Student Receives iPad for Winning Entry in ‘Name the Portal’ Contest |
Engineering Competition Provides Students Understanding of Robots |
College of Nursing and Health Sciences Presents Check for Naming Conference Room |
University Holds Two Commencement Ceremonies |
| Research and Scholarly Activity |
University President Flavius Killebrew participated in the recent Clinton Global Initiative University meeting hosted by former President Bill Clinton at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. This year, 1,300 students representing 318 schools, 83 countries, and all 50 states attended the meeting, along with presidents and administrators from 80 universities and 79 leaders of national youth organizations. The Clinton Global Initiative encourages university students, organizations and administrators to address global issues with practical, innovative solutions. |
Dr. Stacey Lyle, an associate professor in the College of Science and Technology, has been selected to participate in the United States Department of Agriculture’s E. (Kika) de la Garza Fellowship Program. The program offers faculty and staff from Hispanic Serving Institutions the opportunity to work with the USDA to gain insight and understanding of the federal government. |
Dr. Mario Garcia and Dr. James Ochoa have been selected to participate in the Faculty Fellowship Summer Institute June 9-17 In Israel. The competitive academic fellowship program links scholars from diverse disciplines with their Israeli counterparts at major institutions for the purpose of initiating exchanges and collaborations. |
| Awards, Honors and Grants |
 Dr. Awni Zebda, a professor of Accounting and Regents Professor, has been selected as a Piper Professor for 2010 by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. Each academic year, the nonprofit, charitable corporation honors 15 professors from across Texas for their dedication to the teaching profession and for their outstanding academic, scientific and scholarly achievement. Each college and university in the state may submit only one nomination. Each Piper Professor receives a certificate of merit, a gold pin and a $5,000 honorarium. |
 The Office of Community Outreach has received the 2010 Environmental Excellence Award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This marks the second time that the Office of Community Outreach has won the award which honors individuals, organizations and businesses that protect the state’s human and natural resources while ensuring clean air and water and the safe management of waste. In addition to winning in 2000, Community Outreach was a finalist for the award in 1999 and 2009. |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been selected as an “Institution Committed to Diversity” by Minority Access, a non-profit organization that supports the diversification of campuses and work sites by improving the recruitment, retention and enhancement of minorities. Minority Access will formally present the award at its 11th annual National Role Models Conference to be held Sept. 10-12, in Las Vegas, Nev. |
 Dr. Amanda Drum, director of University Housing, has been elected to a one-year term as president of the Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administration (TACUSPA), the state organization for Student Affairs. Membership includes professionals at all levels and in all positions in student development fields. Counselors, deans, student activities, residence life, vice presidents, faculty members in preparation programs and many other fields are represented in this organization. |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is ranked 29th in the nation in awarding doctorate degrees to Hispanics by Hispanic Outlook, the only magazine for the higher learning community that focuses on Hispanic education. The ‘Top 100’ list was compiled with information provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. |
Dr. Lari Young, director of the Performing Arts Center, received a $3,830 grant from the City of Corpus Christi Arts & Cultural Commission for the upcoming sixth season of the Furgason Bravo! Series. Each year, the Bob and Gloria Furgason Bravo! Series for the Performing Arts brings internationally-known performers to the Performing Arts Center. |
 Texas Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Eric Rohne, a finance major in the College of Business, to a one-year term as student representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Rohne will have the same powers and duties and as THECB members, except that he may not vote on any matter before the board or make or second any motion before the board. In addition, the student representative is not counted in determining whether a quorum exists for a meeting of the board or in determining the outcome of any vote of the board. |
Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Texas has made a $32,500 gift to support five Texas A&M-Corpus Christi students with summer internships with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Coastal Fisheries Management Resource and Harvesting Program. Each student will receive a $6,500 stipend for the three-month internship. |
| Around the Island |
Howard A. “Tony” Wood has been named director of the National Spill Control School. Wood was formerly with SpecPro Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, where he supported corporate environmental projects at military and government sites across the country. He graduated from Corpus Christi State University in 1979 with a degree in Marine Biology, and has more than 30 years experience in the areas of hazardous waste, environmental sustainability, and environmental business development, including environmental spill response on land and water. |
Scientists with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies will hold a series of panel discussions in June to discuss the long-term impacts of the ongoing Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The first of four discussions will be held on Friday, June 4, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Harte Research Institute, Conference Room 127. Additional panel discussions will be held each Friday in June. Topics will include shoreline mapping and clean-up, the impact on fisheries, biodiversity impacts, and policy and legal issues. All four panel discussions are free and open to the public. |
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The sixth annual “State of the University” luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Bank Center, Henry Garrett Ballroom. University President Flavius C. Killebrew will discuss the growth and development of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and share University news and information that has an impact on the Coastal Bend. Proceeds benefit University 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 ext. 5894. |
Students from Flour Bluff High School and Cunningham Middle School assembled robotics arm kits during the Engineering Robotics Arm Competition held on campus May 22. Participants were the first-place winners of the Coastal Bend Engineering Competition held in March. The focus of the Engineering Robotics Arm Competition was to give the students an understanding of the types of mechanical robots being used in many industries and obtain a basic understanding of one of the many facets of engineering.
