Perla Cortez EDINBURG – A UTRGV custodian is behind the initiative to include decorative art to the fountain area near the University Center on the Edinburg campus.
The “Beautification Project” aims to bring more color to the Edinburg campus by adding decorative tiles, a mural and a renovation to the seating areas near the fountain by the university center.
Jeffrey Oden, custodian under Campus Facilities Operations, shared after having the idea for 6 years he had previously pitched the initiative to his colleagues.
With more than 30 signatures for a petition that pushed the project, he was encouraged to reach the Student Government Association executive members for input back in January.
“So, I spoke with the president of the SGA, and immediately he thought it was a fantastic idea,” Oden said. “And he basically just said right away, yeah, let’s definitely support this and promote it.”
Oden said the SGA admired the project and added the members would speak with the College of Fine Arts dean for art concepts and the overall design, with SGA vice president of internal affairs steering the project.
The inspiration came from the input of staff members and students who talked with Oden and complimented the Mexican and Spanish design influence on the Brownsville campus
“They always rave about how lovely it is to be there. But you go around our campus and it’s just there’s not really a lot of color,” Oden said. “There’s not a lot of visual impact, you know, imagery. And I just feel that if this circle were to be modified to include that, it would really just have a very positive impact on the community.”
A few images were shared with KVAQ-TV by Oden that demonstrated a concept of how he proposed designs for the fountain area.
He admitted the images were created by AI but said he would want UTRGV fine arts students to partake in the project and create designs for the area.
In a statement sent by Jeffrey Ward, college of fine arts dean, he stated “I enjoyed hearing the ideas from the SGA representatives and pointed the to some offices on campus who I thought could help them begin the process.”
According to Oden, the project was handed to a UTRGV department designated for construction a few weeks ago. However, he has received no recent update in weeks.
KVAQ-TV reached out to the SGA executive members, but no interview could be scheduled, and no statement was sent.
