When we were reviewing pictures for our Annual Report cover, we wanted to capture Dr. Pablo Arenaz in all his facets: leader, mentor, scholar, and friend. But we kept circling back to this picture and the joy and happiness it captured in one of Dr. Arenaz’s last times on campus. The occasion was the launch of our new Dusty Mascot after an extensive social media “glow-up,” as our students say. Dr. Arenaz’s assignment was to drive his trusty golf cart with a prized passenger: Dusty. Dusty was bowing at Cabchella, an on-campus outdoor Fall festival for students, and hundreds were eagerly anticipating his promoted arrival. A video teased this and TAMIU cheerleaders led the crowd in cheers of “Dusty, Dusty, Dusty.” Dr. Arenaz relished the charge, laughing as he navigated his way through the crowd and shared the stage with his costumed sidekick. He loved the students’ reaction to Dusty and eagerness to embrace the University mascot and the Fall semester ahead. It was a happy time. 2
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