Total of 89 TAMIU Students Recognized as Rising Scholars

Texas A&M International University recently honored its first group of freshmen and first-time transfer students who excelled under the University's First Year Success program and earned a GPA of 3.4 or higher during the Spring 2003 semester.

The 89 freshmen were recognized during the Rising Scholar Reception, held Wednesday, May 28 at the Student Center Ballroom.

Each scholar was presented with an award certificate and a personalized lamp of knowledge trophy for having satisfactorily completed their first year.

The First Year success Program promotes student success by reaching out to first-year students with support designed to ease student transition into University life. Students receive a variety of services, including tutoring as well as personalized counseling as they enter the program.

Rachel López, program coordinator, said the University is proud to present the students with a symbol of excellence.

"We are proud to present these students, who have intelligently utilized the opportunities that are available to them on campus to secure success in their first year," López said, "They will serve as a model to new students who will walk on their paths choosing higher education as their key for a brighter future."

Rising Scholars include Carmina Agredano, Carolina Alfaro, Sana Ali, Marcela Argüello, Abigail Armedariz, Mónica Bautista, Anna Laura Botello, Margarita A. Brizuela, Araceli M. Cadena, Norma A. Cadena, Héctor M. Cantú, María G. Cantú, Hiram Carpio, Daniela A. Castillejos, Liliana P. Castillo, Yolanda L. Castillo, Russell L. Cerda, Rebeca M. Colón, Cynthia Coronado, Judith L. Coronado, Benjamín De La Garza, Kristy De La Rosa, Debbie De León, Verónica Y. Domínguez, Juanita Durán, Victor M. Estrada, Maria E. Fjelstad, Kristela Flores, Norma Y. Flores, Roberto J. Flores and Samuel B. Flores.

Also recognized were Michael C. Foster, Lisa R. Gallego, Julián C. García, Nilda M. García, Anna Y. Garza, Timothy J. Garza, Verónica A. Garza, Dania K. Gómez, Michelle D. Gonzales, Adriana González, Erika R. González, Nora E. Gutiérrez, Mónica Guzmán, Rachel A. Haugen, Sandra R. Herrera, María E. Jasso, Rosalie Jiménez, Alejandro Landa, Danielle R. Lerma, Héctor D. Macías, Cynthia V. Martínez, Pia Miriam Martínez, Tatiana A. Mello, Aldo A. Molina, Lizzet Morales, Idalia K. Moreno, Carlos Núnez Jr., Julián R. Palacios, Jesús D. Peréz, Larissa Y. Pérez, Graciela Pérez-Milicua and Brian K. Poplin Jr.

Also, Sara L. Ramírez, Aurora Ramos, Elena Reyna, Melissa N. Reyna, Charissa-Mae A. Rivera, Laura E. Rodríguez, Eloisa Romero, Olga E. Rosas, Nelly G. Ruíz de Chávez, Devry Marie Sánchez, Kristian A. Sáenz, Kristina Salinas, Oswaldo Sánchez, Liz A. Sandoval, Alexander Soler, Darío Tiburcio, María L. Trejo, Miguel A. Treviño, Norma V. Valdéz, Rosario A. Valdéz, karla A. Vallarta, blanca N. Vásquez, Erica Vela, Karina R. Vela, Félix Velázquez, and Robert A. Velóz.

Special recognition of Rising Scholars were also presented according to each of the four colleges.

Those acknowledged were María E. Fjelstad and Rachel A. Haugen (College of Arts and Humanities), Robert J. Flores (College of Business Administration), Héctor M. Cantú (College of Science and Technology), and Cynthia V. Martínez (College of Education).

For further information, please contact Rachel López at 326-2785, e-mail rlopez@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 334.

University summer office hours are 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Offices will be closed on Fridays.