President's Message: Congratulations UHD Graduates
Dear UHD Family,
This weekend marks a very special time for the University of Houston-Downtown and the Gator Community. It’s Commencement Weekend, kicking off with tonight’s Marilyn Davies College of Business Graduate Programs ceremony, and concluding with our Sunday graduation event at Minute Maid Park.
Congratulations to the more than 1,400 students who are graduating this weekend. Your hard work has paid off, and I look forward to celebrating all of your academic achievements either tonight or on Sunday morning.
I also must commend our faculty on preparing our spring graduates. Without the insights and expertise of our professors and lecturers, our students would not be emerging from UHD ready to take on new professional or academic challenges.
Additionally, our superb staff deserves much credit for supporting our students throughout their time here at UHD. Some of our students’ very first experiences with the University were made through interactions with staff members. These are dedicated professionals who help our students from the time they register for their first classes to the moment they apply for graduation.
I am looking forward to experiencing my first UHD Commencement Weekend and know that it will be one to remember. After all, tonight we will graduate the first MBA students from the recently named Marilyn Davies College of Business. On Sunday, UHD awards its very first honorary degree to The Honorable Bill Richardson.
This weekend’s activities are proof that the University is committed to the success of its students, and I thank everyone for their hard work in the classroom and in our community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz
UHD President
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
