Celebrating 45 years, UHCL hosts events, welcomes stories

September 23, 2019 | UHCL Staff

For 45 years, University of Houston-Clear Lake has pushed the boundaries of human thinking to create solutions for the world’s leading challenges. With more than 90 degree programs, including business, health care, human sciences, humanities and STEM, UH-Clear Lake continues to equip our city, region and the world with innovative leaders.

Created for NASA, UHCL continues to launch careers and answer the needs of the community it serves.

“NASA required courage, pioneering spirit, insatiable curiosity and the best and brightest minds. It required a like-minded educational partner, and the university was created,” said UHCL President Ira K. Blake, who will spotlight the anniversary in her “State of the University Address” on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The theme for the year is “UHCL: 45 years and beyond” and includes anniversary activities throughout October. Among those are the following events:

• Training Astronauts for space travel, virtually! – Monday, Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m., UHCL Pearland, 1200 Pearland Pkwy, Pearland, Health Sciences and Classroom Building, Room 102 – Discover what it is like to train for space travel and learn what it takes from former Astronaut Greg Chamitoff and former NASA engineer and virtual reality pioneer Evelyn Miralles, now UHCL assistant vice president for Strategic Information Initiatives and Technology. Although astronauts go through thousands of hours of training before taking off to space, some training include “virtual components” that resemble the real world and cannot be replicated on Earth.
• State of the University Address – Tuesday, Oct. 8, 3-5 p.m., UHCL, Bayou Building, Bayou Theater, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. Houston: – President Ira K. Blake will share important university updates and deliver her vision for the university’s impact on the future. An inspirational speaker, President Blake’s address will spotlight some of the monumental changes that have taken place at the university this year.
• UHCL Alumni Celebration – Saturday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m., UHCL, Recreation and Wellness Center, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston – Celebrating all alumni, the annual celebration will have a historical flair as the event offers a look at the university’s past and the present, while honoring this year’s recipients of the Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding Professor and Early Achievement Awards.

Other key events in October include the following:

• I Heart UHCL Day – Wednesday, Oct. 9, 12-5 p.m., UHCL, Bayou Building, Atrium II, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston – An annual event, this year’s special day will explore the many student organizations on campus, showcase fun activities, and provide students, alumni and community friends an opportunity to eat snacks and play games, and for spirit contest winners to be announced. All are invited to show their university pride.
• UHCL: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow – Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:30-7 p.m., UHCL Bayou Building, Garden Room, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston – Past, current and new members of UHCL faculty share stories of their service to UHCL, starting from the day the university opened its doors in 1974 to 1,069 students and 60 faculty, until today. All can revisit their journey through the past along with them as they remember the highlights and challenges the university has met and overcome during the last 45 years. They will also share their vision for the university for the decades to come, as the university continues together on the path of growth, success and excellence.
• UHCL Cares Day – Friday, Oct. 11, UHCL Pearland, 1200 Pearland Pkwy, Pearland – UHCL takes pride in having one of the most beautiful campuses in Houston. All are invited to show their Hawk pride in joining the university community at UHCL Pearland for a morning of service by enhancing the Pearland Campus through various beautification and conservation projects. Help UHCL continue to preserve and enhance the beauty of Pearland for UHCL Cares Day.

In addition to these special events, UHCL alumni, students, faculty, staff and community friends are urged to share their special stories about UHCL. Photos from time on campus are a powerful way to bring history to life, so the university is asking that all share photos, memories, or shout-outs. Submitted stories and photos will be compiled to share in the future.

Learn more about UHCL 45th anniversary, the university’s history and share your story by visiting the Celebrating 45 Years page online.