One for the History Books 

The school's new building:  A matter of
dedication

Story by Kristine Imherr Photos by Jim Reisch


Momentous in every way, the formal dedication of the new School of
Management Building on December 3, 2003, occasioned a gala celebration
hosted by University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) President Dr. Franklyn G.
Jenifer and co-hosted by School of Management (SOM) Dean Dr. Hasan Pirkul.

Guests -- including University of Texas System dignitaries and other public
officials, Dr. Jenifer's cabinet, deans from UTD's six other schools and
SOM faculty, staff and students -- gathered informally in the airy foyer
outside the Charles and Nancy Davidson Auditorium prior to the event. It
began at 3 p.m. and featured formal ceremonies in the auditorium, an
informal ribbon cutting facilitated by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce,
a post-dedication reception with music performed by a string quartet from
the Richardson Symphony and building tours.

Besides Drs. Jenifer and Pirkul, Dr. Teresa Sullivan, U.T. System
executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Rita Clements, vice
chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents and former
first lady of Texas, spoke at the dedication.

In welcoming remarks, Dr. Jenifer reminded everyone that Mrs. Clements and
her fellow regents "played an essential role in making this building
possible." The regents allocated $30 million toward the building's
$38-million cost. Dr. Jenifer noted that Mrs. Clements is a member and
past chairman of the regents' Facilities Planning and Construction
Committee, a group, in his words, "that does much of the behind-the-scenes
work that helps make magnificent buildings like this a reality."

"Rita Clements not only worked very hard to make this new building
possible," Dr. Jenifer said, "but she also insisted from the outset that
it be of high quality and style."

In her remarks, Mrs. Clements described the "beautiful
204,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility" as "second to none in the
Southwest."

Designed by the Dallas-based architectural firm of Omniplan, the building
features 29 classrooms, two large computer labs, the 350-seat Davidson
Auditorium, break-out spaces for undergraduate, graduate and Executive
Education student groups, desktop Internet access in every classroom,
wireless network access throughout, audiovisual and online learning
support in every classroom, and conference rooms and office space for all
96 of the school's faculty members.

At the dedication ceremonies, Mrs. Clements reminded the audience that the
auditorium takes its name from the Houston-area couple, both SOM alums,
who initiated private fundraising for the new building with their gift of
$1 million. Mr. Davidson was in attendance.

An elated Dean Pirkul preceded Mrs. Clements at the podium, where he could
not emphasize enough, he said, that "this new building also has meant an
incredible boost to our morale and pride."

More than mere bricks and mortar, the new School of Management Building
represents "the promise of tomorrow," the dean said. "And to me that
promise is that The School of Management one day soon will be recognized
as one of the finest schools of its kind anywhere."

Executive Vice Chancellor Sullivan congratulated UTD on the addition of
the facility, which is located at the southeastern corner of Drive A and
University Parkway on the southeastern edge of the UTD campus. Dr.
Sullivan also praised UTD and its administrators for their vision for the
school, and she recognized its importance to the university and the
community.

This is a wonderful day for everyone associated with UTD, for this
building is a symbol of our university's continued growth and ongoing
commitment to excellence. -- UTD President Dr. Franklyn G. Jenifer

This day has been a long time coming:I remind you The School of Management
was founded in 1975. Clearly, we have a great deal to celebrate. -- Vice
Chairman of the Board of Regents of the U.T. System, Regent Rita Clements

These facilities will greatly enhance the cutting-edge research that has
been going on in this school, leading to even greater benefits for our
state and the nation. -- SOM Dean Dr. Hasan Pirkul

Mrs. Clements is a great friend of both education and architecture, and we
are delighted to have her here with us today. -- UTD President Dr. Franklyn
G. Jenifer


"Enrollment in The School [of Management] has increased more than 80
percent in the last six years -- to more than 4,300 students. This robust
growth is expected to continue for at least the next five years." -- Vice
Chairman of the Board of Regents of the U.T. System, Regent Rita Clements


We recognize that this addition represents a tremendous commitment to The
School of Management by many, many people. I thank all of you for the
faith you have placed in us, and we pledge to do everything possible to
earn your continued support. -- SOM Dean Dr. Hasan Pirkul

But there actually may be a person here who is even happier than I am
about the building....That person is Dr. Hasan Pirkul, dean of the
Management School. This building is a product of -- and a tribute to --
Hasan's vision. -- UTD President Dr. Franklyn G. Jenifer


Today, as we participate in the dedication of this magnificent new
facility, I thank the many good friends of U.T. Dallas -- both individuals
and corporations -- who helped make this building possible through their
generosity. -- Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents of the U.T. System,
Regent Rita Clements