SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 485
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize The University of Texas at El Paso on the grand
occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding; and
WHEREAS, On April 16, 1913, Texas Governor O. B. Colquitt
signed Senate Bill 183, creating the Texas State School of Mines
and Metallurgy, to be established by the citizens of El Paso and
overseen by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas; and
WHEREAS, The institution was renamed the College of Mines
and Metallurgy in 1920, Texas Western College in 1949, and The
University of Texas at El Paso in 1967; now widely known as UTEP,
it is the second-oldest academic institution in The University of
Texas System; and
WHEREAS, A national leader in American higher education,
The University of Texas at El Paso was recognized by the National
Science Foundation as one of six model institutions for
excellence in the nation in 1996, by the Carnegie Foundation as a
Doctoral and Research-Intensive institution in 2000, by the
Texas Legislature as one of seven emerging Tier One institutions
in the state in 2009, by the United States Department of
Education as the national research institution with the lowest
net price in 2012, and by Washington Monthly in 2012 with a 12th
place overall ranking among all national research universities
and a first place ranking for fostering social mobility in the
lives of its graduates; and
WHEREAS, Many of the university's more than 100,000 alumni
are now accomplished leaders in the fields of science,
engineering, health, politics, business, law, entertainment,
arts, and education; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas at El Paso currently ranks
third among all United States universities in awarding
bachelor's degrees to Hispanics and among the top 10 in preparing
Hispanic students for success in completing doctoral degrees;
and
WHEREAS, The university now offers 70 bachelor's, 75
master's, and 19 doctoral degree programs to its current
population of nearly 23,000 students; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas at El Paso plays a
significant role in the economic development and quality of life
of the Paso del Norte region; and
WHEREAS, In 1966 the Texas Western College men's basketball
team won the National Collegiate Athletic Association
championship and marked a turning point in the history of
American higher education that now inspires all UTEP students to
achieve individual aspirations, fulfill family dreams, and
enrich communities in Texas and across the nation; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas at El Paso remains the
only university in the state of Texas to win a men's national
basketball championship; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby honor The University of Texas at El Paso on
the occasion of its 100th anniversary and commend the many
individuals who have contributed to the success of the
university; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
The University of Texas at El Paso as an expression of high esteem
and best wishes from the Texas Senate.
Rodriguez
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 16, 2013.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate