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


  Tuesday, December 29, 2020
  Community, Around Campus

By Amanda Taylor

In March, the UTRGV School of Medicine, through UT Health RGV, opened drive-thru, on-campus locations offering COVID-19 screenings to the UTRGV community and the public. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)
In March, the UTRGV School of Medicine, through UT Health RGV, opened drive-thru, on-campus locations offering COVID-19 screenings to the UTRGV community and the public. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – 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. 

In May, UTRGV's commencement ceremonies for the university and the School of Medicine went virtual because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. UTRGV President Guy Bailey addresses the first graduating class for the School of Medicine. (UTRGV Photo)
In May, UTRGV's commencement ceremonies for the university and the School of Medicine went virtual because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. UTRGV President Guy Bailey addresses the first graduating class for the School of Medicine. (UTRGV Photo)

“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.  

UTRGV students from various majors teamed up to compete in the 2020 HSI Battle of the Brains virtual competition in October and walked away the inaugural national champions. The team was awarded a $20,000 grand prize and a $5,000 technology champion scholarship for its winning app idea. (UTRGV Courtesy Photo)
UTRGV students from various majors teamed up to compete in the 2020 HSI Battle of the Brains virtual competition in October and walked away the inaugural national champions. The team was awarded a $20,000 grand prize and a $5,000 technology champion scholarship for its winning app idea. (UTRGV Courtesy Photo)
 

  • 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)
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 

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  September 

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December 



ABOUT UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.

UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.