UTSA President Ricardo Romo and the UTSA community celebrated Monday as construction began on a new $82 million Engineering Building.

The 150,000 square-foot facility will include research and teaching laboratories, classrooms and academic support facilities as part of one of the fastest growing engineering programs in Texas. Completion is scheduled August 2009.

Distinguished guests included UT System Chancellor Mark Yudof, State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, State Sen. Jeff Wentworth and State Sen. Carlos Uresti.

UTSA also unveiled A Shared Vision: UTSA 2016, a roadmap designed to advance knowledge and change lives. The plan will help shape UTSA’s future and redefine the educational landscape of the South Texas region.