Coca-Cola commemorates UTB-TSC anniversary with special can

BY CRISELDA VALDEZ
THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Coca-Cola is honoring the anniversary of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College with commemorative cans emblazoned with the school’s logo.

The soft drink company is distributing more than 1 million cans and displaying 12 soda machine panels carrying the school’s logo, scorpion mascot and Internet address across the Valley.

UTB-TSC officials were joined by Coca-Cola representatives Monday on campus to unveil the new can and a soda machine, which will be distributed only in the lower Rio Grande Valley.

The cans and machine panels read "Enjoy Real Refreshment at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College."

The can’s debut is part of a yearlong celebration for 10 years of partnership between UTB and TSC and the 75th anniversary of TSC’s founding.

"This gift is a little different. This gift is to recognize the importance of this milestone. And to provide a resource out in the community that will give people the opportunity to understand that there’s a great choice for higher education and that’s UTB-TSC," said Carlos Ramos, a Valley Coca-Cola representative.

Ramos was joined by Olivia Rivas, UTB-TSC vice president for student affairs and chairwoman of the Anniversary Year Committee, and student body president Anna Perez, to unveil the commemorative can and soda machine.

"This is very exciting for me," said Perez, who majors in marketing. "The people from all over the Valley are going to know us."

The university’s Mariachi Escorpion performed at the event, including Vicente Fernandez’s "El Rey," which Rivas said was dedicated to Coca-Cola.

Some students said they were happy to see their university advertised on the major soda chain’s cans.

"It feels pretty cool," said Sandra Longoria, 20, who is studying law enforcement. "It makes me feel proud."

University officials echoed Longoria’s feelings.

"It’s almost unbelievable that we were able to accomplish this," Rivas said. "They’ve joined us in our anniversary. Coca-Cola has now come on the team to help us share the pride (about the university)."

The can is the first of its kind in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, said Lee Guerra, sales manager for the Valley Coca-Cola.

"We saw this as an opportunity to get the word out to the community about the celebration and help (the university) increase their enrollment," Guerra said.

The gift is part of an ongoing partnership between Coca-Cola and UTB-TSC. In the past, Coca-Cola Foundation presented the university with a check for $50,000 to benefit its Student Outreach Support program. Coca-Cola also funded the scoreboard at Scorpion Field.