A&M International Honors Outstanding Student Clubs

Outstanding Texas A&M International University student organizations were recently recognized during a University Life Awards ceremony and reception held recently in the University's Great Room. The awards ceremony and reception were sponsored by A&M International's Office of Student Development and the Student Government Association.

Dr. Stephen Brown, dean of Student Affairs at A&M International, provided welcoming remarks for the award ceremony. Opening and closing remarks were provided by David VerMilyea, director of Student Development. Emcees for the event were Gabriela Mendoza, associate director of Student Development, and Arturo Sanchez III, president of the Student Government Association.

University Life Awards were presented in six categories: Outstanding Community Service, Most Outstanding Sponsor, Leader of the Year, Freshman Excellence, Most Active Student Organization, and Coolest Shirt.

Recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award was the A&M International Police Explorers. Other nominees in this category included the Political Science Association, Student Accounting Society, and Tau Sigma Chi - Criminal Justice.

Recipient of the Outstanding Sponsor Award was Dr. George Kostopoulous, sponsor of the Electronic Commerce Association. Other nominees included Dr. William B. Duncan, Political Science Association; Dr. Firooz Khosraviyani, Mathematical Association of America; Ricardo Ortegon, Student Ambassadors; and Dr. Jaqueline Power, Student Accounting Society.

Student Accounting Society president Minerva Ayala was named recipient of the Leader of the Year Award. Other nominees included Michael Chandarlis, Chemistry Club; Reymundo Martinez, Tau Sigma Chi - Criminal Justice and Carlos Perez, Political Science Association.

Recipient of the Freshman Excellence Award was Adriana Juarez, Chemistry Club. Other nominees included Roger Allen, Tau Sigma Chi - Criminal Justice; Gilbert Cardenas, Student Ambassadors; Victor Gonzalez, Student Accounting Society; and Laura Rodriguez, Rainbow Education Association of Laredo.

The International Business Association and the Student Accounting Society were named Most Active Student Organization of the Year. Other nominees included the Political Science Association, Student Systems Group, A&M International Police Explorers, and Tau Sigma Chi - Criminal Justice.

The Coolest Shirt Award, for the official club shirt which best promoted the organization, was awarded to the International Business Association Other nominations in this category were the Rainbow Education Association of Laredo, Student Accounting Society, Student Ambassadors, and Tau Sigma Chi - Criminal Justice.

Award recipients were selected by a committee comprised of one University administrator, one faculty member, and one student representative . Selection committee members were Sandra Sanders, associate director of the Academic Enrichment Center; Dr. Frances Rhodes, associate professor of English; and Arturo Sanchez III, president of the Student Government Association.

The University currently has over 30 chartered student organizations with interests ranging from accounting to track and field.

For more information on the University Life Awards, call the Office of Student Development, 326-2280, or visit offices in the Kinesiology/Convocation Building room 107. University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday -Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu