PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

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   In this special Web site, we take a look back at this University's development over the past 90 years, and celebrate our collective pride in what we have accomplished.

   Our story begins in April 1914, when local citizens and business firms pledged $50,000 to the Board of Regents of the University of Texas to secure the original property to create a mining school in El Paso. In September 1914, 27 students enrolled at the new Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy in El Paso.

   These young men were, in the words of one student, eager to experience the adventures associated with the mining life, and the thrill of extracting materials from the earth. In short order, they found themselves sharing their classroom and laboratory space with equally motivated women students.

   With strong community support, and the hard work of dedicated faculty and staff members, UTEP has evolved from a little-known mining school with a handful of students into a university that is a national model for academic and research excellence in a context committed to educational opportunity and access. Since its founding in 1914, generations of students have come to UTEP to better their lives and this region.

   I can only imagine how amazed those first students would be if they could see us today!

   So, as UTEP celebrates 90 distinguished years of history, I hope that you will join us for the many events that we have planned to commemorate this very special milestone.

Happy 90th Birthday, UTEP!

Diana Natalicio
UTEP President