The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Teniente-Matson celebrates university’s future during inauguration

By Courtney KaiserPriscilla GalarzaJerry Quijano
Inauguration Reporting Team


Cynthia Teniente-Matson found herself in a serendipitous moment Saturday morning during her inauguration ceremony. Standing at the podium, she described finding herself back in her childhood zip code, reminiscing on the once undeveloped state of San Antonio’s South Side. Now she is prepared to lead the next phase of advancement at A&M-San Antonio, the only member of the A&M-System located in an urban setting.

“78224 – our zip code – is in my DNA,” Matson said.

Matson was born on the traditionally underserved South Side and came back, she said, because she was drawn to the importance of providing educational opportunities to students regardless of their background.

“We celebrate our great place located right here, in an underserved part of San Antonio, a historic South Side,” Matson said. “This region is reawakening and will experience a rebirth in large part by the presence of our great university.”

Matson’s first nine months offered unique challenges. She began her presidency in January at the beginning of Texas’ legislative session. Her inauguration falls 10 months, 14 days before the university will become a four-year institution, welcoming first-year and sophomore level students. Regent Elaine Mendoza reminded the audience A&M-San Antonio boasts the fastest growing enrollment in the 11-member system.

Several speakers shared their thoughts on Matson, Texas A&M-San Antonio and the importance of a campus on the South Side of San Antonio. The running message through the speeches was one of hope and expanded opportunity for the university’s growth and success, reflecting in ceremony’s opening blessing led by Erwin J. De Luna, president of the United San Antonio Pow Wow,  

Matson met De Luna at a San Antonio Fiesta event. She personally asked De Luna to attend the inauguration and perform a blessing for the university’s prosperity.

“We will thank the creator for allowing us to be here today and bless the people that are here today, to strengthen the military community here, and to deliver a special blessing for Dr. Matson,” De Luna said.

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Prominent in Saturday’s speeches was the development of the South Side and opportunities for higher education, including thoughts offered by City Councilman Rey Saldana, who graduated from South San Antonio High School and now serves District 4.

Saldana spoke about increased opportunity in the city’s southern sector.

“Growing up on the South Side of San Antonio, there’s a certain narrative that builds in the young minds of my neighbors, and community members talking about what is possible for themselves and what is possible for their neighbors, Saldana said. “…but there’s been a narrative for too long that if you wanted to succeed and you grew up on the South Side of San Antonio…that you needed to move away.”

Henry Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio from 1981-89,  spent his career advocating for urban revitalization.

“This is a new day for the Southern sector of San Antonio, a win-win day. We stand with you in building a great institution,” Cisneros said.

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp described the reasons why the Texas A&M  University System chose Matson to lead as their second university president. He referenced her connection to both her community and her students with whom she has daily contact.

“The reason she is going to be a great, wonderful president to this institution is because of her passion for her fellow first-time family members to go to college in the South Side of San Antonio,” Sharp said. “Her passion to lead them toward greatness.”

The inauguration speakers focused on A&M-San Antonio and its impact on students and the southern sector of San Antonio. Wyatt Matson, youngest son of President Matson, provided comic relief to assure all present there was nothing his mother enjoyed more than working.

Jokes aside, Wyatt Matson said he  found it both surreal and very humbling to be present at his mother’s inauguration.

“No one who knows her (President Matson) is really surprised. Except her.”

Several speakers underscored Matson’s dedicated years developing a skill-set that will lead Texas A&M-San Antonio into the future.  Her passion for the flourishing of the South Side was recognized by her family and colleagues as her most noble quality.

“I’ve steeped myself in education here locally and I know she is going to put out the best teachers and training programs because of this great school of education and that is one of the first ways we will partner together,” Saldana said. “This will be a true genuine college experience, it will bring growth and development to this area and attract people to the South Side, that is our partnership opportunity.”

Junior Adrienne Reyes, a biology major, represented the university as a Jaguar Ambassador. With so many local celebrities present, Reyes was proud to serve A&M-San Antonio at such an important event.

“I know it’s our job to be here. But when they invite us to attend these (events), it’s an honor to for them to think of us,” Reyes said.

Former university president Maria Hernandez Ferrier expressed her excitement for the unwritten chapters of the university’s story.

“This will always be my baby,” Ferrier said, “Since I’ve walked off campus Jan 11, this is my first time back on campus,” she said. “I’m so excited for the next stage and in the future it will be taken to greater stage and this is how we’ll grow”.

Matson’s plans for the future include continued campus development, becoming a national model for student success and going to back to the root of a traditional four-year educational experience.

“We cannot imitate greatness, we have to live it,” Matson said.

About the Author

Courtney Kaiser
I have always enjoyed telling stories about anything and everything. I also have a strong passion for public relations and helping teams build campaigns to spread their message and help them grow. I have found that you learn more about yourself while working in teams and identifying what strengths you can bring to the table which can be both exciting and challenging. I like to consistently challenge myself to learn new things and technology, and Texas A&M University - San Antonio has been a great place to help me continue to evolve these last two years of my academic journey.

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