Student Government Association Treasurer Ileana Gonzalez attended the UC Davis Summer Institute for Emerging Leaders. Participants are immersed in principles of business development and entrepreneurship. They also have the opportunity to build analytical, technical and management expertise as well as gain exposure to opportunities for internships and, career development. Ms. Gonzalez was on the team that won second place in an overall case study challenge, each member of the team won $400 and Ileana was invited to participate again next year when the institute will be held at UC San Diego.

Submitted by —
John Montoya
Assistant Director,
Student Activities

I want to commend the UC Team on Kickback in the UC! It was easily the most successful year opening UC event during my nine years at UTSA. I appreciate all of the hard work and planning that went into this event and ask that you share my appreciation with your staff.

Submitted by —
Kevin Price
Associate Vice President for Student Life and
Dean of Students

UTSA Housing and Residence Life would like to thank all of those who assisted with Resident Assistant Training in August:

• Melissa Hernandez and Hazel Lane- QPR Training
• Amanda Graves and Maranda Tupper- Drugs 101
• Sgt. Joseph LoBrutto- Active Shooter
• Jan McKinney and Edda Petition- Monument Lighting & Roadrunner Statue Dedication
• John Danner and Bianca Wyont- Legal Issues in Higher Education-Student Housing
• Emma Hashman- Time Management for RAs
• Jana Schwartz- Kickback to the UC & UC Programs

We appreciate the time and energy that went into creating an engaging presentation for our RAs!

Submitted by —
Marietta Em de la Rosa
Associate Director,
Residence Life and Education

UTSA Housing and Residence Life would also like to thank all of those that assisted with Move-In weekend:

• Anne Jimenez — SCCS
• Dave Denny — Campus Rec
• Renee Hopkins — VPSA
• Jackie Hobson — VPSA
• Bob Miller — VPSA

• Marian Harris — SCCS
• Laura Munroe — Campus Rec
• Carol Gonzalez — VPSA
• Liz Ramos Student — Disability
• Christa Winkler — SCCS
• Clayton Sponhaltz — Counseling/CCR
• Kendra Smith — SCCS
• Anne Jimenez — SCCS
• Bridget Dupree — Student Disability

Please let us know how we can return the favor!

Submitted by —
Marietta Em de la Rosa
Associate Director,
Residence Life and Education

Thank you to everyone that attended the opening reception of the UTSA Traditions exhibit with Gallery 23 (UC 1.02.23). We hope you enjoyed the spirited welcome from the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band and the UTSA Cheerleaders as well as the opening remarks on UTSA traditions from President Romo and the current Mr. and Ms. UTSA. If you were not able to attend the reception, we hope you will stop by and experience the exhibit during the fall semester. The exhibit will run until December 12th and the Gallery 23 is open 11 am- 7 pm, Monday-Thursday and 11 am – 5 pm, Friday.

The exhibit includes photographs, images, and artifacts provided from the UTSA community. As you explore the exhibit you will hear UTSA students talk about their favorite traditions and why they are important to our campus culture. This showcase of UTSA spirit and pride is an effort to bring together the entire UTSA community including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. This entire community has contributed to the various traditions that have added to our vibrant campus culture. In addition to our graduate’s proven academic excellence and contributions to the world, these traditions also bring positive attention to our university.

You will notice the central theme of the exhibit is the time capsule that was buried on our campus to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the university in June of 1983. The students that buried the capsule included five wishes they wanted for UTSA which included: to grow to become a major university with all the facilities of large universities, to provide campus housing, to have a student union building, to offer doctoral and more master’s programs, and to have football and soccer teams. These dreams have been accomplished far in advance of 2023 when the capsule is set to be exhumed. We are very proud of what our university has accomplished and look forward to the next 50 years. This is an exciting time in UTSA’s history and you all have the opportunity to add to our campus culture and leave your legacy. We encourage you learn about your university’s rich history, contribute to our growing traditions, and keep the Roadrunner spirit big and bright for all to see.

A special thank you to the many individuals and areas of campus that contributed to the creation of the exhibit including: Dr. Pat Graham, Dr. Marion Martinello and the UTSA Retired Faculty Association, Anne Englert and Alumni Programs, UTSA Athletics, Julianna Barrera-Gomez and UTSA Libraries Special Collections, Sarah Gould and the Institute of Texan Cultures, Jason Gregory and Spirit Programs, Dr. David Johnson, and Mark McClendon and UTSA Communications.

For more information about the exhibit and Gallery 23, please contact Jana Schwartz, Associate Director for University Center Communications & Programs at 210-458-5099.

Submitted by —
Jana Schwartz
Associate Director,
University Center Communications & Programs

On September 4th, our student organization, Students For Recovery, held their first Sober Tailgate! SFR welcomes all students supportive of students in recovery at UTSA to educate others about the addiction and recovery processes, act as advocates for students in recovery striving for personal and academic goals and to organize fun sober events on and off campus!

