HOUSTON (Jan. 22, 2023) Founded in 1974, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) celebrates its 50 years of teaching excellence and student success with a series of events throughout 2024. UHD President Loren J. Blanchard will officially kick off the University’s 50th anniversary at noon on Thursday, Jan. 25, in the Robertson Auditorium students and unveil UHD’s future plans for expansion of the campus and academic programs.
From its perch at the top of Main Street, next to Buffalo Bayou, UHD has had a front-row seat to many Houston happenings over the last half-century. Through it all, UHD has remained an active agent in keeping the heart of the city beating, and flourishing in its own right, educating generations of Houstonians and imparting the values of determination, dedication, and pride in Downtown.
“Across our first half century, the University of Houston-Downtown has been a beacon, especially for first generation and nontraditional students, by providing all students with exceptional experiences,” said UHD President Loren J. Blanchard. “Our students come from across our region, with myriad backgrounds, and we offer them an education that propels them to further success. We are proud of what they – and we – have accomplished as a university, and we continue to strive for future success as we become an anchor institution for Houston.”
UHD is the second largest university in Houston with one of the lowest tuitions in the region, and its students graduate with the lowest student debt in the state. UHD offers 45 undergraduate programs and 12 master’s degrees through its four colleges: College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, College of Sciences and Technology, and the Marilyn Davies College of Business. Ranked one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in the nation, UHD is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Minority-Serving Institution and Military-Friendly School.
WHEN: Noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024
WHERE: Robertson Auditorium, One Main, the University of Houston-Downtown
WHO: President Loren J. Blanchard
VISUALS: The UHD Drum Line and Cheer Leaders will march to the auditorium to officially begin UHD’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The event includes the “Why I Love UHD” video, vocal performances by recent UHD graduate Joy Gibbons and by Houston Civic Jazz Orchestra members, AND audience participation in UHD Family Feud and dancing the “Electric Slide” with the Gator Crawl.