Many projects have been funded through the grant program. Below are highlights of some of these projects. Grants vary widely and have included such diverse activities as a community garden and a performance on campus dedicated to free speech
Community Garden
In the spring of 2005, the UT Dallas Alumni Student Grant Program approved funding for UTD’s first-ever community garden. Located near the Waterview Park apartments, the garden was the inspiration of a group of students seeking to beautify their common living space.
Students participated in the planning, design, and creation of the garden. The garden was dedicated on October 21, 2006 and is currently managed by UT Dallas Housing Operations.
Chemistry Association
In March 2006, the Chemistry Association of UT Dallas attended the American Chemical Society national conference in Atlanta. This trip was funded through a grant from the UTD Alumni Student Grant Committee.
The student organization stresses making learning fun for grades K-12. At the conference, UT Dallas students learned teaching techniques that will guide their work with children at on-campus events such as Sounds of Class and Kids in Chemistry.
Freedom Sings
On Sept. 11, 2006, the UT Dallas community celebrated Constitution Day with Freedom Sings — a concert and multimedia performance created by the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.
The performance — funded in part by the Alumni Student Grant Program — featured an award-winning cast of musicians and an “only-in-America” story line presented in song, narration and film/video. Part concert, part living history lesson, Freedom Sings traced the history of almost three centuries of banned or censored music in America.
As one student put it, “What stuck with me was how much music incorporates the First Amendment. There are definitely moments that will stick with me.”
Disc Golf Course
The UTD Disc Golf Course was approved by the UTD Alumni Student Grant Program in Fall 2005. A landscape architect with a love for the sport was identified to help with the student-inspired plan.
The disc golf course is managed by Recreational Sports. Students can check out discs and scoring materials at the Activity Center.
The course was dedicated during a ceremony with alumni, students, staff, and disc golf fans on October 21, 2006.
Updated: June 30, 2008
