La Feria News

Grand Opening of New Technology and Success Center in La Feria

Facility home to the Our Lady of the Lake University Rio Grande Valley campus

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The City of La Feria and Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new La Feria Technology and Success Center Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, at 10 a.m. The state-of-the-art educational facility, located at 1650 South Main Street in La Feria, is home to the OLLU campus in the Rio Grande Valley.

The ceremony included remarks by La Feria City Mayor Olga H. Maldonado, OLLU President Diane E. Melby, Ed.D., and U.S. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration (EDA) Regional Director Mathew P. Giannini, EDA Representative Robert Peche.  Tours of the building and refreshments were served following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The facility was constructed with funds from the EDA, the City of La Feria and OLLU.

“The new facility provides a tremendous resource for OLLU students in the Valley and gives working adults options to advance their education without interrupting their careers,” said Dr Melby. “We are thankful for the partnership with the EDA and the City of La Feria that made this new campus possible.

“Since OLLU became the first private university to provide a doctoral degree in the Valley in 2008, our offerings have expanded rapidly to meet student and employer demands across the Rio Grande Valley. We are well positioned to complement the exciting growth of the higher education sector its citizens deserve,” Dr. Melby added.

Mayor Maldonado stated, “The realization of our city’s Technology and Success Center fulfills the community’s long held desire to construct bridges of higher education and career development offerings between our Rio Grande Valley Community and institutions of higher education. Thank you to the U.S. Department of Commerce -Economic Development Administration and to Our Lady of the Lake University for joining forces with our city in this truly magnificent endeavor. Our community, the City of La Feria commission, administration, and staff remain steadfast in our partnership with Our Lady of the Lake University and look forward to a long and prosperous partnership.”

Jorge Ayala, EDA Regional Director, added, “Congratulations to the City of La Feria, Texas, on the completion of the Technology and Success Center. EDA has made skills and workforce development a top priority and this facility will help the next generation of professionals be prepared and equipped to meet regional business demands”

OLLU has been offering degree programs in the Valley since 2008. First housed on the campus of Texas StateTechnical College in Harlingen, OLLU moved to La Feria in 2013 to a facility owned by the La Feria School District. OLLU moved its campus to the Technology and Success Center last month when classes began for the fall semester.

The University offers bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, psychology and social work; master’s degrees in business administration with concentrations in health care management and management, organizational leadership and social work; and a doctoral degree in leadership studies. Bachelor’s degree programs are offered week days and evenings, master’s and doctoral degree programs are offered on the weekend.

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