TAMIU Professor Key Speaker At May 11 Commencement

Dr. Norma E. Cantu, Professor of English at Texas A&M; International University has been selected as the keynote speaker for the University's Spring Commencement to be held on the South Greens of TAMIU's north Laredo campus, 5201 University Boulevard, on Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m.

The selection of Dr. Cantu as keynote speaker marks the first time in the University's history that graduating seniors chose a keynote speaker for Commencement.

The Student Government Association was charged with the selection of the Keynote Speaker for the May and August Commencements and asked graduating seniors to nominate a faculty member who had most inspired, motivated, and excited them. A subcommittee of the Student Senate reviewed the nominations and named Cantu as keynote speaker.

Dr. Cantu was recently named the 1995 recipient of the Premio Atzlan National Literary Prize in Fiction for her book Canicula/Snapshots of a Childhood en la Frontera. Last year, she was in residence at the National Endowment for the Arts, Folk and Traditional Arts Program, in Washington, D.C.

She holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her MS in English was earned at the former Texas A&I-Kingsville; and her BS with majors in Education, English and Political Science was earned from the former Texas A&I; University at Laredo.

Also on the program for Commencement are TAMIU Interim President Jose Garcia, who will act as Master of Ceremonies for Commencement and confer the degrees, Student Government Association President Jerry Garza, invocation and benediction; Frederick D. McClure, member of The Texas A&M; University System (TAMUS) Board of Regents, authorization for the conferral of degrees and Richard Lindsay, TAMUS Deputy Chancellor for Finance and Operations, who will offer greetings from the Texas A&M; University System.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini and Rep. Henry Cuellar will briefly address the graduates before Cantu gives the keynote address.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. William "Larry" Boyd, will Certify Candidates for Degrees; Mary Trevino, Special Assistant to the President, will Present Candidates for Degrees.

For more information on the Spring Commencement at TAMIU May 11, contact the University's Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326-2180.

TAMIU office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.