It is evident in this issue of UTA Magazine that there is a lot to celebrate at The University of Texas at Arlington. One article after another features Mavericks who are making the world a better place as our campus community continues doing what it does best—learning, educating, researching, creating and innovating. It is extraordinary to witness such heightened productivity, especially under the constraints of our times, and nothing gives me more optimism for the future than seeing our UTA community thrive despite all challenges.
Our most recent celebration of Maverick achievement took place at Globe Life Field in May, when nearly 7,000 graduates participated in our first in-person commencement ceremonies since December 2019. Graduates from 2020 whose ceremonies were canceled due to the pandemic and our newest spring 2021 graduates shared safe and memorable experiences as they celebrated with family and friends. It brought me great pleasure to see Mavericks together again to receive their degrees and to honor them for overcoming so many unique challenges while pursuing their education.
The pages of this magazine include more students, alumni, professors and programs at UTA that are worthy of celebration. Students are gaining an education of the mind as well as the heart in experiential and service-learning opportunities, advancing their academic studies while also helping others. I believe this will instill the ethos of lifelong learning and service. Both students and faculty are bringing beauty, creativity and connection into the world through fine art, film and history. Generous and engaged alumni are creating endowments to fund the education, research and programs of deserving students and professors. Caring graduates are creating nonprofit organizations to assist the underserved, and UTA entrepreneurs are starting businesses that embrace diversity while providing internships and jobs.
It is truly inspiring to learn about the accomplishments centered on our University. Individually and collectively, our cherished students, alumni, faculty and staff are changing the world with an overcome-all-challenges spirit. Indeed, there is a lot to celebrate. I am so proud to be a member of the Maverick family, and I know you are, too.
Go Mavs!
—Teik C. Lim, Ph.D.
President ad interim
