UTSA Update - The University of Texas at San Antonio

More than 2,500 new graduates are now alumni of UTSA. Spring commencement ceremonies were conducted May 8–11 in the Convocation Center on the 1604 Campus. More than 500 of the students earned graduate degrees.

By the numbers, UTSA is national leader in Hispanic education

UTSA continues to shine as a national leader in Hispanic education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. UTSA ranks No. 4 in the nation in the total number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students and No. 10 in the number of master’s degrees awarded, according to a survey published in the May 2008 issue of Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine. In 10 of the last 12 years, UTSA has ranked No. 1 nationally in the number of Hispanics graduating with undergraduate degrees in the biological sciences. UTSA also posted top 10 rankings in nine additional undergraduate degree programs.

Roadrunner women's basketball in NCAA tournament

The UTSA women's basketball team, 2008 Southland Conference Champions, made their first appearance in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in March. The team lost in the first round to Big 12 tournament champions Texas A&M, 91-52. This was the team's first-ever Southland Conference title and its first appearance in the national tournament.

Winner of new tech venture start-up contest announced

Business and engineering students paired their expertise to compete in the New Technology Venture Start-up Competition, a joint project of the Center for Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship (CITE) and the College of Engineering. The competition, which takes place each semester, gives students a hands-on opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills. "The Palma," a glove-based cursor control device, was this semester's winning project.

Social work program earns accreditation

The master of social work degree program received official accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education this spring, paving the way for increased research, funding and scholarship opportunities. The graduate program, which began in 2005 with 17 students, now has 96 students and 21 graduates. UTSA's social work program is the only accredited program in San Antonio at a public university. It is housed with the College of Public Policy at the UTSA Downtown Campus.

Health, kinesiology master's degree approved

More than 50 students are expected to enroll this fall in UTSA's new master's degree in health and kinesiology. The degree builds on the success of existing programs in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, where more than 1,000 students are seeking undergraduate degrees. The master's program will provide advanced training in exercise sciences, sports coaching, community and school health, and disease prevention.

San Antonio voters approve venue tax

San Antonio voters overwhelmingly approved on May 10 four proposals to use venue taxes to fund $415 million in civic improvement projects for the area. The Bexar County short-term car rental and hotel occupancy taxes, also known as the "visitor tax," will fund projects to improve 13 miles of the San Antonio River, create tournament-quality youth sports facilities including some to be located at UTSA, improve Bexar County-owned community arenas and rodeo grounds, and enhance performing and cultural arts facilities.

UTSA brings home Fiesta parade prizes

UTSA loves a parade! Two parade entries garnered prizes in the annual Fiesta San Antonio celebration, which ran April 18-27. UTSA fielded a traditional float and a briefcase-wielding "dance team" in the popular Battle of Flowers parade, which takes place on the Friday afternoon before the last weekend of Fiesta. The Briefcase Brigade, composed of College of Business staff, faculty and students earned first prize in the amusements category. In a tribute to UTSA Roadrunners, the brigade performed a routine to "Shake Ya Tail Feather." A colorful float representing UTSA won third place in the education and civic category.

Institute trains entrepreneurs for business in China

Doing business with China was the focus of the Business China Executive Training Program, a workshop series targeting entrepreneurs who want practical information on opening trade relations overseas. The training modules, which took place over four weeks this spring, was sponsored by the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and the International Trade Center.

UTSA launches President's Distinguished Lecture Series with Nobel Prize winner

The inaugural President's Distinguished Lecture Series opened April 14, featuring 2007 Nobel Prize in Medicine winner Mario R. Capecchi. Known for his pioneering development of "gene targeting" in mice, Carpecchi's work is making a vast impact on the study and treatment of human diseases. The new UTSA lecture series will feature internationally recognized scholars engaged in traditional research and activities, as well as those whose contributions are in the creative fields of architecture, fine arts and music. The biannual series will feature external scholars in the spring and selected members of the UTSA community in the fall.

