A Note from Interim President Michael A. Olivas: A Gift That Keeps On Giving

Anyone who goes to an athletic or sporting event, or even a concert knows there are many forms of "merch," or merchandising memorabilia to commemorate the activity or the venue. Of course, colleges and universities are similar, and a quick spin around any campus bookstore, including our own, will reveal t-shirts, mugs, keychains, book bags and many other branded items. As I make my way around campus, I see many examples of mousepads, coasters, notebooks, and other merch with the distinctive UHD logo.

Last week, I received a generous gift of some note cards that I had admired earlier, ones that had beautiful UHD student paintings reproduced for correspondence. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) sponsored a series of 4 X 6 inch cards that display several artworks of the downtown Houston skyline, flowers, nature scenes, and other pictures — all by CHSS students. Several are reproduced here.

I urge everyone to buy some of these notecards, use them, and spread the cheer that such glorious artwork evokes. Give them as gifts, as I received mine. Write home to Mom. Use them as birthday cards for colleagues. Thank a professor or a helpful staff person. Express a supportive sentiment to your President — interim or otherwise. As the semester draws to a close, give generously. And use UHD student artwork cards — the gifts that keep on giving.