UTSA celebrates Middle Rio Grande Day Oct. 21

(Oct. 21, 2004)--UTSA President Ricardo Romo proclaimed Oct. 21 as Middle Rio Grande Day at UTSA. Four mayors, superintendents, principals and students from the region were on hand to lead a forum and tour the campus.

The mayors' forum focused on issues involving NAFTA, immigration, economic development, South Texas politics and access to higher education. The College of Education and Human Development met with the superintendents and principals to discuss ways in which to strengthen the partnership between respective educational institutions.

Pictured (top photo) are Romo with UTSA students from the Middle Rio Grande area. In the lower photo (from left) are Ralph Salinas, Carrizo Springs mayor; Adolfo Benavides, Carrizo Springs High School principal; Raul G. Gomez, Crystal City mayor; Diana Palacious, Crystal City manager; UTSA President Ricardo Romo; Rudy Chapa, Del Rio mayor pro-tem; Chad Foster, Eagle Pass mayor, and Rafael Castillo Jr., Del Rio city manager.

"Nearly 500 UTSA students are from the Middle Rio Grande and include some of our brightest scholars and campus leaders," said Romo. "Celebrating Middle Rio Grande Day at the university recognizes the importance of higher education to this entire region and the future of the State of Texas."

The event was part of UTSA's South Texas Community Initiative, which visits South Texas communities with college-age students. By recruiting more students from the region, UTSA hopes to close the gap between those who receive higher education in underrepresented communities and those who do not.

The university ranks first in the country among public and private schools for preparing Hispanic students for careers in biology and the life sciences and overall in the number of degrees awarded to Hispanics.

For more information, contact Mariano Trujillo at (210) 458-2903.

--Stephanie Mota