At left, UTSA President Ricardo Romo announces the SBC Foundation grant in the Durango Building Southwest Room at the UTSA Downtown Campus. At right, Wayne Alexander, president of SBC Southwestern Bell, and President Romo.
SBC Foundation gives $500,000 to UTSA Biotechnology Center
(Dec. 6, 2001)--UTSA is closer to its goal of becoming one of the top-tier research universities in Texas -- thanks, in part, to a $500,000 grant from the SBC Foundation.
The SBC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SBC Communications Inc., today announced it will contribute $500,000 toward the establishment of a biotechnology center of excellence at UTSA. This donation is the largest corporate contribution to the university's Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building project, which will be one of the largest science-related educational buildings in Texas.
"The UTSA Biotechnology Initiative is focused on creating an environment in which engineers, scientists, and physicians will pursue biomedical and biotechnology-related research and provide world-class, graduate-level instruction," said UTSA President Ricardo Romo. "This gift from the SBC Foundation is an important endorsement and validation from the business community of the need for such a project, and we are appreciative of this crucial support."
"Biotechnology has emerged as a growing industry in San Antonio and has the potential to provide a multitude of opportunities in our region," said Wayne Alexander, president of SBC Southwestern Bell. "We are proud to support UTSA in its efforts to foster continued economic development and to provide additional educational opportunities in this important field. SBC recognizes the importance of a major research university presence to support the city's effort to become a true high-tech or biotechnology center."
The biotechnology industry is a leading sector of San Antonio's economy and continues to flourish. The biomedical industry, which includes biotechnology, accounts for 15 percent of all jobs in the region. In the last three years, state, federal and private sources have invested more than $320 million in capital improvements in the region's health care sector.
The new facility will house 98 faculty offices, space for 431 graduate students and 30 research and instructional labs related to biotechnology, biology, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering and chemistry. The $83 million facility will cover more than 228,000 square feet.
UTSA and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio also are developing a master and doctoral level program in biomedical engineering. With the current UTSA doctoral programs in neurobiology and computer science, and proposed programs in cell and molecular biology, electrical engineering, and bioinformatics, the university will contribute to the long-envisioned establishment of San Antonio as a national center for biomedicine, with an economic base grounded in advanced skills and high technology. UTSA is the largest four-year public university in South Texas.
The SBC Foundation has supported several key initiatives in San Antonio including:
-- Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research to support the construction of the Virology and Immunology Laboratory that serves as a premier facility for biomedical research in emerging and infectious diseases.
-- University of Texas Health Science Center to support the Virtual Campus Project that includes a multimedia teleconference center and implementation of state-of-the-art high bandwidth infrastructure.
The SBC Foundation is the charitable giving arm of SBC Communications Inc. and its family of companies. In 2000, SBC, through Foundation and corporate giving, donated more than $95 million to support efforts that enrich and strengthen diverse communities nationwide. The Foundation places primary emphasis on supporting programs that help increase access to information technologies; broaden technology training and skills development; and effectively integrate new technologies to enhance education and economic development -- especially for underserved populations. SBC has been named among America's Most Generous Companies for two consecutive years by Worth magazine (2000 & 2001).
Read the San
Antonio Business Journal story.
Read the San Antonio Express-News story.
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
"Technology
Works!" brings students from across South Texas
Smithsonian
exhibits held over until Jan. 27 at Institute of Texan Cultures
SBC Foundation gives $500,000 to UTSA Biotechnology Center
University
Communications to send hometown news for December grads
"Mirror
Maps" multimedia art exhibit opens at Satellite Space
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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2001