Here, you'll be able to trace the impact of this young University and learn about the students, faculty, staff, alumni and community that have made the University's mission real. It's a story 50 years in the making that continues today. Visit regularly as new additions to our story are incorporated.
TAMIU’s exponential student growth will lead to the launch of an expanded and enriched email service for the over 12,000-plus users. To better manage the campus’ need for email, it has moved those services off-site through a Microsoft-developed email service, Windows Live.
The University deploys “Clicker” technology, a learning response system that works through individual handheld transmitters (clickers) that collect input from students and tabulate it for faculty interpretation. The initiative is all part of TAMIU's strategic increase of technology in the classroom, said LeeBrian Gaskins, the University's chief information office.
TAMIU boasts one of the highest retention rates in the State – 70% of students continue on to complete their undergraduate studies at TAMIU. But that impressive retention rate, coupled with the University’s 39% enrollment growth over the past five years, drains the University’s scholarship pool. President Dr. Ray Keck announces a community fundraising drive, including a phoneathon, to help restore the scholarship pool.
Grammy Award winner and Latin conga percussionist Poncho Sánchez visit TAMIU’s music students and offers a brief jam session and question and answer period.
TAMIU’s Division of International Programs and College of Education host a visit by two English as Second Language teachers from South Korea, Lee Seungchul and Kyungwook Lee, part of the Fulbright American Studies Institute for Korean Secondary School Teachers of English through the Texas International Education Consortium.
TAMIU’s Spring 2008 enrollment is 5,023, up 7.51% from last Spring’s 4,671 students. Semester Credit Hours totaled 50,080— up 8.49% from the previous Spring’s 46,159. At 7.5%, TAMIU’s enrollment growth is also the highest among The Texas A&M University System campuses.
Seven TAMIU students make their way to Puebla, México for WorldMUN (Harvard World Model United Nations) 2008. They meet with student delegates from all over the world and engage in a simulation of the practices, actions and debates of the real United Nations. WorldMUN is the most diverse college-level Model UN conference and the largest outside of North America that provides delegates an understanding of the responsibilities and benefits of global citizenry.
Dr. Dan Jones, TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs since 2003, is named sole finalist for the presidency of Texas A&M University-Commerce.
TAMIU officials expressed gratitude and excitement upon being awarded a $500,000 earmark from the federal government through the work of Congressman Henry Cuéllar (MBA ’82). TAMIU, in cooperation with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, proposed an Energy-Efficient Green Campus Research Initiative at TAMIU.
The University’s first Scholarship Phonathon rings true, generating $310,000 in community support for student scholarships. The semester’s enrollment surge to 5,980 students and high retention rate (70%) had tapped out the University’s scholarship pool, prompting the drive. Student, University, Alumni Association and community volunteers staffed phone banks to help students realize their higher education dreams.
TAMIU adds a new Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders to the University’s degree inventory. It will be delivered by the College of Education.
The University launches its first Undergraduate Academic Honors Convocation in its Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall. In order to receive the prestigious University medal, students must complete between 30 and 90 hours, take an average of 12 hours each long semester, and maintain a cumulative 3.5 Grade Point Average.
Congressman Henry Cuéllar (’82) announces a $134,724 grant for Texas A&M International University. The grant, which comes from the Department of Health and Human Services, will be used to increase nursing educational opportunities for students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds and from under-represented ethnic minority groups.
TAMIU’s College of Education inaugurates a new tradition with its presentation of the Excellence in Education Awards at the Student Center Ballroom. Sponsored by Commerce Bank, it honors Early College High School, undergraduate, graduate, doctoral students; faculty and community educators and leaders.
At Spring 2008 Commencement Exercises, 453 candidates for graduation are scheduled to participate. Commencement guest speaker is local businessman and philanthropist, Hank Sames III. He and wife Elizabeth established the Sames Scholars Program at TAMIU. The Distinguished Student Scholar comments are provided by Dinesh Suresh Moorjani, who receives a BBA with a major in accounting with a 4.0 Grade Point Average.
The first large response to a matching challenge grant at TAMIU is a new $1 million gift to the University doubled to $2 million. The gift is from the Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust and supports the University’s A. R. Sánchez Jr. School of Business’ programming, activities and improvements and includes three naming opportunities for classrooms that will honor Roberto M. and Beatriz S. Benavides.
Gisselle Pérez-Milicua, a graduating TAMIU senior, is awarded one of 60 nationwide Fellowships by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi for the 2008-2009 academic year. The Fellowship enables Pérez-Milicua to pursue a degree in medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Dr. Tom Mitchell, Professor of English is named President–elect of the national Nathaniel Hawthorne Society and will become president in 2012. His Hawthorne’s Fuller Mystery was nominated for the MLA’s First Book Award and for the American Studies Association’s Thomas Hope Franklin Award for Best Book in American Studies.
TAMIU doctoral student Lola Orellano Norris receives a 2008 Research Grant from the University of Houston’s Recovering the U.S. Hispanic History of Texas Project for her planned research focused on an analysis of expedition diaries (1686-1690) of General Alonso de León’s five military expeditions into Texas.
A special overnight orientation program targeting easing the transition from high school to University is offered to TAMIU freshmen in the University’s Student Center. Orientation focuses on building new student awareness of the University experience and a new academic world. The overnight program includes all meals and housing.
TAMIU secures funds to purchase a Brunker low-field bench-top Nuclear Magnetic Resonance system with a $99, 210 grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant supports the project “Major Research Instrument: Acquisition of a Low-Field NMR for Research/Education at TAMIU.” Project principal investigator is Dr. Qingwen Ni, associate professor of physics. Co-PIs are Dr. Fuming Wu, assistant professor of computer science, Dr. Hoonandara R. Goonatilake, associate professor of mathematics, Dr. Runchang Lin, assistant professor of mathematics, and Dr. Tongdan Jin, assistant professor of systems engineering.
The Summer edition of Prism Magazine features Dr. Jovanelly Zaragoza (‘00), now a local dentist who advocates for dental health and is especially concerned with misuse of baby bottles and adult attention to conserving, preserving and maintaining the health of their teeth.
Open auditions for a TAMIU Opera Workshop and Laredo Community College Opera Workshop’s joint production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” are held. It is conceived as an effort to bring a large-scale production that one institution would have struggled to produce successfully.
New TAMIU freshmen students get a Texas-sized "welcome" as part of their Welcome Week-Dusty Camp at TAMIU with the visit of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and State Senator Judith Zaffirini to Fall Convocation. Both are pivotal figures in the growth and sustained development of the TAMIU campus and its academic program.
U.S. Representative Henry Cuéllar (’82) announces a $299,997 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to TAMIU to increase the flow of under-represented ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, into science and engineering careers. The grant will be distributed in $99,000 increments over three years.
Starbucks, a name synonymous with coffee and conversation, joins students at TAMIU with a new home inside TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
Graduate study scholarship opportunities at TAMIU dramatically increase with a $3 million gift from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust. Vergara Trust trustees Solomon Casseb and Joe Martin presented the generous gift. It is in addition to a 2005 gift that created a $10 million endowment that also supports graduate student scholarships.
TAMIU readies to be home to as many as 300 students from sister campuses Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University-Kingsville as part of its response to Hurricane Ike. Interagency contracts between TAMIU and other Texas A&M University System campuses designate TAMIU as their evacuation site.
The University launches its freshman reading program, “Reading the Globe: The TAMIU Freshman Experience.” The first book in the University’s common campus read for students, faculty and staff is Gerda Weismann Klein’s All But My Life, a memoir of a Holocaust survivor. The program includes a visit to the campus by the author and an opportunity for a group of University students to travel to the book’s setting.
TAMIU Dustdevil Athletics takes the biggest step forward in the program’s seven-year history, becoming an active NCAA Division II Heartland Conference Member. All 11 Dustdevil teams immediately became eligible for Conference and NCAA postseason championship play.
TAMIU’s College of Education and the Guadalupe and Lilia Martínez Foundation are honored at the Celebracíon de Excelencia Recognition Program and Reception for making a significant impact on Hispanic students at the baccalaureate and graduate levels. The Foundation was recognized for its support of study abroad scholarships for students and the College was recognized for its “Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers Today” program.
“Dusty” hangs up his gloves and kicks off his boots… a new mascot comes to TAMIU. With the University’s move into NCAA Division II’s Heartland Conference, TAMIU Athletics upgrades to the Dustdevil, a new Mascot unveiled during the TAMIU Hoops Madness Festival. “Dusty” is archived and his historic contributions recognized.
Dr. Billy F. Cowart Award recipients are named for the College Education graduates who have excelled in their region as educators. They include Becky Long (’06); Araceli Hornedo Pacheco (’90); Ana Laura Rangel Salinas (’84,’93) and Dr. Myrtha Perez Villarreal (’91).
TAMIU sets another benchmark: enrollment grows to 5,858 students, an increase over last Fall of 13.1%. Last Fall’s enrollment was 5,188. Semester Credit Hours grow 10.8% to 57,716 over last Fall’s 52,176.
U.S. Representative Henry Cuéllar (’82) announces a grant to TAMIU for $2,159,877 from the U.S. Department of Education to benefit the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-Recruitment, Retention and Graduation project proposed by the University’s College of Arts and Sciences department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
A TAMIU project to study the relationships between East Asian (Japan, Singapore and Taiwan) graduate students and their mentors and how they influence scientific innovation secures funding of $335,709 from the National Science Foundation’s Science of Science and Innovation Policy Program. Principal investigator is Dr. Marcus Antonius Ynalvez, TAMIU assistant professor of sociology. The Project TAMIU team includes Dr. John C. Kilburn, co-principal investigator, and Dr. Ruby Ynalvez, co-investigator.
Surrounded by colleagues, friends and family, Joe García, longtime Vice President for Finance and Administration García, announced his retirement, bringing an end to a 28-year TAMIU career and impressive higher education service legacy. The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, who previously named him Vice President Emeritus for Finance and Administration, observed that during his tenure: The University’s budget grew from $2.8 million in 1980 to $64 million in 2007; García served as the campus project director for construction of all 15 buildings of the new TAMIU campus; García guided the formation of an intercollegiate athletics program at TAMIU, helping secure full membership in the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference in a record three years; Established the first collegiate level ROTC program in Laredo and re-established the program in 2003 at TAMIU.
Rep. Henry Cuéllar (’82) announces $1.2 million dollars in funding to expand the proposed Southern Border Operations Training Center in Laredo at Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Western Hemispheric Trade Center.
The Princeton Review features the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business in its 2009 edition of its “Best 296 Business Schools.” The School of Business was listed in the Top Ten of “Best 296 Business Schools” for offering the greatest opportunity for minority students with a ranking of seven.
TAMIU is awarded phase two funding for a community energy conservation education program by the State Energy Conservation Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The $87,000 grant funds the “Utility Resource Education Network,” a collaboration between TAMIU, the Texas A&M College of Architecture’s Center for Housing and Urban Development Colonias Program and local energy providers.
Long-time TAMIU faculty member Dr. Tom Mitchell is named the sole finalist to become Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Mitchell, with 10 years of TAMIU faculty service, was identified as a top contender for the dean’s position.
Two TAMIU graduates spend the 81st Legislative Session as part of the 2009 Senator Gregory Luna Legislative Scholar Fellows Program. The Texas Senate Hispanic Research Council awards fellowships to Adan Arriaga, TAMIU political science graduate student and Rodolfo Morales III, TAMIU December 2008 summa cum laude political science graduate. Both serve as Legislative Fellows.
The bright and confident smiles of TAMIU grads grace the 2008-2009 TAMIU marketing campaign. Bringing the University’s story to life are alums Margarita Araiza, executive director of The Webb County Heritage Foundation; Alaster Love, global sales executive for U.S. Southern Border and Mexico for Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.; Sofía Salinas, operating room nurse for Doctor’s Hospital of Laredo and Reymundo Martínez, deputy constable for Webb County Precinct 1.
With one of the largest graduating classes (617) in its history, TAMIU’s Fall Commencement exercises will be divided—one ceremony in the morning and the second taking place in the afternoon. Both take place outdoors on the University green. The morning Exercise features a Commencement Address by Congressman Chet Edwards (D)-17th District. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, who commanded group troops in Iraq from 2003-2004, provides the Commencement Address for the afternoon ceremony.
Cassandra Wheeler, TAMIU’s executive director of Career Services, notes that the nation’s lingering economic cloud may yet have a silver lining for those who have been impacted by lost jobs, reduced hours and corporate downsizing measures. “Traditionally, during times of economic downturn, people return to school to retool or reinvent themselves for a changing job market. Universities have always been pivotal to making this possible,” she explains to local media.
There is no link between playing violent video games and increased likelihood of mass school homicides, says Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson, a TAMIU assistant professor of psychology and researcher on the effects of video games on children and adults.
The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust donates $500,000 to TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business for the continuation of its Ph.D. Program in International Business Administration. The gift was presented to Dr. Ray Keck, Dean of the Sanchez School of Business Dr. Jacky So, and Ph.D. Program director, Dr. William Gruben.
TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library makes available community library member cards to provide access to the University’s library resources. Community library member card holders are entitled to circulation privileges and Wi-Fi access at Starbucks, located in the Killam Library.
TAMIU Regents Professor of History Dr. Jerry Thompson is selected to receive a Southwest Book Award for his collaborative book, “The Reminiscences of Major General Zenas R. Bliss, 1854-1876.” The Southwest Book Award is sponsored by the Border Regional Library Association.
In ceremonies at Nuevo Laredo’s Centro Cultural, TAMIU and Nuevo Laredo’s Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas agree to join to enable border residents to receive joint bachelor's and masters' degrees. Both universities will recognize the joint degrees.
Elizabeth N. Martínez, TAMIU’s associate vice president for administration, is named president of the Texas Higher Education Human Resources Association at its Annual Conference in Austin.
A Folklore Collection is dedicated to much-revered former English professor Dr. F. Allen Briggs in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Great Room. Dr. Briggs, who passed away in 1982, was a member of the founding faculty of both the former A&I at Laredo and LSU for 10 years. Overall, his teaching career spanned 40 years.
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Publishing Company releases a new elementary bilingual school reading series “Tesoros de lectura,” developed by a collaborative team of Bilingual/ELD and education experts across the country including Dr. Gilberto D. Soto, TAMIU professor of Music Education.
TAMIU faculty member Dr. Whitney Bischoff is named the recipient of the Texas Organization of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Education’s Innovations in Teaching Award for 2008.
As part of the University’s “Reading the Globe: the TAMIU Freshman Experience,” a campus-wide reading initiative, 15 students travel to Poland on a historic study tour. A group of Texas A&M International University students is instead undertaking a historic study tour of Poland. The students competed for selection by submitting personal essays on the selected text, Gerda Weissmann Klein’s “All But My Life.”
A group of 12 TAMIU students participate in the WorldMUN ’09 Conference held at The Hague, Netherlands. Student James Cortez is the recipient of the 2,500-member Conference’s Diplomacy Award. Other students attending included: Michael Bustamante, Carlos Cantú, Cynthia Gallardo, Roxana Gómez, Alfredo Jiménez, Mónica Luna, Annette Maldonado, Annalie Miravete, Michael Bustamante, Alyssa Tijerina and Mayra Zamora.
Sylvia Hazlerig presents her own compositions in a concert performance on harpsichord, flute and piano with Dr. Susan Berdahl of TAMIU and Everaldo Martinez of the Lubbock Symphony. Formerly married to the late Dr. Jack O. Hazlerig, longtime TAMIU English professor, Hazlerig donated the Zuckermann Harpsichord to TAMIU in 2003 and returns to perform on it occasionally.
TAMIU’s advanced, intermediate and beginner flamenco students perform at the Southern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Kaleidoscope Gala Dance Concert in Tampa, FL.
The Union Pacific Foundation presents a $10,000 gift in support of the fourth anniversary of TAMIU’s Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center and Planetarium, dubbed Rock-It Fest 2009. Through the years, Union Pacific has provided gifts in support of TAMIU student scholarships, program enhancement and endowment in excess of $244,000.
Nearly 250 TAMIU students initiate a new tradition in highlighting undergraduate and graduate research, scholarly and creative activity at the first Lamar Bruni Vergara Academic Conference. TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Pablo Arenaz said, “As a young institution, we’re developing academic traditions that will carry on for decades to come. We will showcase the work of many very talented students. Cash prizes are provided for the best student presentations in their disciplines. Student work is drawn from all areas of the arts, sciences, business, education, humanities and health sciences,” Dr. Arenaz explained.
Karina Saldívar, 24, is selected as the first Hispanic woman in Rutgers University’s Ph.D. program in Public Administration. Originally from Monterrey, México, at TAMIU she earned a bachelor’s degree at in Communication in 2005 and a master’s in Public Administration in 2008. She is one of eight students chosen nationwide for the program.
TAMIU’s Annette Olsen-Fazi International Film Festival is launched, honoring the memory of the late Dr. Annette Olsen-Fazi, a TAMIU faculty member who initiated the University’s first French Film Festival in 2007 and passed away in January 2009. The Festival is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities and sponsor assistance by Venevision International Films.
MIS RAICES-NO BORDERS, ONE HEART awards its fifth scholarship to TAMIU senior art major Karen Martínez during the Senior Student Art Exhibit at TAMIU. Martínez is selected for the award by Alma Haertlein, TAMIU associate professor of Art. MIS RAICES board members, Gayle Aker Rodríguez and Ninfa Cantú present the award.
Outdoor Spring Commencement Exercises for TAMIU take place over two consecutive days with candidates for both Exercises numbering 443. Offering commencement addresses for both ceremonies is Dr. Frank. B. Ashley III, vice chancellor for academic affairs for The Texas A&M University System. The Distinguished Student Scholar responses are provided by Nayeli Guadalupe Ziga and Cristina Jolee Hernández.
The formal dedication of two rooms in TAMIU’s Western Hemispheric Trade Center recognizes the generosity of the Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust and memorializes family members of the beloved Laredo philanthropist. The Salinas Charitable Trust provided a $1 million gift pledge that was matched by the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. Challenge Grant.
TAMIU is named the winner of the 2009 National César Chávez Blood Drive Challenge as the Most Successful Blood Drive among college campuses nationwide. Carlos U. Ramírez, student organizer, Karina Saldivar, CAMP academic coordinator, and Lorie García, South Texas Blood and Tissue Center directed the TAMIU initiative coordinated by TAMIU Student Health Services and the CAMP Office.
A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business professor Dr. Ned Kock is awarded IGI Global’s Outstanding Journal Achievement Award for his work as editor-in-chief of the International Journal of e-Collaboration during 2008.
TAMIU business students and faculty members make full use of distance education technology to participate in a teleconference discussion with fellow students and professors at the Universidad del Bio Bio, located in Concepción, Chile. The two-hour virtual dialogue focuses on how the current global economic crisis affects Latin America.
A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business assistant professor Dr. Andrés E. Rivas keynotes at the Jornada de Bolsas Latinoamericanas in Valencia, Spain. Dr. Rivas’ presentation, “International Stock Markets Linkages and Spillovers: Evidence from Latin America and Europe,” examined the response of equity markets in Brazil, Chile and Mexico to stock prices in the US, Spain and four major European countries during three sub-periods: 1988 to 1994, 1995 to 1998, and 1999 to 2008.
Texas A&M University doctoral student and TAMIU administrator Conchita Hickey engages fellow Laredoans to help advance her research on historical linguistics. Her dissertation explores Spanish literacy and the attitude towards its use in the Laredo area from approximately 1880 to 1920. She asks Laredoans to share letters written during this time period to provide a view of Spanish use of the time.
30 TAMIU economically-disadvantaged students from under-represented racial/ethnic minority groups in the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing program benefit from a $152,031 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service announced by Congressman Henry Cuéllar (’82).
The Texas A&M University System recognizes 10 TAMIIU faculty members with Teaching Excellence Awards, a voluntary, student-selected honors program. Award winners include Patricia Gonzalez, College of Arts and Sciences; Patricia Uribe, College of Education and Veronica Juarez, College of Arts and Sciences. Also Ronald Anderson, Carlene Henderson, Diana Linn and Mary Petron, College of Education, and Lynda Brown, Lola Norris and Claudia San Miguel, College of Arts and Sciences. The program was initiated by A&M Chancellor Michael D. McKinney in 2008.
U. S. Congressman Henry Cuéllar (’82), announces that TAMIU has received a grant of $424,913 from the U.S. Department of Education for TAMIU’s College Assistance Migrant Program. The funding is the first year of an expected five-year award of $2,124,565. The program began at TAMIU in 2004.
A $1 million gift from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust creates the Lamar Bruni Vergara Endowment Fund to provide emergency financial assistance to qualified students at TAMIU. Trustees Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr. and J. C. Martin, III, observed, “In today’s economic climate, we’re well aware of the challenges that can suddenly affect hard-working TAMIU students and perhaps threaten to derail their dream of a higher education. This Endowment is designed to provide the University with an additional avenue of providing qualified students with the help they need.”
A nationwide search for the dean of TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business that attracts some 40 candidates culminates in the selection of Dr. R. Stephen Sears. Dr. Sears is dean of the School of Business and Economics at the University of West Virginia and senior executive associate dean and interim dean of the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University. The Texas native holds his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. His M.S. in Business Administration was earned at Texas Tech University, as was his BA.
TAMIU receives a $635,900 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to fund a program providing training for local 6th-12th grade teachers and those training to be teachers in the areas of math, science and technology. Called the “Rio Grande Roundup – TAMIU Academy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Teaching Excellence,” it will establish a high quality, research-based mentoring and training academy that is focused on enhancing math, science and technology teaching skills
TAMIU announces the selection of Dr. Regina C. Aune as new dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing after a nationwide search. Dr. Aune holds a Ph.D. in leadership and policy from the University of Utah. Her M.S. in Nursing was earned at the University of California, San Francisco and her B.S.N. at St. John College of Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio.
A total of 10 students from local high schools, Laredo Community College and TAMIU receive Mr. South Texas 2009 Scholarships from State Sen. Judith Zaffirini. They are: María Leslie Ynalvez, Alexander High School; Sergio Benitez, Cigarroa High School; Erik Villa, LBJ High School; Melissa Casarez, Martin High School; Lawrence Dang, Nixon High School; Guillermo González, St. Augustine High School; Michael Alexander Mederos, United High School; Beatriz Torrez, United South High School; Christine Cortez, Texas A&M International University and Adriana Araceli García, Laredo Community College.
TAMIU is awarded a 2009-2010 AmeriCorps grant. This funding is for the first year of a three-year grant. AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national non-profit groups. TAMIU-ADELANTE is one of the AmeriCorps programs operating in Laredo and one of 50 AmeriCorps programs in Texas.
TAMIU’s new Honors Program gives students interested in challenging themselves with advanced coursework an option to acquire University honors certificates or diplomas. Dr. Deborah Blackwell is TAMIU Honors Program director.
In its latest technological advance, TAMIU launches a portal, Uconnect, to provide web-based primary access to a variety of functions for students, faculty and staff. Portal technology is used by leading universities around the world and TAMIU is no exception, says Leebrian Gaskins, the University’s chief information officer and project sponsor.
TAMIU Information Systems students and former students win first place in an international competition promoting the field of information technology. Juan Reyes and Manuel Castañeda, both TAMIU master of information systems students at TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez Jr. School of Business, and David Santos, a TAMIU business graduate, were tops in a student contest with 12 participating international groups.
Prior to the start of the Fall Semester 2009, Housing occupancy rates are climbing at TAMIU with one venue already at over 100% occupancy and the other at over 70%, prompting director of Housing and Residence Life, Trevor Liddle, to encourage first year students to secure their housing plans soon. University Village is a 250-bed apartment-style facility. The Residential Learning Community is a more traditional 436-bed residence hall complex.
To better share the full range of TAMIU activities and offerings, the University launches a new online calendar that links to personal calendars, and sends text or email reminders. @TAMIU affords the campus and community at large new ways to engage in the life of the University, says TAMIU president, Dr. Ray Keck.
TAMIU researchers, Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson and Dr. Claudia E. San Miguel public a study on youth violence for the Journal of Pediatrics entitled, “A Multivariate Analysis of Youth Violence and Aggression: The Influence of Family, Peers, Depression and Media Violence.
TAMIU is one of 20 colleges and universities nationwide selected to receive a $50,000 grant. It will help implement a program to increase the retention rate and engagement of first-year, first-generation Hispanic students and is named LIDER: Leadership and Involvement for Diversity, Engagement and Retention. Created by the University’s Office of Student Affairs, the award is funded by the Walmart Foundation and announced by the non-profit organization Excelencia in Education.
There are some new faces on campus…and they have fur coats. They’re TAMIU student service dogs. The University’s Office of Student Counseling Services launches an on-campus awareness campaign prior to their arrival. Assistance dogs are trained to perform tasks to help a person with a disability.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Sonia Nazario talks about her writing process at TAMIU’s Voices in the Monte Writers Series.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82) announces TAMIU’s receipt of US Department of Education funding in the amount of $287,314 to establish a graduate education degree program in autism. With the funding, TAMIU plans to launch the Master’s Degree in Education Interventions with Autism program in 2010.
A large cake emblazoned with frosting reading 6000 says it all… TAMIU has posted a Fall 2009 enrollment increase of 9.6% to 6,419 students and welcomes its largest freshman class ever, 723 students. Semester credit hours are up 9.8% to 63,317 over the previous Fall’s 57,688.
The National Science Foundation awards $49,647 to TAMIU to fund graduate students conducting a science policy and innovation survey studying the relationships between East Asian graduate students and their mentors and how these relationships influence scientific discovery, innovation and productivity. Dr. Marcus Antonius Ynalvez is principal investigator and Dr. John C. Kilburn and Dr. Ruby Ynalvez, co-principal investigator. Dr. Noriko Hara, associate professor of information science at Indiana University is co-principal investigator.
An impossible dream comes true at TAMIU as the beloved musical Man of La Mancha inaugurates the new Center for the Fine and Performing Arts theatre, presented by the Laredo Theater Guild International in cooperation with TAMIU as part of the University’s 40th Anniversary Celebration.
