UIW Unveils New Statue Dedicated to Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr.
Former President Spearheaded University to Historic Growth
San Antonio – For more than three decades he fueled and navigated the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) through explosive growth. Now, Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr., who was just the eighth President in UIW’s 135-year history, has a permanent place on the grounds of the University.
The former UIW president was surrounded by family, friends, colleagues and supporters as the University unveiled a statue dedicated to Agnese in the Friendship Garden. The statue sits next to the University’s new Student Engagement Center, a major project that was just one of many accomplishments achieved during Agnese’s thirty-one years as President of the University of the Incarnate Word.
During his tenure, enrollment at UIW rose from just 1,296 students in 1985 to over 11-thousand in 2016. The number of academic programs doubled which includes creation of the first Ph.D. program at UIW and the addition od doctoral programs in business administration, pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, nursing practice and Osteopathic Medicine.
Having a bronze statue of you and not being under it is always a nice thing,” quipped Dr. Agnese. “My children grew up here on this campus. Mickey and I lived here on campus for many years and our grandkids grew up here. This place is very much a part of our family and our legacy.”
By the Grace of God and through the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate word, this place of learning was conceived, established, and has evolved,” says Charles Lutz, Chairman of the UIW Board of Trustees. “Under Lou’s enlightened leadership, it grew and flourished beyond everyone’s imagination.”
Due in no small part to the vision of Dr. Agnese, UIW now has campuses throughout South and Central Texas, two campuses in Mexico, and two European Study Centers in Germany and France. The University also launched its first football program which has now moved to Division One status.
Photo Caption: UIW Unveils New Statue Dedicated to Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr. (Top L-R: Sister Sally Mitchell, long-time family friend; Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr. Seated: Mrs. Mickey Agnese)
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MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Valdes, Media and Public Relations Manager, Office of Communications & Brand Marketing, (210) 829-6001 or michael.valdes@uiwtx.edu