October 2009 A Monthly Newsletter for Faculty, Staff and Friends of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
 ‘Menudo’ Exhibit Has a Little of This, a Little of ThatComedy legend and actor Cheech Marin entertained art enthusiasts Sept. 18 during an opening reception for the exhibit "Menudo: Chicano Art from the Cheech Marin Collection" at the Art Museum of South Texas. The title for Marin’s collection, is Spanish slang for “a little bit of this, a little bit of that.” Included are paintings, drawings, and prints by established artists such as Carlos Almaraz, Frank Romero, and Patssi Valdez and emerging artists such as Vincent Valdez and Shizu Saldamando. |
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 Capital Campaign Announced during State of the UniversityA $25 million goal and an additional $5 million challenge was announced for the Momentum 2015 Capital Campaign during the “State of the University” luncheon held Sept. 16 at the American Bank Center. More than 840 community leaders and friends of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi attended the annual event led by University President Flavius Killebrew, who shared important University news and information that has an impact on the Coastal Bend. Proceeds benefited the Achieve Partnership scholarship program. |
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 Islander Spirit Flag Presented to Iraq-Bound SoldierTexas A&M University-Corpus Christi President Flavius Killebrew presented Sgt. Benjamin S. Leal, a member of the U.S. Army Active Reserve, with an Islander spirit flag on Sept. 8, prior to his deployment to Iraq. After serving a year in Iraq, Sgt. Leal, who received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, plans to return to the Island University to pursue his master’s degree in communication. |
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 Alumni Club Helps Fill 'Islander Care Packages' for Troops The Anchor Alumni Club presented Acting Veterans Affairs Director Charles Johnson and Keith Davis, president of the United Students Veterans Organization (USVO), with items to stock “Islander Care Packages” for members of the military serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The USVO assists veterans in the acclimation from military to college life and supports active military members at home and deployed around the world. |
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 Anchor Alumni Club Elects New OfficersThe University’s Anchor Alumni Club officers for 2009-2010 are: (from left) Secretary Petra Martinez, assistant clinical professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences; President Cassandra Hinojosa, news editorial writer in the Office of Marketing and Communications; Treasurer Bea Blomquist, business manager in the College of Science and Technology; and Vice President Alamar Cavada, athletic marketing director. |
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| Research and Scholary Activity | ||
 The College of Science and Technology has released “Center for Coastal Studies: The First 25 Years,” a history and informational book on the first research center at the Island University. The book was edited by Dr. Wes Tunnell, associate director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies and director of the Center for Coastal Studies from its establishment until August 2009. The book includes overviews written by the researchers in the areas of wetlands ecology, habitat restoration, creation, and enhancement; coastal habitat ecology and impacts; endangered species use of coastal habitats; benthic ecology; environmental physiology; coral reef ecology, environmental monitoring and impacts; oil spill impacts and habitat recovery; offshore artificial reef studies; and marine ecotoxicology. |
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| Awards, Honors and Grants | ||
 University President Flavius Killebrew was presented with the “Education is our Freedom” Award by the American GI Forum at a September breakfast honoring the memory of the organization’s founder, Dr. Hector P. Garcia. The American GI Forum operates chapters throughout the United States, focusing on veteran's issues, education, and civil rights. Its motto is "Education is Our Freedom and Freedom Should be Everybody's Business." |
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 Dr. Juan Carlos Huerta, a professor of political science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, has been elected chair of the Political Science Education section of the American Political Science Association (APSA). As head of the 413-member section, Huerta will be the leading APSA advocate for the importance of teaching and learning. He will also represent professors who are not at leading research universities. He previously served on the program committee for the APSA Conference on Teaching and Learning from 2006-2008 and on the 2005 APSA Program Committee for the annual meeting. |
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| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been designated as a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine for its efforts and results in recruiting and retaining military and veteran students. Colleges, universities and trade schools named as Military Friendly must rank in the top 15 percent nationwide as rated by the magazine’s academic advisory committee consisting of educators and administrators from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Toledo, Duquesne University, Coastline Community College and Lincoln Technical Institute. | ||
 Kinesiology Professor Frank Spaniol has been named a Fellow of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), an international nonprofit educational organization that serves nearly 30,000 members in 52 countries. Selection as an NSCA Fellow recognizes professionals whose frequent and sustained long-term contributions to the profession have promoted the goals and activities of the NSCA. The Fellowship promotes excellence and leadership by recognizing high standards and extraordinary professional development. |
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| Around the Island | ||
| Human Resources will host a free Financial Fitness Fair for University employees on Monday, Oct. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom. Attend financial presentations and meet vendors to learn tips to help you become financially fit for life. For more information, call ext. 2180; or go to http://hr.tamucc.edu/. | ||
| The World Affairs Council of South Texas and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi are seeking families to host international students for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 26. If you would like to host an international student on this national day of Thanksgiving, call Maria Jaramillo-Couret at 361.825.3750; or e-mail mariac@worldaffairstexas.com. | ||
Dr. Flavius Killebrew and Kathy Killebrew chatted with students during the President’s Picnic held Sept. 8 at the Dugan Wellness Center. The annual event to kick off the fall semester featured performances by the Islander cheerleaders and dance team, baton twirling, and yoga and Recreational Sports demonstrations.
Prior to the Topping-Out Ceremony held Sept. 3, hundreds of students, faculty and staff put their signatures on the beam that was hoisted to the highest point of Island Hall, the future home to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and College of Education's Kinesiology Programs.
New Athletic Director Timothy Fitzpatrick became acquainted with Izzy and a throng of Islander fans during a meet-and-greet Sept. 9 at Brewster Street Icehouse. Fitzpatrick came to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi from Indiana University where he was senior associate athletic director.
More than 200 volunteers recruited by the University’s Office of Community Outreach and the Padre Island Kiwanis Club pitched in to clean up six miles of State Park beach stretching from Bob Hall Pier to Kleberg County line during the 23rd annual Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Fall Clean-Up on Sept. 26. Several campus organizations took part in the event which removed more than 13,000 pounds of trash along the coastline.
Theatre Professor J. Don Luna as James, and Sarah, played by Coastal Bend actress Carla Gardner, took center stage in the University’s production of the Tony Award-winning play “Children of a Lesser God” Sept. 11-13 in the Warren Theatre. The supporting cast included University students and local actors.
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