Vintage Computers Galore Take Over the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center

The Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center is a popular spot on the UT Dallas campus for all kinds of events both for University groups as well as off-campus organizations. This June, the National Videogame Museum held its Southwest Vintage Computer Festival at the DGAC, which attracted more than a thousand early computer hardware, software and video game enthusiasts to the center for a three-day event. The festival included a trade show with vintage equipment and software for sale as well as seminars on the history of retro equipment and the repair and restoration of vintage computers, monitors and accessories.

The DGAC is the ideal meeting space for multifaceted events that require both a trade show venue as well as space for multiple education seminars and lounge space for participants to meet and exchange ideas and swap computers, software and accessories.

The Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center (DGAC) again hosted the annual UT Dallas Awards Gala. With a VIP list of gala honorees and invited guests, the staff of the DGAC worked diligently to ensure an elegant atmosphere for UTD’s highest recognition of alumni and supporters.

Events like the Awards Gala have made the DGAC’s event space a top choice on campus for functions from corporate gatherings to academic seminars to intimate affairs such as weddings. Whether formal or casual, large or small, the DGAC team is prepared to meet the needs of any group, whether those from on campus or beyond.

For the first time since 2019, The University of Texas at Dallas hosted the UT Dallas Awards Gala, recognizing distinguished alumni and supporters for accomplishments and support for the University as well as for commitment to service, learning, innovation and the success of future generations. The gala dinner was once again held at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center.

As the host venue for events large and small and formal to casual, the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center is the on-campus home for UT Dallas alumni, students, friends and supporters and well equipped to accommodate the needs of most any group seeking a contemporary event space.

 

Last year, the dedicated events team at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center spent two days outfitting Texas Instruments Inspiration Hall for the holidays. And while the festive décor of poinsettias, Alberta spruces and trees was elaborate and beautiful, this year’s elements took seasonal décor to the next level.

From the 6-foot nutcrackers to the 268 hanging ornaments, the DGAC is now a winter wonderland worthy of a Barney’s window display. The team continued last year’s tradition of incorporating poinsettias and deer antlers, but added gift boxes, lawn ornaments, 20-inch drums and eight champagne lit trees.

Watch Texas Instruments Inspiration Hall transform below. Happy holidays!

P.S. You can watch a video of last year’s decorating process here.

 

The Office of Development and Alumni Relations at UT Dallas celebrated University supporters and donors at the annual Celebration of Support event held at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center on Oct. 10.

This year’s soiree focused on the University’s 50th anniversary, with vibrant orange and green décor and a wide selection of Cajun-themed dining options, from jambalaya risotto, crawfish cakes and creole chicken ravioli to beignets and bread pudding with bourbon sauce for dessert.

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Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Texas Instruments Jazz Band, along with guest vocalist Julia Lawshae. Guests danced to the lively band on the pavilion of the DGAC on what turned out to be a perfect fall evening, complete with string lights and outdoor seating options.

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The Ann and Jack Graves Ballroom provided an indoor haven for guests who opted to sit on one of the many sleek, white couches and benches under cabanas.

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Festive succulents served as centerpieces and an outdoor screen showcased images of the UT Dallas campus and community.

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The invitation-only celebration showcased the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center’s versatility as an event space with the ability to hosts hundreds of guests both inside and out.

Almost two years ago today, The University of Texas at Dallas opened the doors of the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center to the public. The 30,246-square-foot building in the heart of campus was designed to connect alumni to their alma mater and provide a space to hold meetings, conferences, weddings and special events.

Thanks in part to a $15 million gift from Nancy Gundy Davidson BS’80 and Charles “Chuck” Davidson MS’80, construction of the alumni center was completed in 2017. Since then, the facility has been home to the annual UT Dallas Awards Gala, Corporate Day on Campus and the UT Dallas Ring Ceremony, as well as provided a venue for The University of Texas System events, career fairs, luncheons and lectures.

In 2018, the building was awarded LEED Gold status by the United States Green Building Council, the second-highest designation offered.

