10 minute read
UTRGV Marks A Decade of Excellence
A look back at 10 years of empowering futures and changing lives.
By Marci Caltabiano-Ponce
This year, as The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley commemorates its 10th anniversary, we reflect on a decade filled with notable accomplishments and transformative innovations, alongside the challenges that have shaped our journey.
UTRGV has much to celebrate, from welcoming 29,000 students in 2015 to surpassing 50,000 graduates by 2023. A significant highlight is the much-anticipated kickoff of college football as the Vaqueros launch their inaugural season. But the journey doesn’t end here;
UTRGV is poised to further transform higher education, research, and healthcare in South Texas.
“As we reflect on our achievements, we eagerly look forward to the next decade, where we will continue to innovate, expand our programs, deepen community partnerships, and enhance student success,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “The future holds exciting opportunities for growth and transformation, and we remain dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders and changemakers.”
A YEAR OF FIRSTS: 2015
Created in 2013 by the Texas Legislature, UTRGV combined the assets of its legacy institutions, UT Pan American and UT Brownsville, to establish one strengthened and unified university across the Valley.
First day: About 29,000 students filled our campuses on Aug. 31. More than 5,000 courses were available to students from Rio Grande City to South Padre Island.
First commencement: Ceremonies established traditions and new ones. In December on the Brownsville Campus, 633 UTRGV legacy graduates walked in a ceremony on the Student Union Lawn, followed by two Edinburg Campus ceremonies with 1,456 legacy graduates.
Vaquero brand is born: The UT System Board of Regents gave the green light for athletic branding of and images for the UTRGV Vaqueros.
BUILDING MOMENTUM: 2016
In a year of planning, buildings were being built, renovated, or repurposed for the fledgling university.
UTRGV School of Medicine: In August, UTRGV marked the start of classes for its first 55 medical students.
Bricks and mortar: UTRGV opened its first School of Medicine building on the Edinburg Campus. Construction continued on two new buildings: an academic building in Brownsville and a science research building in Edinburg. Designs were completed for two Tuition Revenue Bonds buildings awarded by the Texas Legislature: a multipurpose academic building in Brownsville and an interdisciplinary engineering building in Edinburg.
Private donations: Private giving early in the year climbed to $26 million – including a pivotal gift of $15 million establishing the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
CONTINUED TRANSFORMATION: 2017
Just two years in, UTRGV continued its transition from two disparate schools into one.
Philanthropy: The Office of Development surpassed its fundraising goals, ending the fiscal year at more than $33 million raised through private philanthropy. Additionally, the UT Board of Regents approved $100 million in PUF for the UTRGV School of Medicine.
Faculty Flair: Four UTRGV professors were named 2017 recipients of the UT System Board of Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award.
Scholastic accolades: UTRGV ranked #1 for online Master of Education in Educational Leadership.
Year for research: In UTRGV’s ongoing march toward R1 status, research was a shining star, as UTRGV’s Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy was part of the first observation of neutron stars colliding.
SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS: 2018
With student success remaining a core tenet for UTRGV, students at all levels continued to excel.
Chess Champions: UTRGV saw state and national wins by the UTRGV Chess Team. Coach Bartek Macieja and his national champion team proudly brought home the trophy.
Community Care: The UTRGV School of Medicine opened its first student-run clinic, providing free medical care to underserved Valley communities, and welcomed its incoming Class of 2022.
ADVANCEMENTS: 2019
In 2019, UTRGV added programs to boost student opportunity and achievement.
Again! The UTRGV Chess Team brought home another state title, followed by another win in the President’s Cup and their second national title.
Free tuition: UTRGV announced an innovative, free-tuition program – recognized as the most expansive free-tuition program in the state. “UTRGV Tuition Advantage” covers the costs of tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying students.
Rankings: Money magazine ranked UTRGV as the third-best public university in Texas, based on quality of education, affordability, and outcomes. And in Washington Monthly’s college rankings, UTRGV was the highest-ranked public university for value nationwide.
Howdy, y’all! UTRGV unveiled the appearance of the Vaquero mascot, with the costumed version making its debut at Vaquero RoundUp.
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES: 2020
One word can sum up 2020: COVID-19. UTRGV’s focus shifted to survival, to living in isolation but still moving forward with life.
• UTRGV established its COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites on March 27, led by a team of UTRGV medical professionals.
• Dr. John Thomas established an approved and certified testing laboratory on campus, expediting wait times for results.
• In May, UTRGV held its first completely virtual commencement ceremony for 3,000 Spring graduates and their families.
• UTRGV offered tuition advantages to help ease economic hardship for students during COVID-19 and its financial challenges, and by September, it marked a record-high enrollment.
