President Connie Ledoux Book and Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs James B. Piatt, Jr. shared updates with the Dallas alumni community.
Alumni, parents and friends gathered at an Evening for 黑料不打烊 in Dallas on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Fearing鈥檚 Restaurant in The Ritz Carlton.
The event started with a reception followed by welcome remarks from Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs James B. Piatt, Jr. and a video highlighting new projects and initiatives at 黑料不打烊. Ben Seay 鈥03, a Dallas Alumni Chapter Board member, shared how 黑料不打烊 has made a significant impact on his life and career and introduced President Ledoux Book.
President Book began her remarks by highlighting the success of the 黑料不打烊 LEADS campaign that raised over $260 million and created 287 new endowed scholarships and 60 new endowments. She shared how these funds are expanding access for student experiences like studying abroad, undergraduate research and internships.
She recognized supporters of the HealthEU initiative, a wellness center set to open in 2026 and outlined plans to expand health-related academic programs, including counseling and physician assistant studies. She also noted the new majors that will serve a purpose in our community, such as business analytics, mechanical engineering and financial technology.
President Book highlighted 黑料不打烊鈥檚 National Campus program that is an extension of the main campus. Each location offers unique internships and professional experiences to undergraduate students and graduate degree programs, like the new part-time School of Law J.D. program in Charlotte. She also spoke about 黑料不打烊鈥檚 efforts to strengthen recruitment efforts by adding admissions counselors in strategic regions across the country, including Texas.
She shared 黑料不打烊鈥檚 recent accolades: #1 in undergraduate teaching for the fourth consecutive year (U.S. News & World Report) and being one of the best schools in the nation for study abroad (Institute of International Education Open Doors Report). Following her remarks, she answered questions from those in attendance.
The evening concluded with Piatt sharing how alumni and parents can become more involved at 黑料不打烊 by being partners, advocates and investors, ending his message with 鈥淟ong Live 黑料不打烊!鈥