Dr. Liz Sefcik, professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, presented Karen Selim, assistant vice president for Development, with a $5,000 donation for the project to name a conference room in Island Hall after Dr. Ruth Bakke, the late dean emeritus of the College of Science and Technology. Bakke, who created the nursing program and several research centers at the University, served as dean of the College of Science and Technology for 15 years until her retirement in 1994.
Around 850 graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas during two Spring Commencement ceremonies held May 15 in the American Bank Center arena. The morning ceremony featured graduates of the Colleges of Education and Liberal Arts. During the afternoon ceremony, students from the Colleges of Business, Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Science and Technology received diplomas. Due to the increasing number of graduation candidates, this was the first time two commencement ceremonies were held on the same day. 
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has signed an agreement with Texas A&M University that will bring the Aggies to the American Bank Center to battle the Islander men’s basketball team on Monday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. The teams will also play at Texas A&M in 2011 and 2012. Season tickets for the 2010-11 season, which include the game with Texas A&M, are on sale for $199 and can be purchased by calling the Islander ticket office at (361) 825-BALL. At this time, tickets for the A&M game may only be obtained through the purchase of season tickets.
More than 35 workshops were offered during Employee Development Day held May 26. This year’s theme, “Legacy from Our Past, Guidepost for Today, Hope for the Future,” reflected the campus designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution. The annual event provides an opportunity for employees to learn, share, and grow personally and professionally.
Kindergarten through eighth-grade students from area school districts displayed their projects during the Coastal Bend Science Fair held May 1 in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom and the Moody Sustainers Field House. The overall winner selected from kindergarten through fourth grade received a trophy and a $1,000 University scholarship.
The accomplishments of 40 master’s students and five doctoral students were honored during the College of Education Hooding Ceremony held May 14 in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom. The ceremony provides graduates with an opportunity to recognize the family, friends, and educators whose support helped make their graduation possible.
Around 450 students took a break from preparing for finals to enjoy a free breakfast of eggs, potatoes and French toast during the Late Night Breakfast on May 4 in the University Center. The annual event is sponsored by Students Affairs, the Campus Activities Board, the Islander Cultural Alliance and the Waves of Welcome committee.
The first cadre of graduates of the University Preparatory High School, a collaborative project between Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Flour Bluff ISD, participated in a cording ceremony on May 21 at the Warren Theatre. Fifty students from Flour Bluff High Schoolreceived their cords, which will be part of their high school graduation regalia.
The University celebrated the recognition of the Dr. Jack and Susie Dugan Wellness Center as one of the top 10 new collegiate sports centers across the United States for 2010, on May 13. The award presented by the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association recognizes new or expanded facilities which are a standard or model for other collegiate facilities.
Around 175 new teachers participated in the first Teacher Education Induction Ceremony held May 12 in the Performing Arts Center. The ceremony recognized students’ achievement of becoming professional educators. Students received medallions commemorating their accomplishments.
Students enrolled in dance courses during the spring semester showed off their skills and talent during the Island Dance Demo held May 4 in the Performing Arts Center. The event, sponsored by the Department of Communication and Theatre, featured ballet, jazz, modern dance and dance performance.
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