Texas Advertising Welcomes Incoming Grad Students Texas Style

The Department of Advertising held its annual new graduate student ranch party on August 18, 2004. At the orientation held earlier in the week, the new students were able to meet faculty and fellow students and learn more about the advertising program and the university. After their advising sessions, the new students got a real Texas welcome with a barbeque at the ranch of Dr. Isabella Cunningham, Advertising Department Chair. The party allowed students to get to know each other, a number of second-year graduate students, and faculty members in a laid back atmosphere. After the barbeque, the new student festivities continued on Sixth Street to get a flavor for the Austin nightlife.

Gary Wilcox, Graduate Adviser, stated: "The ranch party is a nice way to welcome the students to Texas Advertising and the Austin lifestyle. When they arrived at the ranch, they were greeted by several Longhorn cattle." He continued to note that "I am especially pleased with the quality of the students we have in our program. Over the last few years we have seen a steady increase in the applications as well as the quality of students entering the program."

The incoming class of 2004 consists of 88 new students, making the total program size 190 students. Of the new students, five are PhD students. Over 80% of the new students come from outside of Texas, representing more than 20 states such as New York, Ohio, Louisiana, New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Arizona, Wyoming, California and Oregon. As well, several of the new students are international students coming from Korea, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, and Mexico.

8/19/2004