“It was a wonderful day to celebrate Texas Southmost College’s 90th Anniversary,” said Dr. Lily F. Tercero, TSC President. “This was an amazing opportunity for all of us to remember the tens of thousands of people that have received an education at TSC, moved on to wonderful careers and a better life.”
The opening ceremony of TSC’s 90th Anniversary Community Celebration began with the resounding trumpets of Mariachi Sol Azteca’s La Negra. After the presentation of proclamations prepared by the offices of local leaders, the ceremony concluded with Las Mañanitas as a commemorative 90th Anniversary cake was wheeled out onto the stage. TSC President Tercero did the honor of cutting the cake.
Among the community leaders in attendance during the opening ceremony were U.S. Congressman Filemon Vela’s representative Maricela Cortez, Texas Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Cameron County Commissioner Sofia Benavides in representation of Cameron County Judge Pete Sepulveda, City of Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez and Consul Rodolfo Quilantan Arenas of the Mexican Consulate in Brownsville.
“This is a great time to reflect as far back as we can remember,” Sen. Lucio, Jr. said. “I must’ve been about four years old when my dad graduated from TSC in 1950. Nine out of 10 of the children from my family came to school here. It’s been a wonderful tradition for us.”
“Many communities around the state just cry out to have a community college in their area,” he added. “We’re very fortunate that we’ve had ours since 1926. It was the college of the Valley back then. It was known as the college for all kids that lived in the Valley to come to, and a lot of great things have happened at TSC since then.”
TSC’s distinguished guests reflected on the past 90 years of the College’s existence and congratulated current and past board members, administrators and alumni for their hard work and efforts over the years.
“We shouldn’t forget where we came from and how we got here after 90 years,” City of Brownsville Mayor Martinez said. “There has been many board members, founders and people that have been instrumental in making sure that this institution has lasted 90 years, and we owe them a great debt of gratitude.”
The 90th Anniversary Celebration included a variety of TSC programs and services, community organizations and media outlets that engaged the community members and their children with activities, games and giveaways.
As children bounced around on moon jumps in the Kids Zone, a steady stream of musical performances from country singers Madelyn Victoria and Matt and the Herdsmen to Mariachi Sol Azteca and Grupo Ezzencia entertained the public that gathered to celebrate TSC’s 90 years of academic excellence, history and tradition.
Additional live entertainment included a Lucha Libre event that featured 14 luchadores, as well as performances by TSC’s Early Childhood Center, BISD Faulk Middle School Dance Team, Grupo Folklórico Telpochcalli and South Texas Capoeira. The evening’s festivities concluded with a fireworks display over the Resaca.
“There was a lot of people and a great atmosphere here for the anniversary,” said TSC General Studies student Cecilia Roman. “It’s really cool that TSC has been able to be here for this long. There’s a lot of students that want to get their degrees and that’s what a community college is here to do.”
TSC’s 90th Anniversary Celebration was sponsored by: Dynamic Campus, Telemundo 40, The Brownsville Herald, News Center 23, 101.5 Digital, 710 KURV, El Nuevo Heraldo, American Surveillance Company, Inc., Marcis & Associates, Charro Days, Inc., Cesar’s Enterprises, Inc., Sombrero Festival, and Benchmark.
About Texas Southmost College
Originally established in 1926, Texas Southmost College currently offers the first two years toward a bachelor’s degree, along with career and technical education leading to certificates and associate degrees, college preparatory studies to prepare students for college-level work, workforce training, and continuing education. Recently selected as a Bright Spot by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, TSC offers 53 programs of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.