Page 13 - University of Texas at El Paso Miner Guide 2022-2023

Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund and student programs.
MINING MINDS SCULPTURE
Mining Minds is a 25-foot-tall pickaxe head
partly buried in a rock garden within the campus roundabout at University Avenue and Sun Bowl Drive. A unique binary code (a pattern of ones and zeroes) is sculpted into the top and bottom thirds of the pick to signify the language of modern technology. The binary code is based on an inspira- tional quote from University President, Dr. Diana Natalicio’s 2008 Convocation speech: “Believe in yourself and in your dreams. Believe in UTEP and its aspirations. Share the dream!” By day, sunlight will shine through the perforated numbers. By nights, LED lights will illuminate the pick’s ends. The iconic artwork is visible to the thousands of travelers who pass the university along I-10.
TCM DAY
When the El Paso Junior College merged with the College of Mines, there was a dramatic increase in enrollment, creating rivalry amongst the student body. Students majoring in mining or engineering were called “engineers” while students majoring in arts or education were called “academes” or “peedoggies.” The distinction continues today during the oldest continuous student tradition called TCM Day. TCM Day is celebrated in obser- vance of St. Patrick’s Day and was first reported
in the March 1920 edition of The Prospector. The unique tradition was to initiate engineers and geologists into the Order of St. Patrick, the patron saint of engineers. Current ceremonies include team-building activities throughout the day that challenge and engage all students, faculty, and staff from around the campus.
HOMECOMING
Each fall, alumni return to the campus to reminisce about their days as students at the Texas College of Mines, Texas Western College, or UTEP. Many departments and organizations host events for alumni during the week-long celebration and students participate in spirit competitions throughout the week. The celebra- tion includes an Official Pep Rally, football game, presentation of Homecoming Court
and Distinguished Alumni, and recognition of outstanding achievements of notable alumni, known as Gold Nuggets.
A TOP TIER RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
The University of Texas at El Paso was awarded the R1 designation (top tier doctoral university with very high research activity) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Educa- tion in December 2018. UTEP is one of only 146 (6.2%) universities among the 2,346 four-year higher education institutions across the U.S. to earn this distinction.
MINER GUIDE 2022 - 2023 • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
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