The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) is a public university located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. Its official Spring 2016 enrollment was a record high 6,050, a 15% increase in headcount since the previous year. UTPB is now home to over 7,000 students and 250 teaching faculty. The university is enjoying rapid growth as a result of the oil boom occurring in the Permian Basin.

The Parker Ranch House is a new addition to the campus, dedicated November 9, 2004. Parker Ranch House was named by the Parker family in memory of James Earl "Jim" Parker, Jr. and Bessie Ola Parker.

The Parkers embodied the ranching lifestyle of generations of a family that served the communities of Andrews and Ector Counties since 1907. Jim and Bessie Ola Parker weathered the Great Depression and years of drought before the Humble Oil and Refining Company discovered oil on one of their ranches, permitting them to sell the mineral rights.

They had three ranches, including one in Andrews. Parker was involved in organizing the municipal structure of Andrews County in 1910. He later served as county commissioner from 1921 to 1924, established the Andrews Bank, and served as the president of its board of directors for many years.

The university's athletic teams are known as the Falcons and participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level as a member of the Lone Star Conference. The teams' uniforms reflect the school colours of orange, white, and black.

 The university currently offers 14 intercollegiate sports, seven for men and seven for women: men's football, baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, men and women's golf, and women's volleyball.