UTSA Time Line

1969

June 1969: Texas Legislature established University of Texas campus in San Antonio. Gov. Preston Smith signs act into law on back of Rep. Frank Lombardino, one of bill's sponsors.

1970-1979

May 1970: UT System Board of Regents accepts 600 acres of land donated for UTSA near Interstate 10 and Loop 1604.
July 1970: UT System Board of Regents names Arleigh B. Templeton first UTSA president.
June 1971: O'Neil Ford designs campus with central plaza and courtyard, reminiscent of Italian village.
May 1972: Construction of UTSA at I-10 and 1604 begins. Largest new university under construction in United States. Seven buildings comprise 800,000 square feet and cost $41 million.
June 1972: Fifty faculty hired. Dewey D. Davis, professor in Division of Education, first faculty member appointed.
January 1973: Peter T. Flawn appointed president. Arleigh B. Templeton named president of UT El Paso.
September 1973: Graduate enrollment: 1,113.
December 1973: John Peace, San Antonio attorney and former chair of UT System Board of Regents, donates collection of early Texas and Mexico history books and documents to UTSA Library.
August 1974: First commencement. Degrees awarded to 82 students.
September 1975: Classes begin at UTSA Main Campus for students enrolled in five colleges: Business, Fine and Applied Arts, Sciences and Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Multidisciplinary Studies. Enrollment: 4,433 (2,247 undergraduates)
May 1976: John Peace Library Building opens as library and administration building.
January 1978: James W. Wagener appointed president after Peter T. Flawn resigns to return to teaching and research at UT Austin.
July 1978: Alumni Association formed with 3,065 alumni.
August 1979: Enrollment: 9,400.

1980-1989

February 1980: UTSA announces plans to join NCAA Division 1.
April 1980: UTSA Center for Economic Development opens at HemisFair Park.
January 1981: Student newspaper, Paisano, established as only independent student publication in state.
May 1983: UTSA celebrate 10 years of enrolling students.
February 1986: Institute of Texan Cultures becomes part of UTSA.
January 1988: Tomás Rivera Office of Student Information and Retention opens.
July 1988: Phase I of Engineering/Biotechnology Building approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
September 1989: Hispanic Research Center opens.

1990-1999

January 1990: Samuel A. Kirkpatrick becomes fourth president of UTSA.
April 1991: Dedication of Engineering/Biotechnology Building.
May 1991: Howard Hughes Medical Institute awards $650,000 grant to train minorities and women in sciences.
August 1991: UTSA becomes first university in Texas to receive $144,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to internationalize College of Business.
September 1991: UTSA Downtown opens in Institute of Texan Cultures. Enrollment: 15,759. Men's and women's athletics join Southland Conference.
November 1991: Women's cross-country team wins first Southland Conference Championship. Conference titles also in women's indoor and outdoor track and field and men's basketball.
January 1992: First doctoral program, Ph.D. in biology with specialty in neurobiology, approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
February 1992: UTSA plays first season of men's baseball and women's softball, bringing number of sports to 14, seven for men and seven for women.
July 1992: Master of Science degree in Management of Technology approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, first of its kind in Texas
August 1992: Phase I of University Oaks Apartments opens, providing on-campus housing for 450 students.
September 1992: Center for Professional Excellence started.
January 1993: Center for Archeological Research exhumes Ben Milam from grave in downtown's Milam Park.
March 1993: Demolition of Fiesta Plaza begins, making room for UTSA Downtown Campus.
July 1993: Leslie Dodson, former UTSA student-athlete, wins gold medal at 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival in volleyball.
August 1993: UT System Board of Regents approves capital improvement plan for first-year funding to develop $17 million Engineering/Biotechnology Building (Phase II).
October 1993: UT system formally accepts Durango Street site from Bill Miller Bar-B-Q enterprises. Enrollment tops 17,000 students.
April 1994: Bachelor's degrees in communication and Mexican-American studies approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. U.S. Department of Education awards grant to establish Women and Minority Undergraduate Research Program.
September 1994: UTSA celebrates 25th anniversary through a series of special events. First academic convocation is held featuring acclaimed Mexican author and statesman Carlos Fuentes.
December 1994: Groundbreaking for the Business Building. The 205,000-square-feet building will house the College of Business, a new campus visitor center and a computer lab.
February 1995: Groundbreaking ceremonies for University Center expansion. The 97,500-square-foot building cost $13.2 million to build.
July 1995: Master's degree in architecture receives final approval.
August 1995: Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new UTSA Downtown Campus. The new 11-acre campus is bounded by I-35 South, Durango Boulevard, and Frio and Buena Vista streets.
February 1996: Groundbreaking ceremonies held for the 63,000-square-foot, $17 million Biosciences Building.
May 1996: First two doctoral degrees are awarded at UTSA. Recipients were James Colston and Karla Kopec, who received doctoral degrees in biology with a concentration in neurobiology.
September 1996: Dedication of the University Center expansion. The 98,500-square-foot expansion will triple the size of the existing facility.
January 1997: Groundbreaking for UTSA Downtown Campus-Phase II, the Buena Vista Street Building.
February 1997: Dedication of the Business Building. Designed by the architectural firm of Ford Powell & Carson.
September 1997: Dedication of the Frio Street Building at the Downtown Campus.
April 1998: Dedication of the Biosciences Building. 63,000-square foot facility dedicated to neuroscience research.
September 1998: The Biosciences Building rotunda is named in honor of Dr. Burton E. Grossman.
December 1998: UTSA's College of Business receives a $1 million gift from Hong Kong businessman Richard Liu. It is the largest single donation from an individual in UTSA's history.
January 1999: UTSA dedicates the second Downtown Campus Building, the Buena Vista Street Building.
May 1999: Ricardo Romo named UTSA's fifth president and the first Hispanic president in the university's 30-year history.
September 1999: Groundbreaking ceremony for Phase III of the Downtown Campus.

