UTRGV will celebrate its ninth anniversary on Wednesday by hosting UTRGV Day in Edinburg, McAllen, Harlingen and Brownsville.
The university was created from the merger of legacy institutions University of Texas-Pan American and University of Texas at Brownsville.
UTRGV plans this event every year over the summer in order to make this a memorable occasion.
Karen Dorado, director of special programs and community relations, said that UTRGV Day is a special day for the university community.
“It is a day that we can reflect on all the great milestones that the university has accomplished in its first nine years,” Dorado said. “It’s also a great day to feel inspired and hopeful for the bright future ahead.”
Dorado expects a few thousand people to show up throughout the four different locations. She said the event allows students, staff and faculty to come together.
“Everybody works so hard throughout the entire year,” she said. “Whether it’s in classes or in the workplace, and so it’s just an opportunity for everybody to celebrate what the university represents.”
Chemistry senior Matthew Lazo said the diversity and programs make UTRGV unique.
“Our chemistry department is great, biology department is great, even our business programs are really good,” Lazo said. “We have a lot of good students here. Really high averaging scores, really great portfolios. I just genuinely think our campus is great.”
Biology freshman Jesus Zuniga said the university is meaningful because it is a school for everybody.
“Now everyone has a chance to get accepted in here,” Zuniga said. “And they can all get, like, their bachelor’s degree and get a nice career.”
The UTRGV Day celebration will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the University Ballroom on the Edinburg campus, 11 a.m. to noon in the Rio Bank fifth-floor conference room in McAllen, noon to 1 p.m. in the Harlingen Clinical Education Building and 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the PlainsCapital Bank El Gran Salón on the Brownsville campus.
Attendees will receive a free T-shirt, cupcake and drink while supplies last.
For more information, visit utrgv.edu/welcomeweek.
This is Victoria Gonzalez for Vaquero Radio.
