The University of Texas at Dallas
Fifty Year Monogram Swoosh Comet
01

The Beginning

The Beginning
1941 Creation of Geophysical Services Inc.

Eugene McDermott, J. Erik Jonsson, and Cecil Green establish Geophysical Services Inc., the corporation that will become Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) in 1951. The Dallas-based technology company is a top manufacturer of semiconductors and integrated circuits globally.

1961 The Seeds of UT Dallas

Hoping to create better higher-education opportunities in North Texas, TI founders Eugene McDermott, J. Erik Jonsson and Cecil Green establish the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest (GRCSW) — the foundation for what will become The University of Texas at Dallas.

1963 Callier Center Takes Root

A trust created by Lena E. Callier (above) is used to establish the Callier Hearing and Speech Center, a community-based nonprofit housed at Parkland Hospital. In 1975, the Callier Center for Communication Disorders joins UT Dallas; it opens a second location in 2003 and expands in 2016.

1963 A Presidential Speech

On Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was scheduled to deliver a speech at the Dallas Trade Mart. His prepared remarks acknowledged the large role Texas plays in America’s space exploration efforts and saluted the newly formed Graduate Research Center of the Southwest.

1964 Origin of Founders Day

After a year of construction, the Founders Building opens its doors to a crowd of onlookers. Co-founders Erik Jonsson, Eugene McDermott and Cecil Green attend, and Jonsson speaks to the crowd. In honor of this extraordinary moment, Comets celebrate Founders Day every Oct. 29.

1967 New Name, Same Mission

The GRCSW becomes the Southwest Center for Advanced Studies. The new name “expresses more accurately our emphasis on teaching at graduate and post-doctoral levels in space sciences, earth sciences, mathematics, biology and materials sciences," said President Gifford K. Johnson.

1969
From Southwest Center to UT Dallas

The 61st Texas Legislative Session passes HB 303 establishing a "state-supported institution of higher education to be known as The University of Texas at Dallas." Gov. Preston Smith signs the bill making UTD an official member of The University of Texas System, effective September 1969.

02

Presidents

Presidents
1971 Dr. Jordan Joins UT Dallas

In July, Dr. Bryce Jordan becomes UT Dallas' first president. The former UT Austin president leads UTD through 1981, crafting its first strategic plan and awarding its first bachelor's degrees. During those years, UTD's faculty grows from 50 to 215 and enrollment spikes from 30 to over 7,000.

An Unforgettable Answer
00:00

Bryce Jordan
First President of UT Dallas

1982 From Geomorphologist to President

Dr. Robert H. Rutford becomes UTD's second president, a position he occupies until 1994. During his tenure, the University creates the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, establishes the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies, and welcomes its first freshman class.

Growing Backwards
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Robert H. Rutford
Second President of UT Dallas

1994 Dr. Jenifer Takes the Helm

UTD appoints Dr. Franklyn Jenifer as its third president. During his tenure, enrollment increases 61 percent. Major new facilities are constructed, including the School of Management, the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, and the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.

A Spirit of Its Own
00:00

Franklyn Jenifer
Third President of UT Dallas

2005 Dr. David Daniel Assumes Presidency

Dr. David Daniel is appointed fourth president of UT Dallas. Under his leadership, UTD triples its research expenditures, adds 40 new degree programs, raises $210 million in private funds, and initiated or completed $600 million in construction of new buildings and infrastructure.

Building on Leaders' Legacy
00:00

David Daniel
Fourth President of UT Dallas

2016 UTD's Fifth President

Dr. Richard C. Benson is appointed the fifth president of UT Dallas. Since then, UT Dallas has qualified for funding from the National Research University Fund, a third engineering building and alumni center have opened, and President Benson outlined goals in a new strategic plan.

We Are All Founders
00:00

Richard C. Benson
Fifth President of UT Dallas

Bryce Jordan
Robert Rutford
Franklin Jenifer
David Daniel
Richard Benson
1971 Dr. Jordan Joins UT Dallas

In July, Dr. Bryce Jordan becomes UT Dallas' first president. The former UT Austin president leads UTD through 1981, crafting its first strategic plan and awarding its first bachelor's degrees. During those years, UTD's faculty grows from 50 to 215 and enrollment spikes from 30 to over 7,000.

An Unforgettable Answer
00:00

Bryce Jordan
First President of UT Dallas

1982 From Geomorphologist to President

Dr. Robert H. Rutford becomes UTD's second president, a position he occupies until 1994. During his tenure, the University creates the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, establishes the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies, and welcomes its first freshman class.

Growing Backwards
00:00

Robert H. Rutford
Second President of UT Dallas

1994 Dr. Jenifer Takes the Helm

UTD appoints Dr. Franklyn Jenifer as its third president. During his tenure, enrollment increases 61 percent. Major new facilities are constructed, including the School of Management, the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, and the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.

A Spirit of Its Own
00:00

Franklyn Jenifer
Third President of UT Dallas

2005 Dr. David Daniel Assumes Presidency

Dr. David Daniel is appointed fourth president of UT Dallas. Under his leadership, UTD triples its research expenditures, adds 40 new degree programs, raises $210 million in private funds, and initiated or completed $600 million in construction of new buildings and infrastructure.

Building on Leaders' Legacy
00:00

David Daniel
Fourth President of UT Dallas

2016 UTD's Fifth President

Dr. Richard C. Benson is appointed the fifth president of UT Dallas. Since then, UT Dallas has qualified for funding from the National Research University Fund, a third engineering building and alumni center have opened, and President Benson outlined goals in a new strategic plan.

