A Month of Giving Thanks: Grateful for the University of Texas at Arlington

It would be impossible to measure the cumulative impact of The University of Texas at Arlington on our city and especially in Downtown Arlington! But on the occasion of UTA Homecoming 2022, let's try. Here are just four examples of UTA and Downtown Arlington making history together:
    

Grounded in Community

When you think of a college town, images of students working part-time in local businesses immediately spring to mind. Because UTA makes up the southern edge of Downtown Arlington, that is certainly the case in our district! But an even more powerful part of our story happens when UTA students become alumni and choose to pour their big ideas right here, in the neighborhood they've called home for the last four years.

Nearly half of Downtown Arlington's businesses are locally owned, and nearly half of those entrepreneurs are UTA alumni. One of those Maverick entrepreneurs is Joshua Moore, who opened Inclusion Coffee in April 2020. In spite of challenges related to the pandemic, today Inclusion Coffee is not only going strong but has recently opened a second location. Where? In UTA’s Science & Engineering Innovation & Research Building. According to an article in The Shorthorn, the recently conducted a campus-wide survey to identify popular local businesses as potential campus partners. Inclusion rose to the top as the most popular, and the rest is history-in-the-making. 

Check out more of the Inclusion Coffee story:

     
Get to know more of our Downtown business owners in our Down to Business podcast series.
    

Deep Roots

For those of you who are history and trivia buffs, you know that Downtown Arlington was born as the heart of our city and has grown, changed, and evolved over time. The University of Texas at Arlington has, too. One of our favorite tall tales about co-ed hijinks involves UTA students of a previous era (see footnote) and the Downtown Arlington mineral well, which is being revived today as an historic landmark.

Next Gen Entrepreneurs

With support from the State of Texas, the UTA Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Innovation (CEEI) opened earlier this year with a mission to foster a collaborative atmosphere for students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and community members who aim to commercialize new technologies and pioneer new companies. 

The 4,000 square foot center, which is located at the highly visible intersection of Center Street and UTA Boulevard in Downtown Arlington, is the venue of choice for several flagship programs at UTA, including the EPICMavs discussion series, Blackstone LaunchPad, and the MavPitch business plan competition.
         

Maverick Pride

While we bleed orange and blue year-round, of course, UTA Homecoming Week is the perfect time for all of us to root, root, root for Arlington's original home team.

Here's one fun way to get involved: Vote now for the Decorate Downtown People's Choice Award winner! UTA student organizations have team up with businesses in Downtown Arlington to decorate their storefronts for Homecoming Week! From Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery to Cartel Taco Bar (UTA alumni-owned), which one do you think is the most spirited? Vote for the People's Choice award by liking your favorite business on the UTA Ambassadors' Facebook or Instagram platforms between now and Friday, Nov. 11.

Click here to learn how you can immerse yourself in all things orange and blue—including the annual UTA HOCO golf tournament, 5K, street festival, parade, pep rally, and basketball games—that take place on Maverick Homecoming Day, Saturday Nov. 12.
          

Get Social

As you're out and about in Downtown Arlington during UTA Homecoming week, be sure to use @utarlington and @dtarlington while posting or TikToking about your favorite Downtown Arlington businesses.
       

About Downtown Arlington

Designated by the State of Texas as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington is where creativity, authenticity, and hometown pride thrive and drive what's next. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home to The University of Texas at Arlington as well as prolific visual and performing artists and arts institutions, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Stay in the know by subscribing to our e-newsletter and by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

    
Post Script: The Evolution of UTA 

The University of Texas at Arlington began as Arlington College in 1895, a private school for children situated in the heart of the city (now Downtown Arlington). In 1902, the school changed its name to Carlisle Military Academy. In 1913 the school became Arlington Training School, then from 1916-1917, was the Arlington Military Academy. In 1917 became Grubb’s Vocational College, a branch of the Texas A&M System. In 1923 the name changed again to North Texas Agricultural College (NTAC) which remained until 1949, when the institution became Arlington State College (ASC). In 1965, the college became the University of Texas at Arlington when it joined the UT System.

Mentioned in this Post