For the third consecutive year, The University of Texas at Dallas has received the Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Gold Award from the Texas Veterans Commission. The award recognizes public colleges and universities that provide excellence in education and related services that contribute to the academic success of student veterans and military-connected students. Marijke Gray, director of the UT Dallas Military and Veteran Center, said receiving the award is a validation of the valuable assistance the University provides to veterans. “The award helps showcase the University’s commitment to support and recognize the achievements of student veterans,” she said. “A homegrown grandmaster [GM] is very rare in college chess,” said James Stallings, director of the chess program.