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By Janet Siroto

Spartan Spirit Week in October celebrated UT alumni and friends, as well as the University’s 90th anniversary. Photograph: Marsha Kemp

Like many Spartans, Lt. Col. Greg Canty ’92 doesn’t hold back when it comes to celebrating his years at UT. “People think I’m in la-la land when I talk about my college experiences. They were the best years of my life and catapulted me to professional and personal success,” he says. “My favorite moments on campus revolve around making lifelong friends at Sigma Phi Epsilon — though I never dreamed I’d be in a frat — and creating a lifetime of memories as an RA. Those stories we shared together mean so much.

Also like many of his fellow grads, Canty didn’t want his association with the school to languish.

Retired from the U.S. Army and now director of executive services in the Office of the Surgeon General in Washington, D.C., he’s found his link back to the school by serving as chair of the Alumni Association Board (AAB).

The AAB has long been a presence on campus and off. The group’s mission includes being part of UT’s Give Day fundraiser and Spartan Spirit Week, serving as a voice for alumni, encouraging alumni to volunteer and recognizing alumni achievements.

Canty, who just took the reins of the AAB in June, says, “Over the next two years, during my tenure as chair, my hope and desire is that I help increase participation from recent graduates and increase philanthropy and thankfulness being expressed from the UT alumni community.”

Beyond that, the AAB is a terrific way for alumni to connect with one another, just as they felt that kinship when they were students. “I love this group of brilliant, dedicated individuals. We are different ages, genders and ethnicities, and we come from varied backgrounds, but the synergy, respect and passion among us is amazing,” says Canty.

That said, more members are always welcome. “We’d love to expand and have more alumni partner with us to build an even greater UT for the future,” he says. “We can’t do it without those who know firsthand how great a Spartan education is.” The AAB currently has 23 members and meets on campus three times a year (in October, January and April).

To learn more about the AAB and contribute to the group’s efforts, visit ut.edu/alumni/advisoryboard .