[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 178 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING DR. LOUIS J. AGNESE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Dr. 
Louis J. Agnese, Jr. who served as president of the University of the 
Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, Texas for thirty-one years.
  Dr. Louis J. Agnese grew up in Brooklyn, New York, as the youngest of 
five children. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History and 
Psychology from St. Mary of the Plains College; his Master of Education 
in Counseling and an Education Specialist Degree in Supervision of 
Counseling Services from Gannon University; and a Ph.D. in Counselor 
Education from The University of Pittsburgh. He went on to work at 
Briar Cliff University before interviewing for the presidency of 
Incarnate Word in 1985.
  UIW eventually hired Dr. Agnese to become the university's eighth 
president. Dr. Agnese was only 33 at the time, making him one of the 
youngest college presidents in the nation. Immediately upon being 
hired, he sought ways to help improve the university. He spent much of 
his time researching the university's history, meeting with staff and 
faculty, as well as looking for innovative ways to help improve student 
enrollment, which had been declining for several years.
  During Dr. Agnese's presidency, student global enrollment rose from 
1,296 students in 1985 to 11,422 in 2016. This growth turned UIW from 
the 19th largest private university in Texas to the 3rd largest private 
university in the state. The number of living alumni has increased from 
8,000 in 1985 to nearly 40,000 today.
  Not only did the student enrollment grow, but the number of academic 
programs doubled. The university created its first Ph.D. program and 
added professional doctoral programs in pharmacy, optometry, physical 
therapy, nursing practice, business administration, and beginning in 
2017, osteopathic medicine. The university's endowment also increased 
from $3 million in 1985 to $130 million today, while the school's 
budget grew from $2 million to $217 million.
  UIW has received numerous recognitions throughout Dr. Agnese's 
tenure. The university has been noted for eight consecutive years as 
one of the Great Colleges to Work For in the U.S. by the Chronicle of 
Higher Education, chosen as one of the Top Workplaces in San Antonio by 
The San Antonio Express-News, included in The Chronicle's national Top 
10 Honor Roll category for medium-sized universities for the seventh 
straight year, and today, with more than 1,100 employees, UIW has an 
estimated $100 million impact on the San Antonio economy. UIW is also 
currently ranked No. 1 nationally among private, not-for-profit 
universities in conferring the most bachelor's degrees to Hispanics, a 
group that continues to be underrepresented nationally in higher 
education.
  Dr. Agnese's long and successful career has brought with it numerous 
awards. His many honors include: the Humanitarian Award from the 
National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Outstanding leader in 
Catholic education by the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the Ford Salute 
to Education Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to higher 
education, the Sister Cecilia Bush Award from the Dear Neighbor 
Ministries for his commitment to Minority Education, and multiple 
honorary doctorates along with several distinguished alumni awards.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to remember the 
legacy of UIW's eighth president, Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr.

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