Hernandez to Provide Commencement Address at A&M International Dec. 18

A lifelong educator whose teaching has taken him from classrooms around the world from Harvard to New Mexico and Chile to Turkey will provide the Commencement Address for Texas A&M International University's Fall 1999 Commencement Exercises Saturday, Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. in the Kinesiology-Convocation Building.

Dr. John Whitlock Hernandez Jr., Professor of Civil Engineering at New Mexico State University, will present the address.

Hernandez holds his Ph.D. in Water Resources from Harvard University. An M.S. in Environmental Engineering was also earned at Harvard. A second M.S. in Sanitary Engineering was received at Purdue University. His B.S. in Civil Engineering was completed at the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Charles Jennett, A&M International president, said Hernandez' educational accomplishments are matched by his commitment to public service.

"He is a shining example of the power of higher education to address the needs of our communities. His educational strengths have been shared with many and he has had a hand, indirectly and directly, in helping to address crucial issues of public safety, health and welfare," Dr. Jennett said.

Hernandez' research interests run the gamut from water pollution to water resource management and initiating plans for the lease or purchase of water rights to the establishment of hazardous waste management programs in developing countries.

In addition to his service in teaching, his public sector experience has included being Deputy Administrator for the US Environmental Protection Agency and work as an engineer for the New Mexico State Department of Public Health.

A member of the American Society of Civil Engineers since 1954, he is also active in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and was a Senior Fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

He has been the recipient of New Mexico State University's Donald C. Roush Excellence in Teaching Award and was named a Distinguished Alumni of the University of New Mexico's College of Engineering. The Governor of New Mexico presented him with the State's Distinguished Public Service Award and he received a Presidential Commendation for exceptional service for his work on air and water pollution.

For additional information on Texas A&M International University's Spring Commencement Exercises, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Service at 326.2180 or visit offices located in Killam Library, room 268.

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