Last year the University’s accomplishments included higher enrollment, a record amount of grants, new dorms and building renovations.
Over 38,500 students enrolled in the fall semester, the highest number on record.
Out of that number, more than 1,000 brand-new freshmen were the first to experience the new living facilities at Cougar Village in August. Cougar Village became the first on-campus living facility to host live-in faculty members and their families.
“I think having a faculty member live on campus is a blessing for these freshmen,” said Kamil Khan, residential assistant at the Cougar Village, and a junior with a double major in marketing and management. “Most of our residents and the residents in Moody Towers are not accustomed to living on their own, and the prospect can be extremely daunting. To have a faculty member just present here can not only assure their parents, but also bring comfort to them.”
In addition to the new dorms, UH also began construction in October on an addition to the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication, the Lance T. Funston Communication Center. The $3.6 million project, when completed this fall, will feature a two-story video production studio.
UH began renovations on Science Research 1, and also broke ground on an addition to the Lamar Fleming Jr. building. Renovations also began on Energy Research Park, and are expected to be completed by fall.
UH researchers had a stellar year as well, with the Texas Center for Superconductivity receiving a $3.5 million grant from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to help establish their Applied Research Hub, and recruit new scientists and researchers.
Additionally, Houston Endowment Inc. awarded UH a $5 million grant to help increase the number of students in doctoral programs, particularly in engineering and the sciences.
With the recent news that quarterback Case Keenum will be returning for the 2011 football season and the Tier One research university classification by the Carnegie Foundation, 2011, barely in its first month, seems to be acquiring a few milestones of its own.
