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WDUCATIONPWWPTION
* id forifagship status becomes main endeavor for UH President Renu Khator
By Darlene Campos
THE UNIVERSITY'S PUSH FOR
top-tier research status set the
tone for UH President Renu
Khator's fall and spring agenda.
Before a crowd of students, faculty,
staff, regents, alumni and community
members, Khator outlined UH's progress
toward achieving its goal of flagship status
during her fall address on Nov. 3 at Moores
Opera House.
"Our goals are simple — education,
innovation, and impact. In good times
or in bad, we do not have the luxury of
negotiating these goals," Khator, who took
the helm as UH's 13th president and the
System's eighth chancellor in January of
2009, said.
Khator recognized the passage of
Proposition 4 as a major feat for higher
education in Houston and an important
step for UH's bid in becoming Texas' next
flagship university along with University of
Texas in Austin, Texas A&M University in
College Station and Rice University.
"That day was a defining moment for
the city of Houston," she said. "That day
was the day we began the most important
stage on our journey toward tier one."
The amendment, which passed on Nov.
3, grants $500 million to fund research at
emerging public universities in Texas — a
move Khator said would aid UH in its endeavor to compete on a national level.
While UH was one of only seven Texas
universities eligible to receive Proposition 4 research funds, UH must still meet
five out of the seven requirements before
reaching flagship status. These criteria
include the awarding of at least 200
doctorate degrees per academic year and
garnering at least a $400 million endowment. A university must meet these two
priority requirements before receiving any
sponsorship for research studies.
"Now that (Proposition 4) has passed
we must start the hard work," she said.
"We must meet the criteria by the state
Legislature to become a nationally competitive research university."
Along with increased research initiatives, UH will focus on ensuring students'
academic success in the coming years.
Although fall enrollment reached a record-
breaking 37,000, Khator said a university's
success depends heavily on the graduation
rates of its students.
"On our quest to become tier one,
we will be judged not just by how many
students we enroll, but also by how many
we graduate," she said.
To ensure the academic success of its
students, the University will, in the coming
years, work with high schools to ready
students for four-year universities, secure
private donations for student success and
offer more efficient campus services.
Khator also stressed the scope of UH's
innovative centers of learning and research. In its yearly Top American Research
Universities report, the Center for Universi-
Main fagade of the Ezekiel W. Cuiien Building. | Gabriel Pastrano
Our goals are simple — education,
innovation, and impact. In good times
or in bad, we do not have the luxury of
negotiating these goals.
- UH President Renu Khator
ty Performance recognized assistant professor of computer science
Edgar Gabriel, assistant professor of chemistry Vassiliy Lubchenko,
associate professor of chemistry Olafs Daugulis, associate professor of history Xiaoping Cong, and associate professor of communication Fred Schiff for outstanding research in their respective fields.
This fall, the UH System Board of Regents approved $240 million in renovations and new construction projects that will expand
centers for academic research and collaboration among the arts on
campus. UH purchased 74 acres of land, creating the UH Energy
Research Park and became an official member institution of the
Texas Medical Center. With the help of UH's Phi Beta Kappa faculty,
a proposal was submitted to establish a Phi Beta Kappa chapter in
the Association of Research Libraries to allow UH to climb higher
on the flagship ladder. ■
UH TRADITIONS
Part of being a flagship institution means offering
students a university in which its traditions are as rich
as its education. Thoughout the years UH has adopted
many traditions including the singing of its Alma Mater
and the Cougar Fight Song at football games. Here are
the stories behind some of UH's oldest traditions.
OFFICIAL COLORS
The official colors of UH are Scarlet and Albino White. The
University adopted the colors in 1938 at the same time the
UH seal was adopted. Scarlet symbolizes two things: the
blood that is the life source of the soul and the actions of
Sir Hugh, whose timely actions saved a royal bloodline —
in other words, courage and perseverance. Albino White
symbolizes the purity and perfections of a heart, mind and
soul that is dedicated to faithful service; it also represents
compassion and helping others.
COUGAR MASCOT
The mascot of the University has been a cougar since 1927.
The mascot was selected by our
then Professor John W. Bender.
Coach Bender joined the faculty
after having served as the Head
Football Coach at Washington
State University. During his
tenure at Washington State,
he became fond of the WSU
mascot (a cougar). When he
arrived here, the students
were looking for a name for
the student newspapers (the
school's first extracurricular activity). He suggested that
they call the newspaper the Cougar because of the grace,
power and pride that the Cougar embodies. The name was
unanimously agreed upon. From that time on, all University of
Houston student groups and activities have been associated
with Cougars. We may well be the only university in the U.S.
to name its athletic teams after the student newspaper.
UH SEAL
The Official Seal of arms of
General Sam Houston, as
handed down to him from
noble ancestors. The simple
escutcheon in the center of
the seal consists of checkered
chevrons denoting nobility,
and three Martlets, gentle
Lowland birds symbolizing peace and deliverance. A winged
hourglass is above the shield and surmounting this, the
motto, "In Tempore" (In Time). Greyhounds were placed at
the sides to indicate the speed in giving aid. The seal was
adopted by UH in 1938 in conjunction with the construction
of the campus. The first official version was placed on the
floor of the Roy Cuiien Building.
Source: www.uh.edu
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