Jonathan Rodriguez
UT Arlington
Uriel Uranga
Presidio, TX
Sophomore, Biology Major, at UT Permian Basin
Financial Sources
Job: Student Union Reception Desk
Financial Aid & Scholarships: Texas All-State Band Scholarship, KFC Colonel's Scholarship, Federal Pell Grant, TEXAS Grant, UTPB Freshman Grant
Uriel's Story
The youngest of seven children in a Presidio family dreams of one day returning home to open a medical clinic. A sophomore biology major at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Uriel Uranga says his hometown currently has neither a 24-hour clinic nor a hospital. Since he’s the first member of his family to attend college, he is shouldering a long-term goal.
In the meantime, scholarships are helping him inch toward his dream. By using both sides of his brain, Uriel graduated with honors from Presidio High School and won a Texas All-State Band scholarship for playing the tuba. He chose UTPB when he met Dr. Dan Keast, head of the music program, at the All-State convention in San Antonio, and was recruited for the Falcon Flock Band.
During a campus visit, Uriel met Dr. Doug Spence, the pre-med adviser, and learned of his outstanding record for getting 56 UTPB students accepted into medical school over the past 15 years.
Armed with a four-year, $20,000 KFC Colonel’s Scholarship, a Pell Grant, a $500 band scholarship, a Texas Grant of $1,241, and UTPB’s $1,000 Freshman Grant, Uriel also obtained a part-time job at the reception desk in the Student Union. He lives in UTPB’s deluxe, apartment-style housing, was elected a Freshman Senator (even though his dual credit classes gave him sophomore classification) and is a member of the University Choir. Although his dream will take years, Uriel said he is up for the academic and financial challenges.
Learn More:
UT Permian Basin Admissions | UT Permian Basin Tuition | UT Permian Basin Financial Aid