U. S. Ambassador to Mexico to Deliver Keynote Address at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Commencement
 
United States Ambassador to Mexico Antonio O. Garza, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Fall 2005 Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the American Bank Center. The ceremony will include 574 graduates from the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and College of Science and Technology.

“Ambassador Garza’s accomplishments are many and impressive,” said University President/CEO Flavius Killebrew. “The insight and wisdom he has gained in his experiences at the county, state and national level combined with his international status as the top United States emissary to Mexico will enable him to share his wisdom with the graduates and challenge them as they make their place in today’s increasingly complicated world.”

Garza, who was appointed to his current position by President George W. Bush in 2002, became the first Hispanic Republican to hold a statewide office in 1999 when he was elected chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, the regulatory body charged with overseeing Texas multi-billion dollar energy sector. During his first term as Texas governor in 1994, Bush selected Garza as his secretary of state and senior policy advisor. As secretary of state, Garza also served as the State's chief elections officer and worked with the 74th and 75th Legislatures to reform Texas election laws to decrease voter fraud. 

Garza also served as the governor’s lead liaison on border and Mexican affairs, working on such diverse issues as free trade, the environment and public health.

In addition, Garza was a member of current Governor Rick Perry’s Special Commission on Higher Education, and he continues to serve on the advisory board of the George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Garza received his bachelor of business administration from the University of Texas in 1980. He earned his doctor of jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University in 1983. During his career he has twice been named as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business magazine.

Garza was invited to address the graduates at the request of Joe LaMantia, Jr., owner and operator of L&F Distributors, who will receive an honorary doctorate degree from A&M-Corpus Christi. LaMantia has spearheaded efforts over the last 12 years to raise more than $13 million which has enabled more than 3,000 South Texas students to attend college. He is the largest contributor to scholarship programs in South Texas.

In 2002, LaMantia began a local educational non-profit organization to focus on the needs and concerns of South Texas. He is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS), which provides scholarship awards to students in South Texas to attend the college of their choice.  In less than two years, STARS has raised approximately $3 million for South Texas students and has become the premier scholarship foundation in South Texas.

The graduation ceremony will be broadcast live as a public service on the Education Channel available on Time Warner Cable, Ch. 19. It will also be aired simultaneously by KXPX on Grande Communications, Channel 14; Charter Cable, Channel 14; and Cable One, Channel 10. For more information, call (361) 825-2335.