UTRGV: A Message from the President
Dear Friend,
I am sure most of you have heard the news that The University of Texas Board of Regents unanimously approved my recommendation last week to name the Vaqueros as the athletic nickname for UTRGV and to maintain the colors of UT Brownsville and UT Pan American – blue, green and orange – to represent our new university.
UTPA recognized nationally for having a top online MBA program
The University of Texas-Pan American's online MBA program ranks among the top in the nation according to an analysis published Nov. 6 by the Affordable Colleges Foundation. UTPA's program is sixth on the 2014-15 list among programs reviewed of more than 500 accredited four-year schools nationwide.
University Theatre Productions presents "The Mystery of the Shady Palms RV Park"
The community is invited to enjoy The University of Texas-Pan American's upcoming University Theatre production of "The Mystery of the Shady Palms RV Park." The play was written by Eric Wiley, professor in the communication department and author of the popular Winter Texan comedy "Late Bloomers," which was also set in a recreational vehicle (RV) park.
UTPA honors top educators at Teacher of the Year banquet
The University of Texas-Pan American College of Education (COE) honored E.A. Tanner, a retired McAllen ISD choir director, at its 10th annual Teacher of the Year banquet Wednesday, Nov. 5 at its Community Engagement and Student Success Building.The college also honored 58 teachers of the year from elementary and secondary schools from 29 districts throughout the Texas Education Agency's Region One service area, which includes the Rio Grande Valley.
UT System Board of Regents approves “Vaqueros” as athletic nickname for new university
UTRGV colors will be blue, green and orange
A vaquero is depicted as part of the Tejano Monument at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman
A vaquero is depicted as part of the Tejano Monument at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman
EL PASO – The University of Texas System Board of Regents officially and unanimously approved “Vaqueros” as the athletic nickname for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at its meeting Thursday. The board also gave the nod to using blue, green and orange as the colors for the new university, set to open in fall 2015.
Decision on UTRGV colors and team nickname to happen next week
After months of anticipation, future students of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will soon finally know who they’re rooting for.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey, Ph.D., plans to make a recommendation to the UT System Board of Regents next week on athletics colors, nickname and mascot. The regents must approve the recommendation to make it official.
UTPA ranks high nationwide in awarding bachelor's, graduate degrees to Hispanics
For the second year in a row, The University of Texas-Pan American ranks No. 4 in the number of bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics nationwide according to an annual report published in October by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. UTPA also ranked No. 6 in the number of graduate degrees across all disciplines awarded Hispanics.
Social Work, Occupational Therapy programs get new home
On Oct. 16 The University of Texas-Pan American had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the new College of Health Sciences and Human Services Social Work and Occupational Therapy (SWOT) Building. UTPA renovated the former bookstore building on the corner of University Drive and Miguel A. Nevárez Drive (N. Fourth Avenue) to accommodate those programs.
Longtime faculty member James Hawley passes away
The University of Texas-Pan American is sorry to hear of the loss of longtime faculty member James Abgriffith Hawley, who helped start Pan American College’s (now UTPA) Theatre program. His obituary and information on services for him are below.
Middle school challenge sparks interest in STEM fields through hands-on activities
In an episode from the beloved children’s TV series, “The Magic School Bus,” Ms. Frizzle takes her students on a journey inside the human body. Students participating in the Middle School Challenge got to relive the childhood classic without having to shrink in size as they navigated through the world’s only walk-through body and organ exhibits presented by Doctors Hospital at Renaissance during The University of Texas-Pan American’s 13th annual Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology (HESTEC) Week Tuesday, Oct. 7.
National leaders discuss STEM needs, opportunities at HESTEC 's Science Literacy Roundtable
The kick off of the 13th year of Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week Oct. 6 at The University of Texas-Pan American was somewhat a nostalgic one for U.S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, who founded the annual event in partnership with the University to encourage more interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) studies and careers by Rio Grande Valley students.
New Faculty Support Program welcomes and guides newcomers to UTPA
Dr. Brian Yust, a new assistant professor of physics at The University of Texas-Pan American, said the prospect of growth and opportunities resulting from the creation of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a medical school was an important factor in his decision to join the UTPA faculty this fall.
