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The University of Texas at Tyler
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UT Tyler to Help Build Habitat for Humanity House

The University of Texas at Tyler will help build a Habitat for Humanity of Smith County house April 14 – 18, President Rodney H. Mabry announced.             

University volunteers will build the walls of the house on campus between the Ratliff Building South and Ratliff Building North. Once the walls are completed, they will be stored on campus and moved to the home’s permanent location in August.

This is the latest effort by the university to assist the non-profit organization, which provides safe and affordable shelter to low-income families.

“It’s great to see the students and campus involved in such a worthy endeavor. This is a great example of extending the educational experience beyond the classroom,” President Mabry said.

UT Tyler and Habitat for Humanity of Smith County officials will make remarks during a closing ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17 at the building site on campus.

In September 2008, UT Tyler formed a partnership with the organization to establish a “Habitat Annual Build” project into the construction management program curriculum.

Last month, UT Tyler student-volunteers traveled to Corpus Christi during UT Tyler’s 2009 Alternative Spring Break and assisted with the construction of a home established by Habitat for Humanity of Taft.

Habitat for Humanity of Smith County is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. For more information, visit http://smithcountyhabitat.org/.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. Nearly 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 6,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.