2008 Woodie Awards
Former mayor wants district to be one of best in nation
By Joyce Flores
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: News
Originally published: 9/13/07 at 6:43 PM CSTLast update: 9/13/07 at 6:42 PM CST
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The Alamo Community Colleges have to be recognized as the best if San Antonio is to be the best city, Henry Cisneros said to faculty at the district convocation Aug. 20.
Cisneros served as mayor of San Antonio from 1981-87. He was the first Hispanic mayor of a major U. S. city. He served as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1993-97.
Cisneros told the audience that he had a special respect for community colleges and that he would like to see the district colleges become the best in the nation.
Cisneros attended this college the summer after high school and each summer while attending Texas A&M University. His brother Tim Cisneros and his wife, Mary Alice Cisneros, District 1 city councilwoman, also attended this college before transferring to universities.
"You are already good. If you are already good, then why?" Cisneros said leading into his five reasons the district colleges have to be the best in the nation.
His first point was that human knowledge is essential for advancement.
"San Antonio cannot advance to meet income needs without excellence in human capital."
He explained that in the past, cities with ports, rivers and railroads were the cities that advanced, but in today's world, advances in technology and biomedical research are what will help cities.
"Biomedical research will be to the new century what technology was to the last."
Second, San Antonio has opportunities today that it did not have 10 years ago, Cisneros said.
San Antonio is home to the largest communication company, AT&T; the largest oil refiner, Valero; the largest radio broadcasting company, Clear Channel; largest mutual insurance firm, USAA; and the largest automobile factory, Toyota.
"I couldn't say these things when I was mayor," he said. "We've never had an opportunity like this."
Third, Cisneros explained that the world is competitive and that there is a hierarchy of cities. San Antonio is constantly in competition with other cities to attract companies and keep the ones that are already here, Cisneros said. The same is true for executives and college administrators.
Cisneros served as mayor of San Antonio from 1981-87. He was the first Hispanic mayor of a major U. S. city. He served as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1993-97.
Cisneros told the audience that he had a special respect for community colleges and that he would like to see the district colleges become the best in the nation.
Cisneros attended this college the summer after high school and each summer while attending Texas A&M University. His brother Tim Cisneros and his wife, Mary Alice Cisneros, District 1 city councilwoman, also attended this college before transferring to universities.
"You are already good. If you are already good, then why?" Cisneros said leading into his five reasons the district colleges have to be the best in the nation.
His first point was that human knowledge is essential for advancement.
"San Antonio cannot advance to meet income needs without excellence in human capital."
He explained that in the past, cities with ports, rivers and railroads were the cities that advanced, but in today's world, advances in technology and biomedical research are what will help cities.
"Biomedical research will be to the new century what technology was to the last."
Second, San Antonio has opportunities today that it did not have 10 years ago, Cisneros said.
San Antonio is home to the largest communication company, AT&T; the largest oil refiner, Valero; the largest radio broadcasting company, Clear Channel; largest mutual insurance firm, USAA; and the largest automobile factory, Toyota.
"I couldn't say these things when I was mayor," he said. "We've never had an opportunity like this."
Third, Cisneros explained that the world is competitive and that there is a hierarchy of cities. San Antonio is constantly in competition with other cities to attract companies and keep the ones that are already here, Cisneros said. The same is true for executives and college administrators.
This is an open forum for the readers of TheRanger.org. Abusive, inflammatory, slanderous, obscene and libelous language will not be tolerated. Please be considerate of other readers when posting comments. This is not the place for personal attacks. The staff of The Ranger.org reserves the right to deny publication of any posts. The comments posted here do not reflect the opinions of The Ranger staff, San Antonio College or the Alamo Community College District.
Be the first to comment on this story