The 5th Annual AutMus Fest, TAMIU’s signature community arts event and scholarship fund raiser returns with a musical lineup from Tejano to Rock. Part of the University’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, performers include Vince Neil, lead singer of Mötley Crüe; The Morning After, Hannia, Shazz, Love at War, Crooked X, Nico Vega, The Toadies, Zezible, and Bobby Pulido. event sponsors are Miller Light, Border Media, La Posada Hotel, the City of Laredo, KGNS, CW, Telemundo Laredo, Time Warner Cable, Hal’s Landing, Pocket Communications, Villarreal and Romero PLLC, Laredo Bucks, Allstate Moreno Insurance Agency, Allegiant Air, and International Bank of Commerce.
TAMIU launches its social media presence on Facebook and Twitter as part of an expansive effort to reach new audiences via preferred platforms, said Steve Harmon of the University’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services. “This Fall, we also launched our online portal, Uconnect, and online calendar, @TAMIU. Our podcast, iTAMIU, is approaching its four-year anniversary… social media is a great next step.”
The TAMIU ROTC program sees an increase in the enrollment of women. The number of female cadets in the TAMIU’s ROTC program has tripled since Spring 2009.
For the first time, TAMIU is home to an additional 525 student and faculty participants in the 7th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium. The Symposium brings together current graduate students, promising undergraduates and faculty in all disciplines to share their research outcomes and innovative approaches to staying abreast of their research communities.
Students pursuing higher education can receive a joint bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M International University and Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, realizing the University’s global mission of a truly international curriculum. Officials from both institutions sign articulation agreements to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing and business as well as a certificate in bilingual education.
Laredo’s growing cultural diversity is in evidence for the Third Annual Asian Night Extravaganza at TAMIU’s Student Center Ballroom, sponsored by the Laredo Asian Association. Gina Tsai Mejia (’87), LAA president, said the event promotes Asian culture and heritage and creates scholarships for local students. The previous year’s event generated a $5,000 scholarship presented at TAMIU.
TAMIU professor and chair of the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics, Dr. Rafic A. Bachnak, is named a participant in the Fulbright Scholar Program. His Fulbright experience will take place in Lebanon. Bachnak joined the TAMIU faculty in 2007. He holds his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Ohio University. His M.S. and B.S. were also earned at Ohio University.
TAMIU assistant biology professor Dr. David L. Beck, is looking for a few good blood samples from South Texas wildlife and hopes local hunters can help him out. Dr. Beck is working on research focused on ticks and tick-borne diseases in Webb County. Beck joined the College of Arts and Sciences faculty in 2003 and holds his Ph. D. in Microbiology from the University of Virginia.
A majority of TAMIU students vote their support for increased fees for the 2010-11 school year in order to improve the University’s Kinesiology, Wellness and Recreation Center and make possible expansion and remodeling of the food service area. TAMIU president Ray Keck says he applauds the vision and partnership of students participating in the vote and looks forward to the improvements the fees’ passage makes possible.
15 TAMIU students travel to Ghana in West Africa as part of their selection in the second offering of the University’s competitive study-travel “Reading the Globe” Campus-wide Reading Initiative. Traveling are: Miriam Abrego, Phillip Andrew Balli, Caitlin Barnes, Alejandro Gabriel Barrera, Barbara Irene Benavides, Carolina Liliana González, Juan Carlos Hernández Ibarra, Gustavo Alberto Herrera Jr., Laura Martínez Turrubiates, Diana Alicia Morales, Italia Rebecca Moreno, Michelle Lizette Muñoz, Julio Cesar Obscura, Sandra Karina Pruneda and Jacqueline Rochelle Verastegui.
A TAMIU study shows that when it comes to volunteering in their community, an overwhelming number of TAMIU grad school alumni are translating higher education into public service and civic engagement. Dr. Peter Haruna, TAMIU associate professor of public administration and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences finds that 98% of TAMIU graduate school alumni who are career professionals in Webb County spent time working on community-based planning activities in 2008. The findings are consistent with the Corporation for National Service’s 2009 report indicating a steady rise in Hispanic adult volunteerism since 2006.
Over 630 candidates for graduation participate in two Fall Commencement Exercises in the Kinesiology and Convocation Building. The traditional outdoor ceremony is moved indoors with inclement weather.
Carroll H. Griffin, of Valdosta, Ga., is TAMIU’s second student to earn his Ph.D. in International Business Administration. His dissertation topic was “Central Bank Independence- Measuring its Effectiveness during Ordinary and Extraordinary Times: Evidence from Selected Developing and Developed Countries.” Griffin earned undergraduate degrees from Valdosta State University in Economics and Spanish, and taught English as a Second Language in Guadalajara, México. His Master of International Business Studies degree was earned at the University of South Carolina, and he completed a degree internship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has worked as a financial analyst and taught at a small college in Miami, FL and San Antonio, TX.
Paul Jonathan Komiak becomes TAMIU’s third graduate of the Ph.D. program in International Business Administration and the first to have completed his entire A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business doctoral program at TAMIU. His dissertation title is, “How International are Multinational Corporations? Theory and evidence from Corporate Governance in the World’s Largest Corporations.” It examines the international composition of the top management teams in the world’s largest multinational corporations. The Chicago native Dr. Komiak is an assistant professor at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, and received a C$10,000 award from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators.
A study by the University of Southern California’s Center for Urban Education places TAMIU among the nation’s top 25 universities considered exemplars of good practices leading to the graduation of more Latinos in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Financed by the National Science Foundation, the study cites TAMIU within its institutions that offer Benchmark Equity Indicators of STEM Degrees Awarded to Latinos, noting TAMIU’s 92.3% Hispanic STEM enrollment and 96.80% STEM degrees awarded.
TAMIU’s commitment to training first-generation Hispanic students in high-quality education and scientific research is enhanced with a $58,511 grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant supports TAMIU’s project: “MRI-R2: Acquisition of High Performance Centrifuge and Freeze-Dry System to Enhance Research and Teaching,” under the direction of Dr. Ruby A. Ynalvez, assistant professor, biology. It includes the purchase of a high-performance refrigerated centrifuge and benchtop freeze dry system.
TAMIU’s ongoing collaboration with the Laredo Theater Guild International brings a rollicking performance of “The Taming of the Shrew” with a cast of 22 to the Sam Johnson Experimental Theatre.
Broadway, recording artist and TV actor Charles Holt returns to TAMIU as part of the University’s celebration of Black History Month and presents his “Charles Holt: A Sole Music Concert” at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. He also offers students a Master Class. Holt previously performed his one-man stage play, “Black Boy,” at TAMIU in 2006.
Beautiful landscapes, garden scenes, figurative work and ceramics are part of the exhibit, “Color and Place—Five Explorations,” at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Gallery. Featured artists include Laurie Hickman Cox, Marilu Flores Gruben, Susan Sheils Johnson, Mary Elizabeth Schleier and Sally Sheils Schupp. All met when they attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas and have had many groups shows together in Dallas.
TAMIU receives a gift of $50,000 in support of Student Scholarships from H-E-B Food Stores. H-E-B is one the nation’s largest independently owned food retailers and operates eight stores in Laredo.
TAMIU is center stage for a crucial meeting between two Western Hemispheric regions able to catapult Laredo into a logistical hub for Central American exports entering the U.S. market. The “First Business Roundtable Laredo-Central America,” is held at TAMIU’s Western Hemispheric Trade Center featuring roundtable discussions and exhibits. Hosted with the City of Laredo and the Federation of Chambers of Exportation of Central America, it draws more than 200 exporters from Central America considering Laredo as a strategic distribution center for their exports to the United States.
Investing in higher education continues to attract students in record numbers at TAMIU as it reports a 9.5% increase in official student enrollment to 6,090 students and a 9.9% increase in Semester Credit Hours to 60,750. Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president, notes that the increases are especially significant in the challenging economic environment of the day.
The members of the D. D. Hachar Trust provide TAMIU students with a $300,000 gift funding student scholarships. It provides $250,000 in General Scholarship support and $50,000 in matching fund support for the Sames Scholars Program. The longtime TAMIU partner established the D. D. Hachar Honors Program in Fall of 2000. It is directed by Dr. Carlos E. Cuéllar, TAMIU associate professor of history.
Student-Athlete José Alicea, a native of Puerto Rico, is a success both on and off the court. At 22, he pursues a Master of Business Administration degree at TAMIU on a basketball scholarship and makes history as the first intercollegiate basketball athlete to complete four years in TAMIU’s basketball program. He says he feels propelled to excel as both a student and an athlete because he knows he is fulfilling the desire of many Puerto Rican youths who wish to study in the United States, but are unable to do so because of language and financial limitations.
A new Autism Interventions Center, a first for Laredo, is welcomed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with U. S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82), who was crucial in securing US Department of Health and Human Services funding support. When fully operational, the Center will provide specialized screening services utilized in autism diagnosis to help determine the most viable options to pursue for each client.
Members of the Dolly Richter Watson Foundation announce their generous gift of $1 million to create the Helen Richter Watson Gallery celebrating the life and legacy of the famed Laredo-born ceramic artist in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. The Gallery will showcase the late artist’s monumental ceramic work and serve as a reception area for the University. Also, a space next to the reception area will replicate a room in Watson’s home, featuring her smaller artwork and furniture.
Research and scholarly efforts by TAMIU faculty members are celebrated by the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library at the “TAMIU Faculty Book Author Recognition,” a 40th Anniversary Celebration event in the Student Center Rotunda. The Library also launched a web-based TAMIU Faculty Authored Books (FAB) Collection online.
A nouvelle, “Tu Teorema de Genny,” written by Dr. José J. Cardona-López, TAMIU associate professor of Spanish and Hispanic literature, becomes a short film, “El Teorema de Jenny,” by independent filmmaker Luis Gerardo Otero, which debuts at the 50th annual Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival in Colombia.
The Texas A&M University System awards outstanding faculty throughout the System with its 2009 Teaching Excellence Awards, a voluntary, student-selected honors program. Award winners at TAMIU number 13 and include Drs. Cecilia Gutíerrez, Claudia San Miguel and Jerry Thompson and Drs. José J. Cardona López, Patricia G. González, Warren J. Graffeo, Carlene M. Henderson, Michael R. Kidd, Diana Linn, Lola O. Norris, Andres Rivas-Chavez, Bernice Y. Sánchez and Dalia G. Treviño.
While Laredo welcomes major Central American exporters to the city in an effort to solidify business ties with them, TAMIU signs various agreements with their respective trade associations and chambers of commerce to collaborate on educational exchange opportunities in the future. TAMIU signs an umbrella agreement with the Federation of Chambers and Associations of Exporters of Central America, Panama, and the Caribbean as well as individual memoranda of understanding with the Association of Panamanian Exporters Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua, Association of Guatemalan Exporters and the Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica.
TAMIU partner, the Laredo Theater Guild International, presents “The Taming of the Shrew,” at TAMIU’s recently completed 500-seat Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. It is being presented in cooperation with the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Language and Literature, and offers corresponding lectures and classroom presentations at TAMIU.
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning, a prestigious science funding agency, announces its award of $40,000 to TAMIU A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business assistant professor Dr. Young Jun Kim for his research on businesses involved in green technology. Dr. Kim’s research title is “Exploring Energy and Environmental Technology (EET) Firms in U.S. and México: Search for a Sustainable Green Technology Policy.”
Dr. George Potter, assistant professor of educational administration, TAMIU College of Education, department of professional program, joins leading academics and practitioners of emotional intelligence at the Third Global Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Conference at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, India. Dr. Potter delivers one of the keynote speeches and presents his topic, “A New Paradigm in Educational Leadership.”
TAMIU Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) took top honors in two regional competitions and prepare to represent the University at two upcoming national competitions. The group competed in the SIFE regional competition held in Dallas and were named regional champion, beating out 50 other groups. They presented seven projects focused on sustainable programs in market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, environmental sustainability and business ethics.
The TAMIU Dustdevil Band wants to strike up the band with an aggressive outreach for musicians and color guard members for its Fall 2010 Band. A course, Marching Band, is offered and positions with scholarship and academic credit are available for a student technical staff.
TAMIU selects Fructuoso San Miguel III as its new Police Department chief. San Miguel replaces outgoing chief Felipe Garza, who becomes chief of Police at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Prior to joining TAMIU, San Miguel served as assistant chief of police of the Laredo Police Department, where he was in charge of overseeing the functions of the Administrative and Field Operations. He also served as deputy chief and was in charge of various divisions such as Traffic Enforcement, Highway Interdiction and the K-9 Unit. He retired from the LPD in 2009 after 26 years of service.
Dr. Peter Fuseini Haruna, associate professor of Public Administration and director of TAMIU’s Master of Public Administration program, is awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture and research at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra, Ghana during the 2010-2011 academic year.
Nearly 200 TAMIU undergraduate and graduate students present their research, scholarly and creative activity at the Second Annual Lamar Bruni Vergara and Guillermo Benavides Z. Academic Conference Awards. The Conference is graciously supported by the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust and Guillermo Benavides Z.
For the fourth consecutive year, TAMIU hosts the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on campus and fields a team of University Faculty, staff and students. Team TAMIU members include Vanessa Almaraz, Deborah Blackwell, Gracie Buentello, Socorro Calderon, Albert Chavez, Mary Chavez, Melinda Elizondo, Steve Harmon, Elizabeth Martínez, Trace Pirtle, Janet Salinas, Juanita Soliz, Mary Treviño and Miroslava Vargas. TAMIU students participating include Xavier Herrera, president; Daniella Cruz, vice president; Lina De La Rosa, secretary; Manuel Gonzales, treasurer and Monika Sánchez, spirit chair. Also, Crystal Bustamante, Cristina Gallegos, Victoria García, Josefina Gutíerrez, Victor Gutíerrez, Jessica Leija, Diana Oviedo, Agustina Pérez, Luis Stagg, Gabriel Trejo and Linda Vela.
TAMIU student José Mario Hinojosa Jr. is named recipient of the United States Army ROTC’s George Catlett Marshall Army ROTC Award in ceremonies at the George C. Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Va. The Award recognizes Cadet Hinojosa as the top ROTC cadet at TAMIU, an honor accorded because of his excellence in the pursuit of military and academic studies, leadership potential and professional development. He is the first TAMIU ROTC cadet to receive the Marshall Award. A psychology major, he completes his bachelor’s degree in July and is commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
TAMIU “Softball Siblings,” assistant softball coach Lindsay Barnes, and her sister, Caitlin, who plays for the Lady Dustdevils, are featured in a sports story in The Laredo Morning Times that explores their unique situation.
Internationally renowned guitar trio Los Tres Reyes perform with TAMIU’s Mariachi Internacional in a special benefit concert at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre as part of TAMIU’s Hispanic Heritage Concert Series. Comprised of brothers Gilberto and Raul Puente as well as Bebo Cárdenas, they began recording in 1957, yielding some 18 records with international hits that earned Golden Record status for sales of 10 million or more copies.
Rising textbook costs and the hardships they often create for students prompt TAMIU to launch a program for students to rent textbooks for their classes. These are available at the University’s bookstore, part of the Follett Higher Education Group.
The late Jorge Haynes, a much-beloved Laredo leader, coach, father of five and friend to hundreds is honored by TAMIU with a naming dedication ceremony for the Jorge Haynes Baseball Field. “This field and the Jorge and Olga Haynes Endowed Scholarship Fund at TAMIU open doors to student-athletes so that they may continue their education. Both are a fitting tribute to a highly revered man who saw athletics as both pathway to higher education and passport to continued success,” notes Candy Hein, TAMIU vice president for Institutional Advancement.
TAMIU names Dr. Leonard Nardone as the University’s TAMIU’s third permanent Athletic Director. Men’s soccer coach Claudio Arias served as interim AD. Dr. Nardone joins TAMIU after serving as Associate Dean for University Sports at the American University of Beirut for the last three years. He previously served as Athletics Director at State University of New York, Sheldon Jackson College and Philadelphia University.
Films produced by students in the TAMIU Communication Program are showcased at the Spring 2010 “Student Film Festival.” Marcela Moran, assistant professor of Communication, said the films are all student-produced efforts created as part of their film production class and offer an impressive spectrum of short narrative, documentary and experimental films.
TAMIU names its 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award winners, from nominations submitted by colleagues, friends and family members. A reception for the winners is part of the University’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. The 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award winners are Juan Gerardo Alfaro ’03; Lupita R. Canales ’83; Mary G. Capello ’85; Dr. Sara Carrasco ’96; Sandra Cavazos ’82; Carlos Evaristo Flores ’00; Norma G. García ’85; David González, Sr. ’05; Juvenal “JJ” Haynes ’77; Dr. Belinda Villarreal Jordan ’91; Gina Tsai Mejía ’87; Dr. Homero Aguirre Milling ’77; Dr. Linda Marie García Mitchell ’77, ’82; José Angel Moreno ’81; Dr. Elsa Cantú Ruíz ’76, ’82; Martha Speer ’89; Mary Treviño ’72; Victor Villarreal ’99; Yolanda Castillo-Yzquierdo ’03, ’09; and Dr. Jovannelly Zaragoza ’00.
Inclement weather forces traditionally outdoors Spring Commencement Exercises indoors. Over 500 combined candidates participate in ceremonies over two days. Keynoted speakers include Dr. Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana, assistant secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, and Joe Arciniega, former technology executive and community theater advocate.
The 10th Anniversary of the D. D. Hachar Charitable Trust’s support of the TAMIU Honors Program that bears his name is celebrated with the most fitting measure of Hachar’s legacy: the May 2010 graduation of 15 Program students. Graduating in May 14 or 15 Commencement Exercises are: Carlos Cantú, Sandra Contreras, Cindy Cruz, Daniel García, Eric Garza, María Gomez, Alissa González, Claudia Guevara, Alejandra Lascurain, Cristina Martínez, Manuel Montes, Sandra Prado, Rosa Ramón, Gabriela Ramos and Nancy Zavala.
D. D. Hachar Honors Program and TAMIU graduate Oscar Widales (‘09) is featured as a teacher in “Life is Loud,” a campaign developed by The Texas A&M University System for its Mid-Career STEM Teacher Education Program, in partnership with Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching and the Texas Education Agency. It seeks to cast the classroom as a sanctuary for dreams to be made real and help identify, recruit and graduate 11,000 new math or science teachers Texas needs to address its critical teacher shortage.
With Latinos expected to comprise 30% of the U.S. population by 2050, TAMIU announces a collaboration with the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government to help develop the rising generation of Latino leaders. Six TAMIU students are to take part in the collaboration, the Latino Leadership Initiative. They are: Andrea Beattie, Alejandro De La Fuente, Jennifer González, José Lara, Arlyn Martínez and Cynthia De La Miyar. They are joined by 22 other rising seniors from University of California-Merced, Loyola Marymount-Los Angeles, University of Houston, and the University of Massachusetts–Boston.
The research strengths of TAMIU graduate students have been building a special knowledge base of original and advanced research since 1981 at the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library’s Special Collections and Archives. Jeanette Hatcher, Special Collections Librarian, explains that the independent unit now houses over 700 graduate and post-graduate writings on a diverse array of topics.
Dr. Tom Mitchell, TAMIU Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, is installed as the president of the Nathaniel Hawthorne Society at its biennial conference in Concord, Mass., He is a nationally recognized scholar on Hawthorne and wrote Hawthorne’s Fuller Mystery (Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1998).
TAMIU is named the recipient of a 2010 Council for Advancement and Support of Education WealthEngine Award for Educational Fundraising, the only University in Texas to receive the Award. TAMIU was also named to the Circle of Excellence with its selection as an Overall Improvement Award recipient in light of its fundraising success over the past three years. The Award is received by Candy Hein, TAMIU vice president for Institutional Advancement.
TAMIU graduate students joined TAMIU faculty members of the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business for a summer learning journey exploring international economic policy in Washington, D.C. May 23-30. The trip was led by Dr. Tagi Sagafi-nejad, Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professor of International Business and sponsored by the University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business and the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade. Students participating included: doctoral students Peerayuth Charoensukmongkol, José L. Daniel, Ahmed Elkassabgi, Aditya R. Limaye and Shaun C. Sexton. MBA students attending were Julie E. Barrera, Lesly E. Cedillo and Rossy Cerda.
Four TAMIU graduate students and their mentors, Dr. Ruby Ynalvez and Dr. Marcus Ynalvez, travel to Singapore to study the relationships between East Asian graduate students and their mentors and how they influence scientific innovation. Students include Susan Aguilar, sociology graduate student, Andrea Beattie, political science graduate student, Claudia Garza-Gongora, biology graduate student and Arturo González, sociology graduate student.
TAMIU graduate David Crawford (’07), is one of 12 students chosen nationwide to study for an MFA degree in writing for screen and stage at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Students were selected from a total of 400 applicants.
Ten TAMIU University faculty members are winners of The Texas A&M University System’s 2010 Teaching Excellence Awards, a voluntary, student-selected honors program. TAMIU faculty winners include Dr. José Martínez Samos, Natalie Burkhalter, Jessica Zamarripa, Dr. Jennifer Coronado, Dr. Ronald Anderson, Patricia Proa, Dr. Jyotsna Mukherji, Dr. Deborah Blackwell, Dr. Lynda Brown, Department of Language and Literature, and Dr. Jacklyn Jeffrey.
Two TAMIU doctoral students, Collins Okafor and Nacasius Ujah, both students in International Business and Finance, are published in a journal… a difficult challenge for graduate students in the academic community. Their paper, "Unleashing the Cracken: Does Internet Financial Reporting Matter in Africa?," was awarded the "Best Paper Award" and their presentation a "Presentation Excellence Award" at the Academic World International Conference 2010, held in in Nashville, Tenn. Their paper is published in the Fall issue of the International Journal of the Academic Business World.
TAMIU’s rapidly expanding campus sees the opening of another brand new building this Fall: The University Success Center. The $25 million Center centralizes units previously located in separate campus sites, making it more convenient for both prospective and current students to be able to access essential service areas all under one roof, explains Dr. Minita Ramírez, dean of the Division of Student Success. The Center will include offices for Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid Campus Card Services, Bursar’s Office, Recruitment and School Relations, Student Success, Bookstore, Testing Center, University College, Advising and Mentoring Center, and Student Counseling Services.
Dr. Minita Ramírez (’83), dean of Student Success at Texas A&M International University, is named vice president for Student Success. Dr. Ramírez’s appointment is approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Ramirez oversees operation of the newly opened, $25 million University Success Center and its reporting units.
With the Fall semester now underway TAMIU’s Office of Student Affairs hosts Dustdevil Life/Involvement Week with a variety of free events designed to help students navigate and learn about the campus and program offerings.
TAMIU College of Education faculty member Dr. George R. Potter, presents a paper to more than 500 education professionals from 65 countries at the EduLearn 10 – International Conference on Education and new Learning Technologies in Barcelona, Spain on “Utilization of Technology for Assessment, Research, and Training of Educational Leadership Using Emotional Intelligence as a New Paradigm.”
Dr. Humberto González, who retired in August as dean of the College of Education after 14 years of service, is named Professor Emeritus by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
TAMIU makes the short list of best regional universities in the country as ranked by the 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings. In the “Regional Public Universities – West” category, TAMIU was ranked No. 25 and 71 in the “Regional Universities – West (all schools).”
TAMIU welcomes its largest freshmen class ever with 980 students, an increase of 22 percent. Overall, 6,853 students enroll, an increase of 6.8 percent over Fall 2009’s 6,419. Semester credit hours, rise 7 percent to 68,001, over last Fall’s 63,317.
Women’s City Club Board Members commemorate the Women's City Club Nursing Scholarship Endowment achieving over $100,000 endowed. The Women's City Club Nursing Scholarship Endowment was established in 2001 and has enabled over 20 TAMIU nursing students to achieve their dream of becoming a nurse.
TAMIU gives gave a Texas-size welcome to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, Rep. Ryan Guillen and Texas A&M University System Chancellor Michael McKinney for dedication ceremonies for the new University Success Center.
TAMIU welcomes One of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2009 and CNN Hero, human rights advocate Somaly Mam, as the third featured author in its “Reading the Globe: the TAMIU Freshmen Experience.” Mam wrote “The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine,” the book chosen for this year’s selected reading. As part of “Reading the Globe,” some students have the opportunity to travel to Cambodia to teach English, work the fields and clear land.
The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) opens its 31st season – “Connections” at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall, led by Brendan Townsend, TAMIU assistant professor of music and LPO director.
TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck participates in the National Education Summit and Call to Action in Washington, D.C., an event hosted by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Dr. Keck’s participation was requested by Juan Sepúlveda, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
For the third consecutive year, TAMIU Dustdevils Women’s Volleyball Coash Wendy McManus and her team sponsor the Dig Pink Cancer Benefit. Elizabeth N. Martínez, TAMIU associate vice-president for administration and a cancer survivor, is the game’s honorary coach.
TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business is an outstanding business school, according to The Princeton Review’s 2011 edition of its book, “The Best 300 Business Schools.” The Sanchez School of Business is one of 66 schools in the book that appear on one or more of the book's ranking lists. The School ranked number five in “Greatest Opportunity for Minority Students.”
TAMIU College of Education faculty member Dr. Lynn Hemmer is selected for an award recognizing achievement in public education administration doctoral coursework, engagement in scholarly activities and potential for future scholarly contribution. Dr. Hemmer receives the 2010-2011 Paul R. Hensarling Distinguished Graduate Student Award in ceremonies in College Station.
This Fall at TAMIU, two Fulbright Scholars are providing language courses at the University. Ala’eddin Khaled Alqatanani is teaching Beginning Arabic I and II and holds an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan. Caroline Benedetto is teaching Elementary French. A French national, she holds a Masters in Translation with a specialization in English and Italian from the Université Aix-Marseille I, Provence, France and Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82) announces the awarding of two grants totaling $6,061,035 in federal funds for two academic programs at TAMIU. The funds, from the Department of Education, are part of the Strengthening Hispanic Serving Institutions Program. One Grant is Engaging Sophomores/Graduation Roadmap Project, while another funds the Graduate Retention Enhancement program.