UTRGV Athletics Branding Steering Committee launches new survey
HARLINGEN -The athletics branding steering committee for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is launching an online survey to gather additional input from alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members on the UTRGV athletics team nickname, mascot and colors. The short survey will be posted at UTRGV.edu and is available beginning today through Wednesday, Oct. 8.
UTPA tops Washington Monthly’s list of Best Master’s Universities
Viola Smith, a second grade elementary teacher, wasn’t going to let cancer stand in the way of pursuing her master’s degree in Education in Guidance and Counseling from The University of Texas-Pan American. Smith said it was a combination of the University’s close proximity, low tuition cost and accessible professors that made her pick up her classes where she left off 17 years ago.
UTPA mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Carl Seale
The University of Texas-Pan American sadly announces the passing of Professor Emeritus Carl Seale, who served UT Pan American for 30 years as a faculty member in the Department of Music and Dance. Our thoughts go out to Dr. Seale's family.
Fall 2014 enrollment at UTPA is a record-breaking 21,042
Preliminary enrollment figures for Fall 2014 at The University of Texas-Pan American indicate an unprecedented 21,042 students. This figure, calculated on the 12th day of classes and not official until certified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, marks an increase of 4,000-plus students over the last 10 years.
New UTRGV med school students receive support from Starr County Memorial Hospital
Recently the Starr County Memorial Hospital (SCMH) generously donated $10,000 to support future students at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) medical school. SCMH is the first hospital to step forward and make a contribution through the UTRGV Medical School Challenge Grant issued earlier this year by the UTPA Foundation, which matched the SCMH donation.
New UTPA Food Pantry to assist students in need
College students should be hungry for knowledge, but with rising tuition costs and living expenses and some with families to support, many have also become hungry for food.
Food insecurity or hunger is an escalating problem on campuses nationwide according to recent surveys, including The University of Texas-Pan American.
UT Regents Approve Academic Structure of UTRGV
The University of Texas Board of Regents Thursday approved the academic structure of the new UT Rio Grande Valley, taking an essential step forward in making the new university and medical school a reality. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has also approved the structure.
UTPA hosts 4th annual Bronc Roundup
The University of Texas-Pan American’s newest students are learning what it means to be a Bronc at the fourth annual Bronc Roundup on campus.
McRaven named sole finalist for UT System chancellor
AUSTIN - The governing board of The University of Texas System has selected Admiral William H. McRaven, currently commander of the United States Special Operations Command, as the sole finalist for chancellor of The University of Texas System.
UTPA mourns passing of Jim and Jerry McKone
The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is saddened to announce that former Sports Information Director (SID) Jim McKone, an inaugural member of the UTPA Athletics Hall of Honor, and his wife Geraldine (Jerry), have passed away.
UTRGV: A message from the president
Dear UT Brownsville and UT Pan American Communities, As we move forward with plans to open the new UT Rio Grande Valley in one short year, many activities are underway by a number of working groups at UTB, UTPA, and the UT System, and I remain grateful to you for your engagement and support of the process.
Students encouraged to dream big at ExxonMobil camp at UTPA
They may have kept an astronaut alive in a makeshift spacecraft, but for four Rio Grande Valley middle school students, making new friends who share their love of math and science was the most rewarding part of participating in the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp at The University of Texas-Pan American.
Students, alumni ideas sought for UTRGV
All alumni and students are encouraged to attend or watch live and tweet (#UTRGV) to join the discussion about the future colors, word mark, and mascot of UTRGV. #UTPA #UTB #Alumni We need your ideas for UTRGV Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the UTPA Student Union.
UTRGV News: Regents approve medical degree program for UTRGV
AUSTIN - In another historic step in the march to higher education opportunities for the Rio Grande Valley, The University of Texas System Board of Regents Thursday unanimously approved the establishment of a doctor of medicine degree at UT Rio Grande Valley.
UTRGV News: Regents approve admissions standards for UTRGV
AUSTIN - The University of Texas System Board of Regents Thursday approved admissions criteria for first-time students, transfer students and graduate students at UT Rio Grande Valley, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2015.