The University of Texas at San Antonio marks its 46th anniversary
(June 5, 2015) – The University of Texas at San Antonio marks its 46th anniversary today.
Since its founding, UTSA has produced thousands of top-tier teachers, scientists, architects, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs and leaders. About 70 percent of UTSA graduates remain in San Antonio. They are helping transform the community into a top-tier city.
On June 5, 1969, in front of the Alamo, Gov. Preston Smith signed the legislation that created UTSA. It was the first time a bill was signed by the governor outside of the capital.
Construction on the Main Campus at I-10 and Loop 1604 began in May 1972. It was the largest new university under construction in the nation, with seven buildings comprising 800,000 square feet. Classes were held at the Koger Center while campus construction was underway.
Since that time, UTSA has experienced tremendous growth. In 1976, the John Peace Library opened, also serving as the new administration building. The 11-acre Downtown Campus opened in 1997.
Since Ricardo Romo became president in 1999, UTSA has added 15 landmark buildings, including the Main Building, Margaret Batts Tobin Laboratories, Biotechnology Science and Engineering building, H-E-B University Center, and the Applied Engineering and Technology Building.
Today, UTSA is an emerging Tier One research institution, offering 158 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in nine colleges and the Graduate School on two campuses. It is also home to the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, housed on the HemisFair Park Campus.
UTSA's enrollment has grown from 1,113 in September 1973 to almost 29,000 students today. In 1974, UTSA awarded degrees to 82 students at its first commencement ceremony. Today, the UTSA community includes more than 100,000 alumni.
This year, UTSA began developing a new strategic plan, UTSA 2020 Blueprint. It will guide the university's development over the next five years and move UTSA closer to Tier One recognition. UTSA 2020 Blueprint is a university-wide process, with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community supporters working together to build the future of UTSA.
Visit UTSA's timeline for more university history.
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Events
The UTSA Office of Undergraduate is proud to celebrate National Undergraduate Research with an annual event sponsored by the (OUR) featuring students will showcase undergraduate student research and creative endeavors from all disciplines across campus.
Various LocationsAsian Fanfair is an event that highlights our APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) identities on campus. The event will feature performances from our AAPI interest Student Organizations, a tabling fair, and some cultural cuisine.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusJoin us for a day dedicated to supporting and empowering our UTSA veterans! We're excited to announce our upcoming resource fair, designed specifically to ensure that our veteran students have access to the resources and networking opportunities they need to thrive in their academic and post-military lives.
Student Union Lawn, Main CampusThis workshop will introduce participants to the basics of text analysis using Python and Jupyter Notebook on the Constellate Lab platform. We will create datasets in Constellate to analyze patterns, trends, and relationships of contents and more.
John Peace Library (JPL 3.02.32), Main CampusWhat would award-winning writing professor Diane Abdo say if it were her last lecture? Join us for our annual Last Lecture series on Wednesday April 17.
Multipurpose Room (BSE 2.102), Main CampusDía en la Sombrilla, formerly Fiesta UTSA, is a festival hosted each spring as a part of Fiesta® San Antonio events. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions, the event features music, food, confetti, games, event t-shirts, and more.
Sombrilla Plaza and Central Plaza, Main CampusFiesta Arts Fair features contemporary art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S., Fiesta favorite foods, drinks, live music by local and regional performers, and a Young Artists Garden providing opportunities for budding artists to learn, explore and express their creativity.
UTSA Southwest Campus