| |
| |
|
|
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Representatives of The University of Texas Permian |
|
|
Basin are gathering at the State Capitol on May 3, 2023, providing a |
|
|
fitting opportunity to recognize the institution for its 50 years |
|
|
of service; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Established as a branch campus of The University of |
|
|
Texas System in 1973, UTPB was initially an upper-level institution |
|
|
that only accepted junior, senior, and graduate students; its first |
|
|
freshman class, known as the "Pioneer Freshmen," entered the school |
|
|
in 1991; over the years, the university has expanded to include five |
|
|
academic colleges that together offer more than 75 undergraduate |
|
|
and graduate degrees; to date, there have been over 28,800 UTPB |
|
|
graduates; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, UTPB has played an instrumental role in the growth |
|
|
and vitality of the Permian Basin region; the university serves as a |
|
|
major source of skilled workers for the area's oil and gas industry, |
|
|
and its liberal arts programs have contributed to the unique |
|
|
culture of local communities; in addition, the university has |
|
|
helped the region tackle critical issues related to the energy |
|
|
industry, education, the environment, and public health; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, To meet the diverse educational needs of its |
|
|
students, UTPB has opened a wide variety of facilities, including |
|
|
its engineering complex in Midland, the Wagner Noël Performing Arts |
|
|
Center, and the D. Kirk Edwards Family Human Performance Center; |
|
|
the university has also worked to increase access to higher |
|
|
education by partnering with school districts and establishing the |
|
|
Falcon Free program, which covers the cost of tuition and fees for |
|
|
students in need; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Since its founding 50 years ago, The University of |
|
|
Texas Permian Basin has provided many Texans with a strong |
|
|
foundation for achievement, and it is a pleasure to join in |
|
|
recognizing the institution on this milestone occasion; now, |
|
|
therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas |
|
|
hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of The University of Texas |
|
|
Permian Basin on the occasion of UTPB Day at the State Capitol on |
|
|
May 3, 2023, and extend to all those associated with the institution |
|
|
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the university as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |