For Immediate Release
Provost Announces Retirement; Faculty and Staff Honored at Convocation
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BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – AUGUST 18, 2008 – The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College Provost Dr. Jose G. Martín will retire early next year, President Dr. Juliet V. García announced at Fall Convocation on Monday, Aug. 18.
“The position of provost is one that demands a commitment and a lot of energy,” he said. “It is also one in which the needs of the institution must take precedence over individual or family needs. In February, I will be 68 ye
ars old, and my body tells me that it is time to slow down.”
Martín plans to write and do research on sustainable energy, architecture and engineering science.
“Cats are said to have nine lives,” he said. “I always thought that if humans had nine lives that would not be enough to do everything that we would like to do. So, the question is not one of what I am planning to do, but what I am planning to do first.”
Martín had been the university’s second in command since fall 2000. He was previously dean of the UTB/TSC College of Science, Mathematics and Technology. Before coming to Brownsville in 1996 he was chairman of the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
García said the months before Martín’s departure will be an important time of transition to ensure the work he has done is continued in the future.
“I loved telling people he was a nuclear engineer, and I have to tell you I have loved having him by my side as I walk into every UT (University of Texas) Regents meeting,” she said. “I have benefitted greatly from all those I have been around including Dr. Martín.”
García also introduced the university’s newest Houston Endowment chairs. The Houston Endowment, the largest philanthropic foundation in Texas, gave a $1.5 million gift in 2003 to promote advanced knowledge in education through research, teaching or public service. Three-year chair terms are funded with $25,000 per year.
Dr. Manuel Medrano, a history professor in UTB/TSC’s College of Liberal Arts, is the Houston Endowment Chair in Civic Engagement. He joined the faculty in 1972 and focuses on U.S. history and Mexican-American history and heritage.
Medrano wants to use his endowment money to continue the “Los Del Valle” oral histories he has taped on video since the early 1990s. He is converting 17 edited pieces and dozens of interviews with Rio Grande Valley residents onto DVD and the Internet.
Medrano also wants to promote student presentations and research and build up the Dr. Americo Paredes Scholarship Fund Endowment at UTB/TSC.
“It’s much more than teaching in the classroom,” Medrano said. “It’s empowering our students. It’s letting them know that education goes beyond the walls and into their hearts. Our community is the richest community to me in the world.”
Medrano has degrees from Texas Southmost College, Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University – Kingsville) and the University of Houston.
Dr. Bobbette Morgan, an associate professor in the UTB/TSC School of Education’s Curriculum and Instruction Department and director of the school’s doctoral program, was also named the Houston Endowment Chair in Education.
She wants to bring speakers to campus and promote conferences where professors with similar interests can meet. She also wants to design a recognition pin and ceremony for first-year doctoral students.
“The students that are coming to us are wonderful, energetic and enthusiastic and they are taking things and implementing things in their communities and districts already,” Morgan said. “It’s a wonderful experience to be part of.”
She has been at the university since 2000. She holds degrees from Ferris State University in Michigan, Central Michigan University and the University of Southern California. 
García also honored retirees leaving UTB/TSC.
Dr. Javier Ayala, an associate professor in the Curriculum and Instruction Department has taught reading development for 21 years.
He has worked to establish fully accredited private schools in Central America and taught swimming and adaptive physical education to children with physical and learning disabilities.
Ayala plans to retire in Mexico and continue humanitarian work.
“It seems like it’s a beautiful tapestry that has been woven throughout these years, and we see it grow and become beautiful,” Ayala said about the university. “I’m just one of those threads that has been woven into that tapestry and I will forever be part of UTB/TSC.”
Amanda Fuhro served as human resources director from 1992 until last November. She plans to spend more time with her two daughters and five granddaughters.
García said Fuhro took an interest in marking employees’ job milestones and encouraged community volunteerism on campus.
“When you are here and even when you leave here, you really feel you have been part of something important, that you have given a gift to this community and to the young people coming here to get their education,” Fuhro said.
Mike Trevino, a Physical Plant groundskeeper, has been at the university for 25 years.
“For many years, Mike was the only caretaker of the campus fountains, making sure they were clean and always in good repair,” Garcia said.
Employees were also honored for their years of service to the university.