Texas A&M International University The Year in Review 1996
JANUARY 1996
Jose Garcia is named Interim President at Texas A&m international University. Garcia's appointment was made by The Texas A&M University System Chancellor Dr. Barry Thompson upon president Dr. Leo Sayavedra's selection as TAMUS' new Deputy Chancellor for Academic Institutions and Agencies. A national search for a new TAMIU president is launched.
A pilot project brings electronic mail to Texas A&M International University, providing 500 students with the option to have their own address in cyberspace.
19 Texas A&M International University School of Nursing students received over $12,000 in tuition and fee reimbursement with the generous assistance provided by the Lamar Bruni- Vergara Trust.
Official 12th class day enrollment figures show an enrollment climb of 28.5% and a Semester Credit Hour (SCH) increase of 49%. Total Spring semester enrollment was 2,469. The Spring 1995 enrollment was 1,921.
FEBRUARY 1996
Texas-Mexican Railway Company presents a $7000 four-year undergraduate scholarship to the University. Zaragoza Solis, Vice President for Finance and Comptroller, presented the scholarship.
The Texas A&M International University Political Science Association hosted a political debate for candidates in county and state races in Bullock Hall 101.
Enterprise Asset Management, operators of Mall del Norte, presented Texas A&M International University with the first installment of a $100,000 gift to be known as the Mall del Norte Scholarship Fund. The Mall has previously provided orientation awards, special student mementoes and underwrote the professional design and construction of a costume for the University's mascot, Dusty the Dustdevil.
The Carroll E. Summers Jr. Family provided the University with a gift of $6,000 to be known as the Carroll E. Summers III Memorial Scholarship in memory of their son.
MARCH 1996
The Distinguished Speaker Series of the College of Business Administration's Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade is initiated with Mary K. Thomas, International Examiner with the US Internal Revenue Service.
The Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library offers area educators a free Courtesy Cared enabling them to check out books from the Library.
The Texas A&M International University Student Government Association names officers elected in the first University-wide student elections held at the University. Jerry Garza is named president; Scott Roberts, vice president; Suzie McManus, secretary and Kriztella Lopez, treasurer. Student senators and judicials for each of the four Colleges were also named.
The Distinguished Speaker Series of the College of Business Administration presents its second speaker in the series, Dr. Erdener Kaynak, Professor of Marketing at Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Robert L. Patten, Professor of English at Rice University, initiates the College of Arts and Humanities Spring Lecture Series.
Dr. Norma Cantu, Professor of English, is named the 1995 recipient of the Premio Atzlan National Literary Prize for Fiction for Canicula: Snapshots of a Childhood en la Frontera.
The Laredo Manufacturers Association provides a $25,000 Scholarship Gift to the University in ceremonies at the Great Room.
A new minor in Women's Studies at Texas A&M International University is launched by the College of Arts and Humanities in ceremonies observing Womens' History Month in the Great Room.
APRIL 1996
Texas A&M International University schedules on-line, on-site registration for high school seniors at Laredo public and private high school campuses.
Zapata County students planning to attend Texas A&M International University benefitted from a $5,000 scholarship gift provided by the Galo Garcia Family, themselves Zapata County natives who maintain ranching and business interests in the area.
Earth Day activities including a Tree Planting Ceremony are hosted by the University's Biology Club.
Student life at A&M International included an Organizational Olympics on the South Green featuring student clubs and organizations competing in various fun events.
The Texas A&M University System's 21st Century Council of Advisors, a 300-plus member group that provides advice and support to the System, held an historic first meeting at A&M International.
Respected Spanish and Spanish American literature scholars Dr. Willard F. King and Dr. Edmund L. King, announce their decision to bequeath their priceless library collection to A&M International in ceremonies held in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library's Great Room.
A three-day binational workshop and performance series focusing on border cultures and presented by the Smithsonian Institution's Center for the Folklife Programs is held at A&M International.
The first production of the new A&M International University Drama Club, "An Actor's Workshop: A Series of Monologues, Duets and Vignettes," is presented in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
The Texas Forest Service presents an Urban Tree Planting Challenge Grant to the University that adds 130 additional trees to the campus' frontage area.
The second issue of "The Bridge," Texas A&M International University's first student newspaper, is published.
MAY 1996
Top Texas A&M International University student clubs were honored during the First Annual Student Organizational Awards Reception held in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
The University's Office of Continuing Education announces plans to hold the first Advanced Placement Institute in Laredo at the University July 28-Aug. 2.
Texas A&m International University signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila in Saltillo, Mexico. The MOU provides for faculty and student exchanges, joint research, exchange of materials, joint conference, symposia, workshops and dual graduate degree programs.
The Coca-Cola Foundation announces a $50,000 gift that will provide $25,000 in direct scholarships and $25,000 for an endowed scholarship fund for students planning careers in education.
