UT Tyler Patriot Classic Sets Record

July 20, 2012

UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Patriot Classic Sets Record for Scholarship Fundraiser

July 20, 2012

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

July 20, 2012

Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Director
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303 or 903.330.0495 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler Patriot Classic raised $177, 205.55 to benefit the university’s scholarship program, President Rodney H. Mabry announced.

This is the largest amount raised in the 26-year history of the fundraiser, which includes the annual UT Tyler Suddenlink Million Dollar Hole-in-One Contest and the Patriot Golf Classic.

The Patriots organization leads and staffs the hole-in-one contest, and the Patriot Golf Classic committee organizes the golf tournament.

Organizers presented UT Tyler with a check on July 19. These proceeds fund an endowment that provides permanent scholarship funding to UT Tyler students.

“We are so grateful to the wonderful volunteers who invest their time and energy in the event each year. It’s their hard work and dedication that secures funds for deserving students to pursue an education at UT Tyler. These funds are crucial to attracting the very best students both inside and outside of the East Texas region,” President Mabry said.

The Bill Barrett Memorial Scholarship also was announced in honor of the longtime supporter of the fundraiser and the university.

“We are pleased to honor a dear friend to UT Tyler. Bill was not only a friend of the university but also very well thought of in the community as this scholarship was established by generous participants of the Patriot Golf Classic,” said President Mabry.

During the 2012 Patriot Golf Classic, an anonymous participant gifted the university in honor of Barrett and challenged the other participants. The one-day challenge resulted in more than $42,000 to establish the scholarship.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 7,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.