At its regular meeting of Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court on Tuesday, Court members approved a proclamation honoring the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) on the occasion of its 85th year in existence. In attendance at Tuesday’s ceremony were UTPA President Dr. Robert Nelsen and Vice President for University Advancement Veronica Gonzales, whom graciously accepted the recognition by Commissioners’ Court.

Established as Edinburg Junior College in 1927, the University has experienced phenomenal growth and undergone a dynamic evolution, with a long history of responding to changing regional needs of the community. Nelsen proudly reported that the University has graduated over 70,000 students since its inception. Dubbed by Gonzales the “University of Choice” for numerous Hidalgo County residents, UTPA currently has an enrollment of over 19,000 students, of which 88.7% are Hispanic.

County Judge Ramon Garcia and Commissioners Hector “Tito” Palacios and Joseph Palacios congratulated the University on its many achievements and accomplishments, and thanked the University for its long-standing commitment to providing higher educational advantages to residents of Hidalgo County and the Rio Grande Valley.

Hidalgo County proudly boasts numerous UTPA alumni, graduates, and current and former students, including members of Commissioners’ Court, District Attorney, Sheriff, District Clerk, and other County elected officials, leaders and employees.
At Tuesday’s recognition, UTPA alumni in the audience stood and were recognized, and congratulated as well.