To celebrate two successful years of the DGAC, here’s a look back at the progression of the building’s construction, as well as the grand opening festivities, which included a ribbon-cutting, a seated dinner and an outdoor concert featuring disco band Le Freak.

On March 30, nearly 300 alumni and friends gathered at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center for the annual UT Dallas Awards Gala. Three graduates and two longtime University advocates were honored at the event, which was sponsored by Axxess, the city of Richardson and Larry and Venise Stuart.

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Guests were greeted with a welcome reception, then were seated at their tables inside the Ann and Jack Graves Ballroom. The 5,785-square-foot space was decorated with round tables with vibrant green and orange centerpieces, moss-colored tablecloths and elegant silver dining chairs.

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Gala

Attendees were treated to a plated meal of salad with chives, heirloom tomatoes, gingered-carrot spring mix and champagne vinaigrette, followed by a main course of espresso-rubbed filet with garlic jumbo shrimp or a Portobello mushroom stuffed with seasonal vegetables, seared tofu and wild rice, all from Inspirations Catering.

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Gala

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Throughout the course of the dinner, honorees were presented with their awards as the audience learned about their individual achievements and work through video presentations. Read more about the award recipients, as well as the meaning behind their specific awards.

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The memorable night ended with a dessert reception in Texas Instruments Inspiration Hall, with tables of salted caramel cheesecake and flourless chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and berry sauce.

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On Feb. 2 and 3, the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee for The University of Texas System convened in Dallas for a two-day event on The University of Texas at Dallas campus. Attendees met with the Chancellor, UT System executive officers, UT institution presidents and faculty, as well as learned about system-wide updates and initiatives.

The meeting kicked off at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center late Friday morning for breakfast, coffee and event check-in before a casual lunch buffet at the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building.

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Before breakout presentations began in the DGAC ballrooms, attendees were greeted by James R. Huffines, chair of the Chancellor’s Council, followed by remarks from UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken and UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson.

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Guests were then escorted back to the DGAC, where esteemed UT Dallas professors led four simultaneous breakout sessions, followed by a general session presented by Dr. Ted Price BS’97, a Fellow, Eugene McDermott Professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

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Following Price’s presentation, the executive committee reconvened at the Omni Hotel in downtown Dallas, where they continued the weekend’s events with an evening dinner on Friday, followed by breakfast and a morning program Saturday before the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

Decorating the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center for the holiday season was no easy task. It took months of planning, a team of four decorators and multiple days to transform the alumni center into a winter wonderland. The festive décor included 202 poinsettias, 60 Alberta spruces, 12 antlers from Montana and 14 festive white trees, which were placed above the main entry doors.

The handmade garlands on the front desk and above the front doors were created with two pieces of greenery, about 100 stems of décor and 30 yards of ribbon.

Keeping the poinsettias bright and vibrant is also a carefully planned process. Every 48 hours, two people water the red and green foliage throughout the center. Each watering takes about two hours and uses approximately 10 gallons of water.

Watch a portion of the detailed decorating process unfold in record time. Happy holidays!

On Thursday, Oct. 18, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations hosted its annual Celebration of Support, an evening dedicated to supporters and donors of The University of Texas at Dallas.

The evening, which featured music from the Texas Instruments Jazz Band and vocalist Julia Lawshae, included the official announcement of the Margaret McDermott Mall and the Margaret McDermott Trellis Plaza in the heart of the UT Dallas campus.

To celebrate, guests were given custom lapel pins with an image of the McDermott Trellis Plaza, and a wide range of small bites and desserts from Inspirations Catering were offered throughout the night.

The Ann and Jack Graves Ballroom was outfitted with modern white couches and benches as well as cocktail tables in UTD’s signature flame orange and ego green colors. Vibrant succulents served as centerpieces and projector screens showcased the newly- named McDermott Mall and Trellis Plaza.

Held at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center, the invitation-only event is a perfect example of how the event space can be used for a variety of functions.

 

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Contact us today and discover why the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center is the ideal venue for your next event. Work with our on-site coordinators to bring your visions to life and to make your event unforgettable.

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