SPRING 2010 - The University of Texas-Pan American

LOS ARCOSThe University of Texas-Pan AmericanSpring 2010, Vol. 16, No. 1Vice President forUniversity AdvancementDirector ofUniversity RelationsLos Arcos 2EditorWritersExecutive Director ofMarketing & Creative ServicesStudio Twelve01Art DirectorGraphic DesignersPhotographersContact Us:Mail:Janice OdomSandra Quintanilla-GuzmanMelissa VasquezGail FaganMelissa C. RodriguezMelissa VasquezAmanda PerezSandra Quintanilla-GuzmanJanice OdomDr. Kimberly SelberAaron CantuRoland AnzalduaRoberto CastroRamiro Rocky LozanoJosue D. EsparzaRamiro Rocky LozanoPhone: 956/381-2741Fax: 956/381-2416E-mail: vasquezm@utpa.eduThe University of TexasPan AmericanAttn: Office of University RelationsAB1291201 W. University DriveEdinburg, TX 78539-2999Los Arcos is published two timesa year for alumni and friendsof The University of Texas-PanAmerican by the Office ofUniversity Relations, AB 129, 1201W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX78539-2999The University of Texas-PanAmerican is an affirmative action,equal opportunity employer andinstitution. It does not discriminateon the basis of race, color, creed,gender, national origin, age,veteran status or disability.Individuals with disabilities wishingto acquire this publication in analternative format or needingassistance or reasonable accommodationsto attend any event listed,need to contact the ADAcoordinator at 956/381-2127.Message f r o m t h e Pr e s i d e n tDear Alumni and Friends:I grew up in a small valley in Montana with 85cows, 5 horses, a mother, a father, and 2 brothers.I couldn’t wait to get out of that valley. And now Ifind myself in a new valley, a valley that is magical,a valley where I feel at home, where the peoplehave opened their arms to embrace me and mywife, Jody. Our new friends kid me that I am juston old Montana cowboy, but I laugh and counterback every time: yes, but a Montana cowboy fromthe Rio Grande.I am honored and greatly humbled to be offeredthe opportunity and the challenge to lead The University of Texas-Pan American. Ihave huge shoes to fill—Dr. Miguel Nevarez guided the University to nationalprominence, and Dr. Blandina “Bambi” Cárdenas rejuvenated the student body, helpingus to retain and graduate more students than ever before. I cannot fill those shoesalone. I need your help; I need us to join mano a mano to help our students achievetheir dreams.The majority of these students, like me, are first generation students. Many of themhave to work, just as I had to work, to put themselves through college. They are hungryto learn and to succeed. We owe them the opportunity to be successful.If I may, please allow me to be personal. My wife and I lost our son a few years back.Each day I remember that loss. But as someone recently reminded me, I now have18,400 sons and daughters. And I take seriously my responsibility to work with youto ensure that their dreams and the Valley’s dreams come true.We will succeed because of the dedication of the faculty and the staff at this greatuniversity. We can justifiably take pride in Forbes’ magazine ranking us the 32nd bestpublic university in the nation and the 3rd best in Texas, but in the end, the students,the faculty, the staff, and the alumni are what make UT Pan American great. We facetough times ahead with the recent budget cuts and projected state deficit. But together,we can continue to build on this University’s tremendous history.Tell your friends about our remarkable story. Come back to campus and meet ourstudents and faculty. If you have not been here in a while, you may not recognize theplace. But you will feel as proud as I feel, and we will make you feel at home the wayI feel so much at home here. Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for being partof UT Pan American.Sincerely,Robert S. NelsenPresidentThe University of Texas-Pan Americanon the cover:Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, who became UTPA’s eighthpresident on Jan. 1, 2010, feels a real kinshipwith the Rio Grande Valley. A first generationcollege student, he grew up poor on a ranch inMontana, and now wants to ensure educationalopportunities for the young people of the Valley.Cover photo by Ramiro Rocky LozanoStudio Twelve01 Marketing & Creative Services