University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes (center) is joined by UHLC students, from left, Hunter Mitchell, Tyler Brewster, Lizzy Do, Cesar Rivera Infante and LaTheena Thomas in Austin for UH Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 2.
March 6, 2023 — A group from the University of Houston Law Center went to Austin Thursday to support key legislative priorities that will help advance the university.
Law Center students Tyler Brewster, Lizzy Do, Cesar Rivera Infante, Hunter Mitchell and LaTheena Thomas, and Dean Leonard M. Baynes together with four busloads of University of Houston students descended on the Capitol.
The UHLC group along with other University of Houston faculty, students and staff met with special guests, state representatives and state senators. This session, the University of Houston is requesting a $1 billion investment by the legislature to be used to improve research capabilities and propel UH to a Top 50 public university.
“It was a great day,” said University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “Many thanks to our wonderful Law Center students for coming to Austin for UH Day at the Capitol and advocating for a $1 billion University of Houston endowment, support for increased student financial aid, and mental health counseling. Moreover, our students got insights into how our state government operates and developed expertise in advocating for a cause.”
University of Houston Law Center students celebrate UH Day at the Capitol with UH President Renu Khator. From left are Tyler Brewster, Lizzy Do, Hunter Mitchell, Khator, Cesar Rivera Infante and LaTheena Thomas.
The UHLC delegation heard inspirational speeches from UH President Renu Khator, Chair of the UH Board of Regents Tilman Fertitta and alumnus and Texas State Representative Armando Walle ‘14. Baynes and the law students visited the offices of Texas State Senator Royce West ‘79, Texas State Representative Ann Johnson and Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton.
“I joined my colleagues in Austin for University of Houston Day at the Capitol. We met with legislative members and their staffs to advocate for UH priorities and were also able to personally thank the members for the $45 million that was given to the University of Houston Law Center to complete our beautiful new John M. O’Quinn Law Building,” said Tyler Brewster, UHLC Student Bar Association President and 2L.
In between meetings, the group was entertained by student performances from the UH Mariachi Pumas and Concert Chorale.
“I had a great time advocating for UH alongside my classmates and Dean Baynes at the Texas Capitol. It was truly a unique experience. It was also inspirational to meet and hear from the various speakers and UH alumni” said Lizzy Do, UHLC Asian Law Students Association President, incoming Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy Editor-in-Chief, and 2L.
