Campus Rockers Compete for Cash Prizes during Battle of the Bands XI
Ten local bands featuring Islander students rocked the campus for cash prizes during the “Battle of the Bands XI” held Dec. 4 in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom. During the concert sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, bands played 30-minute sets and were judged on technical skill, creativity, stage presence, vocal skill and audience reaction. The winning bands were: First place- The Preview ($500); Second place- Shrimp Scampi & the Heavenly Blues ($350); Third place- Equal People ($250).

Michael Martin Murphey's 'Cowboy Christmas' Plays to Sold-Out Performing Arts Center
Legendary singer and songwriter Michael Martin Murphey once again packed the Performing Arts Center for his annual “Cowboy Christmas” concert held Dec. 8. Murphey, one of the best-selling singer/songwriters of American cowboy music since the early 1970s, broke ground in 1987 with his nostalgic, down-home, inspirational Christmas show which plays to more than 40 cities, including Corpus Christi, during the holiday season. Murphey, recently hit number one on the Top 50 Bluegrass Chart, with his new album “Buckaroo Blue Grass.”

Zimba Named Director of Center for Coastal Studies
Dr. Paul Zimba has joined the College of Science and Technology as director of the Center for Coastal Studies. Before taking over as director of the CCS, Zimba was a research microbiologist with the Agricultural Research Service Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture in Stoneville, Miss. He takes over for Dr. Wes Tunnell who stepped down after 25 years to concentrate on his responsibilities as associate director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.

The Ed Rachal Foundation has awarded Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi three grants totaling $100,000.

• The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies received $30,000 for its Environmental Sciences Teacher Workshops.
• The Coastal Bend Eco-Historic Awareness Program received $10,000 to highlight the links between the ecology and history of the area.
• The Army ROTC Islander Battalion received $60,000 for the Ed Rachal Foundation ROTC Field Leadership Reaction Course to develop and evaluate leadership ability and build teamwork.

Dr. Karen L. Middleton, professor of management, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture at Yuan Ze University in Taipei, Taiwan, during the 2009-2010 academic year. While at Yuan Ze University, Middleton will serve as visiting professor of management. She is also listed on the National Science Council of Taiwan’s database as a visiting researcher. Middleton is one of approximately 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad during 2009-2010 through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

Spring 2010 Registration will continue through Tuesday, Jan. 12. Students can also register in the Student Services Center until Friday, Jan. 22. The spring schedule is available for viewing on S.A.I.L. For more information, log onto S.A.I.L; or call the Registrar’s office at 361.825.7024.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Juan Garcia was the keynote speaker at the University’s Fall 2009 Commencement Dec. 19 in the American Bank Center Arena. Garcia, who served the 32nd District in the Texas House of Representatives from 2006-2008, was confirmed as the assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs in Sept. 2009. During the ceremony, around 650 students from the University’s Colleges of Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Science and Technology walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.