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It's About the Students
More than twice as many students come
through the doors of UT Tyler now than 10
years ago. Enrollment for the 2007 fall
semester was 6,150 – the largest enrollment
in the university’s history. And these undergraduate
and graduate students can choose
frommore than 75 degrees offered at UT Tyler.
Increased enrollment was not the only
focus under President Mabry’s leadership –
his passion was to maintain a high level of
students. According to the UT System
Board of Regents Accountability and
Performance Report, 2006-2007, UT Tyler
led all nine UT System universities in the
percentage of baccalaureate graduates who,
within one year, were employed or enrolled
in a Texas graduate or professional school.
The figure is 93 percent for UT Tyler, compared
to a low of 77 percent and a Systemwide
average of 87 percent.
That same report also puts UT Tyler students
at or near the top of all 35 Texas universities
year after year according to student
pass rates of state professional exams.
“Our job at UT Tyler is to create student
success. The objective is not to enroll at the
university, but to enroll and graduate,” Dr.
Mabry has said.
“Our graduates will become nurses who
save lives. Our graduates will become engineers
who design the roadways and the
electronics and the tools that will be used to
solve problems. Our graduates will become
business leaders who will meet needs in the
marketplace and create new jobs in East
Texas and beyond. Our graduates will
become teachers who show young people
the power of learning and the danger of
ignorance. Let us dedicate ourselves anew
to creating solutions.”
Dr. Lunsford said, “Enrollment has
doubled in size, but it’s not just that there
are more students, there are completely different
types of students. Ten years
ago, the typical student was part-time,
a working adult trying to finish up a
bachelor’s degree or working toward
a master’s.Those students are still there, but
there are also students right out of high
school who want a traditional on-campus
experience.”
The quality of students is a point of pride
for the university, and especially its leader.
Dr. Mabry “is so proud of UT Tyler
students,’’ Irwin said. “A favorite statement
of his still is that the ‘quality of our students
increases each year.’ He’s always quick to
give credit to the outstanding deans and
professors in the various schools as ‘they are
totally dedicated to bringing out the best in
their students.’ ”
In order to give students a complete, wellrounded
university experience, UT Tyler
has focused on not only increasing the quality
of education, but also adding campus life
and sports. UT Tyler now offers almost 80
student organizations, including Greek
fraternities and sororities.
Patriot Village and University Pines university
apartment complexes and the Mr. and
Mrs. Joseph Z. Ornelas Residence Hall
allow students in the region and from outof-
state to live on site. More than 800 students
currently live on campus.
The athletic program has grown from
practically non-existent to a thriving part of
university culture. Dr. Howard
Patterson joined the university team in
2001 as director of athletics.
“When Howard Patterson came to the
university, the athletics department was
nothing but a desk, a chair and a pen,’’
Irwin said. “Everything has evolved.”
Last year, the university’s Division III
athletic program concluded its provisional
status and is now a full member of the
NCAA, which makes the programs eligible
for postseason competition and rankings.
The program features 15 men’s and
women’s sports that have already captured
17 conference titles and one national title
for having the best athletic service program
nationwide in the division.
“Sports matter to our university because
they matter to our students in a big way,”
Dr. Mabry said. “Sports provide an opportunity
for our scholar athletes to continue
playing the sports that they love. Our porgram
also adds to the student life and the
fun of our university.”
UT Tyler NCAA Patriot Athletics
Basketball (men’s/women’s)
Baseball
Cross country (men’s/women’s)
Track and field (men’s/women’s)
Golf (men’s/women’s)
Soccer (men’s/women’s)
Softball
Tennis (men’s/women’s)
Volleyball
National Championships
2003-04: Men's soccer (USCAA)
1994: Men's tennis (NAIA)
1989: Men's tennis (NAIA)
ASC Championships
2007-08: Men's Tennis
2007-08: Women's Tennis
2007-08: Men's cross country
2006:07: Men's cross country
2006-07: Men's soccer
2005-06: Men's cross country
2005-06: Men's soccer
ASC East Division Championships
2007-08: Baseball
2007-08: Men's Tennis
2007-08: Women's Tennis
2007-08: Women's basketball
2006-07: Baseball
2006-07: Men's tennis
2006-07: Women's tennis
2005-06: Women's basketball
2005-06: Women's tennis
2005-06:Men's tennis
2004-05: Baseball
2004-05: Women's basketball
2004-05: Men's tennis
2003-04: Men's soccer
2003-04: Men's Tennis
More Stories
- President's Letter
- Around Campus
- Focus on: Faculty
- Focus on: Alumni
- Focus on: Benefactors
- Focus on: Students
- Patriot Athletics Season Highlights
- Class Notes
Special Section: UT Tyler Research
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