University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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| Motto | Disciplina praesidium civitatis (Latin: Education, the Guardian of Society) |
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| Established | 1973 |
| Type | state university |
| President | David Watts |
| Staff | 140 |
| Undergraduates | 3,400 |
| Location | Odessa, Texas, USA |
| Colors | Burnt orange and white[1] |
| Mascot | Falcon |
| Website | www.utpb.edu |
| Logo is a trademark of The University of Texas Permian Basin | |
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (commonly called UT Permian Basin or simply UTPB) is located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. Its fall 2005 enrollment was 3,406. 35% of the student population is male, while 65% is female.
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[edit] Beginnings
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin began in 1973 as a university that offered only junior, senior, and graduate level programs. There were 1,011 students when the school opened. The school allowed students to help with the interviews of prospective faculty. Student recommendations were considered when additional faculty were hired.
Amusingly, a rivalry with Odessa College (OC) got underway from the very beginning when OC students taunted the UTPB students that they were too old to ever produce a streaker. A student finally agreed, and with only his head covered, streaked across the campus. The Director of Admissions not only witnessed the feat, but contributed to the bail when the poor student was arrested.
[edit] Changes since 1991
UTPB was an upper level and graduate university until the Texas Legislature passed a bill in spring 1991 to allow the univerisity to accept freshmen and sophomores. The first freshmen, called the "Pioneer Freshmen," began attending UTPB in the fall semester of 1991, and students were first designated as sophomores the following fall. Odessan Chris Horton was the first member of the "Pioneer Freshmen" to graduate from UTPB, completing his bachelors degree in political science in May 1994.
In the years after freshmen and sophomores were added, UTPB has upgraded its campus extensively. In 2000, the J. Conrad Dunagan Library and Lecture Center was completed, featuring a twenty-station multimedia lab and classroom. In addition, UTPB has added a visual arts studio, and has installed a Stonehenge replica. UTPB has also added an intercollegiate sports program. After competing in the Red River Conference of the NAIA since the fall of 1995, UTPB's sports teams debuted as members of the Heartland Conference of NCAA Division II in the fall of 2006. These and other changes have helped to attract local students who may have opted for junior colleges or other universities.
Another significant addition to the University has been the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute. The Institute provides seminars, training and research on public leadership all over Texas, and offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership Studies. The Institute is also well-regarded for its Distinguished Lecture Series, which has brought a variety of internationally recognized individuals, such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Robert McNamara, Ralph Nader, and William F. Buckley, Jr., to discuss salient political and social topics.
[edit] Ultimate
On August 30th 2006 the Falcon Ultimate team played their first Ultimate (sport) pickup game located at the University of Texas Permian Basin's practice soccer field. Falcon Ultimate (F.U.) began their first season playing pickup games among the University students, faculty, and staff until the captains were made aware of the presence of an Ultimate team in Midland, Texas. The two teams have since scrimmaged every Monday night against the Midland Ultimate Team. They currently enjoy a friendly rivalry.
[edit] Trivia
- According to MSNBC.com, UTPB accepts 95% of all applicants.
- In January 2006, UTPB was awarded accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). AACSB is generally regarded as the premier accreditation agency for the world's business schools. According to the University, only 30 percent of business schools in the United States, and 15 percent of world business schools, have received AACSB accreditation.
[edit] External links
| The University of Texas System |
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| Arlington • Austin • Brownsville • Dallas • El Paso • Pan American • Permian Basin • San Antonio • Tyler M.D. Anderson Cancer Center • UT Medical Branch • UT Southwestern Medical Center • UTHSC Houston • UTHSC San Antonio • UTHC Tyler |