Submitted by —
Clayton Sponhaltz, LCDC
Assistant Director,
Center for Collegiate Recovery

Last week our students started the new tradition of “coining” one another! This represents a collective recognition that a student has worked through a personal struggle, celebrated a milestone or has noticeably made progress towards their recovery program with the love and help of CCR. Our students nominate one another to be presented a lovely Recovery Roadrunner coin!

Submitted by —
Clayton Sponhaltz, LCDC
Assistant Director,
Center for Collegiate Recovery

Thank you to all staff members who took time out of their very busy schedules to serve as Roadrunner Camp Rowdy Leaders. Over 200 freshmen attended Roadrunner Camp and were prepared and excited to begin their journey at UTSA thanks to your incredible support!

Submitted by —
Ashley Spain
Program Coordinator,
Orientation & Family Programs

Congratulations to Charlin Jones for earning the inaugural award of “2014 Roadrunner Camp Rowdy Leader of the Year”! Well deserved!

Submitted by —
Ashley Spain
Program Coordinator,
Orientation & Family Programs

As a part of Roadrunner Days UTSA’s Freshmen class had the opportunity to participate in a special offering of Playfair that coincided with Convocation. Playfair is a powerful program that builds community and school spirit through a series of activities and interactions that help the freshmen break down their barriers and connect with their fellow students.

The activities focus on getting students engaged in small groups, while the discussion that goes along with it covers topics ranging from student success and motivation to personal responsibility and building community. Over 3,000 baby Roadrunners participated making it a wildly successful Roadrunner Days event!

Submitted by —
John Montoya
Assistant Director,
Student Activities

A big thank you to Campus Recreation for adding artwork throughout the facility. It is great to see new art every time!

Submitted by —
Nikki Lee
Associate Director,
Events Management & Conference Services

Housing and Residence Life really showed their Roadrunner Pride during Orange Out!

Submitted by —
Kim Ellicks-Center
Associate Director,
Housing Operations

• Student Activities had over 300 organizations complete the re-registration process. We’d also like to welcome 30 NEW student organizations starting this semester. A few of the new organizations starting this semester are Cosplay Club, The Association of Petroleum Geologist Student Chapter of San Antonio, and The Student Recovery Club. Please check out RowdyLink to see all the events our organizations will be holding throughout the semester.
• Congratulations to Roadrunner Productions (formally known as Campus Activity Board) for kicking off the semester with an outstanding turnout to their Informational Meeting held during Roadrunner Days.
• The 1st Football Watch Party kicked off the season at the HEB Ballroom. Over 200 students cheered on the Runners as they defeated the UH Cougars in their new stadium.
• Roadrunner Productions and UC Programs collaborated for the first Roadrunner Late Night of the semester titled, “Orange & Blue Madness.” Nearly 500 students packed the UC Lawn where they competed on inflatables, enjoyed Tom & Jerry shows, and devoured nachos, sausage on a stick, and ice cream!
• The first home football game was full of excitement with numerous student organizations tailgating. Approximately 500 freshmen preparing for their first Rowdy Rush of the season also enjoyed the tailgate area.
• One of the biggest events held during Roadrunner Days was Howdy Rowdy Bash Casino Night out on the Sombrilla. Over 300 students took the opportunity to meet their peers on campus and learn how to play famous games just like in Las Vegas.

Submitted by —
Lydia Bueno
Associate Director,
Student Activities for Student Organizations & Programming

Over 1,000 students, faculty and staff were welcomed at the President’s Bar-B-Q on the Plaza! Participants enjoyed a relaxing atmosphere that featured free Bar-b-que, t-shirts, music and photos with Rowdy.

Submitted by —
Michelle Rocha
Assistant Director,
Student Services,
Student Activities

Only in its second year, the New Transfer Student Reception sponsored by the Office of Student Activities was attended by approximately 200 participants!

The event featured current student leaders who had also transferred to UTSA and shared their Top Tips for success, which included getting involved. Participants learned the UTSA spirit chant, how to properly do “Birds Up” and gathered valuable information provided by the following departments:

• Athletics
• Office of Information Technology
• Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services Rowdy Cents
• Tau Sigma National Honor Society exclusively for Transfer Students
• Tomas Rivera Center for Student Success
• University Career Center

These new members of the Roadrunner Family also enjoyed a Selfie Station that included an appearance by our mascot Rowdy and lots of free UTSA goodies.

Submitted by —
Michelle Rocha
Assistant Director,
Student Services,
Student Activities

Over 500 students, faculty and staff participated in Pachanga on the Plaza this year and had the opportunity to learn about getting involved in student organizations and resources on campus. Thank you to the following student organizations and departments who participated in the event:

• American Institute for Architecture Students
• Associated Builders and Contractors
• Campus Recreation
• Collegiate Recovery Program
• Destino

• Fraternity and Sorority Life
• International Interior Design Association
• Library
• Office of Information Technology
• Roadrunner Productions
• School Psychology Graduate Student Organization
• Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion
• Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services Rowdy Cents
• Student Government Association
• Student Health Services
• Student Leadership Center
• Tomas Rivera Center for Student Success

Submitted by —
Michelle Rocha
Assistant Director,
Student Services,
Student Activities