Birds Up Podcast Yvonne Addison, Jacob Cavazos, Cynde Bard, Andrew Addison, Steven Woodall, UTSA Alumni Association

The legacy of Rene M. Garcia.

Karl Miller-Lugo is the current VP of Advancement and Alumni Engagement at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Celebrating his 5th year at UTSA, Karl has spearheaded the UTSA "Be Bold" Campaign which has raised more than $380MM during his time here.

As a five-year-old in Yorkshire, England, Dr. Angela Speck decided she wanted to be an astronaut. After pursuing her childhood dreams with a PhD in Astronomy from University College London, Dr. Speck built the astronomy program at The University of Missouri. Today, she continues to research and teach astrophysics as UTSA's Physics and Astronomy Department Chair.

For almost 20 years TeamABILITY has worked with children and adults with complex disabilities, revealing their human potential, helping them discover their own abilities and experience the joy of meaningful participation in life. Their team chooses to focus on what individuals with disabilities can do, not their diagnosis. Every day they see the joy that active participation in life brings to their faces.

The mission of TeamABILITY as an organization is to challenge society’s assumptions about individuals with disabilities. They believe in identifying human potential; encouraging achievement of the seemingly impossible; recognizing individual progress; and allowing adequate time to achieve goals.

Learning is an active process. We learn best by doing. TEAMability’s innovative, one-of-a-kind approach unites the skills of occupational, physical and speech therapists with those of master special educators. This team of teachers and therapists, along with the parent/caregivers, conducts a comprehensive assessment to determine how each individual’s disabilities impact his/her functional abilities. Therapy goals are integrated into enjoyable, meaningful, motivating activities that encourage exploration, experimentation, and the discovery of ability through independent learning and active participation in life activities TEAMability’s specialized, adapted environments provide an optimal setting to experience success…often for the very first time.

Dan Nerdahl is a current student at UTSA, but his passion for UTSA Athletics and UTSA Baseball in particular got him lined up with Jared Kalmus from The Alamo Audible. Dan works as a reporter for the Alamo Audible team in his publication of "Around the Birdbath" that gives full insight into the programs to bring everything UTSA Baseball to the fanbase. The UTSA Baseball program's extensive 30+ year history is filled with so many accomplishments and players that have gone to play at the next level. Last year showed the team's first ever top 25 ranking and first ever win against the SEC by beating the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station!

Meet a remarkable professional who has made a lasting impact in both the construction industry and television production. Serving as the Owner of FitzGibbons Construction and Project Manager at FitzGibbons Custom Homes (owned by his wife, Danielle FitzGibbons), this individual brings a wealth of expertise to the table.
Their journey is a testament to dedication and versatility, beginning as a handyman while working at a hardware store and evolving into a Master of Construction skills. Their commitment to excellence led them to remodel high-end homes, setting the stage for future success.

In 2015, they joined Ashton Woods, gaining invaluable experience in building houses from the ground up. During this time, Danielle FitzGibbons initiated FitzGibbons Custom Homes, where they constructed speculative homes. Their story takes a twist as they venture into FitzGibbons Construction, excelling in property make-readies, ensuring top-dollar sales for clients.

Additionally, they made a mark in television production, contributing to popular shows like "Battle on the Beach" and "Ugliest House in America." Their captivating journey embodies adaptability, determination, and passion for construction and television production. Look for Ian in new series of HGTV "Ugliest House" Season 5 coming in January and "FAST Home Rescue" coming February 2024 on the Weather Channel!