The Mavericks Dance Team performs during a Founder’s Day Festival on Oct. 15 at Brazos Park. Performances were part of the event’s entertainment.
UTA celebrated Founders Day on Thursday at Brazos Park. Activities, games, chairs and tables lined the turf lawn as students, faculty and staff gathered.
The event is an annual campus celebration aimed at commemorating UTA’s beginning and evolution as a school of higher education.
“What is really exciting about being here for Founders Day is that for over 130 years, this institution has provided the students of Texas an opportunity to get an education and to then go off and serve their communities in a wide variety of ways,” acting UTA President Archie Holmes said.
Cheerleaders, members of the Mavericks Dance Team and members of the Maverick Marching Band participated in the event, performing routines, dancing and playing music.
Blaze dances with students during a Founder’s Day Festival on Oct. 15 at Brazos Park. The annual event celebrates the university’s history and Maverick community.
Finance senior Jessica Villasana said she heard about the event through MavEngage and said her favorite part was the community that it inspires.
Near the back of the park was an inflatable obstacle course and an inflatable with a spinning arm that students could jump over or duck under. Booths where students could show off their school spirit, have a caricature drawn or sign a special banner were also available.
ROTC Pvt. Adam Morales went to the event to have some fun. He said after a long day of being disciplined and keeping up with ROTC standards, it can be nice to go out every once in a while.
Jodie Orogun, who serves as Ms. UTA, line dances during a Founder’s Day Festival on Oct.15 at Brazos Park. UTA Ambassadors serve as official student hosts and help promote campus traditions.
“It’s good for students to have something like this because with all the stress a lot of students have regarding tuition, classes, grades, all of it, it’s good to be able to let loose every now and then,” Morales said.
When students signed in for the event, they were handed an “event passport” where they could collect stamps from different stations. Once the stampbook was completed, it could be turned in for a chance to win a UTA swag bag.
“It’s really exciting to see all of our students here recognizing the important role that UTA plays, and so here’s to 130 years of great service and looking forward to the next 130 as well,” Holmes said.
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