Silver Wave Presented to Dr. Suzzette ChopinUniversity President Flavius Killebrew presented Dr. Suzzette Chopin with the Presidential Order of the Silver Wave for the national recognition she has brought to the University as a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s 2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, during the Faculty and Staff Convocation on Aug. 24. In addition, state Rep. Abel Herrero presented Chopin, a professor of Biomedical Sciences, with a resolution to congratulate her on receiving the prestigious award. Chopin and the other 21 recipients from across the nation will each receive a $10,000 grant and be honored at a White House ceremony.
A record enrollment of more than 9,500 students and new campus construction made for a hectic first day of classes on Aug. 26. Although official enrollment won’t be determined until after the 12th day of classes, preliminary figures indicate that the number of students on campus has increased by almost 1,000 since fall 2007.
Students took part in friendly water-sport competitions during the Island Splash Olympics on Aug. 25 at the Moody Sustainers Field House pool. The event, hosted by Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, included water polo, water basketball, water volleyball and water relays.
More than 1,000 students moved into their new on-campus homes at Camden Miramar Apartments during the “Islander Move-in” Aug. 19-20. Faculty and staff pitched in to lend a hand at the annual fall semester event. There are 1,340 permanent housing units on campus.
The Pollution Prevention Partnership recently equipped Calallen ISD school buses with diesel oxidation catalysts and closed crankcase filtration systems that limit emissions from exhaust pipes and crankcase breather tubes to limit children’s exposure to diesel exhaust. The Pollution Prevention Partnership is installing the devices in more than 150 school buses from several area school districts.
 Gov. Perry Signs Bills Extending Veterans' BenefitsTexas Gov. Rick Perry visited Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi on Aug. 6 for a ceremonial signing of two bills that guarantee educational benefits to veterans and their families in addition to those already provided by the state’s Hazlewood Act. Benefits offered under Hazlewood are in addition to those in the recently-passed Post-9/11 GI Bill. Gov. Perry was joined by state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, state Rep. Abel Herrero, University President Flavius Killebrew and members of the ROTC Islander Battalion. |
 Commencement Speaker Tells Graduates to 'Smile'Keynote speaker Dr. Gary Jeffress, director of the University’s Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science, turned the audience’s attention from the podium to the 491 graduates when he captured the moment with his digital camera at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Summer Commencement held Aug. 8 at the American Bank Center arena. Jeffress has been with the University for 18 years and is the principal investigator of the Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network and the Texas Height Modernization Project. He is also coordinator of the Geographic Information Science program. |
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| Research and Scholary Activity |
The College of Business has established the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center to stimulate job growth by encouraging entrepreneurial economic development of companies that, once established, are committed to remaining in the Coastal Bend. The Innovation Center was approved during the last legislative session with strong backing from state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, and state Reps. Todd Hunter, Abel Herrero and Solomon Ortiz Jr. A key component of the Center is its innovative incubator program that will provide entrepreneurial startup companies with resources and services to accelerate their growth and ensure success. |
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| Awards, Honors, and Grants |
| The College of Nursing and Health Sciences has received a $25,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in recognition of its exceptional programs under the Nursing Education Performance Initiative. The grant was one of three awarded to Texas institutions that have achieved graduation and licensure rates of 85 percent or above during the 2008 academic year and demonstrated a best practice in accomplishing those rates. |
| The Islanders Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (I-ADAPT) and the Center for Athletic Academic Achievement has received a $2,000 NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Partnership Grant to fund the Islander’s Think, Choose and Graduate campaign. The campaign will promote the value of goal-setting and choosing actions and behaviors to live healthy, successful and productive lives. The grant will be administered by Dr. Amanda Drum of University Housing and Jennifer Baker of the Center for Athletic Academic Achievement. |
| Around the Island |
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| The University community is invited to the Topping Out Signing Party for Island Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the University Center east lawn. Enjoy free hot dogs, chips, soft drinks and ice cream, and put your signature on the final piece of steel to be placed atop the new building. For more information, call ext. 2420. |
| Join University President Flavius Killebrew the Topping Out Party marking the placement of the final piece of steel atop Island Hall on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the multipurpose field adjacent to Moody Sustainers Field House. Light refreshments will be provided. The event is open to the public and the campus community. For more information, call ext. 2420. |
| University President Flavius Killebrew will share news about the people and programs that are making a positive impact on the Coastal Bend during the annual “State of the University” luncheon Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Bank Center, Henry Garrett Ballroom. Proceeds benefit the Achieve Partnership Scholarship Program. Individual tickets are $50. Tables are also available. To purchase tickets, contact Noel Vella at ext. 5894; or e-mail noel.vella@tamucc.edu. |
Marshall Collins of Marketing & Communications, a part of the Division of Institutional Advancement, will co-chair the Senior Communicators Conference of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities scheduled for spring 2010 in Washington, D.C. Collins is a member of the AASCU Advisory Council for Communications & Public Affairs and was on the conference planning committee this past year. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is a member of AASCU.
University faculty and staff can enjoy exciting NCAA Division I basketball by purchasing discount season tickets to both the Islander men’s and women’s basketball games. As a member of the Islander community, you can purchase men’s season tickets for as low as $120 (a $60 saving) and women’s basketball season tickets for $70 (a $40 saving). For more information, contact the athletic ticket office at ext. 2255; or go to www.goislanders.com.| Subscribe/Unsubscribe | Produced by the Office of Marketing & Communications
(361) 825-2420 |