Back to 1943: Tec recreates and commemorates its first day of class

As it did 80 years ago, Tecnológico de Monterrey relived its first day of classes in the large house where it greeted students and teachers for the first time on September 6, 1943.

With a gala evening at 858 Abasolo Street in downtown Monterrey’s Old Town, the Tec community commemorated the beginning of one of the dreams of its founder, Don Eugenio Garza Sada.

“It gives me great pleasure to be here, in the place where Tecnológico de Monterrey began 80 years ago. Today, we return to our roots, to reaffirm our pride and confirm our mission,” said Ricardo Saldívar Escajadillo, Chairman of the institution’s Board of Directors.

At the site, Tec directors and Nuevo León officials unveiled a commemorative plaque for the institution’s 80th anniversary in the place where the large colonial house once stood, which has now been demolished.

Likewise, in the presence of almost 150 attendees, the site was witness to a performance of the musical show “Day One, a noble and historic decision,” a dramatization of the first day of classes at the Tec.

Returning to the house, 80 years later

Despite the toll that time has taken on the building where Tec de Monterrey took its first steps eight decades ago, those attending the ceremony were greeted by a replica of the original façade.

Number 858, José Mariano Abasolo Oriente Street, where the large house once stood, temporarily looked like it would have looked when the first 350 Tec students arrived.

David Garza, Rector and Executive President of the Tec, shared with CONECTA his experience of seeing and entering the place where the institution first began.

“It’s a great feeling to see the façade where, 80 years ago, a vision for quality education that would eventually impact Mexico began, which today makes us reflect on where we are and where we’re heading,” said the Rector and Executive President.

Mario Adrián Flores, Vice President of the Tec’s Monterrey Region and General Director of the 80th anniversary Organizing Committee, pointed out that a team took on the task of searching for and locating the place where the house stood several decades ago.

“Although we found it in different circumstances, this made our hearts and our ideals connect and gave rise to experiencing that first day of class, as we’re doing right now,” the director said in celebratory fashion.

Those attending the gala were surprised by the reconstruction and took the opportunity to take souvenir photos of the façade, including the large sign indicating that the first building of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education was located there.

This event marked the beginning of the Tec’s 80th anniversary celebratory activities.

80th anniversary commemorative plaque unveiled

At the ceremony, directors and officials from the Nuevo León government participated in the unveiling of a commemorative plaque for Tec de Monterrey’s 80th Anniversary.

Governor Samuel García and the state’s Secretary of Education Sofía Leticia Morales, both graduates of the Monterrey campus, joined in the unveiling, along with Tec directors David Garza and Ricardo Saldívar.

“Today, we’re celebrating the Tec’s 80th anniversary, which demonstrates the grand vision that great Monterrey native Don Eugenio Garza Sada achieved,” said the governor.

“His legacy, which we mostly recognize as a vision, undoubtedly includes his thoughts, his ideology, and how he forged institutions that are now 80 years old. I have no doubt that centuries will pass, and they’ll continue to be the pillar and buttress of Nuevo León,” García added.

It was reported that the plaque will remain in that place after the unveiling.

“With the plaque we unveil today, we seek to honor our roots and the legacy of those who had the vision of building a world-class educational institution and a community of exceptional people,” said Saldívar Escajadillo.

“This plaque is an acknowledgement of the entire community that supported us at the time and that continues to do so in order to make big dreams come true,” said Garza.

Similarly, the Rector and Executive President added: “The Tec started as a dream, a simple dream, and has become what it is today. Today, we also have many more dreams, and we want to see ourselves as if we were this big house.”

“The Tec started as a dream, a simple dream, and has become what it is today. Today, we also have many more dreams, and we want to see ourselves as if we were this big house.” - David Garza

The writing on the commemorative plaque

For his part, Saldívar read the inscription engraved on the plaque, which says the following:

“The Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education began its educational mission on September 6, 1943, at the house in this place, 858 Abasolo Oriente.

Although time has taken its toll on this house of historical significance, it retains traces of its history in the reminiscences of this stone wall.

We acknowledge and are grateful to its founders, led by Don Eugenio Garza Sada, professors, administrative staff, and students at that time, as well as those who generously supported the beginnings of our Institution.

Tecnológico de Monterrey: An institution of society for society, committed to academic excellence and the progress of our country.

‘Big projects should start in the simplest of ways.’

Eugenio Garza Sada

Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, August 31, 2023.

Witnessing a dramatization of the first day of class

Those attending the commemorative ceremony were able to enter the property, in which a gallery with old photos and an open stage had been installed for students, staff, and Tec graduates to give a stage production.

The performance, called “Day One, a noble and historic decision”, scripted and directed by Felipe Villarreal, tells of the arrival of the first students to the house on the opening day of Tecnológico de Monterrey.

This production takes place in the classroom where Mathematics, the Tec’s first class, was taught on the morning of September 6, 1943.

“The performance given by the students, with their talent and passion, in period outfits, took us back to the beginning of the Tec. It’s a very valuable thing that makes us proud and connects us even more strongly as a Tec community,” said Saldívar Escajadillo.

“It’s remarkable to see how the diversity of Tec students is reflected from day one, and that values, punctuality, excellence, discipline, passion, and aspiration are aspects that continue to be pillars of our institution today,” Garza said.

This performance will take place again on the first three days of September 2023, with two shows a night at 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Entrance is free.

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