The Fourth Decade

Laredo Morning Times | lmtonline.com | Sunday, December 15, 2019 | E5 50 Anniversary expanded to assist local high schoolers. In 2005, TAMIU an- nounced its Regents II initia- tive to produce more teach- ers in collaboration with 16 schools from LISD, UISD, Mirando City and Zapata ISD. The Texas Education Agency funded the $2.3 mil- lion project. Dr. Ramon Alaniz, who teaches education with a fo- cus on bilingual education, said in the early 2000s that TAMIU offered a program to help students earn their teaching certificate. “People would come in with a bachelor in maybe education and other areas, but they didn’t have a teach- ing certificate,” Alaniz said. “What happened is the alter- native certification allowed people to come in if they had a minor in math or science and others. Then you would take a prescribed curricu- lum of 12 hours all related to education and spend two years working as a permit teacher.” Alaniz said this program continued for about six years. He said TAMIU had ways of finding which pro- grams it needed to add or build upon. “We had to do surveys in the community to figure out what the needs were in the community, and once we figured out those needs, we would design a program ac- cording to those surveys,” he said. “Normally the sur- vey indicated we needed a degree in kinesiology or something like that.” TAMIU also welcomed its new Sames Scholars which pairs high school stu- dents with TAMIU faculty mentors during their high school careers. Students that finished the program received a four-year schol- arship to TAMIU, which included tuition, books and fees. In 2008, TAMIU launched its freshman read- ing program to encourage students to read and give students a visit to the cam- pus. To help under-represent- ed minority students obtain biomedical degrees, TAMIU and Laredo Community Col- lege partnered up in 2006. They created the Promoting Undergraduate Education Now Through Experimental Science program. It received $413,774 by the National Institutes for Health for a three-year program. Near the end of that same year, TAMIU’s Master of Public Administration added a health administration track to help those wanting to join the public health sector. As part of the 2007 Ford Salute to Education program, Sames Scholars awarded scholarships to 75 high school seniors. Likewise, the Dr. F. M. Canesco School of Nurs- ing held a summer camp for Laredo high school students to show them the nursing profession and get them ac- climated with the university. In Fall 2005, the nursing school launched its master of science in nursing, or MSN, and admitted 19 students. Its first graduates in 2006 were Manuel Flores, Norma Gar- cia, Graciela Gonzalez, Rita Haber, Marissa Jimenez, Julio Lujano, Alejandro Madrigal, Barbara Matelski, Claudio Ruiz, Griselda Sa- las, Martha Salinas, Sandra Santos, Yolanda Seibert and Alfredo Vela. In collaboration with Texas A&M University- Kingsville, they worked on communication sciences and disorders programs to focus on education and research. For its campus life, TA- MIU holds a special over- night orientation for students transitioning from high school to university life. Freshmen go to the universi- ty’s Student Center, partake in activities and are provided all meals and housing. For faculty members, Texas A&M Chancel- lor Michael D. McKinney launched voluntary, student- selected honors program in 2008. It would recognize faculty members for their great contributions to the university and great guid- ance for their students. The next year, the univer- sity’s new Honors Program opened advanced courses and opportunities for stu- dents to obtain honors cer- tificates or diplomas. More Money, More Opportunities Throughout 2000-10, TAMIU saw donated mon- ey pouring in to bolster its many programs and begin new opportunities, especial- ly for socio-economically disadvantaged high school students and TAMIU stu- dents. There was a heavy focus on STEM fields and busi- ness, which the university prides itself on, especially given its location on the U.S.-Mexico border in the intersection of international and local trade. By 2001 when Jennett announced his leave, pri- vate philanthropy had raised $12.5 million. Sponsored research increased 600% to over $7.6 million. By 2004, TAMIU an- nounced it had exceeded its target enrollment every year since its “Closing the Gaps” program began in 2000. Ramirez said enrollment numbers soared, especially after TAMIU switched to a four-year traditional status. “There was the growth of the campus itself, but also because we made some sig- nificant changes in the way TAMIU Grand Tower Ribbon Cutting TAMIU 2020/Vision of our Past Spirit Week Presidential Lecture Series presents Dr. Jerry Thompson Discover TAMIU Homecoming & Tailgate TAMIU athletics BBQ Party & Car Show residential Lecutre Series The Big Event TAMIU Alumni Golden Celebration Jan. 2020* Jan. 30 Feb. 3-8 Feb. 6 Feb. 29 Feb. 2020* March 21 March 25 March 28 March 28 Upcoming Schedule