Alumni Travel Program Set for 2009 Departure

The Houston Alumni Organization (HAO) has announced four exciting destinations to inaugurate its Alumni and Friends Travel Program: Peru, February 5 –February 12, 2009; Holland & Belgium, April 10 – April 18, 2009; Tuscany, April 26 – May 4, 2009; and China, May 20 – June 1, 2009.

Open to University of Houston alumni, friends of the university, and their guests, the program aims to provide participants with an engaging, memorable experience shared with fellow Cougars. Echo the fight song among the mountainous ruins of Machu Picchu, whistle the alma mater while strolling the vineyards of Chianti, remember the Dutch masters from art history class as you pick the same tulips they painted and hoist the cougar paw after conquering China’s Great Wall—these opportunities are once-in-a-lifetime.

"It's about offering something that the commercial travel market can't offer," said Barry Adams, CEO and President of HAO. "It's about building and fostering relationships with a traveling base that already shares a passion for this university. Infusing scenes and cultures from around the world into a 'Cougar' experience nurtures that spirit and inspires alumni to keep UH close to their hearts."

A “Destinations Preview” will be held Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Hilton Houston Post Oak. Enjoy a wine and cheese reception while HAO offers a sneak peek at their travel experiences in 2009. Interested parties should RSVP online.

To learn more about any of the four trips, including itineraries and pricing, visit www.myCougarConnection.com/travel or email questions to UHAOtravel@uh.edu.

President Khator to Visit Alumni Clubs Throughout Texas

This summer, University of Houston President Renu Khator will speak at alumni area clubs throughout the state of Texas, beginning with the Fort Bend Alumni Club on June 19 and followed by dates in San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Dubbed “President Khator’s Whistle-Stop Tour,” the series hearkens back to the Presidential train tours popularized in the late nineteenth century when candidates would travel from city to city, speaking to important campaign issues. The issues at hand for President Khator concern her vision for achieving Tier One status for the University of Houston, and the role of alumni in that process.

Those wishing to attend the tour’s Fort Bend stop, held at the Sugar Creek Country Club in Sugar Land, should RSVP online; dates and locations of the other cities are pending confirmation. All alumni and friends of the University who live in the respective areas are encouraged to attend theses free events.