New additions to come
With the goal of 10k students by 2028 in mind, Texas A&M University-Kingsville is looking to build for the future.
As the university approaches its 100th anniversary, President Dr. Robert Vela addressed the future of the university to a sold-out crowd at the 2024 State of the University on Nov. 13 at the Memorial Student Union Building Ballrooms.
Many new projects and expansions on campus buildings were announced at this event, projects that are sure to shape the university for future generations.
“You’ve got to have a vision and you’ve got to go big. We’ve got a 10-year master plan that took about a year and a half or two to build and this is the product. Look at the College of Agriculture – a new sophisticated state-of-the-art $90 million facility, this is what we need to get to an R1 research institution,” Vela said. “We did this several years ago for the College of Engineering it’s time for the college of (agriculture); it is long overdue.”
This event hosted guest Speaker John Sharp, chancellor of the A&M system, who was given numerous gifts including the key to the City of Kingsville.
Projects such as those Vela announced don’t happen without proper funding, this was addressed by Chancellor Sharp that Wednesday morning.
“I look forward to watching on the sidelines in the future and all the great things. In the next set of legislature, we are going to do everything we can to fund every one of those things,” Sharp said.
It was made apparent at this event that students and innovation are top priorities.
Animal Science major and McNair Scholarship recipient Myrka Gonzalez was a guest speaker at the event and spoke for students alike who are working hard towards their degree.
“I didn’t realize how important this event was until I arrived here today, and I saw all the tables and people coming in and thought ‘oh it’s a huge event,’ and more because I’m not only representing myself but I’m representing my family, my family back in Mexico, and I’m also representing first-generation students and friends who don’t have the opportunity to be here,” Gonzalez said.