The University of Texas at Tyler Alumni Association was formed on July 8, 1982, to support the educational undertakings of the University of Texas at Tyler. The association strives to promote attitudes favorable to quality higher education. It seeks to perpetuate and strengthen ties of affection and esteem formed in college days among its members, to foster mutual inters and support between U.T. Tyler and the communities it serves. Kay Arms was the President of the Association and it was a 501c3 non-profit organization that functioned outside of the direct authority of the University. The association was reclassified in 2011 and absorbed into the University Office of Advancement in September of 2011. Now the Office of Alumni Relations Association is under the Office of Advancement within the University.  The first Director was Bobbye Rucker in 2007, Derrith Bondurant 2012-13 and now Brittany Childs 2013-. The function of Alumni Relations is to connect, engage and celebrate U.T. Tyler Alumni.  They function with a Regional Alumni Council, made up of Alum that acts as an advisory staff.  Members meet four times a year and are very active in the production of the Gala, the association’s major annual event that is currently in its third year of production(2014).Note written by Samone J. Drath