UTSA enters two-year reaccreditation process

Once a decade, a university must seek reaffirmation of its accredited status through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The process is both thorough and demanding. UTSA is beginning its preparations for re-accreditation in December 2010 and the assistance of students, faculty and staff will be needed to make the process succeed.

UTSA is home to new state demographer

Karl Eschbach, associate professor in the Department of Demography and interim director of the UTSA Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, recently was named state demographer by Gov. Rick Perry. Eschbach will serve as director of the Texas State Data Center (the state demographer's office), which is housed at UTSA. The center distributes census information for the state, as well as Texas population estimates and projections, and information from federal, state and other government sources.

UTSA inaugurates North American Energy Summit

International and national energy leaders, industry professionals and academicians visited UTSA for the inaugural North American Energy Summit (NAES), May 1-2 at the Downtown Campus. Conference topics addressed a range of issues including the future of energy, global climate change, energy production, paths to sustainability and emerging technologies. The issues discussed at the summit will form the foundation for a new UTSA energy consortium, the Institute for Conventional, Alternative and Renewable Energy (ICARE).

>> Read more on UTSA Today and and view an interview with Robert Gracy, UTSA vice president for research, from "News First," KABB-TV, May 2 (RealPlayer format).

UTSA Research and Program Funding

UTSA receives $822K gift from Kleberg Foundation

In March, UTSA announced a gift of $822,000 from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation. The gift will be used to help purchase three electron microscopes, which will be used to further research in fields as diverse as physics, archaeology and art conservation. The announcement came during the dedication of the Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Commons located outside the Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building. The commons is a spacious and popular student gathering place. Helen K. Groves, the Klebergs' daughter, unveiled a commemorative plaque honoring the memory of her parents and celebrating the foundation’s generous commitment to UTSA.

Pave the Paseo: Buy a brick

Would you like to see your name in brick? Here's a simple way to make a lasting impact on UTSA's future... The UTSA Alumni Association and the University Center have begun a "Pave the Paseo" campaign. For $150, donors will have their name engraved on a brick that will be used to pave the area between the existing UC and the soon-to-open expansion. Your funds will go toward scholarships for students and UC programming activities.

Endowments play vital role at UTSA

Endowment income is an increasingly vital revenue source for many college and university budgets, and that is certainly the case at UTSA. Building the endowment at the university is an institutional priority being led by Vice President for University Advancement Marjie M. French and the advancement team. As of March 31, 2008, UTSA had 277 separate endowments with a total market value of $55,721,423. That compares to 99 endowments with a value of $19,153,402 at the end of March 1998.

June 13-15: Texas Folklife Festival

The Texas Folklife Festival is the best three-day cultural celebration in Texas. At UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures, the event showcases the Lone Star State's diversity and rich heritage with ethnic food, music, dance, arts and crafts. The 2008 event will feature 250 participating groups including more than 40 new groups from live bands to dancers to hot and spicy food vendors.

UTSA Summer Camps start in June

-- Athletics
-- Legacy: Hands on the Past, Center for Archaeological Research
-- Music (Band, Choir, Flute, Piano/Strings)
-- Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP)
-- Texas Trails and Tales, UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures

August 16: UTSA Alumni Gala

Join UTSA alumni for the Alumni Gala at 6:15 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Westin La Cantera Resort and Hotel -- a glittering night honoring the Alumnus of the Year and Distinguished Service award winners. More information: (210) 458-4133 or UTSA Alumni Web site.

October 28: President's Scholarship and Awards Dinner

6:15 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner
Marriott Rivercenter Hotel
More information or special arrangements: (210) 458-5110 or e-mail rsvppresident@utsa.edu

December 1-5: Alumni Travel -- New York City Holiday

New York City twinkles during the holiday season. If you've never visited the city at that time, or any time, sign up for the UTSA Alumni Association New York holiday tour, Dec. 1–5. Make reservations now for this five-day, four-night excursion includes a tour, museum visits, a trip to historic Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway show and more. For more information, visit the UTSA Alumni Programs Web site or call Jane Burton at (210) 458-4133.

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