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By Janet Siroto

Arriving on UT’s campus for the very first time isn’t just a big deal for new students. It’s a huge — and often misty-eyed — moment for their families, too, as they see their child get ready to fly solo and launch their independent life.

The powerful connection every family forges with the University is nurtured and taken to the next level by the Family Association Board (FAB). “The Family Association Board has a Spartan Ready Family focus,” says Sara Guando, assistant director of annual giving at UT. “It enhances student success by supporting scholarships and the Parent and Family Fund, and it educates families about how to build on their child’s success, whether that means internships, club leadership or other resources.”

Frank Lento, who is a member of UT’s Board of Trustees and a parent of a May 2020 graduate, felt the pull to volunteer with the FAB and now serves as chair. “I’ve always been a big giving-back type of guy,” he says. “I saw that the University has a very strong brand with so many people looking to do good and give back. I wanted to be part of that.”

Guided by the mission of enhancing communication and support among students, families and the UT community, the FAB has found innovative ways to enrich the Spartan experience. For instance, Lento, who leads global partner cybersecurity sales organization for the tech giant Cisco, tapped into his and other parents’ capabilities and connections. “We can certainly help make internships available,” says Lento, “and I asked the cybersecurity professors, ‘Can we come in and do a lecture series and presentations with parents who work at IBM, Insight Technologies and elsewhere?’ It was a great way to add to the school’s curriculum.”

The 12-member FAB is boosting UT life in other ways, too. “Keith Todd (vice president, Development and University Relations) and I got together and challenged ourselves to excel at fundraising,” he says. Their Spartan Ready Family initiative — which supports scholarships and other aspects of UT life, like maintaining the campus and elevating technological resources —brought in $120,000 most recently, versus $63,000 the previous year.

The FAB welcomes more members, whose life experience, energy and professional connections can help UT evolve even further.