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| Ed Hicks Honored as 2011 Kirkland Distinguished Visitor in Business Administration University President Flavius Killebrew and Dr. Moustafa Abdelsamad, dean of the College of Business, presented Ed Hicks (center) with the G. Russell Kirkland Distinguished Visitor in Business Administration Award during the Honors Luncheon held April 26 for outstanding College of Business students. Each year, the award presented by the College of Business recognizes a member of the business community for their professional and personal accomplishments and their contribution to the success of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend community. |
Environmental Class Learns Response Strategies to Protect Marina from Oil Spill Students in the University's Oil Spill Prevention and Response class recently conducted an oil spill response exercise at the Corpus Christi Marina to simulate a protective-action booming strategy in the event of an oil spill that would threaten the marina and surrounding waters. Students practiced small boat handling, construction of anchor systems, deployment of oil spill boom from a trailer with anchor systems and pulling a boom through an obstacle course. |
| System Board of Regents Approve School of Engineering and Computer Sciences The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents at its March meeting has approved the creation of the School of Engineering and Computer Sciences. The Regents also approved renaming the College of Science and Technology the College of Science and Engineering. The creation of the new school and the renaming of the college await review from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board which is expected to address the items in May. |
Coastal Bend Chapter of Campfire USA Donates Historical Papers to University Dr. Tom Kreneck, associate director for Special Collections and Archives, took possession of 15 boxes of papers, documents and memorabilia April 15 chronicling Campfire USA's nearly 75 years as one of the most successful youth organizations in South Texas. Since 1937, the Camp Fire USA Coastal Bend Chapter has had thousands of girls in grades 2 through 12 participate in its programs. This year, the national council did not renew the group's charter citing dwindling participants and financial cutbacks. Pictured with Kreneck are (from left) Campfire USA volunteers Peggy Bickham, Carolyn Pence and Hazel Fipps. |
University Relay for Life Fundraiser Nets More than $30,000 Thirty-three teams of University students and employees and family members joined together April 16 at the Dugan Wellness Center and Island Hall to raise almost $32,000 for the fight against cancer during the "Rocking through the Decades" fundraiser to benefit Relay for Life. Top fundraising teams were Student Nurses Association, ($5,662.10); Tank Tank Task Force, ($4,199.63); Honors Student Association, ($3,553.78); and Lifesavers Team, ($2,860). Top individual fundraisers were Bea Blomquist, ($1,325); Justin Elliott, ($1,145); and Rafael Martinez-Mayorga ($1,023). |
Student Projects Spotlighted at First-Year Learning Communities Conference  Around 1,500 students in the First-Year Learning Communities Program (FYLCP) showcased their freshman research projects during the "First-Year Research Conference" held April 26 in the University Center Lone Star Ballroom. The FYLCP helps students make a smooth academic and social transition from high school to the University. The conference gives students in the program an opportunity to take their writing public and present their projects in visual, multimedia and other creative formats. |
Award Winners and Graduates Recognized at Honors Program Spring Reception Outstanding students, faculty and staff were recognized during the Honors Program Spring Reception held April 20. Recognized were (from left) Dr. Don Berkich, Faculty Award; Rebecca Pizano, Student of the Year; and Dr. David Billeaux, Service Award. (Not pictured: Jordan Smith, Rising Star Award). This year's Honors Program graduates who have met all requirements are Damilola Claudia Akinsipe, Sara Helmy, Samantha Hernandez, Rebecca Lyons, Rebecca Pizano and Laura Villalobos. |
Graduate Students Present 'Chicano Heritage' Exhibition Opening The Department of Art held a combined opening reception April 8 for "Herencia Chicana" (Chicano Heritage), an exhibition by graduate students Grace Barraza-Vega and Sandra Gonzalez at the Islander Art Gallery. The exhibition featured varying media by both artists. Barraza-Vega presented her works titled "En la Sangre-Bloodline." Gonzalez's master's thesis was titled "Layers of Memory." |
| Research and Scholarly Activity |
| The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies will host the second "State of the Gulf of Mexico" summit from Dec. 4-8 in Houston, Texas. The conference will bring together elected officials, environmental experts, and industry and business leaders from the Gulf states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida to address damage to the world's ninth-largest body of water caused by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform in April 2010. |
 Dr. Ruby Mehrubeoglu, assistant professor in the College of Science and Technology, has been selected as a fellow for the 2011 Office of Naval Research Summer Faculty Research Program. The program allows faculty members to participate in research of mutual interest with professional researchers at U.S. Navy laboratories. The program also broadens the scope and horizon of faculty member's research interests and provides a foundation for future research collaboration. |
 Dr. Liette Ocker, associate professor of kinesiology, and Dr. Frank Spaniol, professor of kinesiology, recently gave international presentations at the Sport Science Clinic held at the Portugal Institute of Sport Olympic Training Center in Lisbon. Dr. Ocker spoke on "Sport Nutrition for Athletic Success." Dr. Spaniol's topic was "Sport Science: Athletic Testing for Improved Performance." In addition, both professors worked with the Portuguese National Tennis Team, which defeated Slovakia to advance in the Davis Cup Tournament. |
| Awards, Honors and Grants |
 Dr. Cherie McCollough, assistant professor of Science Education, was one of the first six educators inducted into The Texas A&M University System's Chancellor's Academy of Teacher Educators. On March 24, the Academy recognized the individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of teacher education and highlighted the role of the A&M System in producing K-12 teachers. Each inductee received a $1,000 stipend, a commemorative medallion, certificate, and recognition at the annual Chancellor's Century Council meeting. |
