West RGV News

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley issued the following announcement.

2020 brought unprecedented challenges, but students, staff and faculty persevered with another year of successes

Despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world, UTRGV weathered 2020 with perseverance and strength.  

In a Rio Grande Valley struggling through COVID-19 as one of the hardest hit areas in the state and country, UTRGV moved its classes online, continued helping students with their financial needs, and was able to keep the rate of exposure to a minimum with its safety protocols. 

UTRGV President Guy Bailey, in his virtual address to the Fall 2020 graduates, acknowledged their efforts to forge ahead in the face of unprecedented adversity. 

“I have always been proud of our graduating classes, and I am really proud of you,” he said. “But I have to tell you, I have never admired a graduating class more. You have persisted through some of the most difficult times in our history.” 

The university’s efforts included providing support to students, new programs and distinguished awards.  

• Top efforts included UTRGV offering tuition advantages for students to help ease economic hardship during COVID-19 and it’s financial challenges. 
• In May, UTRGV held its first completely virtual commencement ceremony to recognize graduates and their families through a safe, socially distanced avenue.  
• Dr. Linda Nelson was recognized as the first UTRGV on the Front Lines hero in the ongoing series, for her efforts in leading UT Health RGV’s COVID-19 on-site testing operations.  
• In the summer, the UT System Board of Regents approved the proposal for a new doctoral program in human genetics within the UTRGV School of Medicine. 
• By September, UTRGV had marked record-high enrollment, as student success outcomes soared despite the pandemic’s challenges.  
• Toward the end of 2020, Washington Monthly named UTRGV in the Top 100 National Universities list for the university’s influence on the public good in social mobility and research.  
• The THECB approved the first podiatry program in Texas, to launch at UTRGV.  

Dr. Michelle Lopez, UTRGV School of Medicine associate program director and assistant professor of Internal Medicine, was the first person to receive the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine not only at UTRGV, but in the entire Rio Grande Valley. Lopez received the vaccine on Tuesday, Dec. 15, after UTRGV received a shipment of 1,950 COVID-19 vaccines. The shot was administered by Dr. Linda Nelson, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), RN, pediatric nurse practitioner, and senior director of Clinical Operations for the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

The hard work and determination of UTRGV’s students, staff and faculty continues to garner success and growth as we head into 2021 – despite the challenges and uncertainty of this past year.  

Following are some of the top viewed stories, by month, during 2020.

January 

• UTRGV ranks first among nation’s public institutions for least student debt 
• UTRGV professors receive grant to enhance agriculture 
• UTRGV and Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville sign Dual Enrollment MOU 
• Lozano earns distinguished National Academy of Inventors Fellow status 

February 

• UTRGV announces $38 million gift from Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation 
• UT System Board of Regents approves proposal for UTRGV School of Podiatry 
• Tradition, culture, home UTRGV Ballet Folklórico celebrates 50 years of music, dance and family 
• UTRGV leading national collaborative to develop manufacturing innovations for U.S. Department of Defense 

March 

• UTRGV civil engineering team places second in national competition 
• UTRGV School of Medicine establishes COVID-19 testing site 
• UTRGV medical students celebrate Match Day 2020 
• UTRGV increases Tuition Advantage to $95,000 to help ease time of economic hardship 

April 

• UT Health RGV Clinical Lab working on COVID-19 screenings, testing 
• UTRGV Psychology Clinic launches “warmline” to help RGV community find emotional support 
• UTRGV offers students incentives as summer semester goes fully online 

May 

• UTRGV linguists awarded federal grant to document the language of the RGV 
• UTRGV celebrates Class of 2020 with one-of-a-kind ceremony 
• UTRGV School of Medicine Class of 2020 celebrates with virtual commencement 
• UT System Regents approve proposal for new doctoral program within UTRGV School of Medicine  

June 

• UTRGV expands parent-directed autism program across the Valley 
• UTRGV addresses increased demand on testing sites due to local surge in COVID-19 cases 
• UT Health RGV spearheads Halo-Gravity Traction procedures in the Valley
• First for UTRGV: Texas governor announces intent to appoint School of Medicine student as UT System Student Regent

  July 

• Dr. Linda Nelson leads UT Health RGV’s COVID-19 on-site testing operations 
• UTRGV receives federal grant to provide scholarships for students aspiring to become clinical laboratory scientists 
• UT System Board of Regents approve proposal for new doctoral program within UTRGV SOM 
• UTRGV researchers developing strategy to improve 3D bioprinting 

August 

• UTRGV’s Dr. Cristina Villalobos earns Presidential Award of Excellence 
• UTRGV to offer bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity starting fall 2020 
• UT Health RGV to provide COVID-19 antibody testing to the public 
• UTRGV Disaster Studies Program coordinator receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award
• UT System Chancellor praises UTRGV's commitment to campus safety and success

  September 

• UTRGV marks record-high enrollment, student success outcomes amid pandemic’s challenges 
• UTRGV professor, student, publish paper on spiky cavesnail discovery in Central Texas 
• UTRGV, City of Harlingen, HCISD break ground on Early College High School 
• UT System Chancellor praises UTRGV's commitment to campus safety and success 

October 

• UT Health RGV Flu Vaccinations to be administered at UTRGV Edinburg Campus voting site 
• Online college guide ranks UTRGV in Top 100 National Universities 
• UTRGV crowned national champions, HSI Battle of the Brains 
• UTRGV receives $1.3 million commercialization grant from U.S. Department of Commerce 

November 

• THECB approves first podiatry program in Texas, at UTRGV 
• UTRGV to gain new accelerated online graduate program in global commerce 
• Distinguished Speaker Series: Anderson Cooper spends Saturday night with UTRGV community 
• UTRGV Legacy alumna named to Biden’s Education Transition Team 

December 

• UTRGV rewards three creative digital entries in President’s Holiday Card Contest 
• Texas Rep. Armando Martinez earns MPA from UTRGV 
• UTRGV design students take top honors at virtual Adobe Jam App competition 
• UTRGV receives first COVID-19 vaccines, starts immediate inoculations for its frontline workers

Original source can be found here.