SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 133 WHEREAS, Representatives and alumni from St. Edward's University in Austin are gathering at the State Capitol on February 9, 2023, to commemorate St. Edward's University Day; and WHEREAS, St. Edward's University is a private, liberal arts institution founded in the Catholic and Holy Cross tradition, and it currently serves approximately 3,600 students in over 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs; committed to providing a highly personalized academic environment in which students can deepen their knowledge with experiential learning, the university has thrived as a diverse and highly collaborative community and has excelled at producing well-rounded scholars as well as exceptional leaders, innovators, and justice-minded thinkers who use their talents to help shape the world for the better; for 20 consecutive years, St. Edward's has been recognized as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report, which has additionally listed it among the 10 Best Regional Universities in the West for four years in a row; and WHEREAS, In 2021, St. Edward's named its first Hispanic president, Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, to lead the institution; under Dr. Fuentes's guidance, St. Edward's is advancing a bold and visionary strategic plan focused on expanding academic programs to meet local and statewide workforce needs, connecting graduates with careers, investing in ways to give back to the community, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion; as a Hispanic Serving Institution, St. Edward's takes pride in a student body that is more than 50 percent Hispanic, and over a third of its students are the first in their families to attend college; at 50 years of service, its College Assistance Migrant Program has earned the distinction of being the longest continuously running CAMP program in the nation; and WHEREAS, Throughout its history, St. Edward's graduates have embodied the university's mission by courageously taking risks and confronting the critical issues facing our great state to bring about positive change, and it is a privilege to honor this outstanding institution; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas 88th Legislature, hereby recognize February 9, 2023, as St. Edward's University Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those associated with the university sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for St. Edward's as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Zaffirini ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 8, 2023. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate