TAMIU Students Get Texas-sized
'Welcome' from Lt. Gov. Dewhurst

New freshmen students at Texas A&M International University this Fall will get a Texas-sized "welcome" as part of their Welcome Week-Dusty Camp at TAMIU with the visit of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst for Fall Convocation on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Lt. Gov. Dewhurst will provide the keynote address for the event that starts the Fall Semester. He will be joined by State Senator Judith Zaffirini. Both have been pivotal figures in the growth and sustained development of the TAMIU campus and its academic program. Sen. Zaffirini will also present the Zaffirini Medal of Honor Awards to a TAMIU faculty member and student.

Dean of Student Success, Dr. Minita Ramirez, said organizers are delighted to have the State’s top advocates for higher education on campus for the occasion.

"Both of them have done so much to move higher education in Texas forward and their support of TAMIU has been tremendous. Both are also strong exemplars of the power of higher education and we believe our students will find their individual and combined messages inspirational," Dr. Ramirez said.

And students won’t be the only ones getting the message, she noted.

Parents of the new TAMIU freshmen have also been invited to attend the event and participate in a special workshop for TAMIU parents that follows.

"We realize that this is a big time of change for parents too, so we wanted to provide an opportunity to help them experience the University and the changes that can often accompany a son or daughter’s new life at the University," Ramirez said.

The Fall Convocation is part of a week-long Welcome Week-Dusty Camp for all students at the University. Among events planned are an exhibition soccer match, tour of new fitness facilities, music and comedy performances, informational and help sessions, assistance in move-in and more.

Dewhurst, a native Texan, is a veteran, a successful businessman and a rancher. As Lt. Governor, he presides over the Texas Senate, where he is responsible for making Senate Committee assignments and influencing which bills will come to the Senate floor. In the event that the Governor leaves the State or is unable to serve, the Lt. Governor assumes his role.

His priorities as Lt. Governor include balancing the State budget, insurance reform, public education, increasing the safety of roads and highways and improving the quality of life for all Texans.

Senator Zaffirini represents the sprawling 21st Senatorial District. The second highest-ranking Texas state senator, she also is the highest-ranking woman and Hispanic senator and highest-ranking senator for Bexar County and the border region.

In 2007, Lt. Gov Dewhurst re-appointed Senator Zaffirini Chair of the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and a member of the Senate's Education, Health and Human Services, and Administration Committees.

For additional information on Welcome Week-Dusty Camp, contact the University’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268 or email prmis@tamiu.edu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu