Friday, January 24, 2025
  Happenings, Around Campus

By Alvaro Ayala

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JAN. 24, 2025 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley officially kicked off its Spring 2025 semester with a record-breaking enrollment of more than 31,500 students on Wednesday.

Despite severe weather conditions that forced the university to halt operations on the first day of classes, originally scheduled for Jan. 21, students arrived ready to dive into the new semester.

In a video message on Friday, UTRGV President Guy Bailey welcomed students and wished them luck on their higher education journey.

“This semester, my goal for UTRGV remains the same: to see more of our students graduate. Graduation is the ultimate measure of success for you, for our university and for our region,” Bailey said.

He noted that UTRGV is set to exceed 60,000 graduates this spring and that the university will begin its countdown to its 10th anniversary, which will be celebrated next fall.

“Best of luck this semester, and let’s continue to show the world all that is good about higher education right here at UTRGV,” he added. 

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Students enjoy some sweet treats during Welcome Week events on Thursday in Edinburg. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

The Department of Student Activities, in collaboration with various departments and student organizations, hosted Welcome Week events, including a Welcome Back Bash held in Brownsville on Wednesday and in Edinburg on Thursday.

Eager to join in the festivities, new and returning students lined up outside the UTRGV Ballroom in Edinburg, excited to participate in the activities and enjoy the snacks that awaited them. They engaged in both indoor and outdoor activities – lawn games, DIY crafts, and more – while warming up with cups of hot chocolate on the chilly day.

Raul Leal Jr., student activities coordinator, noted that nearly 500 students attended the Edinburg event.

Junior Jesus Galindo expressed his excitement about returning to class and continuing his business management degree.

“It’s nice seeing everyone again, especially at an event like this,” he said. “We’re all gathering here as a community, and you see new students walking around and getting free stuff. The hot chocolate and s’mores are a nice touch, especially with this weather.”

One of the most popular attractions was the s’mores station, organized by University Recreation (UREC). Among those eagerly awaiting the warm treat was Jesus Quiroz, 40, who is returning to school after 20 years to major in history.

“Last time I was in school was 2004,” Quiroz shared. “I was a graphic design student at another institution, and I wanted to return to school for my family. I’m excited to come back for a better future.”

To learn more about UTRGV’s Welcome Week activities, visit www.utrgv.edu/welcomeweek.

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On a chilly Wednesday morning, UTRGV students make their way to classes in Brownsville. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)



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 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, 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.