UT Austin Makes History: Record Applications, UNESCO Honor, Football’s No. 1 Ranking, and Lone Star Showdown Highlights

Good afternoon, Longhorns! It's Monday, August 18, 2025, and here's what's happening at the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, it's sunny and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. As the day progresses, expect temperatures to rise, reaching a high of 105 degrees by late afternoon. Remember to stay hydrated and take breaks indoors to beat the heat. Vincent Phillip Muñoz, a scholar of religious rights affiliated with UT's Civitas Institute, is among five finalists for the deanship of the College of Liberal Arts. This appointment could significantly influence the direction of one of the university's largest academic divisions. In other news, UT Austin has been designated as a UNESCO Chair in Open Data, AI, and Water for Cities. This prestigious recognition highlights the university's commitment to using artificial intelligence and open data to help cities become more resilient to disasters, weather extremes, and water scarcity. The initiative is led by Professor Dev Niyogi and Research Professor Bridget Scanlon from the Jackson School of Geosciences. The university has seen a record-breaking number of freshman applications for the Fall 2025 term, with applications increasing nearly 25% from the previous year, totaling 90,562 submissions. Notably, applications from Texas residents rose by 12%, while out-of-state applications soared by 48%. This surge is attributed to new degree programs and initiatives aimed at increasing affordability and accessibility. For the first time in history, Texas is ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 college football poll, narrowly edging out Penn State. The Longhorns earned 25 first-place votes and 1,552 points. Texas opens its season with a highly anticipated rematch against Ohio State, who defeated the Longhorns in last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal. Additionally, mark your calendars for the 2025 Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown. The Longhorns will face off against Texas A&M on Friday, November 28, at 6:30 p.m. This game continues the Thanksgiving weekend tradition and will be held in Austin for the first time since 2010. Texas currently leads the series with a 77-37-5 advantage. That's all for today's update. Stay cool, stay informed, and Hook 'em Horns!