UTRGV President Honored with Distinguished Citizen Award

Although UTRGV President Guy Bailey never had the chance to join the Boy Scouts as a young boy growing up in Alabama, he officially became part of the community on Friday, Nov. 1, when he received the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Boy Scouts of America Rio Grande Council.

“Thank you so much, I am deeply honored to receive this,” Bailey said. “I never had an opportunity to be a boy scout, I could only do things in the little community that I grew up in that I could walk to or ride my bike to. There was not a scout troop close enough for me to do that.”

The award honors individuals, annually, who share the organizations belief in leadership, determination and values, and have contributed significantly to the growth and vitality of the Rio Grande Valley community.

Celebrating Bailey at the 38^th Annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner at the McAllen Convention Center, included family, UTRGV leadership, and elected officials – Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Senator Morgan LaMantia.

CEO and Scout Executive Luis Rodriguez presented Bailey with the award, highlighting the principle of “brave” from the Scout Law as a fitting description of his tenure at UTRGV. The Scout Law includes 12 principles: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Rodriguez shined a spotlight on Bailey’s transformative impact on the Rio Grande Valley, noting the significant growth of UTRGV, which is home to more than 34,000 students.

“That’s what being brave is about, changing the dynamics of how students are able to enter college and giving them that chance,” Rodriguez said.

When the Distinguished Citizen Award committee met to decide the annual honoree, Rodriguez said Bailey’s name continuously stood out among the members.

“When we took a look at it, Dr. Bailey was an obvious choice,” Rodriguez said. “It’s not just Edinburg, but it’s Brownsville, the School of Medicine, the School of Podiatric Medicine, and, of course, football. He’s bringing resources and opportunities to the youth of the Rio Grande Valley.”

Under his adept hand, UTRGV has:

• Graduated more than 54,000 students (equivalent to 3% of the RGV population).
• Helped 90% of UTRGV full-time undergraduates pay no tuition and fees.
• Grown its net worth from $737 million to $1.1 billion.
• Fundraised $284 million since UTRGV’s inception in 2015.
• Increased research expenditures from $20.78 million to $82.44 million.
• Provided free tuition and mandatory fees for Texas residents in good academic standing who are full-time students and whose family income is $125,000 or less.

Bailey thanked all those in attendance and dedicated the award to his family and the university community, especially UTRGV students, who he said have a deep commitment to family and community, something that is very important to him.

“Our students are unique. They are different from any other students I have been around,” he said. “What we have are students who bring to the campus tremendous values …. Our kids are devoted to their families, and many won’t leave their families. That is why we need to bring opportunities to them. Think about that because that is how it ought to be.”

As UTRGV prepares to celebrate 10 years of success, growth and impact next year, Bailey said his mission continues of providing the citizens of the Rio Grande Valley the best higher education institution they deserve.

“We intend to give them the best value and create the best situation for them where if you stay right here you go further than any place you can start from,” Bailey said.

In addition to the award, Bailey was presented with a resolution by the Texas House of Representatives recognizing his accomplishments as the leader of the No. 1 university in Texas according to Washington Monthly. Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez drafted the resolution. Also, Hinojosa and La Mantia gave Bailey a flag that was flown over the Texas capitol in his honor.