A&M International Faculty Member Appointed to ABS Board of Directors

A Texas A&M International University faculty member has been appointed to serve on the board of a prestigious scholarly association dedicated to the systematic interchange of ideas and information relating to international border areas.

Dr. Michael Patrick, professor of economics, has been appointed to the Association for Borderlands Studies' board of directors. His term will run from April 2000 through 2002.

Founded in 1976 with the original emphasis on the study of the United States-Mexican border region, the Association has grown steadily. It now encompasses an interdisciplinary membership of scholars who represent more than 150 academic institutions, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. ABS also maintains relations with related institutions and associations in the Americas and Europe.

The Association sponsors the Journal of Borderlands Studies (JBS), a multidisciplinary journal focusing on borderlands issues and research.

Patrick, who has extensive experience in the research of economic issues surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, maquiladoras and cross border trade, said he feels honored by the new appointment.

"I am particularly proud of the fact that A&M International will have representation on a board that oversees scholarly research on border issues across the world," he said, "Border issues, including trade, commerce, immigration, health, law enforcement, and the environment, have risen to the top of many bilateral and multilateral agendas as nations seek to cope with oftentimes rapid and radical changes in long-standing political and economic relationships."

Patrick earned his doctoral degree in agricultural economics in 1977 from Michigan State University. He earned a master of science degree in economics from the same university in 1976 and a master of science degree in community development from Southern Illinois University in 1973.

He currently serves as the director of the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development.

For further information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326-2184. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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