Athletics Boosters
Roadrunner supporters from across San Antonio join walk to raise funds for women’s teams
UTSA has been serving as a driver of social mobility and economic prosperity for over 50 years. The university was born at a ceremony held in front of the Alamo on June 5, 1969. This symbolic start, linking the new university to the community it serves, is one of many reasons that UTSA is unique.
Storied History, Impactful Development
Prior to 1969, San Antonio lacked a public four-year higher education institution. Seeking to address high demand for local, high quality educational opportunities, a combination of Mexican-American community activists, San Antonio business leaders and political champions came together to create a university of the community, by the community and for the community.
From its first graduating class of 82, to the nearly 35,000 students enrolled today, UTSA has grown into San Antonio's university and serves as a symbol of the city's upward trajectory.
Decades of Development
Much like the city of San Antonio, UTSA has experienced tremendous growth over the years.
UTSA Timeline
UTSA Histories
How Campus Runs
UTSA offices relied on a huge stock of supplies and equipment in the days before the digital age
See the Future
UTSA launches its new home page to take the university to a wider audience
Saving the Tree
Construction of a new building on Main Campus requires maneuvering around a memorial live oak
Gathering Spot
UTSA’s student union opens with a ribbon-cutting event
Count Her In
UTSA’s first student teaches former magazine editor Rebecca Luther how to calculate ages
New Times
The University of Texas System shares details in 1973 about its newest institution
Who Are They?
Exploring the connections to the surnames that dot UTSA’s campuses
Artist’s Impression
Students hone creations in one of the “best lithography shops in the country
Alive with History
Special Collections comprises thousands of volumes of rare manuscripts, photos, books, and Texana
A Snowball’s Chance
Although instances of the falling flakes are rare in South Texas, they can happen, and Roadrunners get fairly excited when they do
On the Map
The UT System Board of Regents select a final site to build the new UTSA campus
Science Man
A UTSA professor uses chemistry to tackle technical topics for San Antonians
Crowning Achievement
At its inaugural homecoming festivities, Roadrunners crown their first Mr. and Ms. UTSA
Rowdy Redux
UTSA Athletics introduces a new look for a beloved old friend
Not a Hatchling Anymore
Before there was Rowdy, there was simply the roadrunner
Students Join Ranks
Roadrunners can now join ROTC program through collaborative endeavor
Army Man
UTSA salutes its first commissioned officer from the ROTC program
Place for Romance
Love has been known to blossom and grow at UTSA
Bachelor Party
A business major becomes the first student to get an undergrad degree from UTSA
Waking Up Future Freshmen
A UTSA recruiter crisscrosses Texas to educate high school seniors about life at UTSA
Saving History
UTSA’s Historical Resources Center gets to work preserving records for local governments
The Chiefs
An impressive array of academic leaders has helped to shape UTSA
Culture Goes Pop
Two UTSA professors allow students to explore popular culture of the mid-1970s
On Patrol
University’s police operations begin to expand with opening of classes
Classes Shape Up
A physical education program launches on campus for both leisure time and to create teachers
Capturing the Essence
UTSA’s official photographer spends hours around and near campus to document Roadrunner life
Groove On
A look at the party that was precursor to the modern-day Fiesta UTSA and Best Fest
Enforcement Goes High-tech
Starting in the late 1980s new tickets written on campus would resemble cash-register receipts
Olympic Moment
Two Roadrunners help transport the Games torch on its South Texas visit
Family Legacy
The grandson of UTSA hero John Peace attends UTSA
Making the Move
Despite the pressures of campus moving day, university business goes on as usual
Metropolitan University
Specialized educational needs are a prime consideration in planning UTSA’s programs
The Final Countdown
Roadrunners are busy but find time to boast in the days leading up to 1975 opening of new campus
It Gets Wild in Mailroom
The varying items that pass through UTSA’s mail services make for a unique workplace
Grand Old House
A stately San Antonio home serves as UTSA’s conference center in the university’s first decades
Father of UTSA
Only one person gets to be honored with such a title: Frank Lombardino
Scholar Fuel
It takes a tremendous effort—as well as books and other materials— to build a library from scratch
There’s a New King in Town
An author sets his novel at UTSA, where an English professor is found shot dead and his replacement survives a bomb blast and ultimately solves the murder mystery
The Old School
UTSA moves into its facilities at the Koger Center for the first day of classes
Local Knowledge
A UTSA ally talks about the people who helped move the university from being just an idea to a piece of San Antonio history
Hightail It Home
Plans take flight for getting alumni and the community involved in UTSA’s first homecoming
Introduction to the World
Part of UTSA’s roots lie in HemisFair ’68, the world’s fair that helped put San Antonio on the map
On the Ball
Roadrunner basketball’s Derrick Gervin was known as UTSA’s “first athletics superstar”
Flag Raising
ROTC cadets participate in ceremony that sees flags fly over the new campus for the first time
Day One
Everything gets off to a smooth start on UTSA’s very first day of classes
Welcome, World!
UTSA introduces the media, students, and employees to first building to open on campus
Stress of Finals
Memories of past exams come back to haunt UTSA’s very first students
That’s a Wrap!
Participants in UTSA’s filmmaking workshop produce and direct their own movies
Innovative English
UTSA’s program educates through both traditional and inventive courses
First Endowed Chair
A bequest from a San Antonio builder will enhance business program
A Home Away
UTSA moves away from “commuter university” status with its first dorm
Doctoral Pursuits
UTSA’s first Ph.D. students enter a cooperative program in educational leadership with UT Austin
Hot Stuff
Students get more and more options for campus meals throughout the 1980s
University Makeover
UTSA restructures its colleges and divisions, adds School of Architecture
What’s Average?
Odds are a student at UTSA in 1975 was a guy in his 30s with military service
A Whole New Ballgame
UTSA gets its first athletics director with a hire from the Spurs coaching staff
Roadrunners Rep
Students vote on a constitution to form their first student government
You've Got to Believe
Men’s basketball team makes its first NCAA postseason tournament
Getting Here
In UTSA’s earliest days the medium-size roadways to campus stayed busy with commuter traffic
UTSA’s Historic First Class
Susan Bolado becomes first student to graduate with 81 other master’s scholars
First Freshman
A San Antonio high school senior becomes the first lowerclassman to be accepted to the university
Library Modernizes
Staff ditch the traditional card catalog cabinets and cards for online searching for resources
Smooth Sailing?
Engineering society students show off their design and building skills in a concrete canoe race
Digging Up History
Students learn about early local Indians during the first archaeological excavation on Main Campus
Leave a Mark
One donor program allows alumni to carve their names in the university's building blocks
The Big Shots
Men’s basketball becomes UTSA’s first NCAA athletics competition
Just a Number
San Antonio’s senior citizens return to their educations by auditing classes at UTSA
Designing Men
UTSA’s architects explain how they envision the university’s future
Remember the Alamo
UTSA's first archaeological dig sends students in search of relics at the historic shrine
Down to Business
With the ink barely dry on the legislation creating UTSA, administrators begin working on an academic plan