Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College holds Grand Opening of New Classroom Facility in Eagle Pass
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College held the grand opening ceremony of its new educational classroom facility in Eagle Pass, Texas on Friday, January 29, 2016 as a testament of the university’s continuing growth on the U.S.-Mexico border and southwest Texas.
Sul Ross State University President Dr. Bill Kibler and Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College Director Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Wright welcomed local, state and federal public officials, students, faculty, guests, and members of the Maverick County community, including Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo, State Representative Poncho Nevarez (District 74), State Senator Carlos I. Uresti (District 19), and U.S. Representative Will Hurd (District 23-TX).
Dr. Brian McCall, Chancellor of the Texas State University System, was also present to help introduce the dignitaries and the importance of SRSU-Rio Grande College.
“We are a fast growing system and you’re part of that. We have enrollment that is fast changing. We have first generation college students to a large degree. In fact, in the past five years our Hispanic enrollment has grown by 56% and Afro-American by 26%. We are here to serve those who want an education and nowhere except Rio Grande College is that more clearer,” said Dr. Kibler.
Dr. McCall eloquently spoke of the need for public education in Texas and the innovative tools being undertaken by Texas State University System to better assist college students with achieving their educational goals, careers, and improving the State of Texas.
Dr. McCall introduced Senator Carlos Uresti, a strong advocate of public education in Texas.
“There is a desire amongst employers for college educated individuals to fill their workforce needs. There are dreams amongst parents for their children to fulfill those dreams. A dream they possibly didn’t have the opportunity to fulfill. Most importantly, there is a yearning amongst our young people to further their educational goals and to ready themselves for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Senator Uresti
“There’s a necessity in our ever changing world to continue improving our skill-set. Sometimes that means going back to school,” noted Senator Uresti.
Uresti spoke of the importance of being able to have high quality and affordable public education opportunities throughout the State of Texas such as those being provided by Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College and the Texas State University System.
“This facility will help us improve our ability to educate our workforce, future community leaders, and maybe even a future State Representative or Governor and it starts with an education,” added Senator Uresti.
“I see higher education as an investment in our most important resource, our people,” concluded Senator Uresti.
Dr. McCall presented State Representative Poncho Nevarez and acknowledged his tireless work in saving vital funding from being cut by the state legislature from the Sul Ross State University Curriculum.
“I can’t tell you and underline the importance of an institution like this and where it is and why it’s here and what it’s doing. For communities like Eagle Pass, Uvalde and Del Rio this is the benchmark, the cornerstone, this is what will propel these communities into our next generation and the next century of greatness of leading and being at the forefront, We sit here at the epicenter of a lot of good things,” said State Representative Nevarez.
Nevarez presented his sister as a role model for education and shared with the audience how she had worked her way through college while raising a family, setting an example for her children on the importance of getting an education and good job, and developing important values and skills in her children to succeed in life through getting a college education.
Nevarez emphasized the importance of obtaining a higher education for everyone possible in order to improve their lives, children, family, and community. Nevarez commended Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College for offering Eagle Pass and surrounding area students the opportunity to obtain their college education near their homes and at affordable costs.
“The validation that places like Sul Ross-Rio Grande College gives to students is amazing,” said Nevarez.
Nevarez was overcome by emotion as he shared with the public how proud he is of his sister who obtained her college degree while raising her family and how his sister had just undergone a medical procedure that day and was hospitalized. “ When I leave here, I’m going to go see her at the hospital and I’m going to tell her , how she is inspirational. Not just for me but for this school, she is an example of what Rio Grande and Sul Ross can be and mean,” concluded Nevarez.
U.S. House of Representative Will Hurd spoke of the importance of educating our communities in order to compete with the world market in all aspects including educational attainment which creates opportunities.
“We’re in the business of changing lives. Higher education does change lives but it doesn’t happen more profoundly than in any place like right here at Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College because we just don’t change the lives of those students who are impacted as they receive their education, we’re changing their entire family tree,” said Dr. McCall.
The new classroom educational facility has 4,500 square-feet and provides three new classrooms, a conference room, four faculty offices, and additional teleconferencing capabilities that will enhance services for those who will use the facility for years to come.
Following ribbon cutting ceremony, guests and dignitaries were provided a tour of the new SRSU-Rio Grande College classroom facility.
