Greetings,

If I were to sum up how I feel about our most recent progress at The University of Texas at Arlington, it would be inspired. I’ve been inspired recently by the remarkable way our faculty and staff are pioneering new research, partnering with our community, and supporting students to achieve their dreams.

Our researchers continue to be the first in their fields across Texas, as we work to tackle some of today’s most pressing issues facing our state. What inspires me is not only their creativity, but their motivation to approach a problem holistically. They work to support our state, our economy, our environment, and our health while advancing science and technology. I know that their work plants a seed in the minds of our students, who will be the next generation of leaders to explore new scientific endeavors.

Those students are here, in large part, thanks to the support of our many state, nonprofit, corporate, and other partners who provide funding and scholarships for our students. We set out to be a truly inclusive university, and we are able to do that thanks to these donors helping to lift financial barriers for students, like many who are the first in their family to attend college.

I’ve also been inspired by the legacy our alumni leave after UTA. It’s been a time of reflection as we remember the 20th anniversary of the Columbia disaster, where we lost Maverick astronaut Kalpana Chawla. Yet her legacy lives on. I’ve heard how she has inspired students across the globe, and while we are sad she is no longer here, we are proud of the legacy she has left. The legacies of Chawla and many UTA alumni like her continue to inspire me, and I hope they inspire you as well.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Cowley, Ph.D. UTA President