August 2011 A Monthly Newsletter for Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Retiring Professor Tim Wells to Address New Graduates at Summer Commencement
Dr. Tim J. Wells, who is retiring after teaching for 38 years in the College of Education, will deliver the keynote address during Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's Summer Commencement on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 10 a.m. at the in the American Bank Center arena. Wells joined the University faculty in 1973 and was one of the developers of the University's innovative field-based teacher education program. Around 470 students from the University's five colleges will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. |
Kathy Funk-Baxter Named Executive VP for Finance and Administration
Kathy Funk-Baxter is the University's new executive vice president for Finance and Administration replacing Jody Nelsen who resigned this spring to join her husband at UT-Pan American. Funk-Baxter joined the University staff in 1994 as comptroller. In 1996, she was promoted to assistant vice president and comptroller, overseeing a department with more than 50 employees. Since 2009, she has served as senior associate vice president for Finance and Administration. |
| Stoever Takes Over as Director of Planning and Institutional Research Dr. Colby Stoever is the new director of Planning and Institutional Research. Stoever, who previously worked on a number of statewide higher education projects as a senior research specialist at Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, takes over for Dr. Paul Orser, associate vice president, who retires Aug. 31. The department has moved to the Division of Academic Affairs. |
Donna High School Students Win Scholarships at STEA Design Fair Five students from Donna High School received $1,000 scholarships to pursue their higher education in engineering and computing sciences for taking first place at the South Texas Engineering Alliance (STEA) Design Fair hosted by the College of Science and Engineering for the finalists from South Texas middle and high school engineering competitions. Students also toured the campus and visited with engineering faculty from several South Texas colleges. |
| Research and Scholarly Activity |
 The Unmanned Aerial Systems Initiative (UAS) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has received a Federal Aviation Administration authorization to fly RS-16 unmanned aircraft into national air space. The authorization, one of only 15 held by universities in the United States, advances the capability for collaboration with other institutions working with UAS technology. Applications include wildlife inventory, border security, and hurricane research and monitoring. |
 Dr. Dulal Chandra Kar, associate professor of computer sciences, is lead editor for "Network Security, Administration and Management: Advancing Technology and Practice" released by IGI Global, a leading publisher of multimedia educational materials. The book, a collection of current research and practices in network security and administration, identifies the latest technological solutions on network security while exposing security threats and vulnerabilities of contemporary software, hardware, and networked systems. |
 Dr. Scott King, associate professor of Computer Science, presented a paper titled "Creating Emotional Speech for Conversational Agents" during the International Conference on Computer Animation and Social Agents at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu, P.R. China. During his visit, he also spoke with around 300 computer science and information technology students about opportunities at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. |
| Awards, Honors and Grants |
 "The Encyclopedia of Texas Seashells: Identification, Ecology, Distribution, and History," written by Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies scientists Wes Tunnell, Noe Barrera and Fabio Moretzsohn, has been selected for the 2011 University Press Books List for Public and Secondary School Libraries. The reference book, which was awarded a regional rating by the American Association of School Librarians and the Public Library Association, covers 900 species of seashells and mollusks that reside in the Gulf of Mexico. |
| Around the Island |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will present its seventh annual "State of the University" luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Bank Center, Henry Garrett Ballroom. President Flavius C. Killebrew will discuss the University's growth and development over the past year and future planning. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Texas A&M-Corpus Christi students through the Achieve Partnership scholarship program. Individual tickets are $50. Tables and sponsorships are also available. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 361.825.5894. |
 The University Theatre will present "Alice in Wonderland" summer show for youth from Thursday, Aug. 4, through Saturday, Aug. 6, in the Performing Arts Center. Performances are Thursday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Friday at 7 p.m.; and Saturday at 2 p.m. Based on the classic novels by Lewis Carroll, the play follows Alice as she goes through the looking glass and down a rabbit hole into a bizarre and funny world where she encounters a cast of characters who have entertained children for over a century. The play is directed by Kelly Russell, associate professor of theatre. Proceeds benefit the University Theatre Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $10 for adults; $7.50 for children 10 and younger; and $6.50 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased online at http://theatre.tamucc.edu. For group sales of 10 or more, contact Olivia Ross at ext. 3756. For more information, call the University Theatre box office at ext. 5800. |
 Join friends, hipsters, and co-workers for an evening of fun at the "Summer Taste of Texas" mixer on Thursday, Aug. 4, from 6-8 p.m. at K Space Contemporary, 415 D Starr St. The mixer, sponsored by the Corpus Christi Area Alumni Club of Texas A&M University-Corpus, includes wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, music by DJ Johnny Hotcakes and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit student scholarships. Pre-sale tickets are $20; $25 at the door. To order tickets, call ext. 5787; or email summertasteoftexas@gmail.com. |
Students participating in a pilot boot camp program for juvenile offenders witnessed a live birth simulation and learned to read and monitor vital signs July 11 during a tour of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The tour was part of a program initiated by Judge Brent Chesney that encourages juvenile offenders to become involved in career development and leadership activities that may spark their desire to remain in school.
High school thespians from across Texas performed scenes from "Godspell" and four other classic stage productions in July during the "Camp on the Coast" Summer Theatre Workshop. The two-week residential camp sponsored by the University's Theatre Department is designed for students seeking a highly intensive and creative theatre experience. Technical theatre students also attended classes and participated in each production.
University staff and faculty took part in physical exercises and other activities that promote a healthy lifestyle during "Active Islanders Play Day" on July 13. The event, which also stressed developing camaraderie between co-workers, was sponsored by the Staff Council and the Office of Employee Relations to promote President Barack Obama's Fitness Challenge.
Teams of local high school students assembled and tested small wind turbines in July during the "Introduction to Renewable Energy" section of the Engineering Summer Program sponsored by the College of Science and Engineering. The teams attended lectures on renewable energy and wind turbine blade design, before assembling wind turbine kits and designing the blades. The students also gave oral presentations on the design and testing of wind turbines.
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