From left to right: Effua Jordan, Student Body president, President Jennifer Cowley, John Zerwas, chancellor of the UT System, and Lowell Davis, Student Affairs vice president, cut a ceremonial ribbon during the official opening of Maverick Hall on Sept. 8. Construction of Maverick Hall began in February 2024.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
Faculty, staff and city officials gathered Monday for the ribbon-cutting at Maverick Hall.
Attendees flooded the common area in the $116 million, 205,638-square-foot residence hall, where they listened to speeches, mingled and toured the facilities.
President Jennifer Cowley speaks to attendees in the lobby of Maverick Hall during the ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 8. Cowley said that when creating Maverick Hall, the goal was to reflect UTA’s community, collaboration and innovation.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
The hall stands at five stories and can house 654 students across its four wings. The space features eight study spaces, laundry rooms and kitchens on every floor, access to a relaxation room and three different rooming options: private, single and double.
UTA President Jennifer Cowley was one of several speakers at the ribbon-cutting. During her speech, she said that the project had been part of the university’s dream for a long time, noting that the project took a lot of effort and that she’s proud to see it open officially.
John Zerwas, chancellor of the UT System, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Maverick Hall on Sept. 8. Zerwas said that one thing that keeps him up at night is his concern for the safety of students.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
“When we were creating Maverick Hall, we wanted it to reflect who we are as a community,” Cowley said. “That we’re about collaboration, innovation and community, and that that is the heart of the UTA experience.”
UT System Chancellor John Zerwas was also in attendance and gave remarks on the new hall.
Scissors and the ceremonial ribbon lay on a table during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Maverick Hall on Sept. 8. The event was held at 10 a.m.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
“These are exceptionally created environments for people to learn and thrive in,” Zerwas said.
Student Body President Effua Jordan said the space represents the growth and opportunity of the UTA community through the number of people it allows to live on campus.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, left, speaks to Marie Schultz, development and alumni relations vice president, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Maverick Hall on Sept. 8. Maverick Hall was built in response to UTA’s rise in freshman enrollment and demand for on-campus housing.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
“I think specifically here at UTA, it represents a step in the right direction for us to change the commuter narrative that we used to have,” Jordan said.
Kyle Boone, Housing and residence life executive director, said upon touring the hall that he never thought he’d see a hall with full-size beds, saying innovation and creativity came out in the design and that the university listened to students when crafting the building.
Attendees listen to a speech during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Maverick Hall on Sept. 8. Maverick Hall is designed to house over 650 students.
Photo by Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
“This new building was really the vision of a group of good leadership,” Boone said. “It shows the promise of ‘We want more students who live on campus.’”
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