By Amanda Taylor

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – DEC. 29, 2021 – Despite the ongoing challenges the COVID-19 pandemic continued to bring into 2021, UTRGV was able to persevere and move forward with its commitments to students. 

With social distancing protocols in place and a limited reopening of its campuses, Vaqueros were able to be more interactive and proactive. Whether that meant continuing online learning, adapting to a hybrid schedule, or going to class or events face-to-face, UTRGV continued to make sure that all students, staff, and faculty were doing everything possible to keep virus exposure rates to a minimum.  

UTRGV continued to help students with their financial needs through a number of cash grants and tuition incentive programs. And despite the challenges 2021 brough to the Rio Grande Valley and the world, UTRGV continued to garner awards and accolades, with steady momentum as we enter 2022.  

TOP STORIES INCLUDED …   

• UTRGV ranked among highest in the state for teacher production and retention.  
• UT Health RGV reached a milestone, testing more than 100,000 for COVID-19 at its clinics across the Valley.  
• MacKenzie Scott donated a historic $40 million to the university, which helped fund the Luminary scholarship program. The program offers full tuition and fees for bachelor’s and graduate degrees to encourage students to live and work in the Valley. 
• A new, nonprofit organization Be the Match was spearheaded by UTRGV students in partnership with the National Marrow Donor program and South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, to help increase the chance of finding bone marrow donors from all ethnic backgrounds.   
• UTRGV was celebrated for enhancing the success of Latino students, earning the prestigious Seal of Excelencia certification.  

• UTRGV students voted in favor of a referendum proposal to support programs aided by a future increase in the intercollegiate athletics fee, including spirit, football, marching band and women’s swimming and diving programs. 

Following are some of the top-viewed UTRGV stories, by month, during 2021. 

JANUARY 

UTRGV celebrated its Class of 2021 with the first in-person Commencement ceremonies since the pandemic began. The spring ceremonies were held outdoors at both Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

• More than 22,000 students earn degrees at UT institutions this fall
• UTRGV medical providers receive second dose of COVID-19 vaccine
• UTRGV, two-time national chess champions, qualifies for college Final Four

FEBRUARY 

• UTRGV’s CHAPS program receives Texas Historical Commission’s 2020 Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation
• UTRGV ranks among highest in Texas for teacher production, retention
• ‘Energy & U’ virtual show debuts with more than 9,000 guests during UTRGV Engineers Week
• Men's Basketball Taking Time to Mourn Coach Hill Before Resuming Competition

MARCH 

• UTRGV extends Tuition Advantage deadline to March 15
• Nine finalists compete in UTRGV’s Big Idea Competition
• UTRGV online nursing degrees recognized by The Princeton Review

APRIL 

UT Health RGV administered its 100,000th test to UTRGV nursing student Kevin Perez in April 2021. He said he was tested for COVID-19 with UT Health RGV to keep himself and his family safe. (UTRGV Photo by Jennifer Galindo)

• National Three-peat! UTRGV chess team wins its third President’s Cup
• UTRGV School of Social Work Hooded Ceremony for 2020, 2021 Masters Graduates
• UT Health RGV reaches milestone, testing more than 100,000 for COVID-19 

MAY 

• New UTRGV program to generate registered dietitian nutritionists in the RGV
• RCVCOBE welcomes esteemed faculty to leadership team
• Spring Commencement / Welcome class of 2020 grads 

JUNE

• UTRGV receives historic $40 million gift!
• Virtual team gets virtual win: UTRGV’s AMSA student chapter wins poster competition at national convention
• UTRGV named one of the Best Business Schools for Women by College Consensus

JULY 

• UTRGV on the Front Lines: To Protect and Serve
• UTRGV part of NSF grant research team to study tenure processes in Higher Ed
• UTRGV earns $1.45M NIH grant for pancreatic cancer research

AUGUST 

• Federal industrial engineering grant awarded to UTRGV’s ST-IAC
• UTRGV graduate student wins big at national boxing match 
• UTRGV professor participates in pandemic research with international team

SEPTEMBER 

• UTRGV, City of Pharr celebrate signing agreement on new building for the university’s School of Nursing
• Dahlia Guerra honored with Ohtli Award by Mexican Consulate of McAllen
• UTRGV expands Tuition Advantage program to $100,000
• UTRGV students helping bring attention to importance of ‘Be the Match’ 
• UTRGV and UT Health Science Center San Antonio selected as NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

OCTOBER 

UTRGV President Guy Bailey unveiled the Luminary Scholarship program in October 2021. The scholarship program, which was made possible thanks to the historic $40 million gift to UTRGV from philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett, will offer full tuition and fees for up to four years for the professional or undergraduate program to which the student was provisionally admitted, including the UTRGV School of Medicine and the School of Podiatry. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

• UTRGV biology assistant professor receives Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation 2021 Field Biology Award 
• Burkhart Estate gifts $1 million to UTRGV for endowed academic scholarships 
• Ribbon cutting officially opens UTRGV Institute of Neuroscience in Harlingen
• Seal of Excelencia: UTRGV touted for enhancing success of Latino students
• UTRGV unveils Luminary Scholarship program for undergrads

NOVEMBER

• UT Health RGV begins administering COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5-11 
• Vaqueros Inspire: UT System names UTRGV math professor ROTA 2021 winner
• 'The Students have Spoken'

DECEMBER 

• UTRGV Celebrates Fall Graduates  
• Washington Monthly ranks UTRGV nationally among best, most affordable universities
• UTRGV Chess hosts first Collegiate Women’s Team Cup