SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 510
WHEREAS, Representatives of The University of Texas
Permian Basin are gathering at the State Capitol on May 3, 2023,
providing a fitting opportunity to recognize the institution for
its 50 years of service; and
WHEREAS, Established in Odessa as a branch campus of The
University of Texas System in 1973, UTPB was initially an
upper-level institution that only accepted junior, senior, and
graduate students; its first freshman class, known as the
"Pioneer Freshmen," entered the school in 1991; over the years,
the university has expanded to include five academic colleges
that together offer more than 75 undergraduate and graduate
degrees, and it encompasses the main campus in Odessa as well as
the Midland Campus; to date, there have been over 28,800 UTPB
graduates; and
WHEREAS, UTPB has played an instrumental role in the growth
and vitality of the Permian Basin region; the university serves
as a major source of skilled workers for the area's oil and gas
industry, and its liberal arts programs have contributed to the
unique culture of local communities; in addition, the university
has helped the region tackle critical issues related to the
energy industry, education, the environment, and public health;
and
WHEREAS, To meet the diverse educational needs of its
students, UTPB has opened a wide variety of facilities, including
its engineering complex and the Wagner Noël Performing Arts
Center in Midland County and the D. Kirk Edwards Family Human
Performance Center in Odessa; the university has also worked to
increase access to higher education by partnering with school
districts and establishing the Falcon Free program, which covers
the cost of tuition and fees for students in need; and
WHEREAS, Since its founding 50 years ago, The University of
Texas Permian Basin has provided many Texans with a strong
foundation for achievement, and it is a pleasure to join in
recognizing the institution on this milestone occasion; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of The
University of Texas Permian Basin on the occasion of UTPB Day at
the State Capitol on May 3, 2023, and extend to all those
associated with the institution sincere best wishes for the
future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for the university as an expression of high regard from
the Texas Senate.
Sparks, Alvarado, Perry
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 3, 2023.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate