Texas A&M International University

Dusty Camp Starts
August 23 at TAMIU

Students anxious and excited to begin their college careers at Texas A&M International University can look forward to Dusty Camp Wednesday, Aug. 23 - Friday, Aug. 25.

Scheduled the week before TAMIU's Welcome Week, students have the opportunity to meet University faculty who teach first year courses, TAMIU staff, fellow students, learn about student services, and see what TAMIU is all about.

They'll also hear from two special guests, Peter Bielagus and Troy Stende, who will share their experiences with students and motivate them to do their best.

According to the American Council on Education, freshmen had average credit card balances of $790. Peter Bielagus had a balance of $5,000 his freshman year, but was debt free when he graduated.

Wanting to educate students, parents and professionals about money, Bielagus, a licensed financial advisor, decided to write a personal finance guide, Getting Loaded: A Complete Personal Finance Guide For Students and Young Professionals. Mixing humor and emotion with real life examples, he empowers audiences to make the best of themselves by making the right choices today.

Winner of the "Best Campus Speaker" award from the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities in 2002, 2004 and 2005, Stende's passion and enthusiasm for life are contagious. He empowers students to discover their full potential and turn that potential into reality. He was featured in USA Today for living his dream job as a professional keynote speaker and high-impact trainer.

The Dusty Camps schedule for enrolled TAMIU students is as follows:

Wednesday, Aug. 23: Transfer orientation from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 24: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Peter Bielegas, freshman Convocation, Dusty Pride Walk and lunch with faculty.

Friday, Aug. 25: Troy Stende

For more information, please contact Betty Momayezi, associate vice president of student affairs at bmomayezi@tamiu.edu, call 326.2280 or visit offices in the Student Center, room 226A.

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