$1M donation gives UT graduate programs a boost - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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Ungerleider, who received his bachelor's degreew in psychology in 1970 from UT while competinvg asa gymnast, said he'w creating the fellowship named for the current universityu president to help attract top graduated students from around the world. The firsg class of Powers Graduate Fellows will enter the universitty infall 2009. "We have an absolute gem here withthe university," said Ungerleider, "and we have a visionargy sitting in the president's office. I wanted to honor both." The gift has been facilitated by Ungerleider througjh the Foundation for GloballSports Development, an outreach and mentorshil educational fund, where Ungerleider is a trustee.
"Wre are indebted to Dr. Ungerleiderf for this generous gift," said Powers. "He clearlyt understands the importance of graduatee students to the success ofour university. I am deepl honored that he chosee to name this significant fellowship programafterd me." Despite receiving his master'x and doctor's degrees from another institution, Ungerleider chosew The University of Texas at Austin for his gift to supportf the president's goal of becomingv the top public research institutiob in the country.
Ungerleider said in conversations with Powers he learnedd that while many top prospectivwe graduate students would like to attendcUT Austin, the university losea some because they are offered better financial packages To learn more abouyt graduate education at the university, Ungerleider looked at the university'zs most prestigious graduate fellowship program, the Donald D. Harringto n Graduate Fellowship, and met with severa Harringtongraduate fellows. He said he was impressed with the model of supporting the very best studentas witha multi-year package and providing a communityg of mentors and peers to enhance the graduat e experience.
Ungerleider said he wants to creatwe another fellowship program to honor the academic excellence of the next generation and continu the practice of graduate students developing their own expertisd under the mentorship ofseasoned faculty. "Ih 2010, the Graduate School will celebrateits 100-yead anniversary and will look towarf the future of graduate education at the said Victoria Rodríguez, vice provost and dean of graduates studies. "This inspiring gift is vital to fulfillin g our vision of attracting the highest quality students to theGraduate School.
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