Washington Monthly named UTRGV in the Top 100 National Universities list for the university’s influence on the public good in social mobility and research.
The THECB approved the first podiatry program in Texas at UTRGV.
ADAPTING TO CHANGE: 2021
As things began to loosen up, people masked up, socially distanced, and got ready for a new normal.
Great Scott! MacKenzie Scott donated a historic $40 million to the university, which helped fund the Luminary scholarship program.
National Recognition: Washington Monthly ranked UTRGV among the best and most affordable public universities in both Texas and the country.
Are You Ready for Some …: UTRGV students voted in favor of a referendum proposal to support spirit, marching band, women’s swimming and diving programs, and the creation of a Vaqueros football program.
Checkmate: The UTRGV Chess Team did it yet again, bringing home its third national President’s Cup for an official Three-Peat.
GAINING TRACTION: 2022
In the wake of the pandemic, the still-fledgling university reestablished its footing, making 2022 a year of forward momentum.
Enrollment Soars: For the third consecutive year, UTRGV achieved a record first-day enrollment of over 32,000 students at the start of the Fall semester, comprising more than 5,800 incoming freshmen and over 4,000 graduate students.
Tailored Healthcare: UTRGV became the first university in Texas – and one of only 10 in the nation – to add a School of Podiatric Medicine, and broke ground on its new UTRGV Cancer & Surgery Center.
‘Top College’: Money Magazine ranked UTRGV third in Texas for its value.
Community Investment: UTRGV welcomed its first cohort of Luminary Scholars, made possible by the historic $40 million gift from philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett.
Football and Fanfare: In November, approval was given for the programs approved by student referendum: football, women’s swimming and diving, marching band, and expanded spirit programs were all officially approved and underway. In mid-December, UTRGV named its new football coach!
CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS: 2023
With the belief that a university is about much more than academic achievement, UTRGV continued to focus on programs and initiatives to elevate the appeal of the Valley as a place to live and prosper.
Major Milestone: UTRGV surpassed a record 50,000 graduates.
We’re #1: UTRGV kicked off the academic year as the No. 1 university in Texas in Washington Monthly’s college rankings. Degree Choices – a new college ratings system highlighting economic impact – ranked UTRGV the seventh Best Public University in the nation.
Focus on Brownsville: UTRGV announced it would acquire Longoria Elementary School in Brownsville to house the School of Art and Design, with a planned investment of $33.8 million for renovation. UTRGV got the green light to purchase downtown’s landmark Majestic Theatre and an adjacent building to create a new Performing Arts Center. The official purchase was completed in November.
Vaqueros Brand Grows: Intercollegiate Athletics experienced historic growth with a financial strength of $2.7 million, and the creation of Vaqueros Especial salsa and Los Vaqueros beer.
Beyond the Master’s: The first doctoral degree program for the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science was approved.
REACHING ITS STRIDE: 2024
By 2024, it was apparent UTRGV had been doing all the right things to bring value to el Valle. UTRGV was no longer just a place to go for a degree before you moved away. It had become a core element of the community.
Prepping for kickoff: In February, UTRGV announced plans to purchase H-E-B Park in Edinburg as the primary home for Vaqueros football. The complex was named in honor of Robert and Janet Vackar, whose transformational $20 million gift – the largest in UTRGV Athletics history – will support the university’s growing athletics program and help usher in a new era of Division I football in the Rio Grande Valley.
National Accolades: For the first time, the Wall Street Journal ranked UTRGV No. 1 in Texas for social mobility and best value.
High School Partnerships: Harlingen Collegiate High opened in 2021, and in 2024, UTRGV launched the UTRGV Edinburg CISD Collegiate High School, a state-of-the-art facility for 400 students. In October, the UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy was officially unveiled.
PRESENT AND FUTURE: 2025
Halfway through 2025, UTRGV can proudly celebrate its accomplishments and growth, along with the achievements of the thousands of students who study and excel on its campuses.
There are new academic programs, doctoral degrees, and international research initiatives across disciplines, as well as state, national, and international rankings and accolades. Bricks and mortar improvements and additions from Brownsville to Harlingen to McAllen are expanding the university’s foundation as a Valley institution for the ages. UTRGV’s healthcare commitment now includes not just the School of Medicine, but the schools of Podiatry and Optometry, along with regional clinics and the new Cancer and Surgery Center in McAllen.
And at long last, Friday Night Lights are shining in the Valley as the new Vaqueros football team takes to the field, backed up by UTRGV’s new Marching Band and an expanded Spirit program to keep things hopping!
As the university steams toward 2026, one thing is clear: UTRGV is an academic destination to be proud of.
