TAMIU Annual Report 2020

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS CONNECT WITH ALUMNI @ HOME Even at a virtual distance, TAMIU’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients were able tomemorably reconnect with their Alma Mater via the Alumni @Home virtual event this past September. The 2020Distinguished Alumni Award recipients were U.S. Con- gressman, 28th Congressional District, Dr. Henry Cuéllar (’82) and Dr. Norma Elia Cantú (’73), longtime LSU and TAMIU former faculty member andnowNoreneR. andT. FrankMurchisonEndowedProfes- sor in Humanities at Trinity University. In a panel session moderated by host and alum Jerry Garza (’97), KGNS anchor, Drs. Cantú and Cuéllar both recalled the impact the University had on their lives and forecast their hopes for the future of TAMIU. Cong. Cuéllar recalled the then-Laredo State University’s faculty and the international perspective that infused the campus. “I remember the international students from all over the world, the varied points of view and how much we all learned from each other and our professor…I’ve carried those diverse lessons forward with me into my businesses and the halls of Congress,” he affirmed. Dr. Cantú, visibly moved by the memories being shared, offered a personal observation. “I can tell you that were it not for this University, I would not have the life I have today. This Universitymademy life possible,” she said. Both say that TAMIU’s future is bright and its growth certain. Cong. Cuéllar praised theUniversity’s leadership in securing STEM and other critical funding support for students. Cantú agreed, but noted that theUniversity’s growthwill also always offer an encourag- ing home for the arts and humanities. Dr.Henry Cuéllar Dr.Norma E.Cantú ALUMNI 15