The cheerleaders and the mascot were fired up at the University of the Incarnate Word today, not because of the football team. The University staged a major welcome for Dr. Thomas Evans, who is the new President of the fast growing Catholic college, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Dr. Evans was hired from among 90 high quality applicants for the position, which came open last fall when Dr. Lou Agnese, who had been the UIW President for thirty years and spearheaded its evolution from a college to a full university, retired after making unguarded racial comments at a welcome for new students.
In fact, Dr. Evans commented on the stability at UIW in his remarks.
"Its amazing to think that an institution that was founded in 1881 has only had nine presidents until now," he said. "There is a lot of pressure for longevity around here."
Dr. Evans brings impeccable credentials and a Catholic background to UIW. He was most recently the President of Carroll College in Montana, where he built it into US News and World Report's top small college in the west.
Before that, he was an administrator at St. Edwards University in Austin, and he also holds a degree from Georgetown, as well as degrees from the University of Texas. Dr. Evans is fluent in two languages in addition to English, and holds a degree in Asian Studies.
He cited UIW's amazing reach and diversity.
"Now with over 11,000 students, 90 academic programs, one of the leading comprehensive universities in Texas, 140 sister schools, 44 countries, two campuses in Mexico, two high schools."
He also cited the new medical school which will open in August at Brooks as an example of UIW's growth and expansion.