First annual chili cook-off benefits law institute scholarships
(July 17, 2003)--Nearly 500 people including UTSA students, their families, faculty, friends and other supporters from the community attended the first Great Chili Cook-off July 12 at the South Frio Grill, 801 South Frio Street. Chili prepared by contest participants was judged by a celebrity panel.
Proceeds from the event, sponsored by UTSA and Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, benefit the UTSA Institute of Law and Public Affairs South Frio Scholarship Fund.
Approximately $5,000 was raised by the auction at the event and entry fees for the chili contest, according to Richard Gambitta, institute director and chair of the UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography.
"We were very pleased with the first annual cook-off," Gambitta said. "It serves as a great way to raise awareness of our program in the community, and I was delighted that students brought their parents to participate. The support we received for the event demonstrates the university's commitment to raising scholarships for this initiative."
Pictured are (upper photo) Institute of Law and Public Affairs students
and (lower photo) Van de Putte and Gambitta.
"Higher education has always been one of my top priorities while serving
as a state legislator," said Van de Putte. "My belief in the tremendous
positive impact of the institute has motivated me to co-sponsor the Great
Chili Cook-Off, which benefits such a terrific program."
The educational mission of the institute is to establish a premier pre-law program to serve as a model for public universities around the country, and to increase significantly the number of South Texas students who secure admission to and excel in quality law schools.
For more information, contact Richard Gambitta at 210-458-5883.
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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2003