27
February
2020
|
13:08 PM
America/Chicago

Scene at UHD: Gator Study Zone Ribbon Cutting, Walk2Vote and More

It has been an extremely active couple of weeks at the University of Houston-Downtown.

UHD's Office Student Activities and the Dean of Students hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 3 celebrating the grand opening for the Gator Study Zone and Student Organization Center (One Main Building, Room N298). The new areas provide an expanded area on campus to catch up on classwork and interact with fellow students. Several students attended the ceremony and toured the new surroundings, along with UHD President, Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz and Dr. Eric Carl Link, Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs.

Getting to know the candidates running in the March primary elections was the focus of the Center for Public Deliberation’s Candidates Meet & Greet on Feb. 26. Candidates who are on the ballot for several city, county, state and national elected positions were in attendance and invited questions from students and others in attendance.

Immediately after the Candidates Meet & Greet, a stiff, cold wind was blowing outside, but it didn’t keep students and others from heading to the South Deck to partcipate in Walk2Vote. Presented by UHD’s Student Government Association, the celebration began at noon and the procession made its way to the Downtown voting polls at 1019 Congress Ave.

UHD’s Sports & Fitness hosted the UHD Health Fair on Feb. 26. A room full of University partners and vendors were in attendance to show students and staff how they could achieve their fitness and health goals. Drawings for door prizes were held along with giveaway items from different sponsors. In addition, the Office of Veterans Services, in conjuction with the Houston Food Bank offered free food on the Portic to more than 400 students and staff members.

The first Gator Grit Speaker Series of the spring semester was held in the TDECU Tour Room on Feb. 25, featuring a panel of local artists and community leaders discussing the impact of "Art in the Community," including:

  • Gator Wall mural artist Sebastien (MrD1987) Boileau of Eyeful Art Murals & Designs
  • UHD Alumna Elia Quiles, co-founder of UP Art Studio
  • UHD Alumna Anibeth Turcios, deputy director of Greater Northside Management District
  • Artist Geraldina Wise of Sawyer Gallery

UHD art professor and O’Kane Gallery director Mark Cervenka served as moderator for the event.

UHD students shared their stories and their experiences as part of "A Glimpse into My World," a program as part of International Epilepsy Awareness Month on Feb. 25 in the Travis Room. Professionals with UT Health McGovern Medical School, the Epilepsy Foundation and the International League of Epilepsy also shared information during the informational session.

About the University of Houston-Downtown

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.