TAMIU students can keep track of extracurricular campus activities thanks to a new online program, CollegiateLink. The program helps students to get involved, tracks their involvement and can produce a co-curricular transcript which can supplement an academic transcript. Research indicates that documentation of a graduate’s campus involvement can be a plus when employers are considering future hires.
15 TAMIU students are selected to travel to Cambodia as part of the University’s “Reading the Globe” Study-Travel Program during Spring Break 2011. They join counterparts from West Texas A&M University in a historic join travel-study initiative. TAMIU students selected are Arturo James Crake, Marcos Roel Cruz, Karen Cristina De La Garza, Olinda Victoria Domínguez, Amanda Michelle Garza, Oscar Eduardo Leyva, María Andrea Martínez, Javier Mendoza, Vanessa M. Navarro, Phillipe Quach, Evelyn F. Richardson, Carolina Yvette Salazar, Erika Salazar, Reymundo Salinas and Luís Alberto Vela.
TAMIU alum and faculty member Lola Orellano Norris (‘99, MA Spanish) becomes the first doctoral graduate from TAMIU in the collaborative Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies at Texas A&M University. Dr. Orellano Norris’ dissertation, a linguistic analysis of the expedition diaries (1686-1690) of General Alonso de León’s five military expeditions into Texas, was an interdisciplinary analysis of some of the earliest documentary records written in and about Texas. De León’s diaries hold major linguistic, historical and anthropological importance.
TAMIU students vote their support for fee changes for the 2011-2012 year after the close of three-day online voting. Proposed fees passing including the Endowment Student Scholarship fee and the Athletics Fee/Academics Reallocation which helps make TAMIU Athletics self-sustaining.
TAMIU is ranked the top state institution with 64.28 percent of its total fiscal year 2010 eligible expenditures, more than $5 million a year, spent with Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs), according to the Fiscal 2010 Annual Report for the Statewide Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program issued by the state comptroller’s office.
Over 530 students are candidates for undergraduate or graduate degrees during Fall 2010 Commencement Exercises. The Exercises feature two of the University’s strongest partners in the creation of its campus, programs and scholarships. David Winfield Killam, manager of Killam Management, L.C. provides keynote remarks. In addition to the provision of the 300 acres of land that is home to TAMIU, the Killam Family has generously supported campus construction projects, program enhancements, endowed faculty chairs, student scholarships and athletics development. Also providing keynote remarks is Renato Ramírez, president of International Bank of Commerce-Zapata. Once a faculty member at the former Laredo State University, Ramírez has established a generous scholarship endowment at TAMIU that has assisted over 25 students from Zapata to date.
Laredo Theatre Guild International, in cooperation with TAMIU, presents the gripping murder mystery “Agnes of God” at the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts' Sam Johnson Experimental Theatre.
The New Year brings a special gift for current and future TAMIU students seeking an engineering education. Gary Leyendecker, P.E., president of Leyendecker Construction, provides a gift of $40,000 in support of a summer engineering program for TAMIU students. The presentation is made by his father, Richard, and his brother, Paul. Leyendecker, and his brother are both Texas A&M engineering graduates. Their father studied engineering at A&M after his return from World War II.
When TAMIU students graduate they’ll be ready to lead, thanks to an innovative leadership-training program dubbed “Leadership TAMIU.” The program works through a series of group experiences, opportunities to develop skills, self-assessment exercises and targeted opportunities to test leadership through community outreach. The initiative is sponsored by the TAMIU Office of Student Affairs.
A new and progressive robotics competition, the “FIRST® Tech Challenge,” begins planning at Texas A&M International University and targets high school students eyeing an engineering or science future. It will include a tournament benefitting from technical advice and mentorship from TAMIU’s engineering faculty and local STEM teachers.
The International Trade Journal of Texas A&M International University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business’ International Trade Institute marks its 24th year of publication history. It has offered cutting-edge research on international trade that has been shared with academicians and researchers worldwide. The Journal's editor-in-chief, Dr. Tagi Sagafi-nejad, Distinguished Professor, A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business and director of the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade, said The Journal has become increasingly selective. Its acceptance rate for Journal publication stands below 10%, making it among the most selective global academic journals.
Over 300 local and area middle and high school students glimpse into possible futures at the first TAMIU Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Day at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center and Planetarium. The event is hosted by honorary sponsor Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82, MBA) and the University’s Office of Academic Affairs and made possible by generous gifts from Chesapeake Energy Company, AEP, ConocoPhillips, Toyota and Union Pacific.
David Gergen, advisor to four United States presidents, senior political analyst for CNN and Harvard University professor makes a rare public appearance at TAMIU for a special morning lecture and breakfast. Funds generated support TAMIU’s student leadership program, Leadership TAMIU. Gergen is familiar with TAMIU students as he met them at the summer’s inaugural Latino Leadership Initiative at Harvard, where he lectured for participating students.
TAMIU’s Spring 2011 enrollment tops 6,544 students, a 7.49% increase over last Spring, and an 8.45% increase in Semester Credit Hours 65,869. It marks the highest Spring TAMIU enrollment to date.
Marcela Morán, TAMIU assistant professor of communication, wins a Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund (TFPF) grant from the Austin Film Society and is hard at work on a new documentary film entitled, "Jornaleros." Her project takes her to Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans and parts of South Texas, in search of jornaleros, or day laborers skilled in different trades looking for jobs on the streets, and of undocumented immigrants already working. The film will explore human rights violations against day laborers and the criminalization of undocumented immigrants in the United States.
TAMIU partners with “College Goal Sunday,” a non-profit program providing free information and assistance to Texas families applying for financial assistance for higher education. The partnership presents an afternoon of activities that can help parents and their children as they ready for college and learn about available financial aid. TAMIU is one of only 30 participating locations in the State and the only Laredo program offered.
TAMIU faculty member Dr. Young Jun Kim, assistant professor of Economics for the University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, is awarded a $40,000 grant for research from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning, a prestigious science funding agency.
TAMIU Regents professor and author Dr. Jerry Thompson’s latest book, Tejanos in Gray: Civil War Letters of Captains Joseph Rafael de la Garza and Manuel Yturri traces the Tejano Civil War experience through period letters. Dr. Thompson is the author of over 20 books.
Ed Asner, recipient of seven Emmy Awards and 16 nominations, five Golden Globe Awards, and member of the TV Academy Hall of Fame, stars in the solo performance drama, “FDR,” based upon Dore Schary’s Broadway hit “Sunrise at Campobello,” at the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Seven TAMIU students meet with students from over 42 countries as they participate in the World Model United Nations Conference (WorldMUN) in Singapore. The delegation includes Cornelius Kipkorir, Alejandra Avila, Alejandro Barrera, Aaron Gangi, Alejandra Ovando, George -Thomas Pugh and Tracy Talavera.
The Laredo Theatre Guild International in cooperation with TAMIU, presents Oscar Wilde’s timeless comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest” at TAMIU's Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.
The Pre-Dental Program at TAMIU, a collaboration with the University of Texas Houston Dental Branch, has grown since its founding in 2004, said TAMIU assistant professor of biology, Dr. David Beck. It offers highly qualified students with an interest in dentistry who demonstrate the ability to overcome adverse or disadvantaged circumstances to be considered for and receive conditional early acceptance at The UT Dental Branch.
A new scholarship endowment at TAMIU honors the late Dr. Ruby South Lowry and aims to ensure a new legacy of healers can follow her historic lead. The Dr. Ruby South Lowry Endowed Scholarship Endowment provides student scholarships for pre-med or pre-veterinarian students at TAMIU and is funded by a generous gift from Dr. Lowry’s grandson, local banker and rancher Albert T. Lowry and his wife, Diana S. Lowry.
TAMIU’s Third Annual “The Big Event,” a day-long student volunteer day, takes place at Slaughter Park. It is hosted by TAMIU’s Student Government Association (SGA) in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, the City of Laredo and Keep Laredo Beautiful. Some 300+ student volunteers participate.
TAMIU students sign an over-sized Thank You card on campus to express gratitude to University donors, the community and the State of Texas during “TAMIU Thank You Day.” The Day marks the day in the Spring Semester when University gifts and State support begin to cover students’ education costs.
TAMIU hosts the 2011 March for Babies on campus to help raise funds for lifesaving research and educational programs. TAMIU students, faculty and staff participate.
TAMIU remembers departed alums, comrades and students at the first “Celebration of Life” memorial observation at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. TAMIU director of alumni relations Yelitza Howard said the occasion affords the University a chance to pause and reflect on those who have shared their lives with the University over the past 40-plus years and will become an annual observation.
TAMIU’s Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium celebrates its sixth anniversary with a day full of games, arts and crafts, activities, special Planetarium features and more. The Planetarium is one of Laredo’s most popular destinations for families.
TAMIU sophomore Philip Balli has logged over 14,500 miles in University study-travel, and will do thousands more.... he’s been selected as one of two Texas students named a Fellow in the 2011 Institute for International Public Policy, a six-year Fellowship offered by the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation. The Fellowship commitment includes participation in three summer institutes, a study abroad program, an internship, language study and graduate school.
Business majors at TAMIU are the direct beneficiaries of a generous $1 million endowed gift from Texas Community Bank. It creates the Texas Community Bank Endowed Scholarship Fund for business majors at the University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business.
TAMIU professor Dr. John Kilburn, College of Arts and Sciences, department of Behavioral Sciences, is selected as a 2011-2012 Academic Fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C. He will travel to Israel for an intensive course in terrorism studies at Tel Aviv University.
TAMIU hosts the Third International Conference on Risk Analysis and Crisis Response, attracting 60 presenters from 15 countries with panel discussions focused on predicting financial risks, evaluating economic risks, crisis management, dynamic risk control, crisis prediction, risk studies and case studies for the U.S. and China.
TAMIU Regents Professor and author Dr. Jerry Thompson is inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters (TIL). Dr. Thompson was selected out of 27 nominations, with only 14 approved by the TIL council for submission to full membership. Thompson is also the only person to have won the TIL’s nonfiction award for two consecutive years.
TAMIU’s Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 296 initiates 60 members in Spring Chapter Initiation ceremonies in the TAMIU Student Center Auditorium. Chapter president Dr. John Kilburn presides.
Spring Commencement Exercises are held outdoors with more than 500 candidates for graduation. Each ceremony featured Distinguished Student Scholar respondents for each of the Colleges represented. Alejandra Avila represented the A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business; Manuel Mario Flores II, the College of Education; Andrea Deyanira Beattie, College of Arts and Sciences, and Irma Fabiola Guerra, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing. Judith A. Canales, the first Hispanic woman to serve as the Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative Programs in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program appointed by President Barack Obama, served as Commencement speaker.
TAMIUS’s Binational Center holds its first Annual Nonprofit Excellence Summer Institute for leaders of private foundations and non-profit organizations. The two and a half day workshop is designed to drive non-profit organizations to success by identifying their strengths and opportunities.
A home celebrating the art and life of the famed late Laredo artist Helen Richter Watson opens to the public in Texas A&M International University’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. The Helen Richter Watson Art Gallery is a light-filled aerie that embraces the spectrum of Watson’s (1926-2003) influence as both artist and teacher. It replicates her welcoming Houston Street studio, which mixed works of art to create a gathering space that celebrated a life of art.
Some 40 Laredo and area teachers are selected to participate in “The Making of Modern America: 1877 to Present,” an Institute for Texas Teachers sponsored by Humanities Texas and TAMIU at TAMIU. The Institute is one of six taking place throughout June at leading universities across Texas. Other participating institutions include the University of Texas at Austin, UT-San Antonio, UT-El Paso, Texas Christian University, and the University of Houston.
TAMIU’s new students and first-time freshmen have a fun, new Student Orientation Program called, Dusty Camp. It focuses on giving students information that sets the stage for a timely and purposeful transition to University life and is a required overnight program.
TAMIU announces an academic collaborative partnership with Nan Kai University of Technology, located in Nantou City, Taiwan, that will support the educational needs of both universities, enabling the two universities to foster education and research that expands the international experience for their students.
Six TAMIU students are selected to take part in the second collaborative Latino Leadership Initiative developed by the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. Attending a week-long program in Cambridge, MA are students Miriam Abrego, Marcos Dimas, Joel Alexis Jurado, Connie Berenice Lerma, Laura Mendez, and Carlos Pacheco.
TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck says budget cuts for Texas higher education will hurt TAMIU and signal a profound challenge for the State’s colleges and universities. The State’s has mandated an 18% budget reduction for TAMIU, $9.2 million of the University’s biennial operating budget. He makes it clear that the University will face real challenges with a Spartan budget that impacts a young University with mushrooming enrollment growth. “All universities are thriving engines of community change and betterment: driving growth, business investments and quality of life enhancements. That engine has been effectively slowed by this Legislative Session,” Keck observed.
Laredo's hometown university has something all students and their parents can relate to -- low cost. A national listing focused on College Affordability and Transparency indicates that TAMIU is among the nation’s lowest net priced public, four-year or above universities. CNN Money.com reviewed the data and also lists TAMIU as one of its 10 most affordable colleges.
A group of TAMIU students forms a campus organization to raise community awareness about world conflict areas and the global refugee crisis. The Darfur Dream Team Sister School Program at TAMIU, sponsored by the TAMIU Leadership Program and The Enough Project in Washington, D.C., is designed to partner American schools with their peers in Darfur refugee camps in eastern Chad and advised by Dr. Barbara Baker, First Year Seminar instructor.
Shared concerns for student success have yielded a new agreement between Laredo Community College and TAMIU to enable LCC students to enjoy simultaneous joint admission to TAMIU. The two sign a Memorandum of Understanding that guides a joint admissions program between the two schools.
TAMIU vice president for Student Success Dr. Minita Ramírez attends the White House’s Hispanic Policy Conference hosted by the White House Office of Public Engagement and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. The meeting attracted 160 Hispanic leaders from 25 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
TAMIU students can begin coursework for a minor in English-Spanish Translation at TAMIU this Fall. Dr. Manuel Broncano, TAMIU professor and chair of the Department of Language and Literature, said the offering is ideal for the Laredo region.
The Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association announces that Dr. Ray Marvin Keck, TAMIU is Mr. South Texas 2012 for the 115th Washington’s Birthday Celebration. The Mr. South Texas designation is presented to a deserving individual worthy of the award who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth and development of Laredo and the South Texas region, the Association says.
Among the top 100 baccalaureate degree producers nationwide, TAMIU ranks 36th among institutions conferring the most degrees to Hispanic students, according to the magazine Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The University ranked third out of 100 for Hispanics and fifth for total minorities earning bachelor degrees in education. Among institutions that award degrees in communication disorders sciences and services, TAMIU ranked fifth in awarding degrees to Hispanics.
For those drawn to the stage lights, stage craft and more, TAMIU is now offering a minor in Theatre. Leading the new minor are faculty members Leading this new degree are faculty members Gilberto Martínez, Jr. and Vernon Caroll.
The Chronicle of Higher Education names TAMIU one of its “Fastest Growing Campuses, 2004-2009” for Public Master’s universities surveyed in its Aug. 21, 2011 edition. TAMIU was ranked 5th in a 20-member category that only included two other Texas universities, the University of Houston-Victoria and the University of Texas-Brownsville. For the survey period, TAMIU showed a 50 percent increase in growth from 4,269 to 6,419 students.
A new TAMIU identity campaign is designed to consistently capture the University’s mission and power to help all imagine their possibilities. Focused on the identity phrase “Powered by TAMIU,” President Ray Keck said it offers a spirited and confident assessment of the power of higher education. “TAMIU has an energy and a passion for education and leadership that we share daily. That power translates into generations of brighter futures. When we say ‘Powered by TAMIU,’ we are sharing our confidence, our pride and our commitment to degree programs, initiatives, faculty and facilities that change and power lives to greatness. We say, ‘Imagine the possibilities… when you’re powered by TAMIU,’” Dr. Keck said.
The Matias de Llano Charitable Trust provides its third installment in a $500,000 gift in support of the Ph.D. endowment for the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business. The gift will be matched by the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. Challenge Grant. The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust was established on April 1, 2003, under the Last Will and Testament of Matias De Llano. De Llano appointed IBC Bank as sole Trustee of his Trust.
Two TAMIU faculty members are recognized for their teaching excellence, leadership and scholarship at Fall Convocation. Dr. Bernice Sánchez-Pérez was named TAMIU Teacher of the Year and Dr. Deborah Blackwell was named the recipient of the Dr. Judith Zaffirini Medal for Leadership and Scholarship.
TAMIU faculty member Dr. Mark A. Menaldo is named recipient of the 2011 Jablin Dissertation Award from the International Leadership Association for his paper, "Putting Statesmanship Back Into Statecraft: The Role of Transformative Ambition in International Relations.” The award includes a prize from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond, VA., and travel expenses to the ILA Conference in London, England.
The National Science Foundation awards TAMIU a $105,000 grant to purchase state of the art equipment to expand research by TAMIU’s department of biology and chemistry. It opens new avenues of research by allowing users to analyze genetic markers, create DNA fingerprint profiles and determine DNA sequences for any type of biological sample.
TAMIU is awarded the designation “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs, a premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The magazine’s “2012 Military Friendly Schools List” honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students, according to the magazine. The award was based on a survey of student veterans.
TAMIU has been ranked by US News and World Report in its 2012 Best Colleges Rankings. TAMIU was ranked 24 in the Top Public Schools (Regional Universities West) category. According to the Report, those included are the highest ranked public colleges and universities.
TAMIU Regents professor and author Dr. Jerry Thompson is selected as the 2011 Clotilde P. García Tejano Book Prize winner for his latest book, “Tejanos in Gray: Civil War Letters of Captains Joseph Rafael de la Garza and Manuel Yturri,” which traces the Tejano Civil War experience through period letters.
The awarding of five federal grants totaling over $49.9 million to TAMIU for diverse educational initiatives is announced by Congressman Henry Cuellar (MBA ’82). The first grant is for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP IV); the second targets increasing the number of Hispanics and low-income students earning Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degrees; the third helps migrant students or children of migrant farm workers earn a high school equivalency degree or higher education diploma and gain employment through the TAMIU HEP Program, and the fourth provides scholarships to low-income nursing students and supports advanced nursing traineeships. A fifth grant funds an Applied Bio-System 3500 Genetic Analyzer for the Molecular Genetics Core Facility at the University, driving science research.
Jordan M. Gibson makes history at TAMIU. The junior marketing major and member of TAMIU’s Men’s Golf Team from Painted Butte, Alberta, Canada, is the 7000th student of a record 7,039 students enrolled at TAMIU this Fall. Gibson and fellow TAMIU students are joined by new Texas A&M University System Chancellor, John Sharp, who helps cut a commemorative cake to welcome the University’s record class, a 2.71% increase over last Fall’s 6,853 students.
Former President of Bolivia, Jorge Fernando Quiroga Ramirez, former President of Bolivia, lectures at TAMIU as part of the International Bank of Commerce Keynote Speaker Series: “Latin America in the Global Economy.” Quiroga was Bolivia’s president 2001-2002, and assumed the presidency after the resignation of Hugo Banzer.
TAMIU is named the recipient of a US Department of Education Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program three-year grant for $749,120 for its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Minority Outreach and Retention Enhancement Program (STEM-MORE). Dr. Rafic Bachnak, TAMIU professor and chair of the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of engineering, mathematics and physics, is the Program’s developer and director.
Writer Steve Reifenberg speaks at TAMIU as the fourth featured author in the “Reading the Globe: the TAMIU Freshmen Experience” program. Reifenberg wrote Santiago’s Children: What I Learned About Life at an Orphanage in Chile (University of Texas Press), the book chosen for 2011’s program.
TAMIU partner, the Laredo Theater Guild International opens its third season with the late Larry Shue’s classic comedy “The Foreigner,” about cultural differences, inner courage, and racism, with mistaken identity thrown in for good measure and great comedy.
The future draws closer at TAMIU with the dedication of a new Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Funded by Graduate Retention Enhancement at TAMIU (GREAT), a Title V PPOHA Program of the US Department of Education, the microscope is a JSM-6610LV high-performance, low-vacuum SEM for fast characterization of fine structures on both small and large samples. Provost and vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Pablo Arenaz observes, “this provides students with opportunities usually only available at much larger universities and enhances their competencies for further graduate or doctoral study.”
TAMIU offers another way to conveniently get the latest news and events our with TAMIU’s RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feeds. News stories and calendar items are delivered to smartphones, tablets or desktop with just a click. The University’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services launches the free service.
TAMIU is named the recipient of the “Community Green Award,” by KGNS, the CW and Telemundo Laredo in recognition of its multi-pronged campus-wide Green Initiative.
“Milagro,” a film by TAMIU senior José Luis Montoya is presented in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. Montoya wrote and directed the film shot in its entirety in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, México.
TAMIU welcomes one of the most important poets of Hispanic letters, José Kozer, to campus as the University opens a large collection exhibit of his books in the Special Collections section of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. Kozer presents a reading and roundtable.
TAMIU dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Thomas R. Mitchell is named a 2010-11 Regents Professor by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The Regents Professor Award program recognizes employees that hold a record of distinguished teaching combined with accomplishments of research or other scholarly activity, as well as who have made exemplary contributions to their University or agency and to the people of Texas.
TAMIU students score the University high on a survey highlighting its level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning and supportive campus environment. Many score TAMIU higher than peer institutions and national average responses on the 2011 National Survey of Student Engagement.
TAMIU comes to smartphones with a new “app” available for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and iPad users… and it’s all free. It’s the latest in the University’s strategic embrace of new and emerging technology to help it reach today’s fully linked consumer, said Steve Harmon of TAMIU’s Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services office.
Record rainfall that saturated campus grounds forces the University’s traditional outdoor Fall Commencement Exercises indoors Over 500 candidates for graduation participate in ceremonies in the Kinesiology-Convocation Building.
LULAC Council No. 7 announces that Bede L. Leyendecker, TAMIU associate professor and chair of the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of Fine and Performing Arts, is its recipient of the 2012 Higher Education Award presented to a deserving individual who has encouraged the growth and advancement of higher education.
For the first time, a look back at the past year in the life of TAMIU is just a click away. The TAMIU 2011 President’s Report has gone digital and readers can read it on their computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. The Report is also interactive, with digital publication links to expanded news features and galleries on the University’s website.
TAMIU’s Rose A. Saldivar, assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing, is the first recipient of the University’s Instructional Technology Excellence Award.
Although they’re over 4,500 miles away, a group of 15 TAMIU students are sharing their “Reading the Globe” study travel program experiences in Chile via regular blog posts. They recount their travel, impressions of Chile and their visit to the orphanage that was the setting for the book Santiago’s Children: What I Learned About Life at an Orphanage in Chile, by writer Steve Reifenberg.
Two TAMIU professors believe what the world needs now is more leaders …and that TAMIU students are ready to step up to the challenge. They launch the TAMIU Leadership Initiative, a credit-bearing course sequence combined with community service that will help students to develop their leadership abilities in real-world applications. Dr. Barbara Baker, of University College, will join Dr. Carol Waters in teaching the elective course, “Foundations of Leadership,” delivered in a service-learning experience.
Over 200 local and area middle and high school students explore careers in science at TAMIU’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Day at the TAMIU Lamar Bruni Science Center and Planetarium. The day’s special guest speaker is Michael E. Fossum, a NASA astronaut. Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82), who supports STEM Day at TAMIU, said the event helps to encourage student to pursue STEM careers.
TAMIU students redefine the phrase “going with the flow.”40+ TAMIU student members of TAMIU’s Freshman Leadership Organization (FLO) and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), opted to give their organization’s names special relevance through a FLO service project pairing them with the Feed My Starving Children Program. Students worked in two shifts to prepare nutritional food packets to be distributed by the Feed My Starving children program, creating created enough packets to feed 217 children.
TAMIU students pursuing a career in science and engineering can count on the strong support of the Union Pacific Railroad. The company presents a generous gift of $30,000 to TAMIU’s Union Pacific STEM Endowed Scholarship and the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium. The donation is matched by the Department of Education’s Title III Hispanic-Serving Institution’s SYSTEM (Serving Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program.
TAMIU’s Spring 2012 enrollment holds steady at 6,533 students. And Spring 2012 Semester Credit Hours are 65,806. President Keck notes, “Our enrollment is holding steady, but we know that students are affected by the constraints of our times.” Last year’s State-wide reductions in higher education funding has also reduced resources. TAMIU saw an 18 percent budget reduction in 2011.
TAMIU’s grand opening and return of its game room, “Dusty’s Den” is popular with students. Renovations to Dusty’s Den, located in the Student Center, room 202, included additional floor space to accommodate new gaming tables and an area for Xbox 360 Kinect gaming systems.
“Celebrating Shakespeare at TAMIU,” a two-week observation with performances of “Macbeth,” is hosted by TAMIU’s College of Arts and Sciences, department of Fine and Performing Arts, and includes partner the Laredo Theater Guild International’s presentation of “The Tragedy of Macbeth.”
Tapping into a shared pride of education and work ethic that they trace to Texas A&M University, family members of Laredo’s Arguindegui Oil Company initiates the Arguindegui Oil Company Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Endowment Fund at Texas A&M International University. The Arguindegui gift of $75,000 provides student scholarships for those planning careers in STEM fields, explains Candy Hein, TAMIU vice president for Institutional Advancement. The gift will be matched by a grant from the US Department of Education’s Title III STEM Grant.
TAMIU doctoral student in International Business and Management Information Systems at TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Murad Moqbel wins top recognition for a paper he wrote on social networking by employees. Moqbel wins the Decision Science Institute Southwest Region’s “2012 Best Student Paper Award” recognition for his paper entitled, “Explaining User Acceptance Of Social Networking: Employees’ Perspective.”
The virtuoso titular organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, Olivier Latry, performs at the University Organ Recital Series in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall’s Sharkey Corrigan Organ. He has recorded several CDs for the BNL label in France and has received several awards and honors, among them, International Performer of the Year by the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and an honorary Doctor of Music degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Members of the Texas A&M International University Alumni Association awarded $6,000 in scholarships to students. Recipients include Baruc Estrada Castillo, Rafael Contreras, José Antonio Gutíerrez, Rebecca Baca, Mónica Aguilar, and Jessica Nava.
TAMIU Students celebrate the approach of Spring with the colorful observance of Holi – The Festival of Colors. A Hindu celebration, it partly celebrates the new beginnings possible with the arrival of spring. The cultural awareness event is co-sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs and the Association of International Students.
11 TAMIU students travel to Canada to participate in the World Model United Nations Conference (WorldMUN), in Vancouver. Students selected are Jonathan Gutiérrez, Esther Cavazos, Triana González, Amanda Garza, George Thomas Pugh, Yuliana Alcaráz, Alvaro Aguirre, Leslie Cortez, Aaron Gangi, María Fernanda Andrade, and Alejandro Barrera.
John Prendergast, best-selling author and world-renowned human rights activist in Africa, meets with students and community members at TAMIU to share his peace efforts in Sudan and the Republic of the Congo in his presentation, “War and Peace: Success Stories in Africa and the Implications for the Congo and Sudan.” is free and open to the public. His presentation is part of the University’s Foundation of Leadership Class.
300+ students attend the 17th Annual University Life Awards in the Student Center Ballroom. One of the longest standing traditions at TAMIU, the University Life Awards recognize outstanding leaders in the University community through various awards categories, including Outstanding Community Service, Freshman Excellence and Leader of the Year.
The Beaumont Foundation of America announces the establishment of a $100,000 scholarship endowment at TAMIU that honors Carlos and Judith Zaffirini and is dedicated to providing scholarship assistance to first-generation TAMIU students.
TAMIU professor Dr. Frances P. Bernat, chair of the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of public affairs and social research, is named the recipient of the Coramae Richey Mann Leadership Award by the national Academy of Criminal Justices, Minority and Women’s Section in ceremonies at its annual meeting in New York City.
TAMIU’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), is named “Regional Champions” at the SIFE USA Regional Competition in Dallas. The team presented five projects, said Dr. Andres Rivas-Chávez, TAMIU associate professor of finance and economics and SIFE faculty advisor.
The first performance by TAMIU's Department of Fine and Performing Arts theatre production class is “Ha!”, directed by Dr. Gilberto Martínez Jr., instructor, communication and theatre, and Cynthia Marie Ramos, a student who is part of the new TAMIU minor in theatre arts “Ha!” is a comedy by Rich Orloff and is a trio of his most popular and critically acclaimed plays.
The lasting legacy of two Laredo sisters furthers the legacies of TAMIU students with the announcement by Trustees of the Delfina and Josefina Alexander Family Foundation of a gift of $500,000 to support TAMIU student scholarships and emergencies. Scholarship recipients are known as the “Delfina and Josefina Alexander Scholars.”
A documentary film created by the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life that includes the legacy of Laredo’s Jewish community debuts at TAMIU with filmmaker Josh Parshall. The University’s Special Collection of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library also prepares an exhibit about Jewish life in South Texas. Family members of the late Lester Avigael, who passed away in 2008, also helped to inaugurate TAMIU’s South Texas Jewish Heritage Collection at the premiere.
TAMIU dedicates its Dual Language Lab, fittingly welcoming guests in English, German Korean and Spanish. “Multiple languages are a great part of our dynamic city and region and we are happy to dedicate a facility that will help us to research, study and train in dual language study,” said Dr. Miroslava Vargas, a College of Education associate professor who helped develop the Lab.
TAMIU’s Dustdevil Athletics puts a new face forward…with a redesigned and relaunched web site, godustdevils.com. Faster navigation and integration with social media and fully functioning Score Center with play-by-play, video and stats is featured.
Hundreds of outstanding Laredo ‘Class of 2012’ high school graduates are ‘Powered by TAMIU’ for Fall as TAMIU has awarded them $2.92 million in scholarships to assist them throughout their four years of University education. A total of 257 ‘Class of 2012’ Laredo high school graduates have been offered scholarships to attend TAMIU.
TAMIU Alum David Crawford (’07), who completed an MFA in Writing for Screen and Stage at Northwestern University, premieres his short film “Cy.cle,” at San Antonio’s Bijou Cinema & Bistro.
Research findings by the U.S. Department of Education indicate that among public, four-year or above universities, TAMIU has one of the nation’s lowest net prices. Average net price is the price of attendance charged to students after considering all grant and scholarship aid.
Recognizing a “tireless champion for Texas higher education and TAMIU,” TAMIU names its University Success Center for State Senator Judith Zaffirini in ceremonies in the lobby of the new Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center. Texas A&M University System Chancellor, John Sharp, Jim Schwertner and Elaine Mendoza of the Board of Regents for the A&M System, joined University officials in announcing the honor.
“Read Three” an innovative family early literacy program partnership between HEB Stores, Laredo Independent School District and TAMIU, celebrates with a special graduation ceremony and reception for participants and their families. The six-week workshop program focuses on early reading and nutrition that targets three and four-year-old children and their parents.
Six TAMIU students attend the third annual Latino Leadership Initiative at Harvard University. They are Agar Hernandez, Sarah Gomez, Guadalupe Osoria, Rafael Contreras, Victoria Rose Young and Stephanie Hernandez.
One of TAMIU’s most familiar faces to students retires. David VerMilyea, affectionately known as “Mr. V,” said good-bye, retiring after 42 years of service. VerMilyea, who joined the University in 1970, has seen it grow from a shared study carrel on the downtown campus of then-Laredo Junior College, to a 300-acre regional University. His last post at the University has been as TAMIU’s director of international student services at TAMIU.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82) announces a $3,875,000 five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to improve academic achievement at Laredo Community College and TAMIU that’s aimed at enhancing the transfer-student process and increasing faculty development.
The Texas Higher Education Journal names TAMIU the State’s number one public institution of higher education for producing the largest number of Latino graduates, 94% in 2011. President Dr. Ray Keck said the selection “reminds us once again of the tremendous importance of higher education and the special mission and service that TAMIU provides to our region,” Dr. Keck said.
TAMIU students have nominated 15 TAMIU faculty members for The Texas A&M University System’s Student Recognition Awards for Teaching Excellence. TAMIU Faculty members receiving Awards are: Dr. Anna Cieslicka, Jeanne Dunn, Angelica Estrada, Dr. Michael R. Kidd, Dr. Katie Anna Lewis, Dr. Gilberto Martínez Jr., Dr. José A. Martínez-Samos, Shannon McBurnette-Arguelles, Dr. Ananda Mukherji, Dr. Lola Norris, Patricia D. Proa, Dr. Bernice Y. Sanchez, Dr. Claudia E. San Miguel, Regents Professor Dr. Jerry D. Thompson, and Jessica Zamarippa.
For the second consecutive year, TAMIU received the Laredo Chamber of Commerce Annual Five Star Service Award in the Educational Services category for providing a learning environment built on a solid academic foundation in the arts and sciences.
Colombian author and TAMIU associate professor of Spanish Dr. José Cardona-López’ book, “Al otro lado del acaso,” (The Other Side of Perhaps) is published in Brazil by Lumme Editor, a prestigious publisher of internationally recognized authors.
The College of Arts and Science Criminal Justice program announces that its online Master of Science in Criminal Justice graduate program is moving to 5-week online courses to enable students to complete their degrees in less than two years.
Researchers from the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment recognize TAMIU as a featured institution in their report “Using Assessment Results: Promising Practices of Institutions That Do It Well.” published this July. TAMIU was one of nine, two or four-year institutions selected to participate in case studies and the only Texas institution included.
Karina Moreno Saldívar (MPA, ’08) becomes the first Hispanic woman to earn a doctoral degree in public administration from Rutgers University-Newark, a program ranked 7th in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report.
TAMIU professor of music Education Dr. Gilberto D. Soto, travels to Qatar to share research on dual language music extension with dual education leaders throughout the Middle East. He was invited in part by EduServ International, the Qatar Foundation, ROTA International, Best Buddies and Texas A&M University in Doha.
Students who may have been delaying their pursuit of higher education got a half-million new reasons to consider TAMIU. An anonymous local donor provided a $500,000 gift to TAMIU Wednesday in support of student scholarships, announced Candy Hein, TAMIU vice president for Institutional Advancement. The timing comes just as the Fall semester readies for startup.
The volunteer Special Olympics efforts of Dr. Randel D. Brown, TAMIU associate professor and director of Special Education, are spotlighted by Special Olympics Texas with its Program’s Volunteer Spotlight recognition. Dr. Brown has volunteered for the group since 1998. Dr. Brown leads TAMIU students’ efforts in the annual fundraising Polar Plunge.
There’s something in the Fall air at TAMIU: an expanded wireless network capability that now covers the entire campus. Wireless coverage is available in 100% of all TAMIU indoor public areas, classrooms, gym and recreation centers, outdoor green areas and intramural fields, said Leebrian Gaskins, TAMIU’s associate vice president for information technology and chief information officer.
Answering Texas Governor Rick Perry’s challenge to offer a $10,000 degree, TAMIU announces its online Bachelors of Science in Nursing completion degree to help current RNs advance their career and sharply elevate their earning potential.
A local infusion of scholarship funds provided by a donor helped TAMIU post an increase in enrollment for the Fall 2012 semester. Enrollment stands at 7,367, a modest 4.7% increase over this period last year of 7,037.
Some 10,000 local and regional area eighth and 12th graders descend on the Laredo Energy Arena, for the historic offering of the first Student Leadership Conference-GEAR UP IV (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Prep Rally. “Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders.”
U.S. Army Captain Samuel B. Cantrell (’08), makes TAMIU proud by being awarded the Bronze Star Medal in Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan.
The Eighth Annual TAMIU AutMus Fest supporting student scholarships, features Automatic Weekend, Vankuver, Master Blaster Sound System, Dean Seltzer, The Romantics and P.O.D.
TAMIU partner the Laredo Theater Guild International opens its fourth season in an “International Style” by joining talent from both sides of the US-México border to present “Bodas de Sangre / Blood Wedding” by the iconic Spanish poet, director and dramatist, Federico García Lorca at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. The cast performs Lorca’s original Spanish language version and the translated English version in alternate performances.
The nation’s oldest and largest all-disciplinary honor society, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, recognizes TAMIU’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Chapter of Merit for promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engaging the community of scholars in service to others.
TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business is an outstanding business school, according to The Princeton Review. It is one of 60 schools that appear and is ranked number seven as a “Greatest Opportunity for Minority Students” and included in the 79 Best Business Schools (Southeast).
TAMIU is ranked in the Top 10% nationally of Master’s Universities in a survey conducted by Washington Monthly Magazine for its “2012 College Rankings.” The ranking is based on the University’s contribution in three broad categories: Social Mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), Research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs) and Service (encouraging students to give something back to their country).
Dr. Claudia E. San Miguel, associate professor and director, TAMIU’s College of Arts and Sciences Criminal Justice Program, is named the first female Hispanic president of the Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice, a criminal justice academic organization.
Dr. and Mrs. Erik Sloman-Moll contribute $10,000 for the third year for Wellness and Educational Research conducted by TAMIU College of Education associate professor Dr. Sukho Lee.
Laredo businessman and longtime supporter of the arts, E. H. Corrigan, is recognized with “A Celebration of Thanks” for his contributions to the arts at TAMIU with a concert at the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Recital Hall. It includes performances by guest organist David Eaton on the Sharkey Corrigan Organ and the Laredo Philharmonic Brass Ensemble, the Laredo Philharmonic Chorale and the TAMIU Chamber Singers.
Prolific author and TAMIU Regents professor Dr. Jerry Thompson received the 2012 Summerfield G. Roberts Book Award from the Sons of Confederate Veterans for his book “Tejanos in Gray: Civil War Letters of Captains Joseph Rafael de la Garza and Manuel Yturri,” which traces the Tejano Civil War experience through period letters.
TAMIU’s participation in the 2012 Harvard Latino Leadership Initiative this year is supported by a generous contribution of $50,000 from Uni-Trade Company.
Over 130 TAMIU students participate in the national community service event “Make A Difference Day” at the Paseo Del Indio Nature Trail. Members of TAMIU’s 50-plus student clubs and organizations take part in the opportunity to give back.
At the 10th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, hosted at Texas A&M University at Galveston, TAMIU junior Biology and Chemistry major Amanda M. Garza earns the Top 1% Award for her research in life science. Pathways attracts over 500 Texas A&M University System undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students. TAMIU is represented by 39 students: 16 undergraduate, 18 graduate and five doctoral students.
Some 600 students participate in TAMIU Fall Commencement Exercises at the Kinesiology-Convocation Building. Commencement speakers include Cliffe Killam, partner, Corporate Planning nd Business Development, for the Killam Oil Company, and Dr. Rex H. Ball, Professor of History and founding faculty member.
TAMIU unveils the Killam Historical Marker recognizing Radcliffe Killam at the TAMIU Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. The Texas Historical Commission’s Recorded Texas Historical Landmark application was submitted by former TAMIU faculty member and Webb County Historical Commission chairman, Dr. José Roberto Juárez. President Keck notes, “Radcliffe Killam and the Killam family name are synonymous with support of higher education in South Texas and beyond. Killam and his wife, Sue Spivey Killam, helped fulfill Laredo’s long-cherished dream of a campus TAMIU with their generous gift of 300 acres of prime land in northeast Laredo for TAMIU.
TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business stakes its claim on the future by supplementing its degree programs with online programs with wide appeal for both local and global graduate students. Dr. Stephen Sears, Sanchez School dean, said the move is in response to student requests and international interest in online graduate business degrees.
The world of America’s beloved author and humorist Mark Twain comes to life in a special performance of “Mark Twain Tonight!” starring veteran American actor of stage and screen Hal Holbrook at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall. The performance is part of the University’s 2013-14 A. R. Sanchez Sr. Lecture Series.
Exposure to violent television shows has no influence on actual empathy toward victims of real-life violence reveals a new study by TAMIU senior psychology student, Raul Ramos, and TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences department of psychology and communication and associate professor of psychology, Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson. “Comfortably Numb or Just Yet Another Movie? Media Violence Exposure Does Not Reduce Viewer Empathy for Victims of Real Violence Among Primarily Hispanic Viewers,” is published in the American Psychological Association’s journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture.
The prestigious Welch Foundation Research awards a grant totaling $180,000 over a three-year period to Dr. Alfred K. Addo-Mensah, TAMIIU associate professor of chemistry. The funding enables Dr. Addo-Mensah to hire both graduate and undergraduate students and purchase lab supplies and equipment to synthesize multivalent receptors and other analogs with application in drug discovery.
TAMIIU offers a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction completely online. The College of Education launches its Curriculum and Instruction Online Program for those who want to become master teachers, but need flexibility in their schedules. “All courses are taught online, which means students can enroll from anywhere,” said Dr. Jennifer Coronado, TAMIU associate professor, curriculum and instruction.
The University becomes one of only a handful of institutions of higher learning in the U.S. to exhibit an original Gilbert Stuart Athenaeum (“Dollar Bill”) portrait of George Washington. Event sponsors include TAMIU, IBC Bank, Harlan Crow Library, Southern Distributing, UBS, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Moreno, Mr. and Mrs. Javier Garza, Mr. and Mrs. Pancho Averill, and Dr. and Mrs. Vito H. Ruiz.
TAMIU assistant professor of Biology, Dr. Ruby A. Ynalvez, is awarded a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program Grant totaling $57,853 for a two-year project focused on environmental pollution by heavy metals, an increasingly serious public health and environmental problem worldwide.
The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust, administered by International Bank of Commerce donates a total of $400,000 to TAMIU, benefitting the University’s Engineering Program, and the establishment of the TAMIU-KLRN Studio on campus to advance the Communication program.
Keeping pace with trends in higher education, TAMIU now offers six complete online graduate degrees: the MBA in English, MBA in Spanish, Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Arts in Language, Literature and Translation.
The life of beloved local science educator Esther Buckley, a TAMIU alum and the University’s 3000th student to enroll in 1998, is honored with a special Memorial Scholarship in her name at TAMIU, where she earned her Master’s degree in 1975. President Keck heralds her status as a role model to many students and fellow educators.
TAMIU junior Edgar Saldana, TAMIU Tennis Club president, Laredo Tennis Association board member, health and wellness advocate, and innovator for local youth tennis clubs and associations elected for the United States Tennis Association Texas Tennis Campus Leader of the Year Award, honoring individual college student leaders for significant contributions to the Tennis On Campus program.
More than 250 local and area middle school and high school students and their counselor coordinators meet an astronaut, design by AutoCAD and explore biology and mathematics research as part of TAMIU’s third annual presentation with Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82) of “TAMIU (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Days.
Funding support by the Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust and the Texas Commission on the Arts makes possible a performance of “Beyond Borders” by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.
German exchange student Manuel Hoffman launches an intriguing research project that measures the intersection of money and happiness in a collaborative undertaking with his home University of Trier as part of his TAMIU A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Master of Business Administration.
Nine TAMIU students travel to Melbourne, Australia over Spring Break to participate in the 22nd Annual Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) Conference. To date, TAMIU students have logged over 76,788 miles by sending student delegations to conferences for the past seven years including Taiwan, Singapore, and Vancouver.
Revered former Laredoan, educator and pianist, Sylvia E. Hazlerig, returns to campus for a special Piano Concert at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall. She performs in conjunction with TAMIU faculty members Dr. Friedrich Gechter, pianist, Dr. Susan Berdahl, flutist and Dr. Xiaohu Zhou, bassoonist. Hazlerig donated the Zuckerman harpsichord to TAMIU.
The College of Arts and Sciences announces the Wilhelm M. Wundt Undergraduate Student Research Award and the Carl Rogers Client-Centered Therapy Award The first will be presented to deserving TAMIU undergraduate and graduate psychology students who have made an outstanding undergraduate contribution in basic/applied research and theory in the field of psychology. The Carl Rogers Client-Centered Therapy Award recognizes Master in Arts in Counseling Psychology students who have an outstanding mastery of theory-driven counseling/psychotherapy methodology in the field of counseling/clinical psychology.
TAMIU alumnus Teresita De la Torre (’12) is among 40 artists selected to participate in the 6th Annual Rising Eyes of Texas, an annual statewide juried exhibit featuring undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education students in the visual arts. It is displayed at the Rockport Center for the Arts, Rockport, Texas. De la Torre is the only artist chosen from TAMIU, one of 16 Texas colleges and universities selected.
TAMIU’s 2013 Steinway Series presents one of the up-and-coming talents in classical music, according to Musical America, pianist Di Wu, in concert at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. The program includes music by Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Scriabin, Liszt, Beethoven, Ravel and Brahms.
Over 200 TAMIU undergraduate and graduate students present their research, scholarly and creative activity at the Fifth Annual Lamar Bruni Vergara and Guillermo Benavides Z. Academic Conference Awards. The Conference is TAMIU’s premier annual academic conference for all TAMIU students and is supported by the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust, J.C. Martin III and James H. Pearl, trustees.
TAMIU launches its 2.0 tamiu.edu web site, a new responsive web experience across platforms and devices. TAMIU is the first campus in the A&M System to deploy a comprehensive responsive web design that supports its brand and attributes, strengthens audience engagement, and fully integrates social media to provide a more relevant web experience.
TAMIU representatives discuss online degrees and programs with leaders of 40 Mexican universities comprising the Asociación Nacional de Universidades e Instituciones de Educación Superior (ANUIES), a Mexican higher education consortium, at the first meeting of its kind in the United States at the Western Hemispheric Trade Center.
More than 20 individuals, all fallen alumni are recognized at the Third Annual Celebration of Life at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall. The TAMIU Choir and the Memorial Bells of First United Methodist Church offer performances. President Dr. Ray Keck and Laredo Theater Guild International president Joe Arciniega deliver remarks.
In their first national competition, the members of the TAMIU Cheerleading Squad place second in their Division at the NCA College National Championship finals in Daytona Beach, FL.
TAMIU’s Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 296 initiates 67 new members in a ceremony held in the TAMIU Student Center. James V. Cortez (’09) shares his achievements as a Phi Kappa Phi member and his plans to complete a one-year internal medicine training program in Nevada before attending a preparation for a career in diagnostic radiology.
Community service projects including planting a vegetable garden that feeds low-income families and helping students with their tax returns earns TAMIU student organization Enactus the “Regional Champions” title at the Enactus Regional Competition in Dallas.
TAMIU sophomore Mónica Martínez competes nationally and earns her place in the University of Rhode Island’s 2013 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF), a 10-week research program. She’s majoring in Biology and a member of the D.D. Hachar Honors Scholar Program.
TAMIU alum Alejandra Márquez, who completed her BA (’10), and MA in Spanish (’12) at TAMIU, is accepted into the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Ph.D. program in Latin American Literature and Culture.
Members of the TAMIU Mathematical Society bring home the prize for third place in the Calculus Bowl held during the Mathematical Association of America Texas Section 93rd Annual Meeting in Lubbock at Texas Tech University. Student Jocelyn L. Garcia, Gilberto Cárdenas, Arturo Pérez, Tawny A. Muñoz and Maria Filazolla tied for third place.
More than 40 students and their TAMIU literacy tutors are recognized for their participation in literacy tutoring at Henry Cuellar Elementary School. The Literacy Enrichment Center initiative brings TAMIU teacher candidates into Cuellar Elementary for one-on-one tutoring with “struggling readers” to build literacy skills and self-confidence.
TAMIU students will spend the summer in research internships. Eileen Martínez will attend Academic Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at Dartmouth University, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Ashley García will participate in the Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement-Undergraduate Program sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and delivered at the University of South Dakota. Biology students María Martínez and Raúl Ramos, will be part of a 10-week summer research program offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at its Center of Excellence for Zoonotic and Animal Disease Defense at Texas A&M University in College Station.
A group of nine TAMIU faculty members and students travel to East Asia to conduct research funded by the National Science Foundation. Faculty members Dr. John Kilburn, Dr. Ruby Ynalvez, and Dr. Marcus Ynalvez are joined by TAMIU students: Alvaro Sánchez, Jorge Luís Aviles, María Del Rosario Benavides, Jessica Denise Chandarlis, Selina Fuentes, and Enrique Ramírez.
TAMIU alum Andrea Beattie, who earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in political science from TAMIU in 2012 and 2011, accepts an offer to pursue joint doctoral study in public policy and social science at the prestigious Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Beattie, 23, was one of 15 candidates chosen for the program from a total of 350 applicants. Her fully funded, educational package offer is estimated at over $250,000.
More than 500 candidates for graduation participate in Spring Commencement Exercises in the Kinesiology-Convocation Building.
Gilbert “Griz” Zimmermann, director of Athletics for Lake Erie College, is named TAMIU Dustdevil Athletics Director. A native of St. Louis, Mo., he holds a Masters in Exercise Physiology and a Bachelors in Physical Education, both from the University of Michigan (UM). While at Michigan, he was member of the football team under legendary Hall of Fame Coach Bo Schembechler. His 29-year-long career has included Gannon University (Erie, PA) and Saginaw Valley State University (University Center, MI), Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and the Baylor Fitness Center in Dallas.
TAMIU establishes a new Chapter of The National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma, commissioning the Nu Psi Chapter in ceremonies at TAMIU’s Residential Learning Community.
Stephanie Hernández, magna cum laude graduate (’13) and daughter of immigrants from México and Guatemala, is one of 7,000 chosen from 58,000 applicants for a two-year teaching commitment in low-income communities under the prestigious national non-profit organization, Teach for America.
Five TAMIU ’12 and ’13 graduates launch their future on a new academic platform as they ready to attend medical schools and healthcare programs at various universities in the Fall. The graduates, all of whom earned their bachelor’s degrees in biology from TAMIU in 2012 or 2013, are Diego Mascorro, Analee Benavides, Monserrat Montesinos, Hector Ramírez and George-Thomas Pugh. Mascorro will study at the University of Texas-Pan American to become a physician assistant. Benavides and Montesinos will attend the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston respectively. Ramírez will attend medical school at the University of Texas El Paso while Pugh heads to Texas A&M University.
Six Texas A&M International University students are selected for the fourth installment of the Latino Leadership Institute at Harvard Kennedy School. They are Eduardo Castillo, Beatriz Gonzalez, Leslie Martinez, Jesus Vasquez, Karina Vidal, and Lorena Zapata. Only 42 students are chosen nationwide.
Joaquín García, a 2013 graduate, former migrant farmworker leaves his hometown of Roma, Texas, for the Dominican Republic and a 27-month long commitment with the Peace Corps to help other young people have a successful future. He first became interested in helping others after completing a Maymester study abroad aboard a ship with more than 300 other students. That experience took him to the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize.
A new master’s degree from TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences readies graduates for upper-level administration roles within the Nursing profession. The Master of Science in Nursing Administration was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and begins in the Fall at the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing.
TAMIU is ranked third in the nation among the 33 Most Popular U.S. Colleges for Hispanic Students with a reported 94% of students being of Hispanic descent.
TAMIU senior Jacqueline Verastigui is among 22 students selected to participate in 2013 National Hispana Leadership Institute, a weeklong leadership development program in Washington, D.C.
The US Department of Education releases its latest College Affordability and Transparency information and TAMIU is once again among the nation’s top lowest net-priced public, four-year or above universities. Of 65 institutions in the public, four-year or above universities category, TAMIU was 10th in the nation with a net price of $2,279 per semester. The national average is $10,863.
TAMIU’s Master of Public Administration program joins the ranks of the nation’s top public administration programs with accreditation by the prestigious Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. TAMIU is the 11th university in Texas to receive accreditation and only second in The Texas A&M University System. The effort was led by Dr. Carol Waters, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and co-director of the MPA program and Dr. Peter Haruna, associate professor of public administration and co-director of the MPA program.
TAMIU awards over $2 million to hundreds of outstanding Laredo ‘Class of 2013’ high school graduates to assist them throughout their four years of University education. Laura Elizondo, Financial Aid director, said TAMIU has awarded a total of $2,024,000 to local incoming, first time freshmen, to sustain their four years of TAMIU study.
An information session is offered to share news of a new undergraduate degree at TAMIU that enables students to forge a singular degree with diverse areas or interests. The Multi-Disciplinary Studies Degree is ideal for students whose interests are not defined by a conventional college major or minors structure, explained TAMIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Pablo Arenaz.