A&M International's first Endowed Chair, the College of Business Administration's Distinguished Professor of International Trade Studies in the Western Hemisphere, is funded a by a $1.5 million federal grant from the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade.
The University's first outdoor graduation ceremonies at its new campus are held with Dr. Norma Cantu providing the keynote address for the 165 candidates for graduation.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores of Monterrey, N.L., Mexico, is signed in ceremonies held in the Great Room. The MOU makes possible joint degree and dual degree programs.
The Union Pacific Foundation of the Union Pacific Railroad Company provides its fourth gift of $20,000 in support of student scholarships for the College of Business Administration.
The Vanguard, the University's Honors Initiative Program, is announced a meeting of the Dean of Student Affairs' Community Advisory Panel. The Vanguard signals the University's commitment to developing a comprehensive Honors Program.
Family and colleagues of the late Laredo educator Luz Maria Davila announce the establishment of the Luz Maria Davila Endowment Scholarship Fund.
JUNE 1996
Dr. Jerry Thompson, Professor of History, is named Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities by Interim President Jose Garcia.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents votes to offer Dr. J. Charles Jennett, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Clemson University in South Carolina the position of president of Texas A&M International University.
Summer enrollment figures show a 17.5% enrollment climb over the previous Summer Session I. Enrollment is 1,491, up over 1995 SSI enrollment of 1269.
The Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners awards full accreditation status to A&M International's School of Nursing, commending the faculty and staff for having met the criteria for accreditation in an especially short time.
Scholarships awards totalling over $60,000 are awarded to local and area high school students planning to attend A&M International.
A&M International summer programs include the Summer Children's Workshop for 1st- 6th graders, the Summer Academy for 7th-11th graders and the Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP), beginning its 11th year.
The University's College of Business Administration signs an umbrella agreement with the Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi that will cover student and faculty exchange, research and degree development.
JULY 1996
Texas A&M International University's College of Education announces plans for a summer educational leadership conference focusing on important issues in educational leadership.
A&M International's first Advanced Placement Institute begins July 28, attracting educators from across Texas and the nation.
The University's Office of Financial Aid launch "FAFSA Express," electronic processing and transmitting of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The University's Student Ambassadors student club establishes a new scholarship in honor of TAMIU administrator Ricardo Ray Ortegon, who founded the student group the previous year.
Sam's Club provides a matching fund donation of $2,000 to the A&M International Student Ambassadors in brief ceremonies in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
The Daybreak Rotary Club provides a $100,000 endowed scholarship gift for students of Texas A&M International University. Incoming president Dr. J. Charles Jennett was on hand for the announcement.
The Three Tenors are presented in "concert" in a live closed circuit television broadcast hosted by International Bank of Commerce, KLRN-TV and Texas A&M International University attracts a capacity crowd in Bullock Hall 101.
The University hosts a special reception for its Student Ambassadors in recognition of the service the student group provided the University.
Over $25,000 in scholarship gifts provided to A&M International have been awarded to graduating local and area high school students transferring to or continuing their studies at the University.
AUGUST 1996
The Texas A&M International University Alumni Association schedules a summer social for former students and graduates of Texas A&I University at Laredo, Laredo State University and A&M International at the Holiday Inn Civic Center.
A Texas A&M International University graduate, Christina Arellano, and her father appear in a new video profiling the heart and soul of The Texas A&M University System that is distributed across the state and nation.
The College of Business Administration signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Canada's Century College of British Columbia. The MOU will enable students at both institutions to earn split graduate degrees with study time in Canada.
Jose Garcia, Texas A&M International University Vice President for Finance and Administration is honored for his 7-month service as interim president in a special reception hosted by University administrators, staff and faculty. A special commissioned portrait by local artist Rosario Azios is unveiled in Great Room ceremonies.
The University's Police announces its new Motorist Assistance Program (MAP). The service provides assistance in retrieving keys from locked cars, jump-starting dead batteries and help with flat tires.
The Friends for the Arts at Texas A&M International University, a local group charged with providing recommendations to the University for art acquisitions for the campus, hosts a special benefit Fashion Show featuring New York designer Randy Kemper.
SEPTEMBER 1996
Texas A&M International University hosts its first Dustdevil Invitational Cross Country Meet at the North Laredo campus.
KLRN hosts the Laredo debut of its new documentary program on the Matachines de la Santa Cruz de la Ladrillera at Bullock Hall. Dr. Norma Cantu, Professor of English, who consulted on the project, provided an opening overview of the project.
A pilot electronic mail project is expanded to all students, allowing all registered A&M International students their own email address.
University student members of the Political Science Association host a voter registration drive.
The University's first Distinguished Professorship of International Trade Studies in the Western Hemisphere is named in honor of local philanthropist Radcliffe Killam at an evening reception and dinner in the Great Room.
