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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in honor of |
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the school's 10th anniversary, which is being celebrated in |
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August of 2025; and |
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WHEREAS, Known for its broad range of academic programs, |
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affordable tuition, and supportive campus environment, The |
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University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is an award-winning |
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institution that has conveyed more than 56,000 degrees since |
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opening its doors in 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, Significant accomplishments during the |
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university's first decade of operation include adding 42 new |
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bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs |
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and an increase in research expenditures of nearly 600 percent; |
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ongoing student success is reflected in the university's |
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record-breaking enrollment, retention, and graduation rates; and |
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WHEREAS, This exemplary institution made historic strides |
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in medical education when it opened the only school of medicine |
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in South Texas in 2016, and it has since expanded quality health |
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care services in the region with 25 clinical care sites |
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throughout the Rio Grande Valley; and |
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WHEREAS, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley opened |
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the state's first School of Podiatric Medicine in 2022 and will |
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further expand student opportunities with the opening of the |
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region's first comprehensive academic cancer and surgery center |
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in 2025 and the state's second School of Optometry in 2027; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2021, the university's Student Government |
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Association executed a student referendum that would enhance |
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campus life by adding a Division I Football Championship |
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Subdivision team and other programs, and in the fall of 2025, the |
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football team will kick off its inaugural season and establish |
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the first Division I college football program at the university |
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and in the region; and |
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WHEREAS, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has |
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earned national acclaim for its commitment to value, social |
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mobility, and economic impact and has been ranked the number one |
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university in Texas in 2023 and 2024 by Washington Monthly |
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magazine and the number one best public university in Texas for |
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value and social mobility by the Wall Street Journal; the school |
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has further gained recognition as a community engaged university |
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by the Carnegie Foundation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize The University of Texas Rio Grande |
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Valley as a model institution for excellence in higher education, |
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research, innovation, and community engagement and extend to its |
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leaders, faculty, and staff congratulations on a decade of |
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success and best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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the university as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |