The INSIDER - VOLUME 18 SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Although assigned to Cluster 3, (1,200 student enrollment or less), Texas College overtook Cluster 1 (4,000 or more student enrollment) on Day 15 and continued to lead the entire competition across all three clusters significantly for nearly the remainder of the competition. Respectively, Texas College approximately outvoted Cluster 1’s top rank by 275,000 votes and Cluster 2’s top rank by 295,000 votes. Though strategically effective, the campaign’s success was undoubtedly derivative of the tireless spirit, hard work, persistence, and unwavering commitment to this initiative by our stakeholders, specifically our alumni, stu dents, faculty, and staff. Their collective efforts shattered Texas College’s previously set record in 2021, falling just 64,000 votes short of doubling the former record. The 2022 Retool Your School competition culminated with the Winners' Announcement Ceremony on April 26. Hosted by actor Laz Alonso, with an appearance by actor Terrence J and beats provided by international DJ, DJ Stormy, the ceremony took place in Atlanta, Georgia, with representatives from each winning institution present. Representing Texas College was Jake Martin, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and 2013 alumnus, who successfully provided oversight to both the 2021 and 2022 Home Depot Retool Your School campaigns and projects. Notably, the 2022 campaign efforts caught the attention of Home Depot. In addition to awarding grants to the HBCUs based upon voting rank, the ceremony also served to announce the top three finalists and winner for the Campaign of the Year award, a grant of an additional $40,000 based upon the effectiveness, innovation, and engagement of the institution’s campaign strategies. Texas College emerged as one of the three finalists for this award, but, regrettably, did not ultimately win. Now that the awarding of the campus improvement grants has officially finalized, Texas College is eager to begin the campus project. The 2022 Retool Your School project will be the renovation of locker rooms for four different intercollegiate athletic teams.

The locker room renovation project will include Football, Volleyball, Men’s Basketball, and Women’s Basketball, as well as the visitor's locker room in the Gus F. Taylor Gymnasium. This renovation project includes the installation of new lockers, mirrors, seating, flooring, and dry erase boards. The updated locker facility will not only provide a renovated space for use throughout their respective seasons, but will also serve as facets of recruitment and retention for current and future student - athletes, as well as a morale booster that carries over to the benefit of alumni, faculty, staff, and the College community. The project will take place this summer; to bring this locker room renovation to fruition, Texas College invites alumni, students, faculty, and staff to volunteer to help complete the project. The Volunteer Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. For additional information, email jmartin@texascollege.edu.

To every single individual who voted this year to ensure a successful campaign, Texas College extends a sincere and grateful “thank you” for your valiant and tireless efforts in the 2022 Home Depot Retool Your School grant competition. Your commitment to this initiative, and congruently Texas College, is undoubtedly evident and genuinely appreciated. Again, thank you!

CLICK TO VIEW THE WINNERS’ ANNOUNCEMENT CEREMONY

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