UHD : Houston Native, Olympic Bronze Medalist Marlen Esparza To Visit Campus For UHD Welcome Week

Press release from the University of Houston-Downtown:

August 20, 2021

The University of Houston-Downtown’s Marilyn Davies College of Business brings the Olympic spirit to campus as it welcomes students back to school next week. On Tuesday, Aug. 24., students will get a chance to meet boxing Olympian and bronze medalist and current WBC Flyweight World Title Belt Holder Marlen Esparza, get autographed postcards and free tacos.

“No one symbolizes the determination and mental strength of our students better than an amazing World-Champion Olympian like Marlen Esparza,” said Charles Gengler, Dean of the Marilyn Davies College of Business. “Few of us could ever achieve what she has, but we all need the same drive and belief in ourselves. UHD Gators work hard both at their studies and at their jobs because they know that the long road to their own personal victories is through their commitment and focus. We get hurt, we have setbacks, but we recover from these blows and come back as winners.”

The Houston-born athlete was first introduced to boxing at the age of 11 and pursued it along with her passion for education. She graduated from Pasadena High School with a 4.6 GPA while serving as student body president.

Her unrelenting commitment to excellence has earned her two Women’s Boxing U.S. National Championships (2006 and 2007) and a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championship.
In 2012, Esparza earned a spot at the Olympic games in London when it first introduced women’s boxing to the world event. This garnered her partnerships with CoverGirl and Fortune 500 companies, like Nike and Coca-Cola through sponsorships.

Esparza has also held the U.S. National Championship title three times while maintaining a winning streak from 2013 to 2015 and earned a gold medal in the 2014 Women’s World Championship – a first for the Olympic athlete.

Esparza embodies excellence both inside and out of the boxing ring and is a reflection of UHD's student body composed of more than 50 percent of Latinos/Hispanics obtaining their higher education degrees and stepping into the workforce.

In addition to Esparza’s appearance, award-winning Houston artist Betirri Bengsten will bring a sample installation of his newly painted “Female Power” mural, which showcases Esparza and fellow local Olympian Emily Chen.

Esparza also plans to unveil a special gift to UHD at the Tuesday event.

About the Event

Welcome Week is a campus-wide celebration to welcome students featuring special activities, food and a chance to meet student organizations, advisors and other UHD entities throughout the week.

The meet and greet will take place at UHD Marilyn Davies College of Business at 320 N. Main St. Houston, TX from 11:00 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

UHD Dean of Students Dr. Meritza Tamez and Marilyn Davies College of Business Dean Dr. Charles Gengler will also be in attendance at noon along with the UHD gator mascot.

This press release was produced by the University of Houston-Downtown. The views expressed here are the author’s own.