TAMIU STEM and International Studies Academy Celebrates New Name Unveiling Wednesday, Sept. 5
Texas A&M International University will celebrate the unveiling of the new name for The Julieta And Frank Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m. in the Dr. Billy F. Cowart Hall, room 213.
The Academy, previously known as the Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies, recently underwent a name change to honor its longtime benefactors, Frank Staggs and his late wife, Julieta.
Those expected to attend the dedication ceremony include Frank Staggs and his son, Raul; friends of the Staggs family; Dr. Gladys Keene, regional dean and clinical professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center Regional Campus at Laredo; TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz as well as other TAMIU representatives.
The Academy will also host a free information session for students and parents interested in enrolling for the 2019-2020 academic year Saturday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, room 101.
“We encourage students and parents in their sophomore year in high school to attend this session so that they can start begin their application process in a timely manner,” said Dr. Patricia Uribe, Academy director and TAMIU-ISD superintendent.
Created by State Senator Judith Zaffirini and authorized by the 79th Texas Legislature in 2005, the Academy is an innovative, University-level institution on the TAMIU campus. It is designed for highly gifted and motivated high school juniors and seniors focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and International Studies.
Academy students receive full tuition and books and enjoy all privileges awarded to university students. They also have the opportunity to earn up to two years of University credit towards a bachelor’s degree while earning their high school diploma. They also participate in research and collaborative educational opportunity with Academy partners.
Frank Staggs was born in July 1927 in Laredo to Frank W. and Gertrude Frizzel Staggs. His career spans teaching, insurance, coaching, ranching, refereeing and even bus driving. He studied at Texas A&M University for a short time before enlisting in the United States Armed Services. His assignment was to the U.S. Army Hospital Ship Mercy, which sailed across the Pacific Theatre of operations. After finishing his extended tour of duty in 1947, he continued his education at Texas A&I University-Kingsville, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. He has taught in San Benito, Mirando City and Laredo and has served as an assistant principal at M.B. Lamar Junior High School. When Milton Elementary School opened, he became its first principal and returned to Lamar as its principal in 1969. During that time, he began ranching with his wife, Julie’s uncle, Dr. Raúl de la Garza, at the family ranch near Oilton. Then, Central Office came calling in 1972, and he was named Director of Special programs. Eight years later, he retired from education and pursued a career in the insurance business.
María Julieta Farías Staggs was born to Francisco F. Farías and María Julieta de la Garza Farías in July 1925. She graduated with honors from Martin High School in 1942. She studied Education and Spanish at what is now Texas State University in San Marcos. She taught school in D’Hanis, Texas one year and returned to Laredo teach at Martin High School, and then Bruni School. She met Frank Staggs in August 1951 and they were married May 28 the following year. They moved to Greely, Colorado that summer and returned to teaching in Frank’s hometown of Mirando City. She taught third grade while awaiting the birth of Frank, Jr. who was born February 1953. That summer, the Staggs returned to Colorado where Frank completed his Masters in School Administration.
Laredo became their permanent home that fall and Julie began a 30+ year teaching career at the new M. S. Ryan Elementary where she made many lifelong friends doing what she enjoyed most: teaching. In 1987, Julie was selected to portray Martha Washington as part of Laredo’s Washington’s Birthday Celebration. Frank was her “George.” Julie was beset by Alzheimer’s in 2003 and passed in October of 2015.
For additional information on the Academy, call Dr. Uribe at 956.326.2860, email puribe@tamiu.edu, or click on http://www.tamiu.edu/coas/theacademy/