2000-present

February 2000: UTSA receives $83.8 million from the Permanent University Fund for two new buildings, a thermal energy plant and technology upgrades.
January 2003: UTSA dedicates new $20 milion Recreation and Wellness Center, and new Childcare Development Center .
May 2003: UTSA Main Campus marks construction on a new $83.7 million Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building. The 227,000 square-foot facility is scheduled to be complete Spring 2005.
July 2004: UTSA celebrates it's 35th Anniversary with the announcement of the Roadmap to Excellence, designed to elevate UTSA into one of the nation's premier research universities over the next decade. The far-reaching plan will add research faculty from top-tier institutions and dramatically increase the number of doctoral programs and research centers. The university also hosted an Open House for the new $52 million Main Building which houses classrooms, lecture halls, specialized teaching labs and academic support space.
August 2004: UTSA opens new 1,000 bed Chaparral Village housing complex.
September 2004: Fall enrollment more than 26,000 makes UTSA the second largest institution among the 15 components in The University of Texas System.
August 2005: UTSA opens first Parking Garage occupying 630 vehicles on Main Campus.
September 2005: UTSA enrollment increases to 27,291 students.
November 2005: UTSA opens new $10.6 Margaret Batts Tobin Laboratory on West Campus. The 22,000 square-foot facility accommodates faculty and graduate students researching emerging infectious diseases. The Tobin Laboratory includes UTSA's second biosafety level three laboratory requiring certification by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and government security clearances for researchers.
February 2006: UTSA opens $83.7 million Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building. The 226,000 square foot, five-story atrium building is one of the most sophisticated facilities in Texas.
September 2006: UTSA enrollment increases to 28,379 students.

