Posted: 11/28/01

New at the U

"NEW AT THE U"

A News and Information Service of

A&M International's

Office of Public Affairs and Information Services

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1. 'Las Posadas' Set Sunday at University

2. University's CSWHT Offers 'Tree of Hope'

3. Final Film Offering in Festival Set Dec.5

4. Impact of 9.11 on U.S.-Mexico Trade Explored

at Dec. 10 CSWHT Lecture with Dr. Cuellar

5. Regent Sosa Commencement Speaker at A&M International

6. Department of Fine and Performing Arts Added at University

7. A&M International Gets Own 'Planet'

8. Over $50,000 in AMP Scholarships

Awarded to A&M International Students

9. Texas Tech Launches Law School Program with University

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A&M International Presents 5th Annual

Las Posadas Sunday

The city's largest observance of Las Posadas will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 6 - 8 p.m. in the Texas A&M International University Kinesiology-Convocation Building.

Admission is free of charge and open to the public.

The fifth annual presentation is organized by the University's Ballet Folklórico and the Student Government Association, and is an exacting re-creation of a Mexican posada, complete with traditional dance, music and food of Mexico. This year's performers will include the Ballet Folklórico, Ballet Folklórico Juvenil, the University Band and the award-winning Mariachi Internacional.

After the re-enactment processional and entertainment, a free reception will be held, featuring Mexican foods traditionally served during the holiday season.

For more information on Las Posadas at A&M International Sunday, Dec. 2, please contact David Jones, Ballet Folklórico member, at 326- 2771, or the Student Government Association office at 326-2265. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

University's CSWHT Offering "Tree of Hope"

For Local Child in Make A Wish Program

Texas A&M International University's new Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade (CSWHT) is spearheading efforts to benefit a Laredo child selected for assistance by the Make A Wish Foundation.

The CSWHT has erected a "Tree of Hope" in its lobby with ornaments representing donor gifts ranging from $2-$15. All monies collected will be donated to the Make A Wish Foundation.

The Foundation has selected a Laredo child, an 8-year-old girl, who has been diagnosed with life-threatening leukemia. The young girl's wish is to go to Disney World. The Foundation hopes to be able to secure $5,000 in donations in order to fulfill the wish request.

Deadline for donations is Wednesday, Dec. 5.

For more information, please contact Vincent at 326.2820 , email to vvincent@tamiu.edu, or visit offices in suite 203 of the Center.

La Grande Bouffe Final Offering in A&M International's

Feasting on Light: 2001 Fall Film Festival

The final offering of Texas A&M International University's Fall Film Festival Series: "Feasting on Light" is La Grande Bouffe. The film will be shown Wednesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Bullock Hall 101 and is free and open to the public.

An over-the-top, graphic and visually aggressive film, it is considered director Marco Ferreri's masterpiece. The film is rated NC-17 for some explicit sexuality. It will be shown in French with English subtitles. Commentary will follow the film.

For more information, contact either Drs. Chadwell or Nichols by phone, at 326.2471 or 326.2610, respectively.

Impact of 9.11 on U.S.-Mexico

Trade Explored at University Lecture

The ramifications of the terroristic events of September 11 on U.S.-Mexico trade relations will be explored in the second in an occasional lecture series featuring distinguished speakers hosted by Texas A&M International University's Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade (CSWHT) on Monday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the new Center, room 111.

Former Secretary of State and State Representative Dr. Henry Cuellar will be the guest speaker for "U.S.-Mexico Trade After Sept. 11, 2001." The lecture is free of charge and open to the public.

For additional information, please contact the Center at 326.2820, visit offices located on the second floor in room 203, or email wlabel@tamiu.edu. Information on the Center is also available by visiting http://freetrade.tamiu.edu/

Lionel Sosa Fall Commencement

Speaker at A&M International

Lionel Sosa, member of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and icon of Hispanic success in entrepreneurship, will serve as Fall 2001 Commencement Speaker for graduation exercises scheduled Saturday, Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. at Texas A&M International University, in front of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.

The December graduation will be the first held in front of the Killam Library. More than 200 students, the largest class to date, are candidates for undergraduate or graduate degrees.

Sosa, a highly successful advertising executive, is the founder of Sosa, Bromley, Aguilar & Associates (now Bromley Communications) and the author of The Americano Dream: How Latinos Can Achieve Success in Business and In Life. Named one of the "100 Most Influential Hispanics in the U.S." by Hispanic Business, he served as a media consultant for President George W. Bush in the 2000 campaign.

For further information on Fall 2001 Commencement, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326-2180.

Department of Fine and Performing

Arts Added at A&M International

Texas A&M International University has added a new Department of Fine and Performing Arts to its College of Arts and Humanities.

Recently approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, the Department will oversee a wide range of programs designed to address local and area educational needs in the fine and performing arts.

Dr. Gilberto Soto, associate professor of music and Department chair, said the Department's creation allows for dynamic growth in programs designed to prepare students in the arts at their hometown University. He said the Department will be housed temporarily in Pellegrino Hall 215 and later in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts when its construction is completed.

For further information about the University's new Department of Fine and Performing Arts, please contact Soto at 326-2649, visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 415D or e-mail gsoto@tamiu.edu.

A&M International Now Part

of High-Tech University Planet

Students, faculty and staff at Texas A&M International University now have their own planet. A&M International will now utilize University Planet, a collection of user-friendly technologies that comprehensively addresses student planning needs.

University Planet, Inc. of Campbell, California will host the web-based technology collection, known as the Academic Planning Suite, and license it for use at A&M International. University president Dr. Ray Keck said the addition of University Planet will help the University assure student success.

The technology will help students, faculty and administrators to work collaboratively to address student planning needs as they progress through their higher education program. University Planet, Inc. is a provider of web-based academic and resource planning solutions to universities and was founded in May 1999.

For more information, contact A&M International interim provost Dr. Fairdoun Farrokh at

326.2240 or visit offices in Killam Library 269.

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Over $50,000 in Texas AMP Scholarships

Awarded to A&M International Students

The Texas Alliance for Minority Participation (Texas AMP) has recently awarded a total of $51,054 in scholarships to 103 Texas A&M International University students.

The Texas AMP scholarship is geared toward minority undergraduate students majoring in mathematics, biology, engineering, chemistry, science and computer information systems. Awards range as high as $500.

For more information on the Texas AMP Scholarship, please contact Martha S. Treviño, coordinator of A&M International's Pre-College Programs, at 956.326.2765 or visit the Department of Special Programs in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, suite 332.

Texas Tech School of Law Launches

Pre-Law Program at A&M International

Getting into law school is not easy, but Texas A&M International University students now have some distinct advantages.

Texas Tech University School of Law recently announced it will establish two Presidential Merit Scholarships, create a "3+3" early admission Scholarship, and establish an early decision plan for A&M International students.

For more information about the new pre-law scholarships or the early decision program, please contact Dr. Nasser Momayezi at 326.2616, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 432A or email nmomayezi@tamiu.edu.

"New at the U" is a weekly compendium of brief news item about and for Texas A&M International University.

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