UTSA marks 50th birthday with trio of events, June 5

(June 3, 2019) -- When UTSA celebrates its 50th birthday on Wed., June 5, the milestone will include festivities on campus and in San Antonio. The events will commemorate the historical ceremony in 1969 when Texas Gov. Preston Smith signed House Bill 42 of the 61st Texas Legislature on the back of Rep. Frank Lombardino in front of the Alamo, creating UTSA.

The largest event this week will be UTSA’s 50th Anniversary Commemoration, scheduled at 5 p.m. on June 5 in front of the Alamo. The event will include members of the university community, UTSA founders and their family members, and elected and community leaders. Two-time alumnus AJ Rodriguez ’98 ’00 will serve as the commemoration’s master of ceremonies.

UTSA ROTC members and members of the Spirit of San Antonio will begin the ceremony with a color guard and the national anthem. Remarks will be given by Hope Andrade of the Alamo Endowment Board of Directors and Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott. UTSA Development Board Chair Cathy Obriotti Green will present the Chain of Office to UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. Former Texas Poet Laureate Carmen Tafolla will read a poem she authored for the occasion. The event will also include performances by UTSA students.

In addition to state, community and university leaders, the many special guests present at the Commemoration will include:

• The Honorable John T. Steen, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board member and former Texas Secretary of State (2012-2014). His father, John Steen, Sr., played a pivotal role in UTSA’s founding as president of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce in 1969;

• The Honorable James Thomas Lombardino, attorney and former District Court Judge of the 308th Judicial District Court. His father, State Representative Frank Lombardino, the self-proclaimed “father of UTSA,” authored House Bill 42 which established UTSA in 1969; 

• The Honorable Ben F. Barnes, who served as Texas Lieutenant Governor in 1969. Barnes used his parliamentary skill and influence to garner the political support needed to ensure the successful passage of House Bill 42; 

• The Honorable Dr. Joe Bernal, former State Senator. Bernal authored the Senate’s companion bill to Lombardino’s House bill while overcoming stiff opposition to win final approval for the legislation; and 

• The Honorable Carleton B. Spears, attorney and former District Court Judge of the 150th Judicial District Court. His father, State Senator Franklin Spears, played a pivotal role in UTSA’s founding by championing a resolution during the 1965 legislative session calling for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to do a feasibility study on establishing an institution of higher education in Bexar County.

On June 5, UTSA will also host a pair of 50th birthday parties for the university community and for UTSA alumni.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend UTSA birthday parties from noon to 1 p.m. on June 5 in the Sombrilla at the Main Campus and in the Frio Street Commons at the Downtown Campus. The parties will feature cupcakes and music.

UTSA alumni are invited to a “Party through the Decades” at 5 p.m. on June 5 at Hills and Dale’s Ice House, 15403 White Fawn Dr., San Antonio. The birthday event includes Tubular Trivia at 6 p.m., house party games, a birthday piñata and an 8:15 p.m. birthday cake cutting. Although admission is free, guests are encouraged to RSVP at alumni@utsa.edu.

To celebrate the university’s birthday, Roadrunners and members of the San Antonio community are encouraged to wear their UTSA gear or their orange and blue on June 5 to show their UTSA pride. Photos shared on social media should include the hashtag #UTSA50. 

>> Celebrate UTSA’s 50th anniversary.

Founded by the 61st Texas Legislature on June 5, 1969, UTSA was commissioned as a university of the first class. Until UTSA was established, San Antonio was the only major city in the nation not served by a four-year public university. Leaders, legislators and the public knew that if San Antonio was to achieve its full potential, a nationally recognized research university was needed to offer a comprehensive array of courses and degrees. 

Today, UTSA is a multicultural discovery enterprise with more than 32,000 students across nine colleges and a graduate school. It is committed to student success and research excellence while addressing the grand challenges facing today’s world. Because of this commitment and a dedication to strategic growth and innovative excellence, community leaders and industry professionals instinctively link UTSA to the success of San Antonio and its impact on the global economy.

— Christi Fish

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Learn more about UTSA’s 50th anniversary. 

View a collection of historical UTSA photos and videos. 

Share your memories of UTSA for a chance to be featured on the 50th anniversary website.

Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.