FEATURED: The proposed symbol, color scheme, and design of the football helmet and marching band hat for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The “V” stands for Vaquero, which in Spanish usually means “cowboy”.
Images Courtesy THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY
UTRGV Foundation allocates $1 million for expansion of spirit programs, establishment of football, marching band, women’s swimming and diving
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley announced on Friday, February 18, 2022, that the UTRGV Foundation is allocating $1 million to the university to help support campus life initiatives that were approved last year by a student referendum, according to Jonah Golberg, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications for the university.
According to Golberg:
Last November, UTRGV students voted to approve an increase to the athletics fee that will help fund the expansion of spirit programs and the establishment of football, a marching band, women’s swimming and diving.
The fee increase is subject to approval by the UT System Board of Regents later this year. For more information on the progress of the new campus life initiatives, please visit RallyTheValley.com.
The allocation by the UTRGV Foundation will be used to provide additional financial support for all four initiatives.
The UTRGV Foundation is an independent non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Texas under the Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation exists solely for the benefit of UTRGV and operates under a Memorandum of Understanding.
By maintaining an independent Board of Trustees, the Foundation can involve volunteers in its fundraising efforts. All funds raised and managed by the Foundation are used in accordance with donor wishes to build the academic, research and public service programs of the university.
UTRGV President Guy Bailey said one of UTRGV’s priorities is to enhance the campus life experience for students.
This allocation, he added, will play a major role in UTRGV meeting that goal.
“As always, we are extremely grateful for the UTRGV Foundation’s longstanding support of UTRGV’s mission and priorities,” Bailey said. “From allocating funds for student scholarships to helping fund faculty research, the foundation remains committed to the success of all our students, faculty and staff. We can’t thank them enough for their support.”
Members of the UTRGV Foundation Board were recognized for their contributions at halftime of the UTRGV Men’s Basketball game against Sam Houston State on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Bert Ogden Arena.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Foundation
The top leadership of the UTRGV Foundation features:
Executive Committee
• Jason Leal
Chairman
Executive Vice President,
Chief Administrative Officer
Texas Regional Bank
Harlingen, Texas
• Armando Arismendi
Vice Chair
Vice President
Intellectual Property Partner Invest & Delivery
IBM Wake Forest
North Carolina
• Roland González
Treasurer
Executive Vice President
Operations Virtual Dining Concepts
Winter Garden, Florida
• Ed Rivera
Secretary
Retired
Laguna Vista, Texas
Trustees
• Theresa Barrera-Shaw
Retail Management Consultant
Former VP Supplier Administration at Walmart
Bentonville, Arkansas
• Alonzo Cantú
President
Cantú Construction & Dev. Co.
McAllen, Texas
• Clarissa Clark
Senior Vice President Sales
Casa Del Sol Spirits Company
Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Víctor Hugo González, M.D.
Valley Retina Institute, P.A.
McAllen, Texas
• R. David Guerra
President/CEO
IBC Bank
McAllen, Texas
• A.R. Felo Guerra
Rancher
Guerra Brothers
Linn, Texas
• Carlos Manrique, M.D.
Manrique Custom Vision
Edinburg, Texas
• Carlos Marín, PhD
PE Principal-In-Charge
Ambiotec Group, Inc.
Brownsville, Texas
• Daniel Martínez, Jr.
Richmond, Texas
• Suzanne E. Muñoz,
CPA
The Numbers Company
Weslaco, Texas
• H.R. Bert Peña
Attorney
Washington, DC
• Joe Ramírez
Attorney
Summit, New Jersey
• Jaime Ramón
Attorney
Orenstein Law Group
Dallas, Texas
• Tom Torkelson
Chief Executive Officer
CTS
Weslaco, Texas
• Michael Williamson
Executive Vice President
Texas National Bank
Edinburg, Texas
The landmark vote in mid-November 2021 by students at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to bring a major college football program, more women’s sports, marching band, and economic and educational benefits to the Valley was praised by Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg.
On Thursday, November 11, 2021, university officials announced that UTRGV students, by almost 61 percent of those who voted, approved a proposal to support such programs aided by a future increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee.
The next step in the process is approval of the fee increase by The University of Texas System Board of Regents in 2022, likely sometime in early 2022.
Canales said he supports the creation of a college football team, and looked forward to favorable action by the UT System Board of Regents.
“College football has a positive economic impact on a region in many ways, such as through the millions of dollars that would be generated from thousands of visitors coming to the Valley for the games and related activities,” said Canales. “It also is a tremendous marketing tool for UTRGV, which is one of the best universities in Texas in terms of its proud reputation in academics and sports. Football generates excitement on and off the field.”
A football program would allow Valley athletes more opportunities to earn a college degree from a prestigious university while continuing with their dreams of playing big-league ball, the state lawmaker added.
“College football at UTRGV would also result in the formation of a marching band and many related student activities, and would help in the creation of more sports programs for women in the name of equal opportunities for all of our athletes,” Canales said.
A total of 5,784 students, or about 18 percent of the student body, voted during the three-day referendum Nov. 8-10. Voter turnout was the largest to date for any UTRGV student vote.
The $11.25 per credit hour increase, capped at 12 hours, starts in Fall 2022 and will help support spirit, football, marching band and women’s swimming and diving programs.
A total of 3,497students voted in support of the proposal, or 60.5 percent. About 39.5 percent, or 2,287, voted to not support the increase.
The increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee will be for new incoming students and graduating students who return for another degree.
Current students who remain within the UTRGV established Guaranteed Tuition and Fees program will not have to paythe fee increase.
Forward Momentum
Dr. Guy Bailey, President, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said the vote is a major step forward for the university, as it helps support UTRGV’s larger goal of transforming campus life.
“This is an exciting time for our students, who have made the choice to enhance the UTRGV experience for our campus community and for the entire Rio Grande Valley,” Bailey said. “Their support to expand and create new programs will amplify the campus spirit and leave a lasting legacy for future Vaqueros and alumni.”
He expressed his gratitude to everyone who participated in the referendum, in any way.
“I want to thank all students who exercised their right to vote; the Student Government Association for conducting a respectful and professional referendum process; Dr. Magdalena Hinojosa and Chasse Conque for sponsoring the referendum on behalf of the university; and all our students, faculty and staff who helped to provide information regarding the referendum to our campus community,” Bailey said.
‘Our students have spoken”
José Pablo Rojas, President, Student Government Association, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said he is thrilled to be part of university history and to have helped lead an election that will have such an impact to the UTRGV community and the South Texas region.
“Our students have spoken,” Rojas said. “They are ready to welcome these new athletics programs that will enhance campus life and school spirit. We are excited to be part of this historic change and I’m happy we have been instrumental in starting a new Vaquero legacy.”
UTRGV competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics — NCAA Division I — as members of the Western Athletic Conference. UTRGV currently sponsors 16 sports programs, including baseball, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track & field.
Chasse Conque, Vice President and Director of Athletics, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said passing the referendum serves a purpose that is broader than creating and expanding new programs.
“We are deeply appreciative of the student body for supporting this referendum,” he said. “This is a significant step forward in our journey to transform UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley. We look forward to bringing this initiative before The UT System Board of Regents for their approval.
“The addition of these programs will give us the opportunity to enhance the university experience both for our campus community and for the Valley communities we serve. I want to extend my appreciation to the Student Government Association and Dr. Maggie Hinojosa for their efforts in bringing this referendum before the student body,” Conque said.
UTRGV leaders say the new programs, among other things, will create numerous new opportunities for students and the people of the Valley by:
• Expanding access to athletics throughout the Valley, as the football team plans to play in Brownsville and Edinburg with marching bands performing, and the swimming and diving team will compete in new natatorium being built in Pharr.
• Free transportation will be provided for students to home football games on the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. Students will receive free admission to all home football games and swimming and diving competitions.
• Creating nearly 500 new opportunities for student involvement, with more spirit program members; marching band participants; football and swimming and diving student-athletes; additional student athletic trainers and student managers; and student employment opportunities.
• Enhancing school spirit and pride on our Brownsville and Edinburg campuses and throughout the Valley with performances by our marching band and expanded spirit program.
• Increasing UTRGV’s enrollment and providing more funding to the University, not only through tuition but also through formula funding which determines state allocations.
• Boosting the local economy and creating more job opportunities for UTRGV students, alumni and community members.
Dr. Maggie Hinojosa, Senior Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs, said UTRGV is committed to continue working with the student body on this initiative and to keep tuition and fees affordable for students.
“We are excited about the opportunities the fee increase will provide for our students and the campus community, including a transformation of the campus life experience,” she said. “We pride ourselves on programs that allow us to keep debt low, and we want our Vaqueros to know that the increase will not affect our ability to remain one of the most affordable universities in Texas.”
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY AWARDED $1.7+ MILLION GRANT FOR HEALTHCARE WORK RESILIENCY, ANNOUNCES CONGRESSMAN GONZÁLEZ
On Friday, February 18, 2022, Congressman Vicente González, D-McAllen announced that the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will receive a grant of more than $1.7 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for healthcare workforce resiliency.
“COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on everyone, but especially our frontline health care workers. UTRGV continues to be a model for implementing programs and offering resources to reduce burnout and promote mental health and wellness among the health care workforce,” said González. “I applaud Health and Human Services and UTRGV for their dedication to our health care workforce that has
continuously gone above and beyond to meet patient needs, before and throughout the pandemic to now. I am proud to announce this investment their wellbeing.”
“UTRGV is honored to receive this grant and to partake in this important research,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. “I think we can all agree that our health care providers have played a vital role during the pandemic. We are grateful for their service, and we look forward to developing additional evidence-informed practices and training to improve the retention of providers in underserved and rural communities.”
“I have traveled to many health centers across the country and know that the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified issues that have long been a source of stress for frontline health care workers — from increased patient volumes to long working hours,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This funding reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring we have enough critical frontline workers by supporting health care providers now and beyond as they face burnout and mental health challenges. We will continue to promote the well-being of those who have made so many sacrifices to keep others well.”
As a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, this grant, in the amount of $1,755,714, will allow UTRGV to reduce burnout, improve mental health and wellness among healthcare workers, and strengthen the healthcare workforce. The grant will further evidence-based practices and training that aim to improve the retention of providers in underserved and rural communities.
About UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas.
This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.
UTRGV, which has an enrollment of more than 32,000 students, has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, Weslaco and South Padre Island.
UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.
••••••
Jonah Golberg and James Rivera contributed to this report. For more on this and other Texas legislative news stories that affect the Rio Grande Valley metropolitan region, please log on to Titans of the Texas Legislature (TitansoftheTexasLegislature.com).
