A&M University System Board of Regents Appoints Arenaz as TAMIU's Sixth President
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Click on the program cover to view the Investiture Ceremony Program or click here to view the program in a new window.
The Texas A&M University System,
along with the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends
of Texas A&M International University
request the honor of your presence at the
Investiture Ceremony for
Dr. Pablo Arenaz
As President of
Texas A&M International University
Thursday, 13 April, 2017 at 11 a.m.
The Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
Recital Hall
Ceremony to be Followed by Light Reception
and Greeting Celebration
The Investiture Ceremony is considered among the oldest traditions in academia. It harkens back to English universities and is thought to be an adaptation of the dignified ceremonies heralding knighthood. The word “investiture” comes from the Latin phrase for “dress in robe,” investitura. Today, utilized in academic circles, it denotes the ceremony accorded to recognize the individual who will don the University's insignia and regalia, figuratively and realistically leading the University forward.
As such, the installation of a new President is sonorous with dignity and multiple academic traditions and protocols. An academic procession signals the start of the Ceremony, with delegates from other colleges and universities and members of TAMIU’s faculty. All will be robed in the colorful academic regalia of both their institution and, sometimes, their discipline. To select musical interludes, there will be a processional, invocation, greetings from several University and community groups, and presentation of the symbols of office. This will be followed by a Presidential address, the singing of the Alma Mater, a benediction, and a celebratory recessional.
The investiture of a President stands as one of the most significant events in the life of a University. Since its founding in 1970 to its identity today as Texas A&M International University, this University has been guided by five presidents, each leaving an indelible mark on the history of the University and the communities it serves.
This formal processional is similar to a Commencement Exercise and will include the stage party, other college and universities’ delegates, University faculty and student representatives. All will be dressed in full academic regalia.
The President will wear the regalia of the University. A Medallion of Office will be presented during the Ceremony by the Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, and the University Mace will be featured.
The use of academic regalia (robes) dates back to the 12th Century and includes three components: Cap, Gown and Hood. Each Gown identifies the wearer’s degree of education. And so, the Bachelor’s gown is black with long, pointed, open sleeves. A Master’s gown closes the sleeve below the elbow. The Doctoral gown sleeve will bear three bars of velvet. All degrees include a mortarboard (Cap) and for Doctors, may be a velvet tam. A tassel of gold or other color indicates the field of study.
Doctor
Master
Bachelor
An academic hood length also gives clue to the degree type. A Master’s hood is 3.5 feet long; a Doctoral, four feet. The hood’s lining indicates the college or university awarding the degree, while the color of velvet on Master’s hoods is the field of study. On Doctoral hoods, the velvet can be fields of study or a traditional royal blue. Most commonly used colors are: white for Arts; yellow for Science; blue for Philosophy; pink for Music; light blue for Education; orange for Engineering; light blue for Education; brown for Business; turquoise for Continuing Studies; apricot for Nursing and gray for General Studies.
Another academic tradition with medieval origins, the mace, once a weapon of war, is now a symbol of institutional authority. The University Mace is a wood staff crowned with laurel leaves, and anchored by a series of silver bands naming the University’s presidents. It signifies the University’s power to protect knowledge against those seeking to undermine or exploit it, while also representing TAMIU’s commitment to intellectual honesty and integrity, and the civic trust acknowledged with its display and use.
The Texas A&M International University Medallion is crafted of bronze and bears the University’s seal. It is reserved to for formal occasions, such as convocations, commencements, and, of course, inaugurations.
Texas A&M International University is rich in diversity with students and faculty from over 40 different countries... and right around the corner. Our President will partner with community leaders to advance this diverse forum for learning.
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Texas A&M International University has become a regional hub and home for the arts, academic excellence and leadership growth. Our President will lead TAMIU to become a Destination University: a place with pivotal programs that make TAMIU the destination for the brightest of futures.
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Texas A&M International University seeks opportunities that allow us to collaborate to address common community, regional and national needs. Our President will continue to aggressively seek partnerships that can power us forward, providing expansive opportunities for all.
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Texas A&M International University accomplishes its mission daily with a gifted, giving faculty that leads our students through learning, research and service. Our President will empower our gifted faculty to fully share their remarkable vision.
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Dr. Pablo Arenaz is the sixth president of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and was affirmed by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in November 2016.
He holds his Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from Washington State University and an M.S. in Biology from the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR). His B.S. in Education was also earned at UNR. He conducted postdoctoral research at Temple University’s School of Medicine, Fels Research Institute. His academic appointments have included assistant, associate and full professor of Biology.
Prior to joining TAMIU as Provost in 2008, Dr. Arenaz served as Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Other UTEP posts included Vice Provost, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Dean for the Colleges of Science and Engineering. His special UTEP appointments included program director for the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program, Alliance for Minority Participation and Border Biomedical Research Center.
He has been active in securing research grants in excess of $35 million from the Carnegie Corporation of America, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, among others.
The author or co-author of 25+ publications and over 115 abstracts, his research interests have been tightly focused on cell cycle regulation of DNA repair gene expression, with particular interest in the observable physical characteristics associated with the so-called “mutator” phenotype and its relationship to cancer.
He is fascinated by the ever-growing intersections between science and business, and is personally committed to encouraging students of all ages to broaden their STEM experience and take on research opportunities no matter their chosen higher education degree journey.
Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Dr. Arenaz’ family traces their ancestry to the Basque Country of northern Spain.
He has been married to Norma Arenaz for 29 years. The couple has four children: Jonathan, Cristina, Rebekah and Pablo III.
Dr. Billy F. Cowart
1970 -1984
Dr. Manuel T. Pacheco
1984 -1988
Dr. Leo Sayavedra
1988 - 1996
Mr. Jose Garcia
1996
Dr. J. Charles Jennett
1996 - 2001
Dr. Ray M. Keck, III
2001 - 2016
Dr. Pablo Arenaz
2016 -