TAMIU Spring Commencement Exercises Held Saturday

Texas A&M International University Spring Commencement Exercises were held outdoors Saturday, May 14, 2011, on the TAMIU Green in front of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.

More than 500 combined candidates for graduation from the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences participated in ceremonies. Each ceremony featured Distinguished Student Scholar respondents for each of the Colleges represented.

Alejandra Avila represented the A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business. Manuel Mario Flores II represented the College of Education. Andrea Deyanira Beattie represented the College of Arts and Sciences and Irma Fabiola Guerra represented the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing.

Judith A. Canales, the first Hispanic woman to serve as the Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative Programs in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program appointed by President Barack Obama, served as Commencement speaker.

As administrator, she is responsible for overseeing the national rural business and cooperative programs portfolio for USDA. Rural Business and Cooperative Programs promote a dynamic business environment in rural America by working in partnership with the private sector, public bodies and community-based organizations.

Canales was previously the executive director for the Maverick County Development Corporation, facilitating economic development for Eagle Pass and Maverick County. She was an adjunct faculty professor for Southwest Texas Junior College and a consultant specializing in government relations, grant writing, and leadership training for nonprofit organizations.

She was the first executive director of the International Hispanic Network, an organization of city managers and professionals. She was the Director of Human Resources for the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, Special Projects Director for Sul Ross State University- Rio Grande College and served as the assistant city manager for the City of Eagle Pass.

Her first presidential appointment was by President Bill Clinton as the acting associate administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service in Washington, D.C.

For a Commencement program, click here.

For photos, click here.

For more information, visit the University’s dedicated site for Commencement information online at tamiu.edu/commencement, call the Office of the University Registrar at 956.326.2205, or visit offices in the University Success Center.

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