Grand opening signals new day for Liberal Arts
Last night, we officially recognized the opening of UT’s magnificent new Liberal Arts Building. It sits on the south side of the East Mall between the Student Activity Center and the Alumni Center. I encourage everyone to see it.
I want to congratulate Dean Randy Diehl for his vision and his creative approach to financing the project, which allowed the six-story structure to be completed for $85 million instead of the projected $100 million. It is the first time a college has funded its own building, and it is an unqualified success.
The building also dedicates an entire floor as the new home of UT’s ROTC programs, thanks to a $15 million gift from Distinguished Alumnus Jim Mulva and his wife, Miriam. Other donors whose generosity exceeded $1 million for the building include the Robert and Nancy Dedman Family and The Dedman Foundation, The Lebermann Foundation, and Julius and Suzan Glickman.
And I want to thank principal architect and Texas Ex Rick Archer of Overland Partners for the LEED Gold facility’s beautiful and functional design.
The College of Liberal Arts is the largest college at UT, and some 10,000 students a day will use this building. Liberal arts are fundamental to a well-rounded university education and to helping us understand our world and cultivate our civil society. I couldn’t be happier that the College of Liberal Arts has a world-class home.
Photo by Sandy Carson
