What is your UTSA story?

In the photo (right) taken in the winter of 1973, I am standing in the general area where Loop 1604 and John Peace Blvd intersect. Behind me is a sign naming the contractor for the UTSA campus which was under construction. At the time, I was preparing to leave San Antonio for UT-Austin where I had been accepted into a doctoral program. I had actually taken one semester of graduate work at the UTSA Koger Executive Center site in preparation. Going through my mind as the photo was taken was the hope that someday I might return to San Antonio and work at UTSA.

I completed my doctorate in 1976 and was offered a position of assistant sean in the College of Liberal Arts at UT-Austin. In late 1979, I received a call from Gene Rodriguez, assistant director of the UTSA Center for Studies in Business, Economics and Human Resources, inviting me to apply for a new position as founding director of the UTSA Center for Economic Development. I applied, was hired and began my UTSA journey in November 1979.

My UTSA journey lasted 39 years! With the exception of a few months, my entire professional time at UTSA was spent downtown, initially at the Kampmann-Halff House at Hemisfair Park (the original site for UTSA's first administrative offices) then the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, UTSA Cypress Tower and finally UTSA Downtown Campus.

In my 39 year journey, I held the following positions:

1. Founding director, Center for Economic Development, now the Institute for Economic Development
2. Adjunct faculty member, College of Business
3. Associate dean, College of Business
4. Assistant to the President
5. Vice President for Downtown Operations (charged with the establishment of a Downtown Campus)
6. Vice President for Community Services

My hopes in 1973 when the photo was taken have been fulfilled as I did return to work at UTSA for a rich, rewarding and productive 39 years!