| The Islander Battalion has received a $100,000 grant from the Ed Rachal Foundation to award merit-based scholarships to eligible ROTC students. The two-year grant, which provides funds based on a combination of academic and physical training performance standards, will help undergraduate ROTC students with tuition and fees, or room and board expenses not covered by financial aid. |
 Christina Ellard (center), a junior majoring in interdisciplinary studies, was named the 2010-2011 Student Employee of the Year at a banquet in April honoring the University's student workers. Ellard, who works in the College of Education, received $100 on her SandDollar$ card and her name will be added to the perpetual plaque located in Career Services. First runner-up was Amanda Haynes (left), a senior kinesiology major who works in Graduate Studies; second runner-up was (right) Katie Aleman, a junior interdisciplinary studies major who works in Career Services. |
 Dr. Shawn Smith, associate professor of music, has received a grant from the College of Liberal Arts, to conduct the educational music piece "Oceanophony" by Bruce Adolphe before 1,200 area elementary students on May 17 in a packed Performing Arts Center. The work combines music, narration and a slide show to teach children about various creatures found in the ocean. The chamber orchestra will include faculty from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Del Mar College and some of the University's best music students. |
| Around the Island |
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| The Corpus Christi community is invited to the dedication ceremony for the Michael and Karen O'Connor Building on Friday, May 13, at 2 p.m. The ceremony for the new home of the University's College of Business will also include the dedication of the Buckley, Furgason and Klein conference rooms. A reception and tours will follow. |
| The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System has approved academic tenure for 14 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi faculty members: In addition, the promotion of 20 faculty members has been approved by The Texas A&M University System Chancellor Michael D. McKinney effective Thursday, Sept. 1. (full story) |
| Check out the latest Outstanding Islanders on the University's Web page at www.tamucc.edu. This month's lineup includes Enes Yilmazer, Dr. Jennifer Beseres Pollack, Dr. Evan Ortlieb, Dr. Michelle Maresh, Major Salvador Zuniga and Jennifer Contreras. Do you know a student, alumnus, professor or staff member who should be recognized for their accomplishments and achievements? Nominate them for an Outstanding Islanders profile today! Outstanding Islanders are featured every month. To submit a nomination, click here and navigate to the "Nominate an Outstanding Islander" link. Provide the nominee's name, contact information and why you believe the person is outstanding. |
Maj. Gen. Larry Wyche, deputy chief of staff for Logistics and Operations U.S. Army Materiel Command, will be the keynote speaker at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi spring 2011 commencement on Saturday, May 14, at the American Bank Center.
Due to the increasing number of graduation candidates for the spring 2011 semester, there will be two ceremonies. 
The President's Ambassadors are selling Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi medallions to raise money for student scholarships. The medallions, which are part of the Islander Ornament Series, make perfect graduation gifts. The cost is $20. For more information or to purchase medallions, call Irene Chamberlain at 361.825.2621; or drop by Corpus Christi Hall Room 278.
Dr. Yolanda Keys, associate professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, was one of several area educators and professionals invited to take a ride with the "Blue Angels," the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration team, prior to the squadron’s exhibition at the NAS Corpus Christi Air Show in April. Each year, the Blue Angels take around 100 civilians for a ride aboard their F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets to emphasize career opportunities in the military.
International students showcased dances and music from all over the world during the "Parade of Nations" held April 18 in the Performing Arts Center. The event sponsored by the Office of International Education featured performances by students from Azerbaijan, Colombia, India, China, Turkey and Vietnam. Participating student groups included the Middle Eastern Dance Club, the Latin Girls, and the Corpus Christi African Students Organization.
The Islander ROTC Battalion held a combat training exercise April 16 on the Momentum Campus to expose cadets to detailed planning, training and execution of an assault. Around 40 ROTC cadets using airsoft rifles that fire plastic pellets attacked and captured a cache of weapons and an anti-aircraft gun site. The targets were defended by military veterans and community volunteers.
Family, friends and volunteers cheered on children ages 2 to 7 during the Special Olympics Future Stars Sports Day held April 16 at the CITGO Miracle League Field. The program designed by Dr. Misty Kesterson, kinesiology instructor, introduces special needs children to the world of sports prior to Special Olympics eligibility at age 8. The field day co-hosted by the Miracle League and the University’s kinesiology students is solely based on participation.
Fifth-grade students at Windsor Elementary School learned how to measure vehicle emissions in April using AutoCheck equipment provided by the University's Pollution Prevention Partnership. The students, who were studying the effects of vehicle emissions on the environment, encouraged their parents to bring the family car to be analyzed as part of an interactive experience that included assisting with the measurement of emissions, reading emissions data from a computer and determining if a vehicle is polluting.
Hispanics for the Advancement of Community and Educational Readiness (HACER) joined with TOMS Shoes on April 5 to present the "Day without Shoes: Barefoot Benefit Concert" to aid victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. TOMS Shoes "One for One" program donated a pair of shoes to the Japan relief program for each pair bought. Donations were also accepted for the Food for the Hungry organization’s aid to Japan.
Recreational Sports offered free health screenings for students, faculty and staff during the 2011 Wellness Expo held April 20 in the Dugan Wellness Center. In addition to free blood pressure, iron, cholesterol, body composition, AIDS, and strength and flexibility testing, the expo offered dance and fitness demonstrations, and health information provided by dozens of vendors.
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