Texas Border Business
Earlier today, the Border Texan of the Year Committee, joined by Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, announced that Dr. Guy Bailey, the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley President will be the
2019 Border Texan of the Year. The annual banquet recognizes individuals in the Rio Grande Valley who advocate for the improvement of issues important to the area, including education, funding, transportation, business, security, and health issues, and who highlights and helps pave the way for opportunities for the region. The annual banquet raises funds which are awarded to area non-profit organizations of the honoree’s chosen charitable organization or cause.
“I couldn’t be happier to give something back to the region that has given me so much. I’m particularly glad to honor Glen Roney, a true legend of South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley,” Chancellor Sharp said. “Also, congratulations to President Guy Bailey on the award. I appreciate his dedication to the community and to higher education.”
“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected as 2019 Border Texan of the Year. This is easily the highest honor I have ever received, and I am particularly pleased because it comes from my colleagues in the Rio Grande Valley, my adopted home and a place I dearly love,” said Dr. Bailey.
“I also acknowledge, though, that this is really a recognition of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and its efforts to become the Rio Grande Valley’s university. In four short years, UTRGV has worked hard to establish a footprint across the Rio Grande Valley, to deliver a high-quality education at a low cost, and to create new educational opportunities for students. I want to thank all of our faculty, staff, and students and our partners across the Rio Grande Valley for making this happen. We have accomplished much, but we have much to do. I look forward to working with everyone as we continue to grow as the Rio Grande Valley’s university,” he added.
Additionally, Chancellor Sharp announced scholarships for Rio Grande Valley students from the funds raised from the banquet, including scholarships for area students who attend the Texas A&M Higher Education Center in McAllen. Additionally, a scholarship fund in Glen Roney’s name was created at South Texas College, located in McAllen. Roney was the chairman and longtime advocate for the Border Texan of the Year since its founding in 1989 and recently passed away earlier this year.
“Chancellor Sharp had a profound influence on Texas A&M’s decision to locate a first-class educational center as part of the Texas A&M System in the Rio Grande Valley and for that we are thankful,” said John David Franz, chairman of the Border Texan of the Year Committee. “His decision to donate the proceeds of his dinner to benefit students at both Texas A&M McAllen and South Texas College reaffirms his commitment to helping our region. The Border Texan of the Year Committee greatly appreciates his decision to honor the late Glen Roney, a founding member of the Border Texan of the Year dinner, by contributing to a Glen Roney Memorial Fund for scholarships at South Texas College. We appreciate Chancellor Sharp’s great work for the Texas A&M System,” he added.
“Additionally, I can’t think of a more deserving individual to be the 2019 Border Texan of the year than UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey, who has transformed the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley into a first-class institution. The opportunity for Rio Grande Valley students to access quality higher education at a very reasonable cost is resulting in more and more college degrees being earned. We all know that when it comes to our youth, higher education at UTRGV is a goal worth pursuing and a degree from UTRGV will pay tremendous dividends,” concluded Franz.
Dr. Bailey will be honored at a dinner and reception to be held later this year on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at the McAllen Convention Center. Table sponsorships are $1,250 or individual tickets are $200 each and can be purchased from Border Texan of the Year committee members.
Since its inception, Border Texan of the Year has awarded over $1,000,000 in funds to Rio Grande Valley organizations. Previous Border Texan of the Year Honorees include Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Gov. George W. Bush, Gov. Rick Perry, Congressman E. Kika de la Garza, Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Sen. John Cornyn, , Charles C. Butt, Chief Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa and Bob and Janet Vackar.