Updated Oct. 20, 2009
UTSA Public Affairs Office

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UTSA Time Line 1969 June 1969 Texas Legislature established University of Texas campus in San Antonio. Gov. Preston Smith signs act into law on back of Rep. Frank Lombardino, one of bill's sponsors. 1970-1979 May 1970 UT System Board of Regents accepts 600 acres of land donated for UTSA near Interstate 10 and Loop 1604. July 1970 UT System Board of Regents names Arleigh B. Templeton first UTSA president. June 1971 O'Neil Ford designs campus with central plaza and courtyard, reminiscent of Italian village. May 1972 Construction of UTSA at I-10 and 1604 begins. Largest new university under construction in United States. Seven buildings comprise 800,000 square feet and cost $41 million. June 1972 Fifty faculty hired. Dewey D. Davis, professor in Division of Education, first faculty member appointed. January 1973 Peter T. Flawn appointed president. Arleigh B. Templeton named president of UT El Paso. September 1973 Graduate enrollment: 1,113. December 1973 John Peace, San Antonio attorney and former chair of UT System Board of Regents, donates collection of early Texas and Mexico history books and documents to UTSA Library. August 1974 First commencement. Degrees awarded to 82 students. September 1975 Classes begin at UTSA Main Campus for students enrolled in five colleges: Business, Fine and Applied Arts, Sciences and Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Multidisciplinary Studies. Enrollment: 4,433 (2,247 undergraduates) May 1976 John Peace Library Building opens as library and administration building. January 1978 James W. Wagener appointed president after Peter T. Flawn resigns to return to teaching and research at UT Austin. July 1978 Alumni Association formed with 3,065 alumni. August 1979 Enrollment: 9,400. 1980-1989 February 1980 UTSA announces plans to join NCAA Division 1. April 1980 UTSA Center for Economic Development opens at HemisFair Park. January 1981 Student newspaper, Paisano, established as only independent student publication in state. May 1983 UTSA celebrate 10 years of enrolling students. February 1986 Institute of Texan Cultures becomes part of UTSA. January 1988 Tomás Rivera Office of Student Information and Retention opens. July 1988 Phase I of Engineering/Biotechnology Building approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. September 1989 Hispanic Research Center opens. 1990-1999 January 1990 Samuel A. Kirkpatrick becomes fourth president of UTSA. April 1991 Dedication of Engineering/Biotechnology Building. May 1991 Howard Hughes Medical Institute awards $650,000 grant to train minorities and women in sciences. August 1991 UTSA becomes first university in Texas to receive $144,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to internationalize College of Business. September 1991 UTSA Downtown opens in Institute of Texan Cultures. Enrollment: 15,759. Men's and women's athletics join Southland Conference. November 1991 Women's cross-country team wins first Southland Conference Championship. Conference titles also in women's indoor and outdoor track and field and men's basketball. January 1992 First doctoral program, Ph.D. in biology with specialty in neurobiology, approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. February 1992 UTSA plays first season of men's baseball and women's softball, bringing number of sports to 14, seven for men and seven for women. July 1992 Master of Science degree in Management of Technology approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, first of its kind in Texas August 1992 Phase I of University Oaks Apartments opens, providing on-campus housing for 450 students. September 1992 Center for Professional Excellence started. January 1993 Center for Archeological Research exhumes Ben Milam from grave in downtown's Milam Park. March 1993 Demolition of Fiesta Plaza begins, making room for UTSA Downtown Campus. July 1993 Leslie Dodson, former UTSA student-athlete, wins gold medal at 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival in volleyball. August 1993 UT System Board of Regents approves capital improvement plan for first-year funding to develop $17 million Engineering/Biotechnology Building (Phase II). October 1993 UT system formally accepts Durango Street site from Bill Miller Bar-B-Q enterprises. Enrollment tops 17,000 students. April 1994 Bachelor's degrees in communication and Mexican-American studies approved by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. U.S. Department of Education awards grant to establish Women and Minority Undergraduate Research Program. September 1994 UTSA celebrates 25th anniversary through a series of special events. First academic convocation is held featuring acclaimed Mexican author and statesman Carlos Fuentes. December 1994 Groundbreaking for the Business Building. The 205,000-square-feet building will house the College of Business, a new campus visitor center and a computer lab. February 1995 Groundbreaking ceremonies for University Center expansion. The 97,500-square-foot building cost $13.2 million to build. July 1995 Master's degree in architecture receives final approval. August 1995 Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new UTSA Downtown Campus. The new 11-acre campus is bounded by I-35 South, Durango Boulevard, and Frio and Buena Vista streets. February 1996 Groundbreaking ceremonies held for the 63,000-square-foot, $17 million Biosciences Building. May 1996 First two doctoral degrees are awarded at UTSA. Recipients were James Colston and Karla Kopec, who received doctoral degrees in biology with a concentration in neurobiology. September 1996 Dedication of the University Center expansion. The 98,500-square-foot expansion will triple the size of the existing facility. January 1997 Groundbreaking for UTSA Downtown Campus-Phase II, the Buena Vista Street Building. February 1997 Dedication of the Business Building. Designed by the architectural firm of Ford Powell & Carson. September 1997 Dedication of the Frio Street Building at the Downtown Campus. April 1998 Dedication of the Biosciences Building. 63,000-square foot facility dedicated to neuroscience research. September 1998 The Biosciences Building rotunda is named in honor of Dr. Burton E. Grossman. December 1998 UTSA's College of Business receives a $1 million gift from Hong Kong businessman Richard Liu. It is the largest single donation from an individual in UTSA's history. January 1999 UTSA dedicates the second Downtown Campus Building, the Buena Vista Street Building. May 1999 Ricardo Romo named UTSA's fifth president and the first Hispanic president in the university's 30-year history. September 1999 Groundbreaking ceremony for Phase III of the Downtown Campus. 2000-present February 2000 UTSA receives $83.8 million from the Permanent University Fund for two new buildings, a thermal energy plant and technology upgrades. January 2003 UTSA dedicates new $20 milion Recreation and Wellness Center, and new Childcare Development Center . May 2003 UTSA Main Campus marks construction on a new $83.7 million Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building. The 227,000 square-foot facility is scheduled to be complete Spring 2005. July 2004 UTSA celebrates it's 35th Anniversary with the announcement of the Roadmap to Excellence, designed to elevate UTSA into one of the nation's premier research universities over the next decade. The far-reaching plan will add research faculty from top-tier institutions and dramatically increase the number of doctoral programs and research centers. The university also hosted an Open House for the new $52 million Main Building which houses classrooms, lecture halls, specialized teaching labs and academic support space. August 2004 UTSA opens new 1,000 bed Chaparral Village housing complex. September 2004 Fall enrollment more than 26,000 makes UTSA the second largest institution among the 15 components in The University of Texas System. August 2005 UTSA opens first Parking Garage occupying 630 vehicles on Main Campus. September 2005 UTSA enrollment increases to 27,291 students. November 2005 UTSA opens new $10.6 Margaret Batts Tobin Laboratory on West Campus. The 22,000 square-foot facility accommodates faculty and graduate students researching emerging infectious diseases. The Tobin Laboratory includes UTSA's second biosafety level three laboratory requiring certification by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and government security clearances for researchers. February 2006 UTSA opens $83.7 million Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building. The 226,000 square foot, five-story atrium building is one of the most sophisticated facilities in Texas. September 2006 UTSA enrollment increases to 28,379 students. Updated Oct. 20, 2009 UTSA Public Affairs Office	Search UTSA About Menu Overview History Academics Students & Alumni Research Community Impact Athletics History Menu History Timeline UTSA Presidents Related Sites President's Welcome Directories UT System UT System Board of Regents UT System Chancellor
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