Grand Opening Ceremony

May 24, 2010

UT Tyler held the grand opening ceremony for the Palestine Campus May 23.

The ceremony culminated a nearly three-year community fundraising campaign. The UT Tyler Palestine Campus Development Council launched the Paving the Way Campaign to raise funds to supplement the $7 million in Tuition Revenue Bonds authorized by the Texas Legislature to construct a new building.

The campaign raised more than $2.3 million toward the construction of the 17,484-square-foot facility that houses five classrooms, a library, computer lab, offices, student lounge and conference room.

Featured speakers included Todd Staples, Texas Land Commissioner; State Rep. Byron Cook; and Palestine community leaders Dr. Lee Roy Mathis, Cad Williams and David Barnard.