5 UNIVERSITY NEWS CENTERPOINT ENERGY FOUNDATION GIFT HELPS TAMIU’S ENGINEERING STUDENTS FORGE THE FUTURE OF SOUTH TEXAS A generous gift by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation will help TAMIU Engineering students forge the future of South Texas through access to specialized, high-performance laptops and robotic training kits. In November, CenterPoint Energy Foundation shared its gift totaling over $56,000 with the College of Arts and Sciences’ School of Engineering students and trusted partner and gift steward, the TAMIU Alumni Association. June Deadrick, CenterPoint Energy vice president, Community Relations, said that CenterPoint considers this gift an investment in students and an investment in the future of South Texas. “Education is vitally important to all our futures. We want to open up windows of opportunity, to help students chart a well-lit path to the future, and for these TAMIU engineering students to walk into brighter futures of purpose... in the most dynamic growth industries that will power the future,” Deadrick said. TAMIU Engineering students at the announcement showed that they’re already keen on that future, demonstrating their newly acquired robotic dog with moves showcasing programming prowess. Dr. Christopher Maynard, TAMIU president, lauded the generosity shown by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation. “Alongside our trusted partners and gift stewards, the TAMIU Alumni Association, we’re enormously proud that the CenterPoint Foundation shares our vision of futures powered by TAMIU. With this generous support, we will provide students with laptops with the powerful processing, high-resolution graphics, and multi-tasking abilities they need to be ready for that brighter future Ms. Deadrick envisions,” Dr. Maynard said. CenterPoint Energy Foundation of Houston presented its gift totaling over $56,000 to the College of Arts and Sciences’ School of Engineering students and trusted partner and gift steward, the TAMIU Alumni Association. The gift provides access to specialized, high-performance laptops and robotic training kits. TAMIU RECOGNIZED WITH NRG’S SILVER EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR CAMPUS ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAMIU was recognized with a Silver Excellence in Energy Award in the Energy Efficiency category during NRG’s 6th Annual Awards Ceremony in November. Robert J. Gaudette, executive vice president and president of NRG Business and Wholesale Operations, explained the importance of the national NRG Awards. “Over the past six years, we have seen incredible dedication to progress in energy innovation and resilience. These Awards are about honoring that commitment and looking ahead to the possibilities still to come,” said Gaudette. During the virtual ceremony, NRG representatives said TAMIU won for its remarkable transformation into a model of energy excellence. Through strategic initiatives such as lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and water conservation, the University significantly reduced utility consumption while enhancing operational efficiency. By embracing real-time data tools and predictive insights, TAMIU sets a national standard for sustainability and resource stewardship, creating a more resilient and forward-thinking campus, they observed. TAMIU president Dr. Christopher Maynard said the national Award affirms the importance and long-term benefits of energy efficiency on campus. “This Award underscores TAMIU’s leadership in implementing more than $20 million in energy efficiency upgrades, all funded through guaranteed savings. With our partner, Schneider Electric, the University has been positioned as a model for efficient campus operations. TAMIU improvements include advanced building performance monitoring and operational management programs that optimize energy use, enhance comfort, and reinvest savings into student success,” Dr. Maynard explained. Tammy Tolle, vice president at Schneider Electric, concurred and said TAMIU’s investment anticipates the nimble needs of the classrooms of tomorrow. "This recognition celebrates TAMIU’s bold, ongoing vision to transform campus operations. By embracing advanced building automation, energy monitoring, and asset planning tools, the University is creating a world-class learning environment that anticipates the needs of tomorrow and empowers students, faculty, and the broader Laredo community to thrive in a rapidly evolving world,” said Tolle. The partnership with Schneider has been led on campus by Juan J. Castillo, TAMIU’s vice president for Finance and Administration, and Trevor Liddle, associate vice president, Campus Planning and Safety.
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