Texas A&M International Alumni Association Plans First Homecoming Oct. 25

If you're a former student or graduate of Texas A&I University at Laredo, Laredo State University or Texas A&M International University, you're being called home...to Texas A&M International University.

The Texas A&M International University Alumni Association is hosting its first "Alumni Homecoming" on Oct. 25, as the Kick-Off Event of the Inauguration Celebration Week activities for Dr. J. Charles Jennett.

The "Alumni Homecoming" will include tours of the campus, opportunities to attend a research colloquium, special exhibits, refreshments and entertainment.

It is sponsored by the Alumni Association with the support of the Faculty Senate and Student Organizations. Sue Nichols, president-elect of the Alumni Association, is the event coordinator.

Alumni Association President Lulu Sanchez said the group is looking forward to the Oct. 25 event and the entire Inauguration Celebration.

"It seemed a great opportunity for us to call on all our former students and graduates of the University to join us on the new campus and celebrate the inauguration of the University's new President. We can reacquaint ourselves with old friends and make some new friends while welcoming the University's fourth president," said Lulu Sanchez, Association President.

She noted that the University's total alumni population numbers over 6,000 and reaches around the globe and close to home.

"While a large number of the alumni of Texas A&I University at Laredo, Laredo State University and now Texas A&M International University are in the Laredo area, we do have alumni all around the world," she explained.

The "Alumni Homecoming" event will begin Friday, Oct. 25 with tours of the new campus conducted by members of the Student Ambassadors, a student service group at the University, from 6:30-8 p.m.

The Second Annual Dean's Research Colloquium will follow from 7-8 p.m. with A&M International faculty from each of the University's four Colleges presenting research summaries on a variety of topics. Sessions will be held in Bullock Hall 219, 220 and 221.

A gathering will follow at 8 p.m. in The Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library and will serve to introduce new President Dr. J. Charles Jennett to the Alumni Association members and guests. A Special Inductee Award will also be presented at this time.

Special displays by students groups and colleges, a Career Planning and Placement information area and an opportunity to join or rejoin the Association will be offered in the Great Room. The Expo-Mex 1996 Queen and members of her Court will also be present to model Mexican traditional folk costumes.

From 9-10 p.m., refreshments will be served and musical entertainment will be provided by the Trio Los Impalas.

Sanchez said she encourages both former students, graduates and new Alumni Association members and guests to attend the group's first "Alumni Homecoming."

Event Coordinator Nichols said the group hopes to make the event a yearly one.

"We are hopeful that this will become a new tradition for the Alumni Association and its growing membership and that we will be able to extend this and make it a memorable annual event for all," Nichols said.

Other Inauguration Celebration events scheduled include the Second "Dusty" Golf Tournament on Oct. 26, a lecture with Pulitzer Prize Co- winner Andres Oppenheimer and a Dinner-Dance Nov. 1.

Organizers said the Alumni Association encourages its members and friends to join in the Inauguration Celebration activities beginning Oct. 25 and continuing through Inauguration ceremonies Saturday, Nov. 2.

For additional information on the "Alumni Homecoming," call 326 .2565. For information on Inauguration Celebration activities, please contact the Office for Advancement and External Affairs at 326.2175.

Recorded Inauguration Celebration activities information is available by calling 326.2171 or by visiting the University's Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.tamiu.edu.