The Arts Center Campaign Receives Donation from Sergio and Magda Arguelles

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – December 18, 2008 – Community leaders Sergio and Magda Arguelles of Brownsville and Matamoros have given a significant gift for The Arts Center under construction at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.

The Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees accepted the gift at their regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 16 that will name Parterre Box C The Sergio and Magda Arguelles Box. This is the first of 15 boxes to be named.

“What we are doing is helping with the positive changes that are taking place at the university. I see the changes every time that I pass by here,” said Sergio Arguelles. “We will keep on working in Matamoros and Brownsville for the culture and for the welfare of everybody.”

Board Chair David Oliveira presented the Arguelles’ with a print of a watercolor rendering of The Arts Center. They were accompanied by their daughter Marcela Arguelles Lawler.

Sergio Arguelles attended Texas Southmost College and his wife; Magda serves as a member of the UTB Development Board.

“I am remembering this room here in Gorgas Hall when I was a student. I thought it was huge. It brings back a lot of memories for me,” said Mr. Arguelles.

Construction is under way on the $25 million Arts Center behind the Jacob Brown Auditorium. Funded largely as part of a $68 million bond package, a capital campaign has begun to raise the additional funds.

The 49,887-square-foot structure will feature an 808-seat performance hall with a fully equipped stage designed to accommodate orchestras, operas and dance and theater productions accommodating 150 people on stage simultaneously.

Additionally, the nautilus-shape structure includes a total of five teaching studios, three rehearsal halls, a green room, a patrons’ terrace and a 5,298-square-foot lobby designed to accommodate receptions and art exhibits.

Previous named gifts to The Arts Center include the Gloria and James D. Zellerbach Green Room, the Dr. Roberto and Perla Robles Teaching Studio, the International Bank of Commerce Orchestra Pit, the Tipton Family Teaching Studio, the Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt Lobby Gallery and the Neal and Lourdes Simmons Teaching Studio.

To learn more about giving opportunities, please contact the UTB/TSC Division of Institutional Advancement at (956) 882-4322.