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UTSA receives Chancellor’s Excellence Award from UT System

UTSA receives Chancellor’s Excellence Award from UT System

Professor emerita and former Poet Laureate of Texas Carmen Tafolla reads a poem she wrote to commemorate the anniversary.

JANUARY 29, 2020 — The University of Texas System has recognized UTSA with a prestigious Chancellor’s Excellence Award for the university’s outstanding slate of special events in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

UT System’s top honor for Excellence in Special Events, the award acknowledged the exceptional teamwork involved in the execution of over 25 events throughout 2019 in commemoration of the university’s first five decades. The events entailed coordination from multiple UTSA departments and were attended by thousands of individuals, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community partners and elected officials.

The award was presented during UT System’s annual Advancement Academy on Dec. 10. UTSA Assistant Vice President for Leadership Strategy CeCe Griffin accepted the award on behalf of the university.


“This prestigious award is a direct reflection of the passion our UTSA community has for our rich history and bold future ahead.”

CECE GRIFFIN, Assistant Vice President for Leadership Strategy



“This prestigious award is a direct reflection of the passion our UTSA community has for our rich history and bold future ahead,” said Griffin. I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish together. It was a true team effort. The level of excellence and collaboration required to coordinate this unforgettable series of events was inspiring, and we are so honored that UT System recognized our collective efforts.”

UTSA’s award highlighted four signature 50th anniversary events:

  • The UTSA Golden Gala honored the university’s rich history and five decades of extraordinary success. The event brought together over 600 alumni, donors and friends of the university to celebrate the vibrant future of UTSA, resulting in over $500,000 raised for student scholarships
  • UTSA’s 50th Anniversary Commemoration at The Alamo gathered San Antonio’s elected and community leaders together with the Roadrunner community to pay homage to the university’s founding at the same historic location 50 years prior. Notable attendees included two of UTSA’s founders and the sons of three additional founders. The event featured remarks by Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott and Hope Andrade of the Alamo Endowment Board of Directors, among others
  • The UTSA 50th Anniversary Scholars Speaker Series served as the university’s gift to the San Antonio community. The series, which featured monthly talks by UTSA’s most distinguished faculty regarding their cutting-edge research, was met with enthusiastic crowds of 85–130 guests who eagerly learned from each scholar at unique venues throughout the city.
  • UTSA’s BestFest is an annual public festival hosted for the student body each fall during Homecoming Weekend. The 50th anniversary edition of BestFest, held in fall 2019, included musical entertainment from a Grammy Award–winning artist and an impressive commemorative fireworks display.

Watch video of UTSA's 50th anniversary commemoration at the Alamo.


“I couldn’t be prouder of the way so many of our staff, faculty and students came together to produce a world-class series of events in honor of UTSA’s 50th,” said President Taylor Eighmy. “The Chancellor’s Award is a testament to the incredible amount of hard work and team spirit that went into the planning and execution of these commemorations. They illuminated just how far UTSA has come in 50 years, and our bold, bright future ahead.”

Jordan Allen


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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.