We Are All Founders
00:00

Richard C. Benson
Fifth President of UT Dallas

03

Milestones

Milestones

Nobel Laureates

Dr. Polykarp Kusch becomes the first Nobel laureate on the UT Dallas faculty in 1972. UT Dallas adds Nobel laureates Dr. Alan G. MacDiarmid and Dr. Russell A. Hulse to its staff over the years.

In 2015, Dr. Aziz Sancar becomes the first UTD alum to win a Nobel Prize.

Paving the Way for Freshmen

The Texas Legislature passes HB 42, authorizing UT Dallas to enroll freshmen and sophomore students. Enrollment is limited to 2,000 entering freshmen, and lower division enrollment cannot exceed 5,000 students.

This legislation marks the expansion of UTD into a full-scale university.

Margaret McDermott

Philanthropist Margaret McDermott (1912-2018) helps transform UTD by establishing the Eugene McDermott Scholars Program and Graduate Fellows Program, endowing chairs for the president and provost, and paying for a total transformation of the campus. The total of her gifts surpass $154 million.

Joint Donation Transforms Management School

Naveen Jindal MBA'92, Charles "Chuck" Davidson MS'80, and Nancy Gundy Davidson BS'80 collectively donate a joint gift of $30 million.

This momentous gift is immortalized in the naming of the Naveen Jindal School of Management and the Charles and Nancy Davidson Honors Program.

Edith O'Donnell's Legacy Continues

In honor of one of Texas’ most generous philanthropists, the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building is dedicated. An inaugural concert features De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things) by Dr. Robert Xavier Rodríguez. In 2014, her gift of $17 million creates the Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History.

UTD Earns R1 Status

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education classifies UT Dallas as an R1 Institution: a classification reserved for doctoral institutions with the highest research activity.

UTD Earns Research Support

UT Dallas achieves the critical benchmark criteria required to qualify for funding from the National Research University Fund, an exclusive source of research support available to the state’s emerging research universities.

04

Building the Future

Building the Future

1964
Founders Building

1965
North Lab

1966
North Building

1972
Founders North

1973
Berkner

1974
Energy Plant

1975
Cecil H Green Hall
Hoblitzelle Hall
J Erik Jonsson
McDermott Library
University Theater

1981
Student Union

1985
Research and Operation Center

1987
University Village Phase I

1988
Administration
Police Department

1991
Service Building

1992
Engineering Computer Science North
Cecil and Ida Green Center
Safety & Grounds
University Village Phase II

1994
University Village Phase III

1995
University Village Phase IV

1997
University Village Phase V

1998
Activities Building
University Village Phase VI
University Village Phase VII

2000
Classroom Building
Callier Center

2001
University Village Phase VIII

2002
Physics Building
University Village Phase VIII Clubhouse
University Village Phase VIII

2003
Engineering Computer Science South
School of Management

2004
University Village Phase IX
University Village Leasing Office

2006
NSERL Research Lab

2007
Construction Management
Facilities Management
Waterview Science and Technology Center

2009
Arts & Humanities Music
Arts & Humanities Art
Classroom Building 3
Facilities Management
Residence Hall South

2010
Science Learning Center
Student Services Building

2011
Residence Hall North
Visitors Center and University Bookstore

2012
Residence Hall Northwest
Residence Hall Southwest
Satellite Utility Plant

2013
Arts and Technology Facility
Dining Hall West
Parking Structure 1
Residence Hall West
Synergy Park North

2014
Construction Management
Modular Lab (Bio-engineering)
Modular Lab (Mechanical Engineering)
Parking Structure 3
Recreation Facility West
School of Management

2015
Bioengineering and Sciences Building
Physics Addition
Research and Operations Center West

2016
Callier Richardson Addition
Parking Structure 4
Student Services Building Addition

2017
Canyon Creek Heights North
Canyon Creek Heights South
Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center
Synergy Park North 2

2018
Engineering & Computer Science West

Present Day

05

Evolving Campus & Culture

Evolving Campus and Culture

Comets Checkmate

Since its establishment in 1996, the chess team has won the “Final Four of College Chess” four times, won the Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship, and made history by playing Instituto Superior de Cultura Física in the first US-Cuba chess match in 50 years.

UTD Plays Ball, Esports

UTD Athletics joins the NCAA Division III American Southwest Conference in 1998. As of 2019, the Comets amassed 29 ASC championships since 2002 — 16 of them since 2015. UT Dallas adds an esports program in 2018.

Comets Gain a Mascot

After a competition to find a new mascot, UT Dallas decides on Temoc, “Comet” spelled backward. Alumnus Aaron Aryanpur designs Temoc, an orange-haired, blue-skinned Comet, who frequents events across campus from freshmen orientation to chess matches.

New Space for Brain Science

UTD alumnus Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman establishes the Center for BrainHealth. The center is home to labs with 60 fully funded research projects including youth brain injury assessment, caregiver training, law enforcement mindfulness training and adolescent reasoning training.

The UTD Ring Tradition

The class ring features a UTD shield, a comet encircling a star and the Texas flag. The University presents the rings after sealing them in a wooden box from the Founders Building and enclosed with equipment used by NASA. A ceremony includes dunking the rings in a reflecting pool on the Margaret McDermott Mall.

Campus Landscape Enhancement Begins

The first phase of the Campus Landscape Enhancement Project begins. The project, paid for by Margaret McDermott, includes the planting of 6,000 trees, a small amphitheater and road renovations.

Studies in Aging

Dr. Denise C. Park establishes the Center for Vital Longevity, a center dedicated to researching and understanding the aging brain, memory, cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease.

UTD Obtains Asian, Swiss Art Collections

The Trammell and Margaret Crow family donates the entire collection of the Trammell and Margaret Crow Museum of Asian Art and $23 million of funding. UTD also acquires the Barrett collection, the largest collection of Swiss art outside of Switzerland.
"Immortal Landscapes: Jade from the Collection," Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas.

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