Things are really quite social at TAMIU with launch of “Get Social,” the University’s comprehensive guide to all social media at the University, including official and “friends of TAMIU” accounts, which feature many student clubs and organizations.
Returning TAMIU students find that their email accounts have been “turbocharged” with a service upgrade to Microsoft 365. It retains favorite Office features online while enabling creation of sophisticated reports and presentations, real-time collaborations with classmates and the sharing and editing of documents from smartphone or tablet, PC or Mac.
TAMIU receives a $241,548 Award from TG as part of its Philanthropy Program. The TG Award will fund "Cultivating the Mind: Student Success through Mentoring and Leadership," an awareness program to help students and their families acquire pre-enrollment knowledge about higher education opportunities available to them. TG is a public, nonprofit corporation promoting educational access and success.
The Chronicle of Higher Education names TAMIU among the nation’s fastest-growing public master’s institutions in its “Almanac of Higher Education 2013.” TAMIU was named fourth in the nation in recognition of its 108.6% enrollment growth. TAMIU was the only A&M campus included in the public master’s institutions category.
TAMIU is ranked in the top 5% nationally of Master’s Universities in a survey conducted by Washington Monthly Magazine for its “2013 College Rankings.” TAMIU was the only A&M campus inn the rankings Top 100.
Congressman Henry Cuéllar (’82), along with TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck, present a total of $1.5 million in federal funds to TAMIU’s Science Technology and Math Program. The National Science Foundation grants increase financial support for minority STEM students, improving teacher quality and preparation and providing teachers and students with increased opportunities for research.
TAMIU welcomes 25 new faculty members from across the nation and around the world with the start of the Fall semester.
TAMIU officials are elated that Fall enrollment at the University appears to have rebounded with a record 7,633 students in preliminary enrollment reports. That’s an increase of 4.4% over Fall’s 7,313 headcount at this same time last year and semester credit hours are also up 4%.
The musical magic and power of borders shared comes to life when the Laredo Phil opens its 34th Season with “Shared Borders,” at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall.
TAMIU is ranked by US News and World Report in its “2014 Best Colleges Rankings.” TAMIU was ranked 35 in the Top Public Schools (Regional Universities West) category of 1800 institutions surveyed.
TAMIU’s Forensics Forum team makes an impressive showing at the Lee College Kickoff Classic Tournament, earning a Third Place Sweepstakes Award. Amanda Rodríguez, who earned First Place in Novice Speaking, led the TAMIU team. Teammates Leslie Cortez placed Third and Alberto Solis placed as Fifth Speaker. Other team members were Michael Guantos and Oscar Cortez.
Mark Mathabane, author of TAMIU’s Freshman Read, “Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth’s Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa,” visits TAMIU for its “Reading the Globe” Lecture at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall at 12:30 p.m.
A new Oil & Gas Accounting Certificate Program is offered at TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business. Two experts in the oil and gas industry and an experienced banker teach the class. Leading the class is Cliffe Killam, Partner at Killam Oil Company; Donato Ramos, Jr., Partner at Law Offices of Donato D. Ramos; and Oscar Cisneros, Vice President at Texas Community Bank.
There’s a new nurse in charge. Dr. Glenda C. Walker is the new dean at TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing. Dr. Walker was most recently director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Nursing. She was previously associate dean for Clinical Affairs and Community Services for the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing, Houston, and director of nursing research, a joint appointment with UTHSC, at the Harris County Psychiatric Center.
TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business is ranked third in the nation for “Greatest Opportunity for Minority Students,” and named to the Best Business Schools West listing among the nation’s 295 most outstanding business schools by the education services company, The Princeton Review.
TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing becomes the nation’s 303rd member of a national team hoping to advance U.S. health through nursing. It joins the Texas Team of the Campaign for Action, a strategic alliance focused on achieving the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing recommendations. The Institute maintains nurses’ roles need to change to better meet the needs of an aging and increasingly diverse population in a highly complex, constantly evolving health system.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recognizes TAMI’s Chapter 296 of Phi Kappa Phi as a Chapter of Excellence; the highest commendation a chapter can receive.
Based on its 2012-2013 performance, TAMIU leads all Texas A&M University System regional campuses with a 74% persistence rate. “Persistence” refers to the number of first-year students who return for a second year of studies. Those that do so increase the likelihood of timely undergraduate degree completion exponentially.
The 9th Annual AutMus Fest, hosted by the TAMIU Alumni Association features former Journey lead vocalist Steve Augeri, Chris Perez Project, Ruido Anejo featuring Pete Astudillo, Destroyer, a KISS Tribute Band, and The Heroine. Also performing are the winners of the “AutMus Got Talent” competition: Stella Lost, Mud River, The Shakedown, DJ Ezco, and Jay D.
A new $20,000 scholarship gift to TAMIU helps fund the higher education dreams of Mexicans living abroad and attending TAMIU. Miguel Angel Isidro Rodríguez, the Consulate General of Mexico-Laredo, and TAMIU administrators enter into a Memorandum of Understanding providing for the scholarships funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Institute for Mexicans Abroad with assistance from WTD Geosciences Services, Inc. Students receiving the scholarships are Jesús Saldaña Marin, María F. González, Tania Juan Y Seva and Diana Saiden Nuñez. Back row, left to right are Pedro Chapa.
Evan Smith, editor-in-chief and CEO for The Texas Tribune, presents “Evolution and Revolution: Politics and the Media in 2013” at the first installment of the A. R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Affordable Colleges Online names TAMIU ninth among the “Most Affordable Online Colleges in Texas.” It focuses specifically on distance learning options from public and private non-profit institutions with full accreditation.
To better provide for flexible scheduling to meet the needs of TAMIU student, TAMIUI readies “dynamic scheduling” for use in the Spring Semester. This can compress and shorten some undergraduate and graduate courses for specific programs.
75 TAMIU students give poster and scholarly presentations at the 11th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium at Texas A&M University – Kingsville. Of those presenting, 16 are from the TAMIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Three graduate students: Elsa Morales, Amaechi Okori, and Araceli Flores presented their research: “A Review of the Effectiveness Between Two Contraceptive Methods: Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic,” receiving second place in the graduate poster presentation category.
Four members of TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business received awards from the American Society for Competitiveness and International Society of Competiveness Conference held in Pittsburgh, Penn. Recognized were Dr. Ananda Mukherji, professor of management, Dr. Jyotsna Mukherji, associate professor of marketing, Dr. Pedro Hurtado, associate professor of management and Dr. Kamal Dean Parhizgar, professor of management, division of International Business and Technology Studies.
Over 650 candidates for graduation participate in Fall Commencement Exercises in the Kinesiology-Convocation Building. The graduating class includes students from 13 countries.
A new book by TAMIU assistant professor Dr. Mark Menaldo challenges current perceptions about what motivates leaders. His “Leadership and Transformative Ambition in International Relations,” (New Horizons in Leadership Studies) is also in print in the United Kingdom.
The TAMIU 2013 President’s Report is offered online, offering readers a fully digital experience on their computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. In 2012, the University moved to digital distribution of the Report in 2012 in order to more broadly distribute its story.
15 TAMIU students and University guides travel 9,200 miles to South Africa as part of the University’s “Reading the Globe” Program following their study of author Mark Mathabane’s bestseller, “Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth’s Coming of Age in Apartheid in South Africa.”
TAMIU students score the University high on a survey tracking the University’s level of academic challenge, learning with peers, experiences with faculty, and campus environment. They scored TAMIU higher than peer institutions and national average responses on the 2013 National Survey of Student Engagement.
TAMIU joins a new consortia partnership for Texas, Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP): Excellence for Everyone as a Nation Goes to College. In addition to TAMIU, the LEAP Texas coalition includes over 60 institutions of higher education in Texas.
Two TAMIU alums are named to a select group: recipients of the “Gen TX Top 10 Most Inspiring Teachers of 2013 Award. Jessica Escamilla,’01 and Grizelda Dozal, ’10, ’13, are both teachers at United South High School. Gen TX is a statewide, grassroots movement focused on creating a culture of college and career education.
The Literacy Enrichment Center a shared project between the College of Education and Henry Cuellar Elementary School, is recognized by Quest for Quality: Teacher Preparation in Texas Initiative. Sponsored by the Center for Research, Evaluation & Advancement of Teacher Education, the Laredo project is featured at the CREATE 2013 Research Conference and the Quest for Quality website.
The TAMIU Alumni Association members present President Dr. Ray Keck with a check for $10,000 in support of student scholarships. The monies were raised at the Association’s annual AutMus Music Festival on the TAMIU grounds.
Three TAMIU College of Education faculty members present their research at the 12th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education. Faculty presenting are Dr. Randel Brown, associate professor and chair, department of professional programs; Dr. Diana Linn, associate professor and chair of the department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, and Dr. Won G. Kim, assistant professor, department of Curriculum and Pedagogy.
Dr. Randel Brown, TAMIU associate professor of education, joins TAMIU College of Education students as they “Go Polar” for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Students and team members include Marla Alanis, Celina Benavides, Nydia Benavides, José Castillo, Fernanda Chavez, Sandra Domínquez, Leonel Garza, Carolina Gomez, José González, Wayo González, Briana Gutíerrez, Marlene Gutíerrez, Paola Herrera, Trevor Liddle, Dallas Lopez, Marleen Mar, Carlos Mar, Nora Patricia Ruiz, Yahaira Salazar-Maldonado, Priscilla Salazar, Robert Stockett and Elizabeth Soto.
TAMIU employees have wellness on their collective mind with a new Employee Health and Wellness Program dubbed “HealthyU.” The program seeks to educate, empower and support TAMIU employees in elevating campus health and wellness, said Jessica Palacios, TAMIU associate director of Human Resources and program Committee chair.
Author and former Navy SEAL officer Eric Greitens presents the 2014 A. R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Art “Powered by TAMIU” Art Alumni is featured in a historic TAMIU Art Alumni Show featuring 12 former art students at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Gallery. Artists include Teresita de la Torre (’12), Bernardo Diaz (07), Erika Ordoñez (‘07), Sylvia De León (’12), Francesca Forno (’10) and Armela Mariano (’09).
TAMIU’s Dr. Bernice Sanchez-Perez, College of Education assistant professor, presents her research entitled "Action Research: How Critical Reading and Writing Shapes the Thinking of Millennial Generation Pre-Service Teachers," at Harvard University’s 21st Century Academic Forum Conference.
North Dakota native and TAMIU graduate Rafael Contreras, recites poems and lyrics from his book Lyrics of Poems: A Collection of Lyrics, Poems, and Prose, at the TAMIU Bookstore.
TAMIU Spring 2014 enrollment grows at a healthy pace, with 6,833 students attending, a 3.15% increase over last Spring’s 6,624 headcount. Semester credit hours are up 4.26% from 66,782 to 69,163.
TAMIU students participate in the Sixth annual “The Big Event,” benefiting the South Texas Food Bank. Over 150 students help the Bank organize three trailer loads of food, complete maintenance to the facility and storage facilities, create distribution packages for needy families and assist with their distribution.
TAMIU cello student Osvaldo Ibarra is named the winner of the Fifth Annual Laredo Concerto Competition. Ibarra played the Schumann Cello Concerto in A Minor for the competition. He will perform as a soloist with the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra at its April concert.
The TAMIU Theatre Production class led by Dr. Gilberto Martinez, performs Reginald Rose’s “Twelve Angry Jurors” in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Theatre.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (‘82) addresses area middle and high school students participating in a four-day Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Alliance event at TAMIU. He is joined by TAMIU Provost Dr. Pablo Arenaz and an astronaut from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – all helping to encourage participating students to consider a career in a STEM field.
A student referendum-approved expansion of the TAMIU Student Center “bridges” new space and study opportunities with a 7,400 square foot computer lounge, complete with group creative and workspaces in an open concept layout. Part of a student referendum passed in Spring 2012, it also includes increased seating in Dusty’s Diner, a relocation of the student game room to the first floor with a separate entrance and the enclosure of an existing patio to allow for open air or shaded events.
Laredo-born author of The Border is Burning, Dr. Refugio “Ito” Romo, is featured lecturer at TAMIU’s “Voices in the Monte” Writers Series. Romo is an associate professor of English and Communication Studies at St. Mary’s University, where he teaches Composition, Creative Writing, Mexican-American Literature, and Multi-Cultural Literature.
The mystery of Black Holes, Dark Matter, and Dark Energy through the Eyes of Texas is explored by guest lecturer Dr. Karl Gebhardt at TAMIU’s Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center. The lecture is made possible with funding support provided by Laredoan Guillermo Benavides Z., a board member of the McDonald Observatory.
The TAMIU Forensics Forum brings home 12 awards including multiple speaker awards at the 2014 Gulf Coast Tournament, advancing to national competition. Team members are Ruben Garza, Tracy Talavera, Albert Soliz, Amanda Rodriguez, Leslie Cortez, and Michael Guantos.
TAMIU hosts the 13th Annual 2014 Region 6-Texas Chapter of the National Association of Multicultural Education Conference at the TAMIU Student Center. The Conference theme is “Border Crossings: ReVisioning Multicultural Education.” Dr. Diana Linn of the TAMIU College of education is President-elect of the Texas chapter, TXNAME.
Students gave top-notch ratings to the TAMIU Criminal Justice graduate program in GraduatePrograms.com rankings of top criminal justice schools and programs. The program ranked 5th for its online program and 19 overall. TAMIU was the only university in the state to rate in the top 10 of online programs.
TAMIU partner the Laredo Philharmonic is selected by the League of American Orchestras as the recipient of a First Place ASCAP Award for Programming of Contemporary Music for Group 7-8 Orchestras. Music director and conductor Brendan Townsend is a TAMIU faculty member.
TAMIU’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services is named the recipient of six awards in a national competition, the 29th Annual Educational Advertising Awards, sponsored by Higher Education Marketing Report, and a Texas Gold Addy Award. The Awards were for the University’s “Powered by TAMIU” campaign.
The Disney movie, “WALL-E” is among featured presentations at TAMIU’s Ninth Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium Anniversary Celebration. Also part of the fun: food, music, crafts, face paintings, and presentations by local dance teams.
In only their second national competition, members of the TAMIU Cheerleading Squad placed first in their Division at the NCA College National Championship finals, All Girl Intermediate II in Daytona Beach, FL.
Teach for America welcomes student Oscar Cortez into its prestigious education program. Cortez, a May TAMIU graduate, joins the selected few to work towards enhancing the academic careers of children nationwide. TFA has worked with over 3 million students across the country, providing them the tools necessary to ensure children in low-income communities have the opportunities to succeed in the classroom.
A Referendum funding TAMIU Athletics passes 54% to 46% in an online student vote. The Referendum focuses on funding the University’s Dustdevil Athletics program. Student Government Association members noted that winning Dustdevil Athletics teams elevate the University’s profile and help secure its place among the State’s top universities.
Maria Del Rosario Benavides, a TAMIU sociology graduate student, is one of three US researchers presenting papers at the International Conference on Global STS: Exploring Translational Dimensions on Science, Technology and Society at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
TAMIU Forensics Forum Member Amanda Rodríguez, a junior political science member, registers a historic, national title: 1st Place among 127 college student debaters nationwide at the International Public Debate Association National Tournament. Joining Rodriguez were team members Alberto Solis, Michael Guantos, Oscar Cortez, Leslie Cortez and Ruben Garza.
TAMIU announces the coming Fall launch of an innovative, University-level academy on its campus for highly gifted and motivated high school juniors and seniors focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and International Studies. Enabled by legislation authored by State Senator Judith Zaffirini and approved by the 79th Texas Legislature in 2005, The Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies provides academically motivated high school juniors and seniors with a challenging University-level curriculum.
For the second year, the impressive artistry and powerful physicality of contemporary dance is on display at TAMIU as the Dallas Black Dance Theatre returns to TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts' Theatre. The performance is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts, TAMIU Housing and Residence Life, Guillermo Benavides Z and the National Endowment for the Arts.
More than 580 candidates for graduation participate in Spring Commencement in the Kinesiology and Convocation Building. Texas A&M University System Regent Charles Schwartz is Commencement Speaker for the 2014 graduating class.
A proud tradition continues as TAMIU Athletics shows its support for TAMIU student veterans by raising $1,115 for the TAMIU Student Veterans Association through the TAMIU Baseball and Softball Military Appreciation fundraiser. It’s the fourth year that TAMIU baseball and softball hold a fundraiser for a military or veterans organization.
TAMIU students share their summer travels and study in Italy, London, Madrid, Belgium and Germany, Greece, Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Thailand, Malaysia, China, and Laos – as they travel – on social media. All are participants in the TAMIU Office Student Affairs International Engagement programs.
Two beloved members of the TAMIU faculty with a combined 40 years of service are feted at a retirement reception in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library’s Helen Richter Watson Gallery. Dr. Bonnie Rudolph, College of Arts and Sciences professor and director of the Psychology Program, first came to TAMIU in 2001. Dr. Miroslava Vargas, College of Education associate professor, joined the University in 1993 and has been at the forefront of its bilingual education program.
A record eight TAMIU May graduates are accepted to attend various medical schools and physician assistant programs. All earned bachelor’s degrees in biology. The graduates are Alfredo Cepeda, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)-Galveston; Karen de la Garza, UTMB-Galveston; Armando Elizondo, UTMB-Galveston; Ricardo Pedraza, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio; Luz Rodríguez, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; Alvaro Sánchez, UTMB-Galveston; Melissa Saucedo; Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and May Christine Tumonong, University of Texas-Pan American Physician Assistant Department.
A select group of 36 students from across the nation travel to TAMIU for the Harvard Kennedy School’s Latino Leadership Initiative, hosted by TAMIU. Launched in 2010, the LLI is sponsored by the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. The weeklong program prepares rising college seniors for the opportunities and challenges they will face in the coming decades.
A Memorial celebrating the life of 30-year faculty member, Professor Emeritus Dr. Rafael A. Lecuona, is held in the Student Center Ballroom. Family, community members, friends and former students attend and initiate the Dr. Rafael A. Lecuona Memorial Scholarship. One of the University’s founding faculty in 1970, he held numerous roles, was a prolific author and researcher and a former three-time Olympic gymnast for Cuba. He is survived by wife, Diana Lecuona; sons, Mark R. Lecuona and Miguel R. (Barbara) Lecuona; and their mother, Joan Hagle Gates; grandchildren, Price Lecuona and Wren Lecuona; stepchildren, Monica (David) Jeffery; Jacqueline (Joseph) Dennington; step-grandchildren, Brittany Meloy, Katherine and Jennifer Dennington; and by his brother, Fernando (Linda) Lecuona and numerous nieces and nephews.
The State Board for Educator Certification notifies TAMIU’s College of Education of its full accreditation based on students’ scores on 2012-2013 performance tests. In order to meet and exceed testing mandates, the College of Ed implemented sweeping changes, developing, revising, and reinstituting policies and procedures.
Students continue to rate TAMIU graduate programs in the top 10 on GraduatePrograms.com. The University ranked No. 3 in “Top Mathematics Programs for Financial Aid” with a score of 9.645 out of 10 and No. 2 in “Top Mathematics Programs for Career Support” with a score of 9.700 out of 10. The website is a non-profit entity providing helpful information to graduate students through peer-written ratings and reviews.
TAMIU announces that in the Fall, undergraduate students will be able to lock in the cost of their higher education with fixed tuition and fees. The Fixed Tuition and Fee Plan was mandated by the Regents of The Texas A&M University System earlier this year and affords students and parents a distinct advantage: cost containment.
TAMIU partner, the Laredo Theatre Guild International, opens “My Fair Lady,” long considered the “greatest musical of all time,” at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theater. An Ascot Gala premiere is featured.
TAMIU students and recent graduates share the research they have conducted using state of the art technology at TAMIU. Among those showcasing their research engagement are Ignacio R. Alaniz III (TAMIU ’14); Sophia Quiñones, biology major; Juan José García, biology major; Laura A. De Llano, biology graduate student; Kassandra Compeán, biology graduate student; Patrick J. Palacios, biology graduate student; Amanda Michelle Garza (TAMIU ’14); Ricardo Pedraza (TAMIU ’14); and Álvaro Sanchez (TAMIU ’14).
According to figures released by the College Affordability and Transparency Center, a project of the U.S. Department of Education, TAMIU is sixth in the nation for lowest net price among public four-year universities. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time beginning students. At TAMIU, the net price for the Report was $1,195. The national average exceeded $11,000.
A total of 16 freshmen majoring in music at TAMIU earn the University’s Music Scholarship based on their auditions and high school band accomplishments. They include: Kevin González, United High School; Enrique Gloria, Nixon High School; Juan Vallejo, United High School; José Aguilar, Martin High School; and Jesús Inguanzo, Martin High School. Also, Alejandra Olivares, United South High School; Regina Rodríguez, United South High School; Javier Andrade, United South High School, and Aaron Hinojosa, Martin High School.
Five TAMIU pre-dental program graduates have something to smile about: they’ve been accepted to dental schools in San Antonio and Houston. The graduates and their respective dental schools include Selina Fuentes, University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC)-San Antonio Dental School; Enrique Ramírez, UTHSC-San Antonio Dental School; Joseph Farías, UTHSC-Houston; Jessica Sosa, UTHSC-Houston; and Abiel Saldívar, UTHSC-Houston.
Students at TAMIU keep coming back…and that’s a really good thing according to those who study student retention rates. At TAMIU, the retention rate for students remaining in higher education is almost 87% (86.50%), among the highest of The Texas A&M University System’s regional campuses.
Four TAMIU graduates will start law school in the Fall. TAMIU graduates accepted to law school this Fall and their respective schools include Raquel Muñiz, Penn State University Dickinson School of Law; Carla Solís, Denver University Sturm College of Law; Leslie Ann Cortez, St. Mary’s University School of Law, and Triana González, Texas Tech University School of Law.
Students returning to TAMIU in the fall have an expanded student experience with three new programs enhancing TAMIU’s learning environment and on-campus safety. Haven offers online training on critical issues related to Title IX; Green Dot is a bystander intervention program focused on reducing violence, and Safe Zone is a creative workshop enhancing awareness of LGBTQ communities.
TAMIU and Texas A&M University-Kingsville sign an articulation agreement facilitating the transfer of TAMIU’s pre-engineering students to TAMUK’s Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering.
Students at TAMIU create top-level research at the undergraduate level. Mary Lisa McKinnon, a senior sociology major, participates in a month-long Fellowship with the Population Association of America and Stephanie Diaz’ (TAMIU ’13, BSCJ) honors thesis is accepted for publication by The Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice.
Law enforcement is better able to identify and rescue victims of domestic trafficking because of research conducted by a TAMIU faculty member and two TAMIU students. Dr. Claudia San Miguel, associate professor of Criminal Justice was joined by María Del Rosario Benavides, graduate student, sociology, and Andrea Almendarez, undergraduate sociology student. The three spent 10 weeks in Tucson, Ariz., on a summer research fellowship from the Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence to study human trafficking in the U.S. with a particular focus on minors.
There’s a cloud forming over the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, forecasting reined-in savings and a silver lining of streamlined services for Library operations and users. The Killam Library transitions to a Cloud-based Integrated Library System, becoming the first In Laredo to do so and only the second Texas A&M University System campus to be at the forefront of fast-developing library digital service standards.
The Chronicle of Higher Education once again names TAMIU among the nation’s fastest-growing public master’s institutions in its “Almanac of Higher Education 2014.” TAMIU was ranked eighth in the nation in recognition of its 93.7% enrollment growth. TAMIU was the only Texas A&M University System campus included in the Public Master’s Institutions category and only the second Texas institution recognized in the Top 20.
As the Fall semester begins, TAMIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs introduces 34 new faculty members.
Students selected to attend the Model United Nations Society of South Texas (MUNSST) host a fundraising 5K to help fund their planned March trip. 2015 team includes Esther Cavazos, head delegate and president and fellow students Barbara Montoya, Jorge Rullan, Selene Cuevas, Karen Vallejo, Norma Nuñez, Jihan Kuri, Hector González Cantú, Martha Chapa, and Annie Lara.
TAMIU College of Education students receive a special Outstanding Service Award from Special Olympics of Texas (SOTX) for their fundraising skills at the SOTX Polar Plunge and consistent service awards received over the past three years. Students and sponsor Dr. Randel Brown, TAMIU Special Education and Communication Disorders program faculty member, will be recognized at a special Banquet in College Station in October.
The future for math teachers is brighter with the selection of 10 TAMIU students to receive the educator-focused Robert Noyce Mathematics Scholarship funded by a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation. TAMIU junior and senior students selected include Dalila Castillo, Rochelle Martínez, Kimberly García, Genaro Villalobos, Esperanza Lara, Luisa Moreno, Gamaliel Fernández, Zuhey Rocha, Julian Flores, and Aime Ramírez.
The Laredo Asian Association donates $17,000 for scholarships for TAMIU students. Since 2009, the Association has hosted Asian Night and its proceeds provide scholarship funds for TAMIU students, totaling $75,000 to date.
This Fall at TAMIU 522 students enroll in service-learning experiences providing them with real-world opportunities to apply academic content. Service-learning is a value-added experience for TAMIU students, providing a rich and relevant learning outcome and tangible community benefits.
TAMIU moves up in rankings just published by U.S. News and World Report in its “2015 Best Colleges Rankings.” TAMIU is ranked No. 20 in Top Public Schools Regional Universities, West, up from last year’s ranking of 35. Approximately 1,800 universities were surveyed.
TAMIU’s Chapter 296 of Phi Kappa Phi, the national all discipline honor society for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, is awarded the Chapter of Merit Award, presented to TAMIU Chapter president and TAMIU associate professor Dr. James A. Norris at the Biennial National Convention in St. Louis, Mo.
Stripes Convenience Stores provides a generous new scholarship for TAMIU students. Stripes donated $21,000 to support 2014-2015 scholarships. Student beneficiaries are: Brianna Brumfield, Jessica Bustamante, Manuel Barrera, Mónica Vallarta, Emily Lerma, Alejandra J. Gloria, Kazandra Aleman and Patricia Benavides. Also, Anthony Stahl, Nicole de Leon, Abelardo Abrego, Alejandro Hinojosa, Andre Langcauon, José Mendoza, Jessica Vasquez, Jennifer Alejandro, Malika Jackson, Edwin García and Karena Ramírez.
Higher education opportunities for minority students at TAMIU and Laredo Community College brighten with the announcement of the awarding of federal grants totaling over $3.4 million by Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82). The grants are focused on helping minority students succeed in Science, Tech, Engineering and Mathematics Careers.
Sister Helen Prejean, author, death penalty abolitionist and human rights advocate is the featured speaker at the A. R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business maintains its business accreditation by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). AACSB Accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education, and is earned by less than five percent of the world's business programs. There are 716 business schools in 48 countries and territories that maintain AACSB Accreditation.
TAMIU rocks once more with the presentation of the TAMIU Alumni Association’s 10thAnnual AutMus Fest scholarship fundraiser. Musical acts include Elitekore with Aaron Campos and DJ Ezco, Immortal Guardian, Hysteria, 3BALLMTY and AB Quintanilla’s Kumbia King All Starz. Also, DB3, Two Lions, Joy and Regulations, Stitched Up Heart and a Latin Comedy Jam Comedian.
TAMIU’s Fall 2014 enrollment is up almost 2%, and Semester Credit Hours are up well over 4.5%. Fall 2014 enrollment is 7,568 compared to Fall 2013’s 7,431. The growth also includes a freshman class that is the largest to date with 904 students.
An innovative collaboration between legendary Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Guadalajara and TAMIU paves the way for a first-ever Artist in Residence Program and an array of mariachi music learning and outreach activities at TAMIU. It is launched with an historic Memorandum of Understanding signing with Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán.
The TAMIU common reading program, “Reading the Globe,” welcomes featured author, Jasmina Dervisevic-Cesic in lecture at the University. She is the author of “The River Runs Salt, Runs Sweet—A Young Woman’s Story of Love, Loss and Survival.” It examines genocide in Bosnia.
TAMIU professors publish a study identifying conditions under which governments voluntarily agree to limit their own powers for greater levels of international accountability in the form of supranational courts such as the International Criminal Court. The study is authored by Dr. Simon Zschirnt, assistant professor, political science, and Dr. Mark Menaldo, assistant professor and appears in the fall issue of the International Journal of Transitional Justice.
A TAMIU undergraduate and recent TAMIU graduate were selected out of hundreds of applicants from across the country to serve as Project Pengyou Leadership Fellows in the Fall of 2014. Leslie D. Martínez and Jorge Dimas (’13) were named Leadership Fellows and traveled to Cambridge, MA for a US-China Leadership Training Summit at Harvard University.
TAMIU is named by BestColleges.com to its Top 50 Colleges for Hispanic Students, in a nationwide study. TAMIU was listed as Number 41 among the 50 Colleges included.
TAMIU achieves a milestone by offering 50 Quality Matters-certified online courses. Quality Matters (QM) is a faculty-centered, peer review process that is designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses. QM is a nationally-recognized leader in quality assurance for online education and student learning.
TAMIU Organist and assistant professor of music Dr. Colin A. Campbell presents of the silent film classic “The Haunted Castle” – accompanied by live music on the Sharkey Corrigan Pipe Organ at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall.
A select group of TAMIU students participate in a special leadership communication seminar, “The Language of Leadership,” led by one of the State’s top communicators…Texas Senator Dr. Judith Zaffirini.
TAMIU celebrates junior and senior students with a week-long event, “Finish Strong @ TAMIU,” focused on undergraduate degree completion. Daily events including mixers, dedicated information fairs and special presentations from all Colleges and Schools across campus. All help address the students’ approaching shift into their major area of study, along with new opportunities for internships, research and study abroad.
TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing honors partners that make its graduates’ growing legacy possible with a special reception in Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall. Dean Dr. Glenda Walker says, “we wanted to pause and celebrate our donors, partners and collaborators who make our legacy of caring possible.”
The long cherished dream of a Master’s degree in Communication becomes a reality at TAMIU with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s approval of the program’s launch in January 2015. The MA in Communication is a 30 semester credit hour program with thesis and non-thesis options.
International education, cultural awareness and diversity are the the focus of International Education Week at TAMIU. Activities include a colorful Flag Walk featuring flags of all countries represented by the TAMIU student body, a Global Talk on world issues, celebration of Diwali Festival of Lights, a grand opening of TAMIU’s Meditation Room, a photo exhibit, and a cultural festival featuring various TAMIU student organizations.
TAMIU is ranked the State’s 9th Most Affordable Online College by Affordable Colleges Online in its research of not-for-profit Texas universities and colleges that offer online programs.
An historic performance series of “The Nutcracker” comes to the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. It is choreographed and directed by founder of Mejia Ballet International, Paul Mejia. In addition to the professional cast members, the cast includes 51 local dancers and the iconic score performed by the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Three TAMIU A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business faculty members earned second place in “Best Research Paper Awards – Center of Outstanding Research” for work presented to leading experts in global business and economics at the annual conference of the International Academy of Business and Economics in Las Vegas recently. The TAMIU researchers are Dr. Kamal D. Parhizgar, Dr. George R. Clarke, and Dr. Rolando Peña-Sánchez.
Over 530 TAMIU candidates for graduation will participate in Fall Commencement Exercises in the Kinesiology-Convocation Building. Commencement speaker for all three exercises will be Webb County Judge-Elect Tano Tijerina, (’02).
For the first time, TAMIU is named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll which recognizes the important role universities play in solving community problems through meaningful and measurable student civic engagement in the community. Since 2010, over 1,300 TAMIU students have contributed over 56,000 service hours, with a monetary impact of over $1.2 million.
TAMIU benefits from a $28,000 gift supporting student scholarships from the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior Becas Program. Students receiving the scholarships are Yadira Ramírez Ramírez, María Martinez González, Verónica Hernández, Kevin García, Rodman A. García, and Tania Juan y Seva.
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82) ushered in an early Christmas for South Texas healthcare providers and advocates alike during a special ceremonial check presentation at First United Methodist Church. The $10 M check delivered by Cong. Cuellar to Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) marked the official launch of a collaborative project supported by an unprecedented federal investment by The Social Innovation Fund. TAMIU is a research and teaching partner in the project.
TAMIU lives up to its name with a new branding program that clearly identifies TAMIU as “The International U.” The branding program strategically elevates and defines the University’s international identity, nature and mission with a new brand and icon reflecting this. “The brand’s unifying theme is a proud evocation of our mission, role and scope. Our campus is international and the education we provide is global. Our 7,500+ students come from 30+ countries and our gifted faculty is likewise drawn from around the world,” observed TAMIU director of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services, Steve Harmon.
TAMIU names Rosanne Palacios as its Vice President for Institutional Advancement. A seasoned development professional with over 25 years of experience in fundraising and marketing ranging from the private, non-profit and public sector and spanning a broad range of diverse communities and philanthropic initiatives, her appointment is approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
TAMIU’s new MA in Communication begins accepting its first student applications. The program is ideal for current public and private sector communication professionals including working journalists and public relations practitioners, those currently working in organizational or governmental communication and individuals in intercultural outreach, leadership and political communication. Those holding undergraduate degrees in the social sciences or humanities are especially encouraged to consider the program.
The University’s “Reading the Globe” program readies a select group of 15 students for the study-travel opportunity of lifetime with a trip to Eastern Europe. The program enters its eighth year of offer. Students selected for the program include Javier Alonso, Sergio Barragán, Catia Carmona, Luís Díaz, Yesenia Garner, Alejandra Guajardo, Andres Marcos, Jazmín Ornelas, Reyna Ortiz, Julian Quesada, Angelica Salinas, Leslie Sánchez, Ruth Solis, Nadia Tabbara and Daisie Urdiales.
Loretta Swit, renowned for her funny and thoughtful role in the long-running hit TV series, M*A*S* H, presents an educational and theatrical performance as Eleanor Roosevelt as part of TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series 2014-2015.
TAMIU faculty authors publish three new books. Dr. Roberto Heredia, TAMIU professor of psychology and Dr. Anna Cieślicka, TAMIU associate professor of psychology, launched Bilingual Figurative Language Processing,(Cambridge University Press). Regents Professor and director of English and Spanish Programs, Dr. Manuel Broncano, authors Religion in Cormac McCarthy’s Fiction: Apocryphal Borderlands. Public Administration Training in Africa: Competencies in Development Management,” was authored by Dr. Peter Haruna, TAMIU professor of public administration.
TAMIU students participate in their first-ever Consent Week, part of the University’s efforts to continue raising about Title IX, on and off-campus resources, and the importance of reporting incidents of sexual assault and sexual violence.
Dr. Catheryn Weitman, TAMIU College of Education Dean, is selected to join an elite network of more than 6,000 women as a member of the Leadership Texas Class of 2015.
Artist Christina Coleman’s work is featured in the exhibit “A Spatial Continuum in Black” in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Gallery.
The Governor of Tamaulipas, México, Egidio Torre Cantú joins TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, in signing a Memorandum of Agreement. The Agreement makes possible faculty and student exchanges and collaboration/research activities with universities throughout the state of Tamaulipas.
AVA Digital Awards names TAMIU among top winners in its 2015 international awards competition. The Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services was named 2015 Platinum Winner in the Commercials/Ad Campaign category for its “The International U” TV video campaign produced with MDR (Morehead Dotts Rybak); 2015 Gold Winner in the Creativity (Web Design)/Website category for the University’s website, tamiu.edu, and Honorable Mention in the Social Media Site/Facebook category for its TAMIU Facebook site.
In College Station, The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents names TAMIU professor and director of English-Spanish programs Dr. Manuel Broncano-Rodríguez a 2013-2014 Regents Professor.
NASA astronaut Dr. Serena M. Auñón is keynote speaker at the 2015 TAMIU Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Alliance for area middle and high school students. The four-day event co-hosts are Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82) and TAMIU.
TAMIU Hosts its first “Discover TAMIU,” a Dustdevil Open House to all things TAMIU, with over 100 distinct experience opportunities for all ages. Focused on excitement and discovery, it shows TAMIU’s role as a portal to brighter futures and limitless possibilities.
TAMIU is ranked fourth among the “Top 100 Best Bang for the Buck” rankings of Southern Universities, according to Washington Monthly Magazine’s publication The Other College Guide: A Roadmap for the Right School for You.
Student enrollment for Spring 2015 at TAMIU grows at a healthy pace -- with 6884 students attending, there’s a 14.6 % increase over the previous Spring. Semester credit hours, upon which State funding is calculated, are up 11 % from 63,708 to 70,686.
TAMIU’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services scores again with 11 new awards recognizing achievement in educational advertising and marketing. It also received seven awards from the National 30th Annual Educational Advertising Awards and four American Advertising Awards from the American Advertising Federation.
Just before TAMIU students head off to Spring Break, some are taking a special “plunge.” Over 120 TAMIU students participate in the Special Olympics Texas benefit Polar Plunge at the Inner City Pool, raising over $3000 and earning three trophies.
TAMIU selects Dr. Guillermo Cruz Domínguez Vargas, a petroleum engineer, government official and academic to develop its emerging engineering programs.
Dr. Rohitha Goonatilake, TAMIU mathematics professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics, is inducted into the Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators at the Chancellor’s Century Council annual meeting.
TAMIU pauses to gather as a community to remember fallen alumni, students, faculty and staff at the fifth annual “Celebration of Life” memorial observation in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
The University’s first ever Artists in Residence, the Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Guadalajara, offer the three-day International Mariachi Workshop for students from across Texas, culminating with a public concert and scholarship fundraiser, "México, Voz Que Canta," at the Laredo Civic Center.
TAMIU enters into an historic accord with the Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan to facilitate student and faculty research and study collaborations in Azerbaijan, largest country of the South Caucasus region by the Caspian Sea.
Author Jan Jarboe Russell shares an insightful lecture on her “The Train to Crystal City” at the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library’s Helen Richter Watson Art Gallery. She details the dramatic and true story of a secret FDR-approved American internment camp in Crystal City, TX during World War II, where thousands of families—many US citizens—were incarcerated.
Experts in business share their knowledge at the 19th Annual Western Hemispheric Trade Conference at TAMIU, hosted by the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade. Dr. Diana Villiers Negroponte, Public Policy Scholar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., presents “Opportunities and Challenges for México Today.”
TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Dean Dr. Steve Sears shows he’s proud of the School’s students and enthusiastic about ways to advance their School experience...in a really “Pig” way. For all to see on the Student Center patio, he kisses a pig as part of a student-led fundraiser supporting student field and out of town trips.
Laredo and TAMIU celebrate an innovative collaboration with the dedication of the new TAMIU KLRN Studio, a digital learning laboratory on the second floor of Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall. The Studio enables expanded learning opportunities for the University’s Communication program, an opportunity to work collaboratively with KLRN Public Television of South Texas and a previously unavailable uplink capacity.
A new chapter in Texas higher education is co-authored by TAMIU and the Freer Independent School District as they announced the Fall launch of an Early College High School for Freer High School students at TAMIU.
The Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a day of family friendly activities including food, face painting, fun and crafts for children and featured showings of “The Accidental Astronauts: An Earth Sun Moon Adventure” and “Cosmic Adventures.”
TAMIU student groups earn top places for combining classroom learning with community service at the annual TAMIU Service Learning Expo. Some 240 students competed, showcasing knowledge gained from their classes and research skills to partner with and assist various community-based projects.
An information session for the new Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offered by TAMIU’s College of Education is held.
17 students in TAMIU’s Systems Engineering classes participate in the 2015 NASA Robotic Mining Competition at the Kennedy Space Center The team creates ‘DustyTRON’ as their Martian mining robot entry. Robotics Team members include Daniel Alfaro, Andres Aranguren, Brandon Charlton, Homero De La Cruz, Javier Delgado, Tomas Duarte, Gabriel Flores, Edgar Garza, José Guajardo, Dagoberto Melero, Salvador Mendez, Esteban Otero, Gustavo Pérez, Patricio Rodríguez, Alejandro Torres, Roberto Torres and Jesús Vázquez. They are advised by Dr. Tariq Tashtoush, visiting assistant professor of engineering.
Los Tres Reyes, considered the last of the great trios of the golden age of Mexican boleros, present a scholarship benefit concert in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. Gilberto Puente, Raúl Puente and Bebo Cardenas perform to rapturous applause.
TAMIU recognizes students, programs, faculty advisors and administrators for their contributions of leadership, service and time at the University’s 4th Annual Emerging Leaders Celebration and 20th Annual University Life Awards. The Emerging Leaders Celebration marks the successful completion of TAMIU leadership programs hosted around the University.
Trustees from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust announce a generous grant totaling $300,000 to enable the expansion of TAMIU Literacy Enrichment Center program to three additional partner schools in both Laredo and United Independent School Districts aside from those already existing at Henry Cuéllar Elementary School and Honoré Ligarde Elementary School.
Dr. Michael Kidd, TAMIU assistant professor of Biology, is named the 2014-15 University Honors Faculty Member of the Year.
TAMIU President Ray Keck says reaction to the University’s Fixed Tuition and Fee Plan has been overwhelmingly positive. “Parents realize that this provides a distinct advantage: cost containment in a time when so many costs are unpredictable. With the Plan we can guarantee that all tuition and mandatory fees are locked for the course of their enrollment and timely completion of their undergraduate degree,” Dr. Keck explained.
TAMIU is ranked 5th in Texas and is one of only 10 Texas schools on Money Magazine’s list of “736 Schools that Provide the Best Value for Your Tuition Dollar.”
TAMIU is ranked No. 1 in the nation among the “Top 10 Colleges with the Highest Hispanic Enrollment” according to U.S. News and World Report. TAMIU also topped the list of 10 schools with the highest percentage of Hispanic students enrolled in Fall 2013.
TAMIU graduate nursing students and their professor present nursing research at an international conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Assistant professor and coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program for TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing, Dr. Marivic Torregosa, joined graduate nursing students Claudia Carolina Beltran, Crystal Botello, Jesse Coe, Amy Lorraine Guerra, Juan Lira and Victor Ramos in presenting research at the 26th International Nursing Research Congress. TAMIU was the only Texas A&M University System represented at Congress.
Internationally acclaimed writer, scholar of religions and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most influential and enigmatic characters, Jesus of Nazareth, for the A.R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Speaker Series at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Professor of Spanish and author Dr. José Cardona-López receives the prestigious “Laurel Trilce de Oro” (Golden Laurel Trilce) Award from the Santiago de Chuco, Peru mayor, Dr. Víctor Luján Chero, during the 16th “Capullí, Vallejo y su tierra” (Capullí, Vallejo and his Land) Conference.
TAMIU is ranked 24th among Top Public Schools Regional Universities, West by U. S. News and World Report in its “2016 Best Colleges Ranking.” The University was also ranked No. 70 among Regional Universities West among approximately 1800 universities surveyed.
TAMIU’s international mission and scope is reflected in its focus on foreign language learning. That focus is powered by an innovative online program engagingly named “Mango Languages,” launched by the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. It offers a choice of over 70 languages and 16 courses for English-as-a-Second Language, each keyed to the learner’s native language.
A National Science Foundation grant of more than $59,000 will purchase equipment to enhance students’ research and training. Specifically, it allows the acquisition of a solids probe for a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer also made possible with previous NSF funding. Dr. Qingwen Ni, TAMIU professor of physics, is principal investigator.
Two TAMIU alumni are featured in The Huffington Post’s “Latino Voice” Blog “40 Under 40: Latinos in American Politics.” Carlos Sánchez (’04), was a longtime staffer to House Minority Leader and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California before U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, picked Sánchez as his chief of staff. Jorge Aguilar (’11), works as deputy press secretary and director of Hispanic media for Rep. Pelosi. He accompanied the minority leader and several other members of Congress to Cuba during the first official House of Representatives delegation trip.
TAMIU senior Melissa Cadena, a Chemistry major, receives the top prize for undergraduate research at the 250th American Chemical Society National Meeting held in Boston. Her presentation was on computational chemistry methods to study bromine halocarbons—greenhouse gases which lead to the breakdown of the ozone.
A new ranking by Niche for TAMIU offers insight from its most important constituents: its students. TAMIU was ranked 21 in Texas. The ranking is the highest among The Texas A&M University System’s regional campuses. Texas A&M University in College Station was ranked third and 40th nationally.
International bestselling author of A Long Way Home, Saroo Brierley, visits TAMIU’s “Reading the Globe” Program, lecturing before students in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall.
Some 10 years in creation, a new book from TAMIU Regents Professor of History Dr. Jerry Thompson opens a new chapter on Civil War history. His A Civil War History of the New Mexico Volunteers and Militia (University of New Mexico Press, 2015), is exhaustively researched, and at 939 pages a hefty confirmation of his commitment to revealing little-known elements of the Civil War in New Mexico Territory.
To honor nurses, TAMIU hosts a special screening for “The American Nurse,” a feature length documentary that depicts the lives of five fearless nurses who serve on the front lines of healthcare, navigating their patients through birth, death, prison, war, and harsh poverty in the Student Center.
TAMIU’s Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction degree program is ranked the 6th Most Affordable by Top Education Degrees.
As part of its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, TAMIU joins KLRN, the Public Television station for Laredo, in hosting a special screening of the documentary “On Two Fronts: Latinos & Vietnam,” in Student Center Theatre.
The Mary Lamar Gallagher Leyendecker Endowment Fund Honoring Thomas and David O. Gallagher is announced in ceremonies at the Laredo Police Department’s headquarters. It enables children of LPD officers to receive a four-year scholarship to TAMIU and honors the Gallagher family’s legacy of LPD service.
As part of a Texas A&M University System initiative, a TAMIU program will help students and graduates to be as well suited as possible through the new Dustdevil Suit Bank. The Bank was made possible by Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and donations by members of the Chancellor’s Century Council, a donor group supporting special projects throughout the A&M System.
Edward L. Rubin, one of the nation’s most visionary authors and thinkers on law, legal theory and the new morality lectures at TAMIU and meets with TAMIU students. He is University Professor of Law and Political Science at Vanderbilt University. His current book is Soul, Self & Society: The New Morality and The Modern State (Oxford University Press).
TAMIU students garner 14 awards and placed third overall in The Texas A&M University System’s 12th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium held at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Over 70 TAMIU students participated.
A three-way partnership between the TAMIU Alumni Association, Laredo Energy Arena, and R Communications presents the 2015 AutMus Fest at the Laredo Energy Arena parking lot featuring artists PESADO, Zamorales, H2H – ACDC Tribute Band, Brown Sabbath – Black Sabbath Tribute Band, Pancho Uresti, Chon Arauza, Sonido Master and Kimberly Dunn.
Famed Mexican journalist and author Elena Poniatowska, long considered Mexico’s grande dame of letters, receives an honorary doctorate in a presentation at the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.
A two-year grant totaling $277,200 is awarded to TAMIU and associate professor Dr. Bernice Sanchez by the Write for Texas Agency, a partnership of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, the Texas Education Agency, and the Institute for Public School Initiatives, for the improvement of writing instruction at the secondary level.
TAMIU’s Service-Learning Center initiates a new cinematic partnership between the Webb County Heritage Foundation and students in TAMIU associate professor Dr. John Dean’s Chicano/a Literature course to provide an experiential venue for learning through the creation of short films. The resulting films are presented at the first-ever Border Short-Film Festival at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum.
The University’s celebration of International Education Week serves to underscore the impact international students have on Laredo, and the nation. Research by NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, shows that the 2014-15 impact of TAMIU’s international students in Laredo exceeds $4.6 million and supports 32 jobs.
For the first time in recent history, TAMIU reports a slight dip in Fall enrollment. Fall enrollment is 7,192 total enrollments, a 4.7% drop over Fall 2014 (7554). An uptick in semester credit hours (SCH) to 78,096, a 1.2% increase over last Fall’s SCH (77,179) is attributed to the University’s push for student “on-time” degree completion.
TAMIU students join the global giving day, #Giving Tuesday, to help harness the collective power of students, charities, families, businesses and others to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity worldwide. Since 2010, over 2000 TAMIU student volunteers have given 90,223 volunteer hours, a monetary impact equal to some $1.9 million.
TAMIU Theatre Arts students present Spinning into Butter, a theatrical work by award-winning playwright Rebecca Gillman exploring political correctness, cultural identity and conscious and unconscious racism, in the Sam Johnson Experimental Theatre.
TAMIU student Carlos Alvarez, a graduate student of Criminal Justice, recently received the Distinguished Budgetary Statement (Secretariat for Administration and Finance) Award after presenting a mock resolution for the country of Perú in regards to its homeland security measures and policies to address poverty at the 19th Eugene Scassa Model Organization of American States summit in Lafayette, Louisiana.
A national ranking by Time, Inc.’s MONEY’s Best Colleges includes TAMIU in a select group of schools dubbed “The 40 Most Affordable Colleges for Low-Income Students.”
The University receives a remarkable legacy gift of a Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible. The massive seven-volume treatment true to the scale, beauty and artistic intent of the original manuscript, has long considered a work of sacred art. TAMIU becomes the first public university in Texas to be home to the Edition, one of only 299 available worldwide. The gift is made possible by The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust.
TAMIU’s Online Masters of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Program ranks favorably in two separate online ranking systems that score the top Criminal Justice master’s degree programs in the nation. OnlineColleges.net ranked TAMIU’s program No. 25 among the Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs in the Nation. The Program also received a ranking of No. 31 on Value Colleges’ (valuecolleges.com) 2016 rankings of the Top 50 Best Value Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs.
TAMIU candidates for graduation participate in Fall Commencement Exercises at the Kinesiology-Convocation Building. Commencement speaker for all three exercises is Dr. Sergio Manuel Alcocer, former Undersecretary for North American Affairs at the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Relations.
TAMIU students brought “The International U” to life over the Wintermester break with Study Abroad programs to six countries. Some 67 students and 10 faculty members participated in Study Abroad programs in Belize, China, India, Ireland, Italy and Spain.
TAMIU faculty member Dr. Sumalai Maroonroge, TAMIU College of Education associate professional, is among 10 exemplary faculty members from Texas A&M University System institutions selected to join the 2016 Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82), TAMIU president Dr. Ray M. Keck III, and Serving Children and Adolescents in Need announce a $900,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, to TAMIU-SCAN to develop a prevention program for substance abuse and HIV/AIDS as well as viral hepatitis in Webb County. The grant supports a comprehensive intervention program among Hispanic adults ages 18-24 in the Webb County region.
A new college campus ranking for safety affirms that TAMIU is among the safest college campuses in Texas. The 2016 Safest College Campuses ranking by Niche is based on key statistics and student reviews. TAMIU is ranked 22, the highest among Texas A&M University System campuses.
One of the world’s most prestigious weekly newspapers, The Economist, releases its first-ever college rankings and TAMIU is ranked Ninth among the nation’s Top 20 Colleges and Universities the only Texas institution in the Top 20. The new college ranking looks at the value of the college or university, specifically those schools which really boost graduates’ salaries. Colleges are thus ranked based on alumni earnings above expectation.
TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Master of Business Administration program is one of the most affordable in the nation according to TopManagementDegrees.com TAMIU’s MBA program ranks No. 3 among the Top 50 Affordable MBA Programs in 2016.
Laredo middle school students visiting TAMIU meet National Aeronautics and Space Administration) astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson, the second African American woman to go on a space mission. It’s all part of the 2016 TAMIU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Alliance event hosted by Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82) and TAMIU host the four-day STEM Alliance to encourage interest in STEM and related careers.
Two TAMIU programs are ranked among the Top 15 Most Affordable Bachelor’s degrees in the nation according to Affordable Schools, a leading online education resource. The Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance was ranked second in the nation, while the Bachelors of Arts in English was ranked seventh.
Every Spring since 2011, TAMIU students celebrate Spirit Week. A cornerstone event of the Celebration is the naming of the campus’ Mr. and Ms. TAMIU after an online vote by student peers. The 2016 Mr. and Ms. TAMIU are Ricardo Cagigal and Jacquelyn Judith González.
