TAMIU Annual Report 2019

2019 Annual Report / AWORLDOF DIFFERENCE News/ DIFFERENCE 14 UniversityChampionSue KillamPasses Away TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenazoffershis thoughts on the November passingof SueKillam: “We aredeeply saddenedby the passing of one of thisUniversity’s most enduring friends andpartners. Sue SpiveyKillamwas a true force for thebetterment of higher education inSouthTexas. She championed thisUniversity singly andalongside her husband Radcliffe Killam and their family. As a member of the Board of Regents of the University Systemof SouthTexas, the governingbody for the former Texas A&I University at Laredo and Laredo State University, she providedkeen insight and cultural awareness that greatly influenced the University’s initial years and subsequent growth.WithRadcliffe, both built a truly astounding legacy nowknown as Texas A&M International University. Prior to their visionary donation of theUniversity’s 300-acre campus… land that she often recalled with a smile was among her favorite hunting locations…Radcliffe and Sue built a solid foundation for our University that spanned academic, program, research, and scholarship support. That generosity has continued ever since. Indeed much of the University’s success can be measured through initiatives made possible by the Killam’s boundless kindness. In 1998, the University bestowed its veryfirst honorary doctorates, the highest honor provided by academia, uponSue andRadcliffe. Radcliffe received the honorary Doctor ofHumane Letterswhile Sue receivedanhonoraryDoctor of Arts. This past October we presented the KillamFamilywith one of our first Tower Awards, which recognize thosewhohave shared a towering role in shaping theUniversity’s destiny andmission. Despite her small stature, Sue Killam truly stands tall in our hearts and minds and we grieve her loss with her family and many friends.” "Her impact on our City has been profound. After the opening of TAMIU, her ranch was subdivided. It is now the site not only of D&J Alexander Estates, but alsoof AlexanderHighSchool anda Fire Station. What better way to honor her than to invest in the future of students at our neighboring hometown University?,” Senator Zaffirini noted. TAMIU senior Nursingmajor Karina Gutiérrez offered a heartfelt perspective for both herself and fellow student recipients. “I want to thank theAlexander Foundation and especially Senator Zaffirini for making this possible. So many of us work, take care of family and go to school to try and growprofessionally. We could not do itwithout the generous support of people like Senator Zaffirini and the Board of the Alexander Foundation,” Gutiérrez said. TAMIU Students Top AwardWinners at A&M SystemStudent Research Symposium TAMIUStudent researchers have awinningwaywith research. They earned the highest number of awards at the competitive 16thAnnual Pathways Student ResearchSymposium. Over 400 student and faculty representatives fromthroughout the sprawling Texas A&MUniversity Systemgathered at TAMIU for the two-day competition inNovember. TAMIU student researchers earned 18 of 61 Awards presented in ceremonies in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. Others placing in the competition were Texas A&M University Commerce with 12 Awards, Tarleton State University with 11 and Texas A&MUniversity with six Awards. Provost Mitchell congratulates Keaton Powers on his First Place Graduate Humanities Award at the Pathways Symposium.