BROWNSVILLE, Texas - With many elected officials, city and community leaders, and legal professionals present, Texas Southmost College officially opened the TSC Legal Center.
The 1,743 square foot courtroom will build students’ knowledge and confidence as they participate in mock trials and other procedures in a simulated courtroom setting.
Classrooms have been designed for use in everyday coursework for TSC legal and justice studies programs. They will also be used for public workshops and special continuing education training.
The center includes the Rudy De La Garza Law Library. This space will become home to the Cameron County Law Library Annex, providing additional access to resources for students, faculty, law enforcement agencies and legal professionals.
A video was played during the official opening ceremony. The video stated the purpose of the center.
“The purpose of this center is to make accessible to all who enter here the principles of the American judicial system based on the natural rights of all people to equal justice and liberty under the law; to instill a sense of integrity and ethical pride in our students, and to teach civility, tolerance. and ethical behavior for the common good.”
TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez said: “This is exciting day for the college. It's a wonderful opportunity to be able to say that we're only one of four institutions in the entire United States to have such a legal center.”
Rodriguez continued: “The collective effort that we are displaying with a board of trustees, our faculty, our staff, and the community at large is incredible.”
Asked where the idea for the legal center came from, Rodriguez said: “It started with our faculty having the pulse of the community and what exactly is needed.”
Rodriguez continued: “We’re developing the leadership of tomorrow. We're developing the workforce that's needed with paralegals, future police officers, and elected officials.”
Asked if the TSC Law Center is the forerunner for TSC to develop a fully fledged law school, Rodriguez laughed. “Doubtful,” he said.
The TSC president added: “I think this law center is a true reflection of what it takes to have the collective will of a community behind their community college. I always like to say, Texas Southmost College is your community college and we are here to support our communities. Great things are happening at TSC and I could not be happier.”
Adela G. Garza, chair of the TSC board of trustees, said fellow trustee Ruben Herrera, J.D., deserves credit for pushing the idea of a legal center.
“This was a dream for some of the board members, but everybody supported it. But if there's one person to be thankful for because he pushed and he pushed hard, it would be Mr. Herrera. He pushed hard. He wanted this. This is his dream,” Garza said.
Garza said everything started with TSC’s paralegal program, followed by accreditation for the program. “I'm so happy for Mr. Herrera.”
Garza added: “People need to look at TSC and the good things that are happening. I sometimes I feel that we're the unsung heroes of the Rio Grande Valley. We are the most affordable college. We've never raised taxes. We nurture the students. We send them wherever they want to go with a good grade point average. We get them there.”
