More Spirit, All Maverick: UTA Homecoming 2016

Home is where the heart is, and The University of Texas at Arlington wants to share the love with you during this year’s Homecoming celebration. And it’s all right here in the heart of Downtown Arlington.

A week packed with activities, UT Arlington Homecoming takes place from November 6-13. Events include the Distinguished Alumni Awards, The Bash, Homecoming 5K walk/run, Home Run for the Heart, Golf Tournament, Homecoming Step Show, Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, the Homecoming parade and more. Many events are open to the public.

A night to remember

For over fifty years, UTA alumni, students, faculty and staff have come together with members of the community to recognize select alumni for exemplary professional achievement, community engagement, and loyalty to their alma mater at the Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner and awards presentation.

This year The Honorable B. Glen Whitley, BBA ’76, will receive the 2016 Distinguished Alumni and Community Service Award. As presiding judge of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, Judge Whitley is a leader in many areas, including transportation, sustainable communities, efficient government, higher education and support for military veterans.

At the event, UTA will also honor C. Keith Cargill, MBA ’81; Major General Daniel P. Hughes, BA ’83; and Liz Johnson, MS ’89 with Distinguished Alumni Awards.

The 2016 awards include a new category of honoree. Established to highlight the contributions of UTA alumni who have graduated in the past 15 years, the Recent Graduate Award will recognize exemplary leadership and personal integrity. Jocelyn Zee, BS ’04 will accept the inaugural Recent Graduate Award at this year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards event.

A highlight of Homecoming week, the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards will take place on Thursday, November 10. Tickets and table sponsorships at several levels are available at alumni.uta.edu/daawards. For more information, contact Julie Barfield at 817-272-0040 or barfield@uta.edu.

Floats, face painting and fast breaks

Deck out in Maverick blue and orange and come to the Homecoming street festival, pep rally and parade on Saturday, November 12 beginning at 3:30 p.m. until the beginning of the men’s basketball game against Texas Southern University.

"We’d love for alumni and their families to come to the street festival, parade, pep rally, and then attend the game,” said Mark LaVelle, Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement. There’s an alumni ticket package that includes group seating and a t-shirt.

At the game, be sure to stay in your seat at half-time to see one of UT Arlington’s longest-running traditions: the coronation of the homecoming queen and king. Seth Ressl, Director of Student Activities & Organizations and Fraternity & Sorority Life, explains: “UTA has had a coronation of a queen on campus since the mid-1930s. The term ‘homecoming queen’ was adopted in the 1950s when the term homecoming itself became common. Most people are surprised that we’ve been doing that ceremony for that long.”

The Maverick women’s basketball team will keep the action going on Sunday as they take on UT San Antonio in their first home game of the season.

Reunited (and it feels so good)

Former student leaders are invited to attend the annual Student Leader Alumni Reception and grand opening of The Follett Student Leadership Center on Friday, November 11.

Greek alumni are invited to the Greek Alumni Reception on Saturday, November 12 at the College Park Center. Enjoy music, food, drinks and great seats that are perfect for watching the parade.

New in 2016

New in 2016 is Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity’s Home Run for the Heart on Sunday, November 6. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Erica Hochmeister Scholarship Fund, the Texas Heart Institute and the UTA Student Emergency Assistance Fund. For a $5 admission fee, this home run derby will include games, food trucks, raffles, games and other vendors.

The high energy Homecoming Step Show returns to Texas Hall on Friday, November 11 with host Lady Jade of FM K104 and DJ Swerve.

Sponsorships available

Is your business interested in sponsoring a Homecoming event? Contact PK Kelly, Director of University Events, at pk@uta.edu or 817-272-2963 for details.

Sign me up!

A number of UTA Homecoming events are free and many are open to the public. Visit uta.edu/homecoming or call 817-272-2963 for a complete schedule and to purchase tickets where applicable.

About The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington is a Carnegie Research-1 “highest research activity” institution of about 55,000 students in campus-based and online degree programs and is the second-largest institution in The University of Texas System. U.S. News & World Report ranks UTA fifth in the nation for undergraduate diversity. The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is ranked as the top four-year college in Texas for veterans on Military Times’ 2016 Best for Vets list.