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University of Texas Permian Basin

Coordinates: 31°53′24″N 102°19′43″W / 31.88992°N 102.328687°W / 31.88992; -102.328687
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University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Former name
University of Texas of the Permian Basin (1973 to 2021)[1]
Motto
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis (Latin)
Motto in English
"The cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy"[2]
TypePublic university[1]
EstablishedFebruary 4, 1969; 55 years ago (February 4, 1969)[3]
Parent institution
University of Texas System[4]
AccreditationSACS[5]
Academic affiliation
PresidentSandra Woodley[6]
Academic staff
166 Full-time and Part-time 140 (Fall 2023)[7]
Administrative staff
140
Students5,848 (Fall 2023)[7]
Undergraduates4,640 (Fall 2023)[7]
Postgraduates1,208 (Fall 2023)[7]
Location
Odessa
,
Texas
,
United States

31°53′24″N 102°19′43″W / 31.88992°N 102.328687°W / 31.88992; -102.328687
CampusMidsize City, 644 acres (2.61 km2)
Other campusesMidland[8]
ColorsFalcon orange, white, black, and blue
       
NicknameFalcons[9]
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division II[10] – Lone Star[11]
Websitewww.utpb.edu

The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) is a public university in Odessa, Texas. It is part of the University of Texas System.[12] UTPB was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. UTPB is now home to over 7,000 students and 250 teaching faculty.[13]

History

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University of Texas of the Permian Basin entrance sign

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin began in 1973[14] as a university that initially offered only junior, senior, and graduate level programs. Among those who pushed for the establishment of UTPB was the oil industrialist Bill Noël, who with his wife, Ellen Witwer Noël, became major philanthropists of the institution.[15] A rivalry with Odessa College (OC) got underway from the very beginning, when OC students taunted the UTPB students that they were too old to produce a streaker. A student finally agreed, and with only his head covered, streaked across the campus.[16]

In 1991 the university began accepting freshmen and sophomore applicants, and in 2000, the J. Conrad Dunagen Library and Lecture Center was completed, featuring a twenty-station multimedia lab and classroom.

During 2006, the university was holding discussions with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about the construction of a new High-Temperature Teaching and Test Reactor which, if successful, would finish licensing and construction around 2012. It would also be the first university-based research reactor to be built in the US in roughly a decade, and one of the few HTGR type reactors in the world.[17] In late November in 2016 the city of Odessa granted site permission. That was the first step in official authorization.[18]

On April 17, 2008, the university broke ground on a new Science and Technology Complex. The new building houses chemistry, biology, physics, computer science, and information technology programs. The new 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2) building contains 41 labs, 56 offices, six classrooms, and three sunken lecture halls. Despite warnings from a UTPB Geology professor, the contractor failed to identify an underground aquifer that could cause the building supports to sink. Construction was delayed while the contractor reinforced the building supports after drilling into the aquifer; however, the building opened in time for the Fall 2011 semester.[19] The building houses classrooms, multiple laboratories including two large demonstration labs, a 200-seat lecture hall, and a state-of-the-art Data Communications Teaching Lab for undergraduate and graduate students. The Computer Science Department maintains a computer science research lab and a computer networking research lab.

A state-of-the-art building known as the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center is now open in the Midland campus, off Hwy 191 and FM 1788. Construction began in 2009 and the center opened with a grand gala featuring Rod Stewart on November 1, 2011.[19]

In 2018, UTPB announced a new Kinesiology building at a cost of around 37 million dollars.[20] The following year, UTPB announced the opening of its 55 million dollar Engineering building.[21]

Campus

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Main campus

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Visual Arts Studios
Stonehenge replica on the campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa

A Stonehenge replica was added adjacent to the Visual Arts Studio.[22]

Gym Complex
Science and Technology Building
  • Parker Ranch House
  • Mesa Building
  • J. Conrad Dunagan Library/Lecture Center
  • Founder's Building
  • Visual Arts Studio
  • Gymnasium Complex
  • Gym Annex Building
  • Falcon's Nest(Housing)
  • Falcon's Court(Housing)
  • Industrial Technology Building
  • Science and Technology Building
  • Student Activity Center
  • Thermal Energy Plant
  • Physical Plant
  • PETS
Other places of interest
  • Ellen Noël Art Museum
  • Presidential Archives and Leadership Library
  • Fire Station (City of Odessa)
  • U.T.P.B. Park (City of Odessa)

Midland campus

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Future developments[23]
  • Engineering Building
  • Student Housing
  • Academic Additions

Academics

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The university offers bachelor's degrees and master's degrees, through its five colleges and schools:[24]

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Education
  • College of Nursing

Athletics

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Main article: UT Permian Basin Falcons

The UT Permian Basin (UTPB) athletic teams are called the Falcons. The university is a member at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) since the 2016–17 academic year. The Falcons previously competed in the D-II Heartland Conference from 2006–07 to 2015–16; in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1998–99 to 2005–06; and as an NAIA Independent from 1995–96 to 1997–98. The teams' uniforms reflect the school colors of orange, white, and black.[25]

UTPB competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, and tennis; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, and volleyball.[26]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Our Mission and History - the University of Texas Permian Basin | UTPB".
  2. ^ "Seal of the University". University of Texas System. 23 May 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2020.Seal of the University
  3. ^ "UT Permian Basin History". August 1994.
  4. ^ "About the University of Texas System | the University of Texas System". February 2024.
  5. ^ "Institutions".
  6. ^ "President's Office - the University of Texas Permian Basin | UTPB".
  7. ^ a b c d "College Navigator - the University of Texas Permian Basin".
  8. ^ "Maps & Directions - the University of Texas Permian Basin | UTPB".
  9. ^ "UTPB Athletics - Official Athletics Website". UTPB Athletics.
  10. ^ "NCAA Directory - Directory - Organization Detail".
  11. ^ "Lone Star Conference".
  12. ^ "UT System Institutions | The University of Texas System". www.utsystem.edu. 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  13. ^ "Student Enrollment". utpb.edu. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Happy 40th, UTPB!". Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  15. ^ King, Grace; Meacham, Gem (June 15, 2010). "William Douglas Noël". The Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  16. ^ "The University of Texas of the Permian Basin". links.communityos.org.
  17. ^ "Backgrounder on New Nuclear Plant Designs". United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. December 12, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  18. ^ "Odessa City Council approves initial resolution for UTPB plan to bring nuclear reactor". 23 November 2016.
  19. ^ a b "Archived" (PDF). www.utpb.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2017. Retrieved 2023-04-09.[dead link]
  20. ^ "University Breaks Ground on Human Performance Center - The University of Texas Permian Basin | UTPB". www.utpb.edu.
  21. ^ "UT Permian Basin Engineering Building Grand Opening Ceremony - the University of Texas Permian Basin | UTPB".
  22. ^ "America Unhinged". RoadsideAmerica.com. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  23. ^ "UTPB master plan, renaming approved". Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved Aug 24, 2012.
  24. ^ "Academics - Schools". University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  25. ^ "UTPB Athletics History". UTPB Falcons. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  26. ^ "Athletics". UTPB Falcons. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
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