Uniquely UTSA
It's been less than 50 years since UTSA was created by an act of the Texas legislature, but in that truly short era, the university has built a solid reputation as an emerging premier research institution. Much of UTSA's advancement has to do with the core values that support its educational mission: integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation.
It's the added layers of personal touches, though — decades of accumulation of individual flair of students, faculty, administration and staff — that have built the rich, diverse, colorful tapestry that is indisputably UTSA. It's a vision of promise and achievement that makes current and former Roadrunners so proud and that makes future Roadrunners want to become part of the developing story.
Over the years the teams that have produced Sombrilla Magazine have been proud to tell these stories and to be part of UTSA. In celebration of the magazine's 30th anniversary we're taking a look at the university traditions and icons that have evolved to be unmistakable parts of the UTSA experience.
We invite you to take a moment to enjoy the vision you've helped to build, learn about something you never knew or maybe had forgotten and be inspired to continue strengthening UTSA's traditions, its history and its reputation.
Bird Watching
Did you know that Rowdy almost never came to be? Ever wondered how someone thought up UTSA's hand sign? All this and more about our roadrunner mascot.
Building a Legacy
Insights on the "first campus" and an architectural icon that seemingly has no purpose as well as the surnames we encounter in our campus travels.
Go Ahead, Touch!
Have you felt your passions ignite on the "bridge of love"? Has the "fountain of luck" improved the outcome on your final exams? Plus: Mementos of Fiesta UTSA.
The Way We Were
Sombrilla takes a look in the mirror to see how the times have changed—the look of the magazine and UTSA in general—over its 30-year history.
Goal Oriented
UTSA made a jump shot into NCAA sports years before football arrived, and many traditions took root afterward to help students connect with athletics.
The Student Body
It's been three decades since the first Mr. & Ms. UTSA were crowned—and Sombrilla invited them back to campus! Plus: A roundup of other campus traditions.