Dear Friends:
Welcome to the 2015 donor’s issue of The Word. This is our way of thanking the many people from around the world that contribute to the continued betterment of the University of the Incarnate Word.
Our plans for the new School of Osteopathic Medicine got a big boost in September when it received pre-accreditation status from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). The school’s team is now preparing to submit documents to COCA next spring for provisional accreditation, which is required in order to recruit students.
We’re grateful to all who worked very hard to reach this important milestone, including School of Osteopathic Medicine Founding Dean Dr. Robyn Madson and her team. Their efforts are keeping us on track to open the school at Brooks City Base in 2017.
Our new campus in Irapuato, Mexico – Universidad de Incarnate Word Bajio Campus – opened in grand style with a gala attended by 400 guests. The attendees included a who’s who from education, government, industry and religious life throughout the Guanajuato region. One of the more unforgettable images of the evening was the arrival by helicopter of Guanajuato Governor Miguel Márquez Márquez, who was swarmed upon landing by the dozens of media members covering the event.
You can read more about the gala in an exclusive story to The Word by Maria Luisa Cesar, a former education reporter at the San Antonio Express-News.
For the first time in our long history, our global enrollment has surpassed the 10,000-mark, as UIW now has 10,984 students at all of our campuses. The students represent 69 countries, with the top five in terms of numbers being Saudi Arabia, Mexico, China, South Korea and Canada.
Let me take this opportunity to thank Betty and Bob Kelso for their generosity in making the Kelso Art Center a reality.
The Kelsos have long supported Incarnate Word through their service on the board of trustees and their generous gifts to the university. The family’s connection to our community goes back to 1926, when Betty’s mother, Elizabeth Huth Coates Maddux, graduated from Incarnate Word High School. She subsequently made several significant gifts to Incarnate Word College, including funding for the Coates Theater and the restoration of the Brackenridge Villa.
The Kelsos have followed in her footsteps by also making a number of important gifts to UIW over the course of many years, the latest being the Kelso Art Center, which is located in the Fine Arts Complex.
Adorning the front of the Fine Arts Complex is a beautiful and unique mural – the “Source of Life” – which was designed and created by local artist Cakky Brawley. It explores various aspects of light and water and their connection to our physical and spiritual lives. Let me also express my appreciation to the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts for donating and making the mural possible.
I encourage you to read the rest of The Word for additional details on the many exciting things that are happening at UIW, including the new home for our Professional Golf Management program at the Republic Golf Course.
As you do, please remember the momentum generated by your generous support is what allows us to continue fulfilling our goal of offering students top-notch educational opportunities within a context of faith. Your steadfast support is also what allows UIW to continue having a positive impact on San Antonio and South Texas.
Special blessings on you and your loved ones for the remainder of 2015.
Best Wishes,
Louis J. Agnese, Jr., Ph.D.
President
