SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 358
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in honor of
the school's 10th anniversary, which is being celebrated in
August of 2025; and
WHEREAS, Known for its broad range of academic programs,
affordable tuition, and supportive campus environment, The
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is an award-winning
institution that has conveyed more than 56,000 degrees since
opening its doors in 2015; and
WHEREAS, Significant accomplishments during the
university's first decade of operation include adding 42 new
bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs
and an increase in research expenditures of nearly 600 percent;
ongoing student success is reflected in the university's
record-breaking enrollment, retention, and graduation rates; and
WHEREAS, This exemplary institution made historic strides
in medical education when it opened the only school of medicine
in South Texas in 2016, and it has since expanded quality health
care services in the region with 25 clinical care sites
throughout the Rio Grande Valley; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley opened
the state's first School of Podiatric Medicine in 2022 and will
further expand student opportunities with the opening of the
region's first comprehensive academic cancer and surgery center
in 2025 and the state's second School of Optometry in 2027; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, the university's Student Government
Association executed a student referendum that would enhance
campus life by adding a Division I Football Championship
Subdivision team and other programs, and in the fall of 2025, the
football team will kick off its inaugural season and establish
the first Division I college football program at the university
and in the region; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has
earned national acclaim for its commitment to value, social
mobility, and economic impact and has been ranked the number one
university in Texas in 2023 and 2024 by Washington Monthly
magazine and the number one best public university in Texas for
value and social mobility by the Wall Street Journal; the school
has further gained recognition as a community engaged university
by the Carnegie Foundation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby recognize The University of Texas Rio Grande
Valley as a model institution for excellence in higher education,
research, innovation, and community engagement and extend to its
leaders, faculty, and staff congratulations on a decade of
success and best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the university as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Hinojosa of Hidalgo
Alvarado Hagenbuch Middleton Alvarado Hagenbuch Middleton
Alvarado Hagenbuch Middleton
Bettencourt Hall Miles Bettencourt Hall Miles
Bettencourt Hall Miles
Birdwell Hancock Nichols Birdwell Hancock Nichols
Birdwell Hancock Nichols
Blanco Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Blanco Hinojosa of Nueces Parker
Blanco Hinojosa of Nueces Parker
Campbell Huffman Paxton Campbell Huffman Paxton
Campbell Huffman Paxton
Cook Hughes Perry Cook Hughes Perry
Cook Hughes Perry
Creighton Johnson Schwertner Creighton Johnson Schwertner
Creighton Johnson Schwertner
Eckhardt King Sparks Eckhardt King Sparks
Eckhardt King Sparks
Flores Kolkhorst West Flores Kolkhorst West
Flores Kolkhorst West
Gutierrez Menéndez Zaffirini Gutierrez Menéndez Zaffirini
Gutierrez Menéndez Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 3, 2025.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Hagenbuch Middleton
Bettencourt Hall Miles
Birdwell Hancock Nichols
Blanco Hinojosa of Nueces Parker
Campbell Huffman Paxton
Cook Hughes Perry
Creighton Johnson Schwertner
Eckhardt King Sparks
Flores Kolkhorst West
Gutierrez Menéndez Zaffirini