington鈥檚 progress.
Held in March at , the event featured a video tribute to President Spaniolo as well as a virtual choir video with faculty, staff, students, and community members singing a modified version of the Beatles鈥� 鈥淲ith a Little Help From My Friends.鈥�
鈥�I鈥檝e always wanted to make a difference in the lives of people around me,鈥� Spaniolo said during remarks to the more than 300 attending. 鈥淚鈥檓 very gratified to know that together, working with all of you, we have contributed to changing the perception of a great university and strengthened its capacity to do even聽more.鈥�
Provost Ronald Elsenbaumer announced the creation of the James D. Spaniolo First Generation Scholarship Endowment to support students who are the first in their families to attend college. The fund already has received commitments of nearly $250,000, and these gifts will double through the University鈥檚 Maverick Match program.
The evening also featured a dinner and reception celebrating the contributions of 1895 Society members, who annually contribute $1,000 or more to UT Arlington. Membership in the society, named for the year the University was founded, reached a record high last聽year.
鈥�We have demonstrated over the past nine years that we are a university that could, can, and will,鈥� said Spaniolo, who will retire May 31. 鈥淭here are no limitations on what we can achieve and what we can be if we truly commit ourselves in common cause and give our very best to this life-changing institution.鈥