MCALLEN, Texas - On the occasion of South Texas College's 30th anniversary, community leaders, elected officials, and board trustees have applauded the institution for the huge impact it has had on the region.
"South Texas College has played a key part in the economic growth that has taken place here in the Rio Grande Valley," said state Sen. Juan Hinojosa of McAllen.
"We have transformed, literally, an entire region," said STC Trustee Rose Benavidez.
Here are their remarks:
Mayor of McAllen
Happy 30th anniversary, South Texas College. What a wonderful milestone STC has reached as a leading institution of higher education here in the Rio Grande Valley.
We are proud of the countless graduates who have elevated our community thanks to the knowledge and skills they learned here at STC.
Since 1993, STC has become highly recognized for its innovative approaches and education and supplying our South Texas community with skilled, passionate, professionals. And now, partnering with international schools, and industries, the sky's the limit.
Here in the City of McAllen we are proud to work hand in hand with STC to assist our community and industries to elevate our area to new heights. The future is bright for South Texas College and I look forward to working together in support of our community and future generations.
To our STC trustees administration faculty, staff, students, congratulations. Go Jaguars.
STC trustee
Now, people have been pointing to us as an example of what they want their community colleges to do. Now this goes as well, in hand with our specific and more rifled approach in workforce development where we worked with economic development corporations, individual companies, manufacturers, to train their personnel, to provide them with better opportunities to get a better job where they're at. And so that’s meant a lot, not just for individual students but also for our enterprises and other manufacturers and people that make the economic engine of the Valley move. So we've had an impact and more many more ways than one. So that's really been something that I think the college should be applauded for.
State Senator
Congratulations to South Texas College on the 30th anniversary for the great work you’ve done. It seems like it was only yesterday that South Texas College was created. But South Texas College has played a key part in the economic growth that has taken place here in the Rio Grande Valley. They have been key in providing the transition from high school, to higher education, to industry, providing the skilled labor that our industries need, that our economy needs, to grow and provide a good quality of life for all of us. Thank you for your leadership, South Texas College.
STC trustee
We have transformed, literally, an entire region. The ability now to create pathways for individuals to be credentialed and then ultimately, potentially received Bachelor's degrees in their backyard has been game changing. And, every time I get an opportunity to stand on the stage and see individuals who are the first in their family, perhaps, or the last in their family to graduate just tells me that without this institution, there'd be no way that we’d make the progress that we've had so far.
Hidalgo County Judge
Happy anniversary, South Texas College. I wish to congratulate the board of trustees, administration, faculty and students for the many years of high achievement. What you do each and every school day matters and how you do it even matters the most. We are living in a very competitive world. So in order to compete, our region has to provide and maintain human capital. And creating human capital is what you do. So thank you. Thank you. And here's wishing you many more years of successful operations.
STC trustee
We're headed is a place that's very exciting. I think that we're going to continue to see substantial growth across Starr and Hidalgo counties. I believe that we are going to continue to be at the forefront of… whether it's those kind of micro-credentials also heading into workforce on both sides of the border. So I think that wherever the people need us, I think that wherever a need needs to be met in the education and workforce development space, is a seat that STC needs to be at.
Lone Star National Bank vice president
Congratulations, South Texas College on turning 30 years old. Happy Birthday to you. God, I can remember back in 1993 when it used to be TSTI in McAllen. I was only 26 years old when I first stepped on that campus. How things have changed. Under the leadership of Dr. Solis and your administration, you guys have done amazing work. As the former Texas Workforce Commissioner it was my pleasure to assist you on the JET grants, skills development grants and recently the announcement of the Apprenticeship Nursing. So, congratulations to you, Dr. Solis, and your team for all the work and all the great things that you've done for the students of South Texas.
Starr County Judge
Congratulations to South Texas College for the journey that y'all have been through these last 30 years. South Texas College has been a tremendous partner in Starr County and on behalf of the citizens of Starr County we want to thank you all for your presence in our community. Y'all have been a real bright star in our community. Thanks to you, our citizens have been able to get educated here in our community, something that we did not have in the past. So, again, on behalf of the citizens of this county, we thank you, and we congratulate you and we hope and pray that you have many, many, many more years to come. Thank you.
US Representative
Hello, this is Congressman Henry Cuellar. Congratulations to the South Texas College, and your 30th year anniversary. It's been great working with you to serve South Texas students. Because of the South Texas College, thousands of students are getting an education. This means good paying jobs and prosperous lives. As your institution continues to grow, know that I will always support you. Thank you to the South Texas College President Dr. Ricardo Solis, the board of trustees chair, Rose Benavidez, and all the board members and to all the South Texas College staff for all your hard work. Here’s to another 30 years of success. Again, congratulations. Thank you and God bless you.
STC trustee
I am a proud board member at South Texas College. I've been here for five years. And I just want to congratulate all the teachers, the staff, the administration, for continuing to move this college forward. We’ve looked back at 1994. Here we are in 2023, our 30th anniversary, and there are just great things that are happening at South Texas College. And again,I want to applaud all the staff here at South Texas College. Onwards and upwards.
STC trustee
I'm so honored to serve as an STC trustee. I want to congratulate the STC administration. I know we have a lot of staff and faculty that have been here for the 30 years. So I congratulate them for being with STC and part of the STC family. I just can't wait to see what STC looks like in 30 more years.
STC trustee
STC has served this community for 30 years. The transformation we've seen in our region and among the students we serve is phenomenal. As we continue to move forward, I can see a vision for STC, that is to continue trailblazing the way, leading the way with innovative programs and bold initiatives. Happy 30th STC. Here's to many more and the best is yet to come.
Texas A&M Higher Education Center-McAllen
Howdy, this is Manny Vela with the Texas A&M Higher Education Center in McAllen. And I want to take this opportunity to congratulate my very good friend, Dr. Ricardo Solis and the entire team at South Texas College on the 30th anniversary. I could not be more impressed by the incredible work that has been done over the last 30 years, nor could I be more honored for the partnerships that we've formed with South Texas College over the years. I look forward to many more opportunities down the road. Let's keep pressing and create opportunities for folks down here in the region. As we love to say down here, una abraza muy fuerte, for a job incredibly well done. Gig ’em.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was originally provided in video format by South Texas College and posted on the college's Facebook page.
