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Stay connected to The University of Texas and The Texas Exes Black Alumni Network through many programs and events. Check our Events page for specific activities and follow our social media profiles for other Black Alumni Network updates. 

Annual Texas Exes Black Alumni Network Legacy Celebration (2007 - Present)

2007 Texas Exes Black Alumni Network Legacy Celebration Dinner

The 2007 Texas Exes Black Alumni Reunion was held October 12-13th. The weekend was full of events, beginning with the dedication of the Almetris Marsh Duren Residence Hall on Friday afternoon, sponsored by the Division of Housing and Food Service. Over 400 people were in attendance to celebrate the life of Ms. Duren and to witness history, as Duren Hall became the first dormitory on the UT campus to be named after an African American.

Gloria Allen, former Assistant Director of the Division of Housing and Food Service presided over the ceremony. Various UT officials gave remarks, including former UT President William C. Powers; Dr. Floyd Hoelting, former Director of the Division of Housing and Food Service; former Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Juan C. Gonzalez; former Vice President of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Dr. Greg Vincent; and Dr. Soncia Reagins-Lilly, former Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

The program included the reading of proclamations by Senator Rodney Ellis, Representative Dawna Dukes, and Mayor Will Wynn. After friends and family members of Ms. Duren reflected on their memories, Dr. Zan Holmes gave the keynote address. The Huston-Tillotson University Concert Choir provided a musical interlude during the ceremony, and the UT Innervisions Gospel Choir ended the festivities with a gospel rendition of the Eyes of Texas.

The celebration continued that night in the Alumni Center, when over 300 people gathered for the Texas Exes Black Alumni Legacy Dinner. The program included greetings from former UT President Bill Powers, a progress report from former Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, Dr. Greg Vincent, a video tribute to Almetris Marsh Duren, and the presentation of Legacy Awards in recognition of faculty achievement. The evening concluded with a performance by the UT Innervisions Exes.

The 2007 Legacy Awards were presented to:

Red McCombs School of Business: Dr. John Sibley Butler
College of Communication: Dr. Jerome D. Williams
College of Education: Dr. Gregory J. Vincent
Ernest Cockrell School of Engineering: Dr. Ofodike A. Ezekoye
College of Fine Arts: Dr. John A. Yancy
School of Law: A. Mechele Dickerson
College of Liberal Arts: Dr. Edmund (Ted) Gordon
School of Nursing: Dr. Jan Taylor Fox
College of Pharmacy: Dr. Carolyn Brown
LBJ School of Public Affairs: Dr. Edwin Dorn
School of Social Work: Dr. Michele A. Rountree

Over 175 people entered the Alumni Center the next morning for a brunch. At the conclusion of brunch, Ms. Duren’s photograph was installed on the wall in the Legends Room. The UT Multicultural Information Center also held a Student Organization Open House and a Campus Sites-of-Interest Tour.

The weekend concluded with over 150 people attending Soul Night Revisited, a dance held by the UT Multicultural Information Center. It provided a great ending to a successful reunion weekend!

Quotes from 2007 Students:

"It was so amazing to see so many Black people that successfully navigated the UT system while laying a path for me to walk on confidently and then attending this weekend to challenge me to forge my own. Although I have graduated and done all that I can as a student, it was encouraging to talk with these ex-students, from 1962-2004, and gain insight on how my future can look if I stay the journey. I had so much fun, learned alot, and wish that we had them more often!"
Brandelyn Franks, BA ’07

"I was moved by all the stories and advice. It is helping me continue my education strong, and I think I grew a little wiser with all the knowledge shared."
Warnessa Hightower
UT Blacks Online Organizational Chair 2007-2008
New Student Lock In Co-Chair 2007-2008

"The weekend made me ready to become an alumni."
Anonymous

 

Annual Texas Exes Black Alumni Network Legacy Celebration Dinners & Galas

  • 2010 Texas Exes Black Alumni Network Legacy Celebration Dinner

  • 2011 Texas Exes Black Alumni Network Legacy Celebration Dinner

  • 2012 Texas Exes Black Alumni Network Legacy Celebration Dinner
    • The 2012 Legacy Celebration was held Friday, November 9th at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.
  • 2013 Texas Exes Black Alumni Network Legacy Celebration
    • The 2013 Legacy Celebration was held on Friday, November 15 at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019
    • The 2019 Legacy Gala was held on Friday, September 6 at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.
  • 2021
    • The 2021 Legacy Fundraiser was a cocktail-style reception held on Friday, September 24 at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.
  • 2022
    • The 2022 Legacy Gala was held on Friday, September 9 at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.
  • 2023
    • The 2023 Legacy Gala was held on Friday, September 15 at the ATT Conference Center.