The University of Texas–Pan American

University of Texas–Pan American

Motto	Latin: Disciplina praesidium civitatis
Motto in English	Education, the Guardian of Society
Type	Public state university
Active	1927 (1927)–2015 (2015) (merged)
Endowment	$65 Million
President	Jesus Zapata
Academic staff	836 (2012)
Students	20,053 (2013)
Undergraduates	17,602
Postgraduates	2,451
Location	Edinburg, Texas, U.S.
Campus	Rural, 238 acres (0.96 km2)
Colors	Green and Orange
Nickname	Broncs
Mascot	Bucky the Bronc
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – WAC
Website	www.utpa.edu

The University of Texas–Pan American (UTPA) was a state university located in Edinburg, Texas. Founded in 1927, it was a component institution of the University of Texas System. The university served the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas with baccalaureate, masters-level, and doctoral degrees. The Carnegie Foundation classified UTPA as a "doctoral research university". From the institution's founding until it was merged into the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), it grew from 200 students to over 20,000, making UTPA the tenth-largest university in the state of Texas. The majority of these students were natives of the Rio Grande Valley. UTPA also operated an Upper Level Studies Center in Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas. On August 15, 2014, Havidan Rodriguez was appointed Interim President of UTPA.

In 2015, UTRGV entered into operation following the merger of UTPA and UT–Brownsville, founded as an extension of then-Pan-American University at Texas Southmost College. UTRGV will add a new medical school.

On August 31, 2015, UTPA formally ceased operations to yield to the newly formed university, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Founded in 1927 as a third-year junior college administered by the Edinburg School District.

Designated as a junior college in 1933 and admitted to the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of Southern States.

Hidalgo County permitted to hold referendum for a four-year university in 1951; school became Pan American Regional College on December 20, 1951. Name changed to Pan American College following January 1952, appointment of a Board of Regents. Became 22nd member institution of the Texas System of Colleges and Universities in 1965, as a state senior college. Approved to offer graduate programs in 1970, beginning with Master of Arts, Master of Education, and Master of Science. First graduate to receive four–year degree was Harold W. Billings, B.A. 1953.