The University's College of Science and Technology hosts a public viewing of a total lunar eclipse. Dr. Michael Roth, Assistant Professor of Physics, lectures for the large crowd of 200- plus.
Taking advantage of its technological access, the University's catalog is placed on the Internet as a readable HTML file and a down-loadable PDF file for later viewing/printing.
The University's International Business Association launches a series of informal brown bag lunch talks dubbed the IBA Cafe.
The Women's Studies Minor Program of the College of Arts and Humanities initiates its first Women's Studies Speakers Series with a presentation by State Senator Judith Zaffirini.
OCTOBER 1996
Texas A&M International University Fall enrollment climbs 7% and semester credit hours 9% for the Fall 1996 semester. Total enrollment is 2,682 with SCH of 23,708. Last Fall's enrollment was 2,510 and SCH was 21,769.
The University's College of Business Administration launches an internship course for undergraduate and graduate business majors to augment classroom learning with practical field experience.
The University's Alumni Association announces plans for its first Homecoming to be held Oct. 25 in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
A&M International hosts a reception honoring donors of student scholarships in the Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. Students receiving the scholarships had an opportunity to meet and thank their benefactors.
The former president of Sears de Mexico presents a special guest lecture for students at Texas A&M International University.
Foley's Department Store provides a $10,000 scholarship gift to the University to be known as the Foley's Mayoral Scholarship Fund.
The SBC Foundation, philanthropic arm of the Southwestern Bell family of companies, contributes $700,000 to the University and LCC to fund an innovative effort, Creating Learning Organizations in Schools (CLOS) an effort to help local teachers better prepare Laredo-area students to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.
The Second Dean's Research Colloquium is part of the Alumni Homecoming for the Presidential Inauguration Celebration.
Dr. Manucher Parvin, Professor of Economics at the University of Akron, reads from his recently published novel, Avecina and I: The Journey of Spirits.
The University's second Dusty Golf Tournament is held Oct. 26 at the Lake Casa Blanca Golf Course. The Tournament benefits student scholarships and future intramural facilities.
NOVEMBER 1996
"Tradition and Transformation" is selected as the theme for the month-long celebration and inauguration of President J. Charles Jennett.
Andres Oppenheimer, Pulitzer Prize co-winner is a special guest lecturer as part of the Presidential Inauguration Celebration for Dr. J. Charles Jennett. The lecture is hosted by the College of Arts and Humanities.
Students at Texas &M International University host an International Festival featuring booths and displays, music and dance performances by students from 12 countries as part of the Inauguration Celebration.
Groundbreaking for student housing on the A&M International campus is held. The $5.1- million dollar facility will provide housing for 250-plus students in a privatized effort headed by American Campus Lifestyles Inc.
The largest gift in the University's history, an anonymous contribution of $5 million to support construction of a student center, was announced by President Jennett in his inauguration address on the South Plaza of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library. Those providing the gift recognized the Texas A&M University System and its history-making contribution to higher education in South Texas.
Young Authors who participated in the Summer Children's Workshop are honored with a special reception in the Great Room.
The University's College of Education hosted a workshop for educators from Laredo Independent School District titled "New Directions in Leadership."
The College of Arts and Humanities announces its offering of an American History course in Zapata for the upcoming Spring semester.
Over 800 local and area high school students attend an Open House at A&M International hosted by the University's College of Science and Technology.
At a Legislative Forum hosted by Senator Judith Zaffirini and State Representatives Henry Cuellar and Tracy King, community consensus on the University's completion is voiced. A broad spectrum of University educators, students, alumni and community members ask Legislators to target library completion, Phases III and IV and expansion of degree inventory for the opening of the new Legislative Session.
Radcliffe Killam announces his intent to provide a $2 million gift to help fund construction of the University's proposed Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade at the Legislative Forum.
LISD Med-Prep students tour the University's science facilities and conduct an experiment in the biology lab.
Dr. Lawrence Schkade offers a lecture on the human dimensions of information technology as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series hosted by the College of Business Administration.
The month-long Inauguration Celebration of president Dr. J. Charles Jennett culminates with "An Evening with the Classics," a lecture, drama performance and special presentation hosted by the College of Arts and Humanities and the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
Over 120 runners participate in the University's Second Dusty Fun Run and Walk, raising monies for student scholarships in the 5 and 10K run and walk on the new campus.
Students at Texas A&M International University vote to support a referendum that will support the construction of a Student Center on campus with a slight increase in student fees.
DECEMBER 1996
182 candidates for graduation participate in the largest Commencement Exercise for Texas A&M International University at the Laredo Civic Center auditorium. Dr. Ray Keck is Keynote Speaker for the event which feature a first-ever response from a student graduate.
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