Former President Bill Clinton makes an historic visit to TAMIU’s Kinesiology-Convocation Building. The President is invited to campus by the University’s Student Government Association and welcomed by SGA President Joshua Llamas. While Clinton has been a frequent visitor to Laredo over the years, this is his first visit to TAMIU.
TAMIU signs an agreement with the Mexican Petroleum Institute to expand technical and educational exchanges between the two institutions. Rafael Ramos Palmeros, director of Talent Development for the Mexican Petroleum Institute, signed the Memorandum of Agreement with TAMIU President Dr. Ray Keck and TAMIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Pablo Arenaz.
TAMIU faculty member Dr. Mónica Muñoz, associate professor of Psychology and director of TAMIU’s Bachelors in Psychology program, presented research on dark personality traits at the 17th Annual Meeting of The Society for Personality and Social Psychology in San Diego, CA.
Ladies and gentlemen kick up their heels for the first-ever TAMIU Student Nurses’ Association Stiletto 0.5K Relay, Run & Walk in front of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. Proceeds help support TAMIU Dustdevil Paula Arias, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
100+ TAMIU students take a plunge that’s freezin’ for a reason. They are part of the Special Olympics Polar Plunge at the Inner-City Pool. The event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics’ Texas-Laredo.
20 TAMIU students travel to the interior of Nicaragua to conduct volunteer work for a community there over Spring Break as part of the TAMIU Global Medical Brigade. Traveling to Nicaragua are Ana Martínez, Aurora Barrios, Adriel Mota, Caroline Pagette, Cesar Villarreal, Dalia Garza, Elisa Saldívar, Erendira Pérez, Irais Neira, Leslie Romero, Lucinda Duarte, Mabi Vázquez, Melissa Marchan, Mitzi Ramírez, Myrna Castro, Queabet Pérez, Rebekah Kawas, Ruperto González, Sara Gutiérrez, and Vanessa Nuñez.
Over 250 high school students competed in the first-ever Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) IV Robotics Competition at TAMIU. Some 20 teams vied for places and prizes at the TAMIU Student Center. The event, dubbed “Mission: Mars Unmanned Vehicle Rescue,” featured Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82), awarding prizes to the competing teams.
The second annual “Discover TAMIU,” takes place, with over 90 distinct experiences at the family-friendly Open House focused on opening doors and minds to the importance of higher education. The event is made possible with generous primary funding by Wells Fargo.
Best Masters in Psychology, an online source for prospective University students, ranks TAMIU’s Master’s Degree in Psychology programs No. 16 among the 49 most affordable master’s degrees offered by small colleges.
The ranking, which includes TAMIU’s Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology and Masters of Science in Psychology programs, focuses on the most affordable small colleges for a Master’s degree in psychology and was developed using data from the NCES College Navigator database.
Internationally recognized pianist Molly Morkoski, is featured performer at the Master Performers @TAMIU Series. The event is sponsored by the Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust, TAMIU Housing and Residence Life, Hector Hall and Annabelle Hall.
Academic researchers from TAMIU and the Tecnológico de Monterrey, México, are joint editors of The Global Media Journal México (GMJM), accessible through the online Texas Digital Library.
What has hundreds of arms and feet, features smiles that can light up the darkest room, truly puts the serve in “service” and doesn’t cost a penny? TAMIU students participating in the 8th annual “The Big Event.” Students provide services to Laredo’s District II and III.
TAMIU Regents Professor of History Dr. Jerry Thompson is named the winner of the Fray Francisco Atanasio Domínguez Award by the Historical Society of New Mexico (HSNM) for his book, A Civil War History of the New Mexico Volunteers and Militia, (University of New Mexico Press). HSNM gives the annual Award to an outstanding publication or significant contribution to historic survey and research in New Mexico or Southwest borderlands history.
Dr. Ula E. Klein, TAMIU assistant professor of English, presents twice and co-chairs a workshop session at the American Society for 18th Century Studies Conference in Pittsburgh
TAMIU gathers as a community to remember fallen alumni, students, faculty and staff at the sixth annual “Celebration of Life” memorial in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Some 60-plus researchers from throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States convene at TAMIIU for the first-ever 2016 Conference on Latin American Communication Research in Transnational Settings in the Student Center.
TAMIU’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services is named the recipient of 19 awards recognizing excellence in three distinct national competitions spanning advertising, digital efforts and marketing and including print and electronic design, web design and social media marketing.
Noted literary scholar and author of The Life You Save May Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage, Paul Elie, offers a special guest lecture at TAMIU focusing on author Flannery O’Connor’s short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find.”
TAMIU’s International Language Institute and the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library present the documentary Chulas Fronteras in a free showing. The 1975 documentary captures the music of the borderlands and serves as historical documentation of one of America's music genres, and a true example of Americana.
TAMIU’s Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium celebrates its 11th Anniversary this year with two new featured shows, “A Starry Tale,” sponsored by Union Pacific, and ‘SpaceNext.” Food, and fun, including face painting are featured.
Athleticism and cutting-edge programming merges into a breathtaking contemporary dance presentation by Houston’s renowned NobleMotion Dance Company at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theater. The performance caps a three-day series of master classes for students and is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts, Guillermo Benavides Z. and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Sarahi Lopez, a student intern at TAMIU, creates a student-curated guide to Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library databases to help speed academic research, student empowerment and…a little fun too.
The much-anticipated return and new concert by Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Guadalajara, is held at the Laredo Civic Center. Generous sponsorship for the event is provided by IBC Bank with additional support from Uni-Trade. The performance, dubbed De México Para El Mundo, is a scholarship benefit for TAMIU students.
Wells Fargo of Laredo has provides a gifts totaling $15,000 to TAMIU to target enhanced awareness of the importance of higher education. A gift of $10,000 helps sponsor the University's annual outreach event, Discover TAMIU that was attended by over 3000 visitors. A second gift of $5,000 supports of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Alliance, an initiative leads by Congressman Henry Cuellar, '82, aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to pursue STEM studies.
147 TAMIU students conduct their first team harvest at the University’s on-campus garden. The TAMIU Garden is part of freshman-level UNIV 1102 service-learning courses focused on the powerful use of green spaces to grow and harvest fresh produce to promote civic engagement and responsibility. Produce is donated to local food banks, incorporated in menu offerings by Aramark, the on-campus food services provider, and shared with fellow students in on-the-spot tasting opportunities.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents accept recommendations for rules to govern Campus Carry implementation at all TAMUS campuses, including TAMIU. The rules go into effect 1 August 2016.
John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, announces that Dr. Ray M. Keck has been appointed Interim President at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Keck succeeds Dr. Dan Jones, who served as President at A&M-Commerce from 2008 until he passed away April 29. TAMIU’s fifth president, Dr. Keck has served since 2001. Sharp also announces that Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU Provost, will succeed Keck as Interim President.
Social media management, website creation and a list of assistance provided to area small businesses help propel TAMIU student organization Enactus to earn “Regional Champions” status at the Enactus Regional Competition held in Dallas. TAMIU was one of nine teams to receive the Regional Champion Award. A total of 18 teams competed.
TAMIU ranks exceptionally well by the online source, ToBecomeATeacher.org… receiving the top ranking among Texas universities that offer bachelor’s degrees in education. TAMIU ranked first among schools that offer Bachelor’s degrees for students looking to become a teacher in Texas. The University ranked third among schools offering Masters programs.
Degrees and Programs for TAMIU’s College of Education are fully accredited by the State Board of Educator Certification. TAMIU was among 133 programs educator preparation programs statewide recommended to be rated as “Accredited.”
A total of 680 candidates for graduation participate in TAMIU Spring 2016 Commencement Exercises in three separate ceremonies at the Kinesiology-Convocation Building. The Commencement Speaker is Robert L. Albritton, Regent of The Texas A&M University Board of Regents.
Nominees by TAMIU’s University Honors Program (UHP) students for UHP Faculty Member of The Year are honored at a special reception this month. Nominees include Dr. John Dean, associate professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Richard Hall, adjunct faculty of History, College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Jyotsna Mukherji, associate professor of Marketing, A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business and Dr. Sebastian Schmidl, assistant professor of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Jack Byham, assistant professional of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences, is named the recipient of a plaque and a $500 award.
TAMIU’s DustySWARM Team celebrated two wins at the first-ever NASA Swarmathon held at the Kennedy Space Center, FL. The TAMIU team placed third overall in the virtual competition and first place in the outreach paper category, visual competition. TAMIU DustySWARM is a sub-team of DustyTRON Robotics Team and comprised of five systems engineering students: Roger Hernandez, Raquel Yanez, Jorge Gonzalez Jr., Hector Moreno and Valeria Escobar, and Dr. Tariq H. Tashtoush, TAMIU assistant professor of Engineering.
TAMIU student Stephanie Martínez is appointed Student Regent for The Texas A&M University System by Governor Greg Abbott. She is the first TAMIU student to be named to the position of Student Regent and the first female Hispanic named to this role. Her term as Student Regent is effective June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017.
The inaugural graduates of TAMIU’s Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies walk into history with Commencement Exercises in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall. The class of 40 students is celebrated with remarks by two community leaders who helped make the Academy possible: outgoing TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck and State Senator Judith Zaffirini. Sen. Zaffirini authored the Academy’s enabling legislation, approved by the 79th Texas Legislature.
Four TAMIU students receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to study abroad. Cynthia Chapa- Spanish major, Melissa Chávez-Communication Disorders major, Mariana González- English major, and Alexandra Vásquez- Elementary Education major, will study abroad in cities including Málaga and Madrid, Spain; Paris, France, and India.
TAMIU embraces the spirit of international sportsmanship by incorporating a Cricket tournament in its 2016 Spring Intramural Competition. This marks the second year that TAMIU includes this sport in intramural competitions. Three teams, Spartans, Shooters, and Gladiators, contended in hopes of becoming 2016 Spring Cricket Intramural Champions. The Spartans were victorious.
Two TAMIU graduate students present their research findings at the Association for Psychological Science 28th Annual Convention in Chicago, Ill. Jonathan Briseño and Kristine González, graduate students pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, presented “Testing the ‘Cultural Fit’ Hypothesis: Findings from Southeast Asian Students at a Border Bicultural University.”
A special course on borderlands law is presented for the first time at TAMIU as part of a new partnership between TAMIU and the Texas A&M University School of Law. The inaugural course, Borderlands Law: Contemporary Legal Issues Relating to the U.S.-Mexico Border, is led by Professor Stephen Alton, associate dean of the TAMU School of Law.
TAMIU Master of Science in Nursing degree graduates in the Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) Program realize their graduate degree diplomas were significant -- but they’re also historic. The eight graduates of the graduate MSN-FNP program earned a 100% pass rate on their national Certification Board Examination on their first attempt. The graduates are Gabriel Castilleja, Elsa Morales, José Milera, Jan Demasiado, Elisa Alva, Tracey Morales, Jacqueline Váldez and Ignacio Ortiz.
TAMIU administrator Alejandro Martínez, TAMIU’s director of Testing is elected Governing Board Treasurer for the National College Testing Association (NCTA), a three-year appointment. NCTA is a non-profit organization of testing professionals working in post-secondary institutions, in companies with test-related products and services, and in other professional testing venues.
Dr. Aaron Alejandro Olivas, TAMIU assistant professor of history, reconnects with his family's history during a visit to Cuba while presenting at an international academic conference. Dr. Olivas was able to meet a cousin from his mother’s side of the family, part of a larger extended family that mostly left Cuba for the United States in the 1960s.
A Spanish edition of a book translated by TAMIU Regents Professor Dr. Manuel Broncano is published by AmazonCrossing. Author Giannina Braschi’s book, entitled, “United States of Banana,” provides a scathing and humorous critique of American capitalism, and is available for the first time in Spanish translation through AmazonCrossing.
Dr. Ula Klein, TAMIU assistant professor of English, travels to Dublin and London to conduct research for a book-length project on female cross-dressers in 18th Century literature.
Members of the TAMIU’s Mariachi Internacional hit all the right notes at the 26th Annual Mariachi Spectacular Competition in Albuquerque, N.M., scoring First Place in the University Division in their first competition appearance.
The 2016 Student Success Ratings by Eduventures, a leading research and advisory firm, ranks TAMIU as the nation’s top public master’s-level university when it comes to student retention. TAMIU was the only member of The Texas A&M University System in the top 10 and one of only two universities in Texas in the top 10. TAMIU scored first in its category, public masters.
The advent and popularity of the smartphone game Pokémon GO, prompts officials at TAMIU to encourage cautious use by game-playing visitors to the campus. “While the University always encourages visitors to our campus; all visitors, including Pokémon GO visitors, must respect our campus, its culture and safety at all times,” says Interim President Dr. Pablo Arenaz.
Students at TAMIU can put their best fit forward with the expansion of the Kinesiology, Wellness and Recreational Center. “The Rec” now boasts a 14,000 square foot addition with new activity rooms, weight training room and expanded cardio areas. Funding for the $3.98 million project came from student fees approved by student referendum. Project architects are Frank Architects. Project managers are SSC Services for Education and general contractor is the Marshall Company.
TAMIU announces its planned Spring launch of an innovative opportunity for students to set the stage for their future. “Signature Courses,” a mandatory series of special, focused courses taught by select, seasoned TAMIU faculty members, will begin in the Spring.
Rosaura Martínez, a TAMIU senior Systems Engineering major, is one of nine contestants appearing on the Hispanic College Quiz, a nationally televised game show produced in partnership by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Central City Productions.
tamiu.edu, the University’s website, is redesigned and launched anew with the University’s “Go Beyond” theme. Among distinguishing site features are the display of large format video and pictures, the paring down of text and enhanced legibility, of site-specific, customized internal search capabilities, a digital news room, search engine optimization and integrated use of the University’s designated social media. “Our website is our single most powerful communication tool,” explained TAMIU director of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services, Steve Harmon.
TAMIU’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business announces that all four concentrations of its MBA: MBA in International Banking and Finance, International Business (English and Spanish), International Trade and Logistics, and Management, will be accessible to students online from wherever they are.
Congressman Henry Cuellar, '82 and representatives from TAMIU, the One Star Foundation, the Lamar Bruni Vergara Charitable Trust, the League of United Latin American Citizens and Laredo First Assembly of God announce the awarding of $2.4 million in federal grants, and two matching donations totaling over $184,000 to TAMIU to provide incentives and opportunities to help University students who are migrant workers or seasonal farmworkers overcome the obstacles and difficulties of a migrant work schedule.
Longtime TAMIU administrator Dr. Conchita Hickey is part of an important first annual Teaching and Learning National Institute hosted by the Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education this summer at The Evergreen College in Olympia, WA. Dr. Hickey is one of only 30 national resource faculty members to be invited.
TAMIU alum and longtime former faculty member, Dr. Norma Elia Cantú, is appointed by Trinity University as the Norene R. and T. Frank Murchison Endowed Professor in Humanities. A prominent Chicana/o and Latina/o cultural studies expert and author, Dr. Cantú was most recently professor of Latina and Latino studies and English at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
National efforts to prevent sexual assault on U.S. college campuses will be enhanced thanks to a $750,000 partner grant awarded to TAMIU by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. TAMIU will partner with Texas Woman’s University in a three-year grant totaling $750,000, for a project titled, “Cultivating Safe College Campuses: A College Sexual Assault Policy and Prevention Consortium.” TAMIU principal investigator is Dr. Claudia San Miguel, interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of Criminal Justice.
A new degree is offered at TAMIU, a Master of Science in Mathematics-Applied Statistics track. Careers in applied statistics are fast emerging in almost every area of business and industry, such as banking, insurance, finance and retail sales, and in healthcare, entertainment, sports, government and nonprofit organizations.
The Fall 2016 semester at TAMIU brings the addition of 37 new faculty members.
There’s certainly an international dimension to TAMIU’s new Dean of the College Education Dr. James O’Meara, originally from Australia. The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents appoint Dr. O’Meara to his new post after a national search.
TAMIU is again ranked in the Top Ten “Best Bang for the Buck” among the nation’s Southern Colleges by Washington Monthly Magazine in its 2016 College Guide, dubbed “The Other College Guide.” TAMIU is ranked 8th.
TAMIU employee, Denisse Garza, intermediate budget analyst, earns designation as a Certified Payroll Professional after successfully passing a rigorous exam. She’s the second TAMIU employee to earn the prestigious designation, joining a select group of more than 10,000 CPP professionals.
TAMIU hosts a month-long “Cervantes & Shakepeare@400” Celebration focusing on the two literary giants whose works have inspired generations of readers from the 16th Century on. This program is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Carlos Zaffirini, Jr., creates an endowed scholarship at TAMIU to honor his mother, State Senator Judith Zaffirini. The Zaffirini Endowed Scholarship is available for undergraduate, full time students with verified need and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Andrea González De La Cruz, the first recipient, is on hand at the launch. She’s a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Special Education.
Dr. Alia Paroo, assistant professor, history, College of Arts and Sciences, is named the recipient of the University’s 2016 Teacher of the Year Award. A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Dean Dr. Steve Sears is the University’s 2016 International Faculty Award. The 2016 Scholar of the Year Award is Dr. Quigwen Ni, associate professor, mathematics, department of mathematics and physics. Dr. Maria D. Viloria, assistant professor, College of Education, receives the Instructional Technology Excellence Award from the TAMIU Office of Institutional Technology. Service Awards include a 30-Year Service Award to Dr. Frances G. Rhodes, associate professor, English, and a 40-Year Service Award to Juanita Soliz, special assistant to the president.
Tickets sell out for the KLRN Chef Series, Dinner with Pati, featuring the host of the popular public television series Pati’s Mexican Table, Pati Jinich, at TAMIU’s Student Center Ballroom. The event is part of the University’s month-long “Voces: Hispanic Heritage Month” observation and produced in partnership with KLRN.
Human rights activist Yeonmi Park, TAMIU Reading the Globe featured author of “In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom,” presents a lecture for University freshmen based on her book in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
A stained glass window, some 12 years in the making by Laredo-born artist Evan Quiros, is unveiled in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts foyer. It depicts K’inich Janaab Pakal, the legendary Mayan ruler of the city of Palenque, México from 615-683 AD.
TAMIU is recognized with its second Presidential Honor Roll Award for its exemplary community service programs. The Honor Roll’s Presidential Award is the highest federal recognition an institution of higher education can receive for its commitment to community, service-learning and civic engagement.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents names Dr. Ray M. Keck the sole finalist for the position of President of Texas A&M University-Commerce and Dr. Pablo Arenaz as the sole finalist for the position of President of Texas A&M International University.
Congressman Henry Cuellar, (’82) announces the awarding of two federal grants totaling over $1 million to TAMIU from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant Program.
A Halloween treat comes early to TAMIU with a screening of the silent film classic “Faust,” with TAMIU organist and assistant professor Dr. Colin Campbell providing a live improvisation on the Sharkey Corrigan Organ.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents appoints Dr. Pablo Arenaz as the sixth president of Texas A&M International University at its Board meeting. Dr. Arenaz, the University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs since 2008, follows the presidency of Dr. Ray Keck, who the Board affirms as president of Texas A&M University-Commerce. “Dr. Arenaz will be an outstanding leader for TAMIU,” said Cliff Thomas, Chairman of the Board of Regents, “It is an honor to officially appoint him president of this important institution.”
TAMIU is one of the 50 Best Colleges and Universities in Texas for 2016-2017 according to online source, College Choice (collegechoice.net). TAMIU ranked No. 24 among the Best 50 Colleges and Universities in Texas, according to College Choice. TAMIU was the highest ranked among regional universities in The Texas A&M University System.
TAMIU Professor of Psychology Dr. Roberto Heredia is named Regents Professor by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Dr. Heredia is among 11 faculty members and seven agency service, extension or research professionals within the A&M System designated Regents Professors and Regents Fellows for 2015-2016.
TAMIU students say the University scores high marks for them regarding collaborative learning, student-faculty interactions, and service-learning. And 88% of First Year and Senior students say they would “definitely” or “probably” attend TAMIU again. The positive rankings by students on the 2106 National Survey of Student Engagement place TAMIU higher than peer institutions and national average responses.
TAMIU’s Office of Global Initiatives helps facilitate the creation of a historic, bi-national, cross border cooperation agreement document between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which representatives from the two countries sign on campus.
TAMIU students receive a gift of $22,000 for student scholarships from the Consulate General of México in Laredo. Seven TAMIU students were selected for the scholarships made possible by the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME) Becas Program. They are: Dinorah Arista, Yolanda Barrera, Juan Gerardo Martínez, Celestino Vela Mancillas, Tabatha Rodríguez, Esperanza Urban, and Edgar Villarreal.
Groundbreaking for TAMIU’s largest classroom addition to date, the $70.2 million New Academic Building, is held. A&M System Chancellor John Sharp and TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz take the customary shovels to earth to initiate construction on the 120,000 square-foot facility housing TAMIU’s growing engineering and science programs.
Students and visitors to TAMIU can now view an impressive addition to the University’s growing art collection. Laredoan Anthony Leyendecker, Jr. provides the gift of a large-scale 17th Century painting of St. John the Baptist to the University. Created circa 1690s by famed Mexican artist Juan Correa, it hangs in the University’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
Student scholarship support at TAMIU gets a $19,200 gift from the Laredo Asian Association. The LAA’s partnership supports TAMIU undergraduate or graduate students studying Asian language or culture, business, trade or international studies. Since 2009, the LAA has helped 28 students.
TAMIU and the Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy enter into a Memorandum of Agreement focused on the development of a TAMIU Cooperative Pharmacy Program. It is signed in brief ceremonies at TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
Fall 2016 TAMIU graduate Esteban Vargas’ short story, “A White Noise,” is accepted for publication in Cecile’s Writers, a literary magazine in The Netherlands. The chemistry major joins the ranks of other popular writers who started their careers in science including Michael Crichton, Kurt Vonnegut, Norman Mailer and others.
TAMIU’s Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program is one of the most affordable online MPA programs in the nation, according to online source, College Values Online. TAMIU’s Online MPA program ranks No. 13 in the Top 30 Values 2016-2017.
TAMIU Regents Professor Dr. Jerry T. Thompson is named the winner of the prestigious 2016 Pate Award for his book, A Civil War History of the New Mexico Volunteers and Militia (University of New Mexico Press.) This is the second Pate Award Thompson has received. He received the first in 2006.
A new study that looks at the role of colleges in mobility finds that TAMIU ranks third in the nation among colleges with the highest upward income mobility rate, from the bottom 40% to the top 40%. The findings were published in The New York Times and based on research by The Equality of Opportunity Project.
TAMIU announces leadership changes at the University. Dr. Tom Mitchell, is named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Claudia San Miguel is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Peter F. Haruna, is Associate Dean of the College. Dr. Lynne L. Manganaro is interim Chair of the Department of Social Sciences. Dr. James O’Meara is Dean of the College of Education. Dr. Catheryn Weitman is Dean of University College. The Office of Graduate Studies and Research and Sponsored Projects is restructured with Dr. Jennifer Coronado as Dean of the renamed Graduate School. Dr. John Kilburn serves as Associate Vice President of the Office for Research and Sponsored Projects.
The graduate nursing program at TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences grows to meet the needs of students, Laredo and the surrounding region. The Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing faculty teaching in the Graduate Nursing Program now includes five full-time and three part-time nursing professionals with a combined eight degrees and over 50 years of practical experience.
TAMIU’s Dustdevil Athletics Department teams up with Play4Kay to host a breast cancer awareness day and game against St. Edward’s University. Play4Kay is the grassroots fundraising initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. It was originally called Think Pink, later became Pink Zone and most recently and finally, Play4Kay.
Five TAMIU students debuted at the National Association of Hispanic and Latino/a Studies Conference at South Padre Island, presenting original research. Students presenting were Johann Salazar, Jessica Garcia, Tirza Guerra, Jessica Villalon and Bryan Cardenas, all seniors, each presented a paper on a different topic.
TAMIU students enjoy “Valentines with Jane Austen” at events hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Humanities. There’s an “Afternoon Tea” with a screening of “Pride and Prejudice” led by said Dr. Ula Klein, TAMIU assistant professor of English. Dr. Klein notes, “We are hosting the event because Jane Austen’s novels often contain a romance, and I thought her works would be the perfect backdrop for a Valentine’s Day event.”
The University’s Spirit Week celebration is highlighted by the election by students of Mr. and Ms. TAMIU. Students cast over 1,200 online ballots, electing Ryan Hodgson and Valerie Nuñez to serve as 2016 Mr. and Ms. TAMIU from among nine candidates. Hodgson is a business major from Sunderland, England. Nunez is a communication major from McAllen.
Dr. Khalid Khan, an education minister from Pakistan, presents “One Generation of Educated Women” as part of the Presidential Speakers Series, coordinated by University College.
TAMIU shares news that a generous gift of $100,000 has been pledged by Anna B. Galo and Arturo N. Benavides Jr. for the Arturo N. Benavides, Sr. Endowed Scholarship. At the announcement, State Senator Judith Zaffirini shared the words of Emerson, noting: “The greatest gift of all is a portion of thyself.”
Close to 600 TAMIU students and community members gather for five, two-hour shifts to pack 540 boxes of 216 nutritious, medically endorsed meals for starving children in disaster-relief areas of the world during the University’s first ever Feed My Starving Children MobilePack.
TAMIU’s AmeriCorps program celebrates “AmeriCorps Week,” with benchmark growth in the program that has provided over 10,000 service hours to Laredo through the TAMIU-Lamar Bruni Vergara Literacy Partnership.
TAMIU students celebrate the arrival of Spring with a colorful observance of Holi, the traditional Hindu Spring festival, on the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center green.
More than 150 high school seniors are honored by TAMIU at the “Academic Excellence Awards” Ceremony in the Student Center Ballroom. The annual event honors academically talented senior high school students in Texas who have gained admission to TAMIU and are in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. Many earn TAMIU Freshman Merit scholarships ranging from $16,000 up to $32,000.
Spring Break offers no rest for two groups of TAMIU students who travel to Honduras and Canada respectively to participate in volunteer work and attend a prestigious world conference. Global Medical Brigades volunteers will help provide health care assistance in Honduras while TAMIU members of the Model United Nations Society of South Texas, participate in the Harvard World Model United Nations Conference in Montreal.
TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz signs an historic Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Laredo to enable sweeping student-powered community engagement initiatives. The end result relevantly strengthens TAMIU’s community engagement initiatives through learning, service and research.
TAMIU and the City of Laredo join to present The Big Event, the University’s annual service event, with over 300 student volunteers. Students provide volunteer services to the Colonia Guadalupe area.
Famed culinary historian Maite Gomez-Rejón joins the University for its A. R. Sanchez, Jr. Presidential Lecture Series Distinguished Lecture Series with her, “Food, Identity and Authenticity in Latin America” lecture in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.
For the third year, TAMIU’s 300-acre campus welcomes families and friends to “Discover TAMIU,” a campus-wide open house featuring nearly 100 activities for all ages. Five exciting pathways help visitors explore, engage and enjoy the University and gain greater appreciation for the importance of higher education.
A special forum at TAMIU addresses the galvanizing question: How would the world be affected if NAFTA were to disappear some day? The forum, “A World Without NAFTA: Economic Business Perspectives,” is organized by the Office of Global Initiatives.
TAMIU celebrates Women’s History Month by recognizing five exception women TAMIU educators: Dr. Claudia San Miguel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Jyotsna Mukerji, associate professor of Marketing, A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business; Dr. Marivic Torregosa, assistant professor, College of Nursing and Health Sciences; L. Paty Cantu, instructor, University College, and Dr. Tonya Huber, professor, College of Education.
TAMIU’s beautiful campus benefits from a new “smart” irrigation system that will help it to realize savings while also being water-aware and water-efficient. The new program is created in a collaboration with the campus’ maintenance partner, SCC Services for education and Weathermatic, a world leader in water conserving through smart irrigation solutions.
The annual TAMIU “Celebration of Life” memorial to remember fallen alumni, students, faculty and staff is held in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Experts, academics, and students of international business once again converge at TAMIU for the 21st Annual Western Hemispheric Trade Conference co-sponsored by the TAMIU A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade, in partnership with the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas Facultad de Comercio, Administración y Ciencias Sociales.
An historic Investiture Ceremony welcomes TAMIU’s sixth President, Dr. Pablo Arenaz. The Ceremony, themed “Going Beyond,” is held at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall. TAMIU Provost, Dr. Tom Mitchell, explains the importance of the tradition-steeped ceremony: “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 we serve. The Ceremony installs the leader, our president, who will take us forward,” Dr. Mitchell said.
While it is Spring, even maroon goes ‘green’ at TAMIU as the University celebrates Earth Week 2017. Dubbed “Maroon is the New Green,” the week offers five days for students to have good, green fun around campus and support the planet. Students are being encouraged to share their TAMIU Earth Week observance on social media with #MaroonIsTheNewGreen.
A hometown crowd welcomes the debut of a new Laredo-focused documentary film, “Rhapsody on the Rio Grande: A Confluence of Culture,” at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Theatre. Produced with generous funding support from the City of Laredo, and based on a haunting musical composition, “Rapsodia,” by TAMIU faculty member and University organist Dr. Colin Campbell. The film is produced by KLRN, the Public Television Station for South Central Texas.
A first book for TAMIU Alum, faculty member and researcher Dr. Lola Orellano Norris (’99) is published. Scholars and enthusiasts of Spanish Texas can now have a better understanding of 17th Century Texas as revealed in her “General Alonso de León’s Expeditions into Texas, 1686-1690” (Texas A&M University Press).
The role of Laredo and South Texas educators in the important history of bilingual education takes center stage in a new TAMIU research effort that draws funding support from Laredo’s LULAC Chapter 7 and the national LULAC organization. A combined gift of $3,000 supports the purchase of audio/video recording and transcription equipment crucial to the project. Alum Roger C. Rocha, (’93,’10) LULAC national president, joined LULAC Chapter 7 representatives and TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz and College of Education Dean James O’Meara for the announcement.
Stephanie Martínez, the first TAMIU student and first female Hispanic student ever to serve as the Texas A&M University System’s Student Regent, participates in her final regular meeting of her term on the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
The TAMIU Band Program celebrates 20 years of music-making at the TAMIU Spring Symphonic Band Concert in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Recital Hall. The Band Concert also recognizes the first TAMIU Director of Bands, Elmo López Sr. A longtime music educator, López volunteered to be the first TAMIU Director of Bands in 1997 and was also instrumental in starting and developing the TAMIU Mariachi Internacional Program.
For her research and article on immigrants and victimization, TAMIU assistant professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Fei Luo receives the Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice Best Paper Award 2017 from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) at their 54th Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Mo.
TAMIU’s commitment to promoting research is showcased by a group of five undergraduate students, two graduate students and faculty members who attend and present their research at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting held in San Francisco. Students Antonio Jiménez, Yoana Flores, Jasmine Escobar, Kira Elizondo, Andrea Ramírez-Ramos, Irma Maldonado and Mabi Vazquez-Camacho are joined by faculty members Dr. Kameron Jorgensen and Dr. Keith Combrink, both TAMIU assistant professors of chemistry.
TAMIU is ranked No. 6 among the 30 Best Universities in Texas according to online source Financeopedia through its website, Financehub.com. TAMIU ranked ahead of three universities in the Texas A&M University System.
In a stunning announcement at the traditional pinning ceremony for student graduates of TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing, trustees of the Canseco Foundation present a $1 million gift to the School bearing their father’s name. The gift is presented on the 20th Anniversary of the initial gift that dedicated Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall, and made the Canseco School of Nursing possible. “We do this to further our Mother’s vision and the prospects of future TAMIU students who pursue a career in nursing by establishing the Consuelo S. Canseco Endowment for Nursing Programs,” explains family spokesperson Jorge Canseco.
733 candidates for graduation participate in TAMIU’s Spring 2017 Commencement Exercises at the Laredo Energy Arena, the largest in the University’s history and the first to be held at the Arena. Commencement Speaker is Kate Rogers, executive vice president of The Holdsworth Center, a non-profit organization focused on impacting the quality of public education available to Texas students through transformational leadership development.
A total of 53 students of the TAMIU Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies celebrate their graduation during Commencement Exercises in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. The Texas Academy was created by State Senator Judith Zaffirini and authorized by the 79th Texas Legislature in 2005. It opened its doors in August 2014.
TAMIU student twins Anna and Brenda Parnin end successful seasons on the softball field and in the classroom. In addition to racking up awards in their four-year careers as Dustdevils, Anna graduates as a Kinesiology major with a minor in biology. Brenda graduates with a degree in Management Information Systems.
In state, national and international competitions, TAMIU’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services earns 13 professional awards. The multiple awards from three competitions span a broad range of categories from public relations campaigns and print ads to web design, video and specialized publications.
TAMIU alum Eduardo Castillo, ’14, is named a recipient of the prestigious U.S. Department of State’s Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship, and is accepted into Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Foreign Service. The program is ranked No. 1 in the world for graduate study in international affairs.
In a State-wide news communication, A&M System Chancellor John Sharp provides news of the Legislature’s appropriations to The Texas A&M University System’s 11 universities and seven state agencies and observes that the bill “averts the most damaging aspects of earlier legislative proposals” … “and provided some increases for the fastest-growing schools.” TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz confirms the University will see no reduction in funding, but remains “committed to cost-saving measures and has seen a healthy rebound in enrollment growth for this coming Fall.”
TAMIU assistant professor of Education Dr. Stephen Benigno travels to Greece to share research at the Athens Institute for Education and Research’s 19th Annual International Conference on Education. In September, he travels to Dalian, China, to chair a forum and serve as a speaker at the World Educational Day 2017.
Two recent TAMIU ’17 graduates and best friends, Daniela Ortiz and Antonio Jimenez are off to dental and medical schools respectively. Ortiz will attend dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio School of Dentistry while Jimenez attends medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Congressman Henry Cuéllar (’82) meets with a group of TAMIU students attending the 11th Annual Baku Energy Summer School in Baku, Azerbaijan. The trip is made possible through a historic agreement that Congressman Cuéllar facilitated between TAMIU and the Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan to promote student and faculty research and study collaborations on energy between universities in Texas, México and Azerbaijan. This is the third year the program has been offered. TAMIU students traveling to Azerbaijan include Edwin Barrera, Alejandra Diaz, Miguel Hernández, Julian Herrera, Alexia Serna and Raul Zapata.
TAMIU faculty member Dr. Tariq Tashtoush, assistant professor of Engineering, is recognized by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) for making a big difference in students’ lives. He was awarded the Jaime Escalante Award for being an outstanding educator and advisor in SHPE’s Region 5. The award was presented at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
TAMIU student veteran Joe Garza, a senior psychology major, is helping to make sure that his Armed Forces brothers and sisters are aware of the higher education opportunities and services available to them. He’s featured in a Texas A&M University System video initiative, “Veteran’s Voices: Their Stories, Vets on Campus,” which shares the multi-layered perspective of the A&M System’s many student veterans.
A new $100,000 grant from The Meadows Foundation is awarded to The Texas A&M University System for TAMIIU to help strengthen a coordinated and integrated healthcare delivery network in Laredo and Jim Hogg and Zapata counties. The Grant supports the Sí Texas Juntos for Better Health Grant administered by TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing, said Canseco College of Nursing Dean Dr. Glenda Walker, grant principal investigator.
A gift to TAMIU empowers students with an engineering advantage that can inspire the next generation of global innovators. ARM, the world’s leading semiconductor IP company headquartered in Cambridge, England, provided education equipment and software valued in excess of $256,000 to TAMIU’s School of Engineering and the University’s Continuing Education program.
TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Science, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing Class of 2016 Family Nurse Practitioner master’s graduates can claim another special place in the School’s history: a 100% passing rate on Board Exams from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. This is the second year in a row that FNP students have performed at 100% passing rate.
TAMIU assistant professor of History, Dr. Andrew J. Hazelton, finds that TAMIU’s international focus and geographic location complement his scholarship on Mexican migrants and Mexican American workers. He presents, chairs and comments at panel presentations at the Working Class History Association’s Conference in Seattle, and sees two of his articles on the Bracero program published—one in a journal and another one in a Mandarin-language book.
TAMIU faculty member Dr. Hayley Kazen, assistant professional, University College, is selected as one of 19 faculty members from across the State to participate in the Summer Signature Assignment Institutes. Dr. Kazen’s work is focused on creating a signature assignment to assess one of TAMIU’s general education learning outcomes, social responsibility.
TAMIU December 2016 graduate Rolando A. Vedia is accepted to the 2017 master’s program at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He was mentored by Dr. Daniel J. Mott, associate professor of biology, TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology and Chemistry.
Some 206 TAMIU employees participate in The 2017 Walk Across Texas,” logging 44,836 miles…walking across Texas over 53 times during the eight-week long challenge hosted by the University’s Wellness Program, HealthyU. One TAMIU team, Angels Can Walk, posted over 3,000 miles.
TAMIU is recognized as a higher education institution of choice for prospective students by three national and state rankings. Online source Zippia ranks TAMIU No. 3 among the Top 10 Best Colleges for Economic Mobility in the nation. TAMIU places 10th among the Top 20 Best Online Colleges in Texas, according to Online College Plan, and No. 34 among the Top 50 Online Hispanic-Serving Higher Learning Institutions, according to Online College Plan.
TAMIU’s Study Abroad programs offers expanded exchange study or faculty led programs to France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, South Korea and the United Kingdom. Additional program offerings are available to Argentina, Belize, Belgium, Chile, China, Cosa Rica, the Dominican Republic, England, India and Spain.
A number of TAMIU undergraduate and graduate programs earn top rankings among the nation’s Top 100 Degree Producers, as ranked by Diverse Issues in Higher Education Magazine. Graduate programs and their national ranking in the Diverse Top 100 Degree Producers 2016 include: Accounting (12); Mathematics (18); Biology (25); Business, Management and Marketing (32); Psychology (33) and Criminal Justice (39), among others. Overall, Diverse ranked TAMIU 67 out of 100 for all disciplines combined among Top 100 Degree Producers for Graduate Programs. Undergraduate programs and their national ranking in the Diverse Top 100 Degree Producers 2016 include: Communication Disorders (2); Criminal Justice (12); Kinesiology (17); Education (18); Mathematics (24); Accounting (26); English (31); Psychology (32); History (36) and Nursing (41), among others.
The National Science Foundation awards a grant of $74,104 to TAMIU to help support the development of a high-performance cluster to support research and educational outreach in the area of climate change. Project co-investigators are Dr. Ken Tobin, professor of geology, and Dr. Kameron Jorgensen, assistant professor of chemistry.
The undergraduate Nursing Program at TAMIU welcomes its largest Fall/Spring class with 120 students, a 20% increase over the previous year. The Nursing Program also begins a two-time admission cycle, with 60 students admitted each semester. College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dean Dr. Glenda Walker says TAMIU‘s competitive nursing program is among its fastest-growing programs, and offers students distinct learning and experience opportunities and, most importantly, attractive employment opportunities.
Returning students find a campus enhanced with new features designed to amplify their University experience and learning opportunities. Deck areas have been expanded with outdoor seating spaces, the TAMIU Community Garden has been relocated, and the University’s HVAC, water controls and interior and exterior lighting have all been upgraded. Finally, trash bins across campus offer distinct recycling opportunities.
TAMIU is one of seven Texas nonprofit entities receiving grants from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin to improve student academic achievement by supporting mental health. Of the total $1.9 million grant, TAMIU’s College of Arts and Sciences’ department of Psychology and Communication receives $115,000 to support the implementation of mental health literacy workshops that promote academic success and help-seeking behaviors among Hispanic college freshmen. Principal investigator for the TAMIU project is associate professor of Counseling Psychology Dr. Ediza García.
TAMIU assists students and staff from sister campus Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi as part of an evacuation and shelter plan in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Interagency contracts between TAMIU and other Texas A&M University System campuses designate TAMIU as their evacuation site.
TAMIU hosts a memorial in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall for former colleague and employee Robert “Bob” Batey, who passed away. Dr. Claudia San Miguel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, organized the event to celebrate Batey’s legacy at TAMIU and in the community at large. “Bob was a cherished member of our College of Arts and Sciences staff, and his initiative and guidance did much to shape our fine and performing arts profile here at the University,” Dr. San Miguel said.
TAMIU rises four places in a national Top Ten ranking among Southern Colleges by Washington Monthly Magazine in its 2017 College Guide, dubbed “The Other College Guide.” TAMIU is ranked fourth in the Top Ten and was previously eighth. TAMIU also rocketed up 27 places in the College Guide’s National Master’s Universities listing to 68 of 632 institutions ranked. Previously, it ranked 95.
TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library offers changes and improvements including a new user interface for the interlibrary loan site, a new chat service with the reference desk, expanded digital items, new collections, additional study carrels in the first floor and one less password to remember.
TAMIU’s Department of Athletics announces its formal acceptance to join the Lone Star Conference. The University will join the Conference in the fall of 2019. TAMIU is one of eight schools accepting invitations after the Lone Star Conference Council of Presidents voted unanimously this summer to offer full membership to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Dallas Baptist University, Lubbock Christian University, Oklahoma Christian University, Rogers State University, St. Edward’s University, St. Mary’s University, and TAMIU.
For their dedication to scholarship and education, five TAMIU professors receive awards at the TAMIU Faculty and Administrative Staff Assembly and at the TAMIU Freshmen Fall Convocation. Dr. Jonathan Murphy, assistant professor, English, receives the Instructional Technology Excellence Award. TAMIU Regents Professor of English Dr. Manuel Broncano is the recipient of the University’s International Faculty Award. The University’s Scholar of the Year Award is awarded to Dr. Frances Bernat, professor of Criminal Justice. Dr. Rob Evans, associate professor, marketing, is Distinguished Teacher of the Year. College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dean Dr. Glenda Walker receives the Dr. Judith Zaffirini Medal.
TAMIU and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, now known as UT Health San Antonio, sign a memorandum of understanding for an early acceptance program to be known as the Laredo Early Acceptance Program.
TAMIU students and graduates the School of Engineering join other elite engineering school programs across the country and around the world to have earned prestigious ABET Accreditation. TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz notes the significance of accreditation: “We’re tremendously proud of the successful efforts by our extended team here at TAMIU that worked diligently to secure this ABET accreditation. Not only does it position us in the company of other engineering schools in the A&M System and beyond, but it clearly signals that this is a viable, important program for students, and that our potential for growth and advancement is limitless,” Dr. Arenaz said.
In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, Texas A&M International University students reach out to help their neighbors. Students quickly organize drives on campus, including filling a trailer destined to help people at Victoria College. Other drives and donation events by student clubs and organizations also taken place. A&M System Chancellor John Sharp encourages Dustdevils and all System students to help Rebuild Texas.
TAMIU is named the recipient of two federal grants totaling over from the National Science Foundation and the US Dept. of Ed totaling over $1 million in support of research and engineering outreach and retention. Congressman Henry Cuellar (’82), announced the grants and lauded the University’s initiative. “TAMIU is already one of the finest research institutions in the United States. I am confident that these awarded grants will help serve the purpose of contributing to and enhancing the growth and quality of TAMIU’s Science and Engineering programs and increasing the number of minority students entering engineering and science programs. I thank President Dr. Pablo Arenaz for his assistance in securing these noteworthy endowments,” Cong. Cuellar observes.
TAMIU is ranked 16th among the Top 20 Public Schools in the 2018 U. S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges ranking. “We’re pleased to figure strongly in this and other rankings, which are often the first research step as students begin their path to selecting their higher education destination,” said President Pablo Arenaz.
The much-lauded film documentary, “Rhapsody on the Rio,” is added to the national PBS Online Network for viewing, dramatically expanding its audience potential. Based on a haunting musical composition, “Rapsodia,” by TAMIU’s University organist, Dr. Colin Campbell, the documentary explores the river’s immutable ability to bring together diverse peoples. It was produced by KLRN, the San Antonio PBS station for Central and South Texas with generous funding support from the City of Laredo.
Learning to navigate a smartphone application and making them work for seniors is the focus of a TAMIU Continuing Education course, “High Tech Seniors: Learning Technology for Life.” The course targets those who may not have grown up with mobile devices, and might struggle using and understanding apps.
TAMIU relaunches a redesigned and improved Uconnect, the University’s official communications portal. Uconnect is a web-based, single-sign on platform that provides members of the University community: students, faculty and staff, with gateway access to a multitude of TAMIU services. The redesign focuses on a streamlined experience that strips away clutter and a new navigation and organizational scheme to speed access needed content,” said Dr. Brian Gaskins, the University’s chief information officer.
KLRN, the Public Television Station for South Central Texas, announces their Lone Star Chapter Regional Emmy Nomination. The nomination was in the “Documentary-Topical” category for the Rhapsody on the Rio Grande film produced in partnership with TAMIU, with generous funding from the City of Laredo.
Lev Golinkin, author of the acclaimed “A Backpack, A Bear and Eight Crates of Vodka,” Lev Golinkin, lectures before students at TAMIU. His book is selected for the University’s Common Reading Program, “Reading the Globe,” and the City of Laredo’s One City, One Book Project. TAMIU students in the Program will compete for an opportunity to travel to Russia as part of the Program.
TAMIU ranks No. 6 among the Top 10 Best Colleges for Biology majors in Texas, according to a new ranking released by online source, Zippia.com. TAMIU and Texas A&M University College Station, were the only two universities in the Texas A&M University System recognized.
The Sue and Radcliffe Killam celebrates books authored by faculty members with its Special Collections and Archives Library component, the Faculty Authored Book Collection (F.A.B.). Faculty authors recognized published works from 2010-2017.
Cheaper and more effective solar cells could be possible in the near future thanks to a group of scientists from (TAMIU) and local plants. Their research article, “Dye-sensitized solar cells using Aloe Vera and Cladode of Cactus extracts as natural sensitizers” is published in “Chemical Physics Letters,” Volume 679, July 2017, recently recognized by a leading source of engineering research news, Advances in Engineering, and recognized as a key scientific article contributing to excellence in engineering, scientific and industrial research. Main author Dr. Deepak Ganta, TAMIU assistant professor of engineering, worked with two undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Engineering: José Jara (Senior/Systems Engineering) and Rolando Villanueva, (Senior/Systems Engineering).
TAMIU ranks No. 3 among the 10 Best Colleges for Mathematics Majors in Texas, according to a new ranking announced by online source, Zippia.com. TAMIU follows Rice University and The University of Texas at Austin as one of the top Universities for Math majors in the state.
More students are choosing to ‘Go Beyond’ at TAMIU and the University sees notable enrollment increases for Fall 2017, especially among first-time freshmen and graduate students. TAMIU’s total student enrollment for Fall 2017 is 7,654, a 3 percent increase over Fall 2016. Also, first-time freshmen enrollment, totaling 1,229, represents an historic 10 percent hike compared to the previous Fall. Total semester credit hours are up 5.2 percent, from 83,217 the previous Fall to 87,535. Both undergraduate and graduate enrollment, including doctoral students, is up 3 percent, at 6,804 and 850 respectively.
The sound legacy of the Civic Music Association which has had lasting impact on the performing arts in Laredo, is recognized at a special reception at TAMIU. Rosanne Palacios, vice president for Institutional Advancement at TAMIU, said the effort is long overdue and reaffirms the arts’ importance in Laredo. “The notes these visionary leaders first sounded so many years ago are still being heard here. We wanted to recognize that lineage, from past to present, and show how today’s vibrant Laredo music scene can be traced to the humble, but powerful beginnings of the CMA,” Palacios said.
TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business maintains its business accreditation by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) in its most recent continuous improvement review. Members of the Sanchez School of Business Advisory Board and community leaders celebrate the announcement at a reception held at the University’s Western Hemispheric Trade Center.
TAMIU launches a dedicated on-campus effort to combat food insecurity by opening the Dusty’s Food Pantry as part of its “Make A Difference Day” observation. “Food insecurity is a national challenge, and our students are no different…It’s something we want to address quickly and efficiently,” said Mayra Hernández, director of the University’s Office of Student Conduct and Engagement.
Six local agencies enter into powerful agreements with the University’s Partnership TAMIU: An Alliance for Good. Organized by TAMIU’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement, these agreements establish service opportunities that assist the agencies and enhance TAMIU student learning and development.
The innovative collaboration between the Laredo Theater Guild International and TAMIU is affirmed with the joint signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. It provides a collaborative framework for the University’s relationship with LTGI, and governs the use of rehearsal and performance space and student engagement in LTGI productions, and was signed on stage at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz said “LTGI is leading a theatre revolution in Laredo and this powerful collaboration enables us to augment our program offerings, provide students with performance experiences, and utilize our top-notch facilities as a preferred backdrop for a broad spectrum of theatrical presentations.”
TAMIU’s School of Engineering is expanding engineering options this Spring 2018 with the addition of two new minors. Dr. Guillermo Domínguez, director of the School of Engineering, said the two minors are part of the School’s BS in Systems Engineering: Petroleum Engineering and Computer Science.
TAMIU now offers a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies with introductory classes beginning in Spring 2018. The Minor is housed within the TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences, department of Humanities. Dr. Ula Klein, assistant professor of English is coordinator and advisor for the minor and is assisted by Dr. Kathryn Klein, visiting assistant professor of English.
Cesar Gutiérrez, 2017 TAMIU graduate, has a passion for fitness and loves a challenge. At the suggestion of TAMIU faculty mentor Dr. Brett Nickerson, assistant professor of Kinesiology, Gutiérrez has earned certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
KLRN, the Public Television Station for South Central Texas, wins a 2017 Lone Star Chapter Regional Emmy Award in the “Documentary-Topical” category for the Rhapsody on the Rio Grande film it produced in partnership with TAMIU with generous funding from the City of Laredo.
The names of more than 1,100 students are recognized on the TAMIU Student Success Wall in ceremonies in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center. The 18-foot special permanent display, “Four Years, Many Futures” recognizes students’ accomplishments and commitment in maintaining a four-year track as a sophomore, junior or senior at TAMIU.
28 TAMIU undergraduate and graduate students compete in the 14th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Students earning undergraduate Awards are Jasmine Idrogo and Ray Casas. Earning Awards at the Graduate level was Aileen Terrazas.
A tree, a beam and a signed promise for TAMIU’s future are joined as the University holds its “Topping-Off Ceremony” for its Academic and Laboratory Hall, under construction on the east end of the 300-acre campus. TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz welcomed guests, including The Texas A&M University System Chancellor, John Sharp, State Senator Judith Zaffirini and chairman of the A&M Board of Regents, Charles W. Schwartz.
TAMIU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing is nationally ranked as one of the best in the Central US by Nurse Journal ORG. It evaluated over 754 nursing schools on 20 metrics, sorting them into five categories: affordability, convenience, quality, satisfaction and value.
TAMIU signs an agreement with the Consulate General of México in Laredo, Carolina Zaragoza Flores, to help Mexican students with their University expenses and encourage their graduation in four years. The agreement re-establishes the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior Becas Program at TAMIU.
In ceremonies in College Station, longtime TAMIU professor of Spanish and Creative Writing, Dr. José J. Cardona-López, is one of 12 faculty members and 10 agency service, extension or research professionals within the A&M System designated as Regents Professors and Regents Fellows for 2016-2017 by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
The TAMIU community shows how they “Go Beyond,” donating more than $6,500 for scholarships, TAMIU Colleges and Schools, international experiences and more during Giving Tuesday… and more than $2,350 during the Third Annual Penny Wars. “Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members who gave during Giving Tuesday and Penny Wars are not only supporting the University, they are also supporting the future of Laredo, South Texas and the world by investing in our students,” says Jackelyne Briseño, TAMIU student philanthropy coordinator.
Over 750 candidates for graduation participate in TAMIU’s Fall 2017 Commencement Exercise at the Laredo Energy Arena. Commencement Speaker for the event is State Representative Richard Peña Raymond.
Analyssa Ayala, 19, part of the first cohort of students to graduate from Texas A&M International University’s Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies… is also the first Academy graduate to earn a bachelor’s degree from TAMIU. Ayala earns a degree in Psychology from TAMIU and plans to pursue a graduate degree.