By News and Internal Communications

AUSTIN, TEXAS – APRIL 3, 2025 – On Thursday, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) received an early birthday gift from the Texas Legislature, which passed a resolution honoring the university’s upcoming 10th anniversary.

Presented by local lawmakers in both the Senate and House, the resolution celebrates a decade of achievements, growth, and transformative impact in the Rio Grande Valley and across the state.

“As we approach our 10th anniversary, this resolution from the Texas Legislature is more than a recognition – it’s a celebration of shared vision and hard-earned progress,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “This journey has been made possible by the unwavering support of our Valley legislators and the extraordinary people we serve. What we’ve accomplished together has transformed not only our university, but the entire region. And we’re just getting started.” 

Thursday's event at the Capitol featured UTRGV leadership, students, staff and the university mascot, along with student interns, all gathered to cheer for their school during the presentation of the resolution in the Senate chamber. (UTRGV Photo by Christopher Cabello)

The resolution highlights several major milestones UTRGV has reached since opening its doors in 2015, including: 

• Award-Winning Institution: UTRGV has conferred more than 56,000 degrees and is recognized for its broad range of academic programs, affordable tuition, and supportive campus environment.
• Academic Growth: In its first decade, the university added 42 new bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs.
• Research Expansion: Research expenditures have risen by nearly 600 percent, reflecting a strong commitment to innovation and scholarly excellence.
• Record-Breaking Enrollment and Success: UTRGV has set historic highs in enrollment, retention, and graduation rates, underscoring its student-centered focus.
• Impactful Medical Education: UTRGV opened the only medical school in South Texas in 2016, enhancing local healthcare with 25 clinical sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
• Pioneering Programs: The university opened Texas’s first School of Podiatric Medicine in 2022 and will open the region’s first comprehensive academic cancer and surgery center in 2025, followed by the state’s second School of Optometry in 2027.
• Division I Football: A student-led referendum paved the way for a new Division I Football Championship Subdivision team, with the inaugural season set for fall 2025 — the first Division I college football program in the region.
• National Acclaim: UTRGV is ranked No. 1 in Texas by Washington Monthly in 2023 and 2024 and recognized by The Wall Street Journal as the best public university in Texas for value and social mobility.
• Community Engagement: Recognized as a community-engaged institution by the Carnegie Foundation, reflecting UTRGV’s commitment to serving the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. 

Thursday’s celebration at the Capitol included UTRGV leadership, students, staff, and the university’s mascot. Students interning at the Capitol also joined in on the festivities.

Senator Adam Hinojosa (center) celebrates with the UTRGV delegation at the state capitol after presenting a resolution on the Senate floor, joined by Senators Judith Zaffirini and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, who praised the university as a “model institution for excellence.” (UTRGV Photo by Christopher Cabello)

Senators Judith Zaffirini, Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, and Adam Hinojosa presented the resolution on the Senate floor.

“From offering affordable tuition and research opportunities to championing bilingual and bicultural learning, UTRGV is a leader in higher education and a point of pride for our state,” Senator Zaffirini said.

“The university is a model institution for excellence in higher education, research, innovation, and community engagement,” Senator Juan Hinojosa added.

“Your commitment to education, innovation, and opportunity is making a genuine difference not just in South Texas, but throughout the entire state,” Senator Adam Hinojosa said.

State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez presented the resolution on the House floor.

“UTRGV is an award-winning institution that has conferred more than 56,000 degrees since opening its doors in 2015,” Representative Martinez said. “Members, we can Gig ‘em, we can Hook ‘em, we can Wreck ‘em, but in the Valley, we say ‘V’s up’ for UTRGV!”

State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez honored UTRGV's 10-year anniversary with a resolution presented on the House floor. Pictured, from left, are Veronica Gonzales, senior vice president for Governmental and Community Relations; Patrick Gonzales, vice president for University Marketing and Communications; UTRGV President Guy Bailey; State Represantative Martinez; Dr. Can (John) Saygin, senior vice president for Research, dean for Graduate College; and Dr. Maggie Hinojosa, executive vice president for Strategic Initiatives and Student Affairs and deputy to the president. (UTRGV Photo by Christopher Cabello)