Friday, December 8, 2023

Celebrating the 50th: UTSA's historic first class

Celebrating the 50th: UTSA's historic first class

President Flawn signs the diploma for the first graduating student against Rep. Frank Lombardino's back, reenacting the historic event when Gov. Preston Smith signed the legislation creating UTSA on Lombardino's back.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in UTSA newsletter The Discourse in Sept. 1974.

(May 17, 2019) -- The day was perfect. It was sunny and warm with the pleasant diversion of a late summer breeze. At 3 p.m. the processional began, and UTSA faculty members and graduates in traditional academic regalia walked across the courtyard to The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio auditorium.

The occasion was a historic one. On August 18 UTSA awarded degrees to 82 students—the university’s first graduates.

Bevington Reed, commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System, delivered the commencement address. Speaking of accomplishments since the university opened its doors in June 1973, he called UTSA “an island of light,” a place of happiness and challenge, and he compared it to the free University of West Berlin, which shines from within East German borders.

>> Read the rest of this story and relive other memories from UTSA’s history as we celebrate UTSA’s 50th Anniversary.


Celebrate UTSA’s 50th Anniversary and share social media posts about the 50th using the hashtag #UTSA50.

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UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.


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UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.