New UTSA institute to deliver solutions for security issues

(Dec. 14, 2004)--UTSA announced Dec. 13 the creation of the Institute for the Protection of American Communities (IPAC) and the appointment of retired Lt. Gen. Lawson W. Magruder III as its executive director.

IPAC was created to provide technical expertise and solutions to security challenges faced by communities. Its niche will be in infrastructure assurance across all sectors in a community with a focus on cyber security and protection from chemical, biological, radiological and explosive threats.

Pictured are (left) Joe Stafford, UTSA vice president for research and graduate studies, and Magruder.

UTSA President Ricardo Romo welcomed Magruder to the university and said, "Magruder brings to UTSA and IPAC an extraordinary record of public service and achievement in strategic planning in complex organizations, particularly those related to the development of homeland security programs."

During his military career, Magruder held several key positions including commanding general of the U.S. Army South, responsible for the defense of the Panama Canal and military-to-military relations in Latin America. A native Texan, he retired in 2001 from the Army after 32 years of active duty. He commanded the historic 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., one of the Army's top 10 combat divisions.

Magruder joins UTSA after serving as vice president for national security programs for Battelle Memorial Institute, where he developed its Office for Homeland Security.

"With the establishment of IPAC, I believe UTSA and San Antonio can make a significant difference in the protection of our nation's precious vital resources," said Magruder. "I am confident that IPAC will assume a leadership role in helping focus the efforts of our local public and private partners in solving the most immediate challenges facing our city and other communities in the United States.

IPAC will draw expertise and be a collaborative effort of UTSA faculty, UTSA's Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) and UTSA's Center of Excellence in Biotechnology, Bioprocessing, Education and Research (CEBBER).

Other contributing members include the Center for Public Health Preparedness and Biomedical Research at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, the Information Technology and Security Academy at the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) and the Center for Terrorism Law at St. Mary's University, as well as local military organizations, state and local government agencies, and a number of area businesses with specialized expertise in homeland security.

All activities of the institute are funded from gifts, grants and contracts.

--Marianne McBride Lewis