UTSA in the News

“UTSA in the News” is a synopsis of items that have appeared in periodicals mentioning UTSA, its faculty, staff, students and programs.
For more information, call the Office of University Communications
at (210) 458-4550.

October 2001
In addition to preparing today's minds for tomorrow's careers, the University of Texas at San Antonio continues to plan for its own future. Along with previously announced building projects--including a new student wellness/recreation center and the planned Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building--UTSA in the designing phase for an additional academic building for the campus at Loop 1604 and Interstate 10. The planned 190,00 square-foot, four story academic building will include additional multipurpose classrooms, teaching laboratories and lecture halls, says Charles Lampe, director of facility planning and development for UTSA.
(San Antonio Business Journal 10/5/01 3H)

As embracing their culture becomes more popular among Hispanic youths, teachers struggle to incorporate such lessons in their classrooms. But lack of resources often works against them. Ellen Riojas Clark, a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, knows well those frustrations, being a native San Antonian and expert on bilingual and Hispanic education. Under her direction, the university was awarded a $150,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to stage a monthlong summer institute to educate 28 teachers about incorporating diversity lessons and Hispanic culture into their classrooms.
(San Antonio Express-News Neighbors Northwest Edition 10/10/01 1H)

Four new members of the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame thanked the selection committee and made all the obligatory remarks about how happy they were to join the elite group. Rudy Davalos, a native San Antonian, made a name for himself by ushering UTSA into the world of Division I athletics in 1981 as the school's first athletic director.
UTSA President Ricardo Romo still holds the Texas record for the mile and was a state champion as a junior and senior at Fox Tech. He was the first Texan to break the four-minute barrier in the mile. He became UTSA's president in 1999.
(San Antonio Express-News 10/10/01 1E)

A Texas educator and civil rights advocate who served under three presidents has been named dean of the University of Texas at San Antonio's College of Education and Human Development. Blandina "Bambi" Cardenas was tapped by UTSA President Ricardo Romo to take over the post, where she had served as interim dean since founding Dean Christopher Borman returned to full-time teaching.
(San Antonio Express-News 10/10/01 3B)

There was no fanfare to open the UTSA men's basketball season--no fireworks at midnight and no team introductions amid a cloud of smoke. Instead, it was just a bulked-up Devin Brown leading the Roadrunners in layup drills, veteran McEverett Powers guiding the big men in post drills, and a team focused on returning to the NCAA Tournament after a two-year absence. UTSA, the preseason Southland Conference favorite, opened official practice Saturday morning at the Convocation Center.
(San Antonio Express-News 10/14/01 8B)

When officials at KellyUSA decided to construct a new 77,000-square-foot office building in the former Kelly AFB, their intent was to provide a place for upscale business tenants. Among the first to move into the new building just inside the main gate is the University of Texas at San Antonio's Institute for Economic Development. Institute officials say their presence will help advertise KellyUSA's benefits.
(San Antonio Express-News 10/16/01 8B)

The University of Texas at San Antonio has been selected as one of only five institutions nationwide to receive federal funding for teacher and staff development programs for Head Start and Early Head Start agencies that serve mostly Hispanic students. The $130,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children will be used to establish model programs, including classes that emphasize knowledge about the language and culture of Hispanic children.
(San Antonio Express-News 10/20/01 8B)

Two of the most politically powerful women in Texas squared off at the University of Texas at San Antonio, insisting that President Bush's calls for bipartisanship don't apply to them. Texas Democratic and Republican Chairwomen Molly Beth Malcolm and Susan Weddington maintained smiles as they talked candidly about Texas politics before almost 300 students in state Sen. Jeff Wentworth's political science class at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
(San Antonio Express-News 10/31/01 Page 3B)

As geographers and students of geography, we practice international understanding and appreciation of diversity in our daily lives. At UTSA, our department (political science and geography) is committed to providing just this type of understanding to our students. After the terrible events of Sept. 11, we are inundated with discussion and retaliation against countries that harbor terrorists. Anger is understandable. But as a country we must realize the costs throughout our history of scapegoating certain countries and groups. So let us proceed with intelligence, judiciousness and understanding in these dark days.
(San Antonio Express-News Editorial Page comments by Dr. Richard Jones and the UTSA Geography Society 10/11/01 8B)

Comments or questions to Kris Rodriguez (krodriguez@utsa.edu)
Last Updated Nov. 7, 2001