UT Dallas Magazine - Winter 2012 - (Page 29)

places can you create a legacy. Here, we’re building something very special for the generations to come.” Indeed, when a university expands, the decisions made, the buildings being raised (or razed), the roads built—all are significant long-term commitments for both the campus and the local community. “These facilities should not spring up accidentally,” said Trani. “This is particularly important when both are booming and there’s a lot of expansion and construction taking place. The university and the city have a very close relationship”—like it or not. Recent UT Dallas campus improvements—especially the landscaping and extension of the walking trail— have enhanced rather than infringed upon surrounding neighborhoods. “We feel fortunate to be so close to the university,” said Cottonwood Creek resident Sullivan. “It does a lot for the property values.” With time, a university becomes deeply embedded in the local economy. Jamison estimates UT Dallas’ current impact on the region at more than $600 million, and Keffler said that with wages, research and intellectual capital considered, UT Dallas is the largest economic developer in the city, and possibly all of North Dallas. UT Dallas has added nearly 700,000 square feet of facilities since 2007, and currently has almost 3 million square feet of indoor space on campus, according to Jamison. Between 2005 and 2009, UT Dallas added 199 faculty members; the University currently has more than 4,000 employees. Fall 2011 total enrollment was a record 19,000 students. All of this activity fills the coffers of the region and its residents. “The growth and construction has resulted in job creation,” Jamison said. “New students, faculty and staff have a positive impact” on simple economic indicators like consumer spending. The intellectual capital UT Dallas brings to the city also has economic impact. The University of Texas at Dallas “I can’t recall a serious business discussion where the role of UTD wasn’t a consideration,” said Keffler. “It is just too good a school to not want to utilize. We facilitate meetings for business leaders with the engineering dean, or with David [Daniel]—whatever circumstances dictate. They’ve always rolled out the red carpet to us, acclimating businesses to what they do. These are all companies that will hire their students, and potentially commit to research projects that they can jointly develop.” Daniel serves on the board of the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, the largest chamber in the Metroplex. Amanda Rockow, vice president for public affairs, is on a number of chamber committees, and serves on the board of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. Rockow said that maintaining close ties with area chambers also is important when it comes to state legislation affecting the school. “As a state university, we can’t lobby, so we very much depend on our supporters to tell our story,” Rockow explained. “We can provide information, we can answer questions, but it’s a lot more meaningful when business folks who are engaged with these elected officials say, ‘This is important to us, too.’ ” Potential new business is not the only future benefit UT Dallas provides the region. The University is involved in work to address the quality of the public K-12 experience. In 2007, the National Math and Science Initiative awarded the school $2.5 million over five years to launch UTeach, a training program for math and science teachers. In 2009, the Texas Instruments Foundation added $450,000 to that. The UTeach program gives college students who are majoring in math or a science specialized education and practical experience in teaching science and mathematics in public school classrooms, working under the guidance of “master teachers.” UTeach is a booming program; launched in spring 2008 with 20 students, it has grown to more than 300. Promoting science, engineering and math to tomorrow’s workforce is the sole mission of UT Dallas’ Science and Engineering Education Center (SEEC), which was founded by Russell Hulse, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and a Nobel laureate in physics. SEEC hosts local, regional and national robot competitions for elementary through high school students. “We also support that with workshops for the coaches and teachers,” said Kenneth Berry, assistant director of SEEC. These events bring thousands of science-minded kids, and their parents, coaches and teachers, to campus. For the past three years, SEEC has also been taking the robot program into Richardson schools. Each May, UTeach students teach robotics alongside Richardson Independent School District teachers, using robots donated to the school by Texas Instruments. continued on page 47 Winter 2012 29

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of UT Dallas Magazine - Winter 2012

UT Dallas Magazine - Winter 2012
Contents
On Campus
From the Lab
Arts and Culture
Courtside Success
Athletics
Research Is Teaching
Town and Gown
In Your Footsteps: An Alumni Perspective
Alumni Notes
In Memoriam
Hindsight

UT Dallas Magazine - Winter 2012