82R6711 MGR-D
By: Pena H.R. No. 221
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud alumni, students, administrators, and
trustees are gathering in Austin on January 27, 2011, to celebrate
The University of Texas-Pan American Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Located in Edinburg, The University of Texas-Pan
American is the 10th largest of the state's public universities,
with an enrollment of 18,744 students at the beginning of the
2010-2011 school year; the institution was founded as a two-year
community college in 1927, originally consisting of a single
building and 200 learners, and over the ensuing decades it grew to
become a four-year college and then a university; it joined The
University of Texas System in 1989; and
WHEREAS, In the 84 years since its creation, The University
of Texas-Pan American has conferred more than 50,400 bachelor's
degrees, 10,800 master's degrees, and 100 doctoral degrees; in
addition, it ranks second in the nation in the number of bachelor's
degrees and fourth in the number of master's degrees awarded to
Hispanic students; the institution was named by Forbes magazine as
the 32nd best public college in the United States in 2009, ranking
third among schools in Texas; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas-Pan American offers 57
bachelor's, 57 master's, and 5 doctoral or cooperative doctoral
programs, plus the only physician-assistant program outside a
medical school in Texas; students also benefit from a rich social
environment that includes such traditions as the annual Carnival of
the Great Pumpkin on Halloween, Midnight Madness at the start of
each basketball season, and Homecoming, which includes a battle of
the bands, the Bronc Olympics, a tailgate party and pep rally, and a
men's basketball game as part of a week's worth of special
festivities; and
WHEREAS, Performing in the Capitol Rotunda on The University
of Texas-Pan American Day is the university's renowned musical
group Mariachi Aztlan; the band has won more than 10 first-place
awards at national mariachi competitions and has been recognized
for its achievements in promoting Hispanic culture; in the past
year alone, Mariachi Aztlan was named Grand Champions of the
Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque, performed in the premiere of
the Houston Grand Opera production of To Cross the Face of the Moon
(Cruzar la Cara de la Luna), and played for President Barack Obama;
and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas-Pan American has
established itself as a preeminent institution of higher education,
and residents of Texas are fortunate to have access to this
exceptional resource; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize January 27, 2011, as The University of
Texas-Pan American Day at the State Capitol and commend all those
associated with the university for their contributions to the Lone
Star State; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for The University of Texas-Pan American as an expression
of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.