By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Del Rio High School students got free pizza Thursday while learning about the
changes and future benefits happening at Southwest Texas College.
Hector Gonzales, president of SWTX, was at Del Rio’s SWTX campus on Thursday for the
annual, “Pizza with the President.” The event gives DRHS students the opportunity to
speak with Gonzalez in person and ask questions about the school and what it offers.
Gonzales said SWTX has been hosting this event for students each semester for five years,
adding he has gotten “a very positive response” from the people who attended.
Two waves of DRHS students were brought over to the SWTX campus for pizza, music and
corn-hole games. Students were able to enjoy the pizza outside while also socializing and
asking questions.
Juan Ortiz, senior and president of the Early College High School Ambassadors, said he asked
Gonzales questions about how the college is going to accommodate and help new students.
Gonzales also answered other questions and talked about the various additions and changes
the school will go through. He also said one of the changes is turning the school into a
community college that offers bachelor’s degrees.
Gonzales added SWTX is developing three programs (nursing, business and education) where students can earn a bachelor’s degree.
During this past year, college officials took the word “junior” out of the school’s name, Southwest
Texas Junior College, and changed it to SWTX. This was the beginning of turning the
school into a four-year institution.
Along with more programs being added, more students will attend SWTX. Connie Buchanan,
vice president of SWTX, said enrollments have been going up at their campus since the
pandemic ended, adding they have 1,738 students enrolled for the 2024 fall semester.
One of the next steps towards the school becoming a four-year institution took place at
Thursday’s event. Students were taken to the campus flag pole, where they saw the SWTJC
flag retired and replaced with the new SWTX flag.
