A great big Rio Grande Valley welcome goes out to our soon-to-be newest Bronc and leader – Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, who was confirmed by The University of Texas Board of Regents as the next president of The University of Texas-Pan American on Wed., Nov. 11.

Nelsen, who most recently was associate vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, was one of four candidates selected in September by the UTPA President Search Advisory Committee to visit the campus, meet with various campus constituencies and participate in two forums open to the entire campus and community. Nelsen was named by the Board of Regents as the sole finalist for the UTPA presidency on Oct. 12 and will become our eighth president on Jan. 1, 2010.

Nelsen succeeds Dr. Blandina Cárdenas, who retired in January 2009.

While welcoming our new leader, the campus community will need to give our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Charles A. Sorber, a veteran administrator within the UT System who led our campus admirably as interim president since February 2009. Sorber intends to work closely with Nelsen as he transitions into the presidency.

Describing himself as honored and humbled to be chosen, Nelsen said he sees his newest role as a bridge builder.

“I believe that a crucial task for a president, maybe the most crucial task, is building bridges, bridges that our students, faculty and the community will pass over as they create our future,” Nelsen said.

Read more about Nelsen, his appointment and his look to the future at UTPA.