| The University of Texas–Pan American | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Latin: Disciplina praesidium civitatis (Education, the Guardian of Society) |
| Established | 1927 |
| Type | Public state university |
| President | Dr. Robert S. Nelsen (President-Designate) |
| Academic staff | 844 (2010) |
| Students | 19,034 (2011)[1] |
| Location | Edinburg, Texas, USA |
| Campus | Urban, 238 acres (0.96 km2) |
| Colors | Green and Orange [2] White and green prior to UT System merger.[3] |
| Nickname | Broncs |
| Mascot | Bucky the Bronc |
| Website | www.utpa.edu |
The University of Texas–Pan American (UTPA), founded as Edinberg College, is a state university located in Edinburg, Texas. Founded in 1927, it is a component institution of The University of Texas System. The university serves the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas with baccalaureate, masters-level, and doctoral degrees. Since the institution's founding, it has grown from 200 students to over 19,000, making UTPA the tenth-largest university in the state of Texas. The majority of these students are natives of the Rio Grande Valley. UTPA also operates an Upper Level Studies Center in Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas.
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UTPA's main campus is located in the western part of Edinburg, and comprises 289 acres.[5]
The majority of academic buildings are enclosed by or span a covered walk way that spans the perimeter of the original campus. In recent years UTPA has added a new wellness center(2007[6]), and dormitory (Unity Dormitory 2007[7]). On the northeast corner of campus is the Edinburg Baseball Stadium, which is also the home of the Edinburg Roadrunners an independent baseball team. The stadium was completed in 2001.[8]
The Starr Country Upper-Level Center is located in Rio Grande City. The center opened in 2003[9] and was rededicated and moved to a new location in 2009.[10] Most courses offered are in bilingual education. There are also limited courses in criminal justice, history, English, and anthropology.[11]
As part of its mission statement, the university offers a wide variety of degrees spanning across seven colleges. Currently, there are 57 bachelor's degrees, 57 master's degrees, three doctoral degrees, and two cooperative doctoral programs.
US News and World report rates UTPA as a tier 2 University.[5]
In Forbes' 2009 best college rankings that heavily weighted proportion of graduates who obtain a job upon graduation, UTPA ranked 32 among public universities and 218 among all universities.[12] Among public schools in Texas, UTPA ranked only behind the University of Texas and Texas A&M.
In 2009 UTPA ranked behind only Florida International for bachelor degrees awarded to Hispanic students.[13]
According to the U.S. government, among schools with an enrollment of at least 5,000 students, UTPA ranked as the 2nd most affordable school in the nation.[14]
| Ethnic enrollment, 2010[15] |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian American | 89 | 132 | 221 |
| Hispanic American | 6,148 | 8,985 | 15,133 |
| Caucasian American | 492 | 515 | 1,007 |
| African American | 59 | 56 | 115 |
| American Indian | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| Non Resident Alien | 455 | 475 | 930 |
| Not stated/Unknown | 43 | 67 | 110 |
| Total | 7,294 | 10,240 | 17,534 |
Historically UTPA has had open enrollment such that any student able to graduate from an approved public or private high school was granted admission to the University. This policy was implemented by former president Miguel Nevarez. After Nevarez retired UTPA moved towards minimum admission standards. The minimum standards for Fall 2011 admission are a diploma from a recognized high school and a combined Math/Verbal SAT score of 860 or an ACT score of 18. Additionally the minimum criteria will be met with a SAT score of 810 or ACT score of 17 if the applicant is in the top third of his/her graduating class or an SAT score of 760 or ACT score of 16 will suffice if the applicant is in the top quarter of his/her graduating class.[16] Any student who graduates from a recognized Texas high school as a member of the top 10% of his/her graduating class is guaranteed admission.
In 1997 UTPA started the University Scholars Program in an attempt to retain top local high school students. The program is an objective academic scholarship based on three tiers. The first tier is high school graduation standing. The second tier is advanced placement testings. The third tier is standardized testing scores. UTPA will guarantee full tuition funding for any student who meets one of many objective minimum requirements in all three tiers.[17]
UTPA's first to second year retention rate for full time students is 71%.[18] UTPA's 4-year graduation rate is 13% and the 6-year graduation rate is 36%.[18] The proportion of students who receive some sort of financial aid is 86%.
All students under the age of 21 who have earned fewer than 30 credit hours are required to reside on campus unless they are married, a parent or have a permanent residence within 60 miles of campus.[19] UTPA offers 3 residence halls and 1 community of on-campus apartments. Troxel Hall and Heritage Hall are the oldest residence halls on campus and until 2000 were the only residence options for students. Heritage Hall is an all female residence hall. At the end of 2009 Troxel Hall closed due to low capacity.[20] In 2000 the Bronc Village Apartments were completed on north campus and offered students 1, 2 and 4 bedroom options.[21] In fall 2006 Unity Hall was opened as the first new residence hall in more than 30 years; it has 204 double rooms and is divided into male and female wings.[22] Heritage Hall, Unity Hall and the Bronc Village apartments combined can hold approximately 800 students[22]
The University of Texas–Pan American competes in NCAA Division I, in the Great West Conference. It is one of five schools in the University of Texas System that compete in Division I; the others are the UT campuses in Austin, El Paso, San Antonio, and Arlington.
UTPA won the 1963 NAIA national men's basketball championship under Coach Sam Williams. Lucious Jackson a/k/a Luscious "Luke" Jackson was one of the players on that championship team. Jackson was selected 4th overall during the 1964 NBA draft. He played on the 1964-65 NBA all rookie team and played in the NBA All Star game that same year. Jackson played his entire career with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The basketball program, during the mid 1970's was coached by Abe Lemons. Under Lemons, the program had very successful seasons but, lamentably, failed to get invited to any NCAA tournaments. Coach Lemons was later hired away by the University of Texas at Austin.
Upon Lemons' departure to the University of Texas, Bill White was named the head basketball coach. While at Pan American, Coach White led the Broncs to their first post-season tournament play at the Division I level. During the 1980-81 season, Pan American earned a berth to the 1981 National Invitation Tournament. The Broncs lost to the 1981 NIT champs, the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane.
The basketball program was later coached by Lon Kruger, who later went on to coach at Kansas State University, University of Florida, University of Illinois and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also coached the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA.
UTPA Tennis program won several doubles NAIA championships from 1959 through 1962 under Coach Don Russell, who himself captured several championships while playing and coaching the team.
UTPA baseball squad placed 4th in the 1971 College World Series under Coach Al Ogletree.
It has been announced that the Broncs would be charter members of the previously football-only Great West Conference when it begins all-sports play in 2008. During the fall of 2008, the UTPA Cross Country team was the first to win the Great West Conference team title.[23] UTPA was previously a member of the Sun Belt Conference from 1991-1998.
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