As part of Homecoming festivities the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Alumni Association will recognize outstanding alumni, students and faculty during the 7th annual Islander Parents and Alumni Awards Brunch on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom.

University President Dr. Flavius Killebrew will present the Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award to Dr. Andy Piker as well as awards to three University alumni. John Buckley will receive the Outstanding Alumni Award, Beatrice Hernandez Blomquist will be presented with the Young Alumni Award, and Dr. Kenneth Maroney will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition, students William Bryan Davis, Stacey Heather Icke, and Julie Anne Lashua will be recognized for their accomplishments.

Founded in 1999, the Alumni Association works to strengthen and promote the interests and welfare of A&M-Corpus Christi through lifelong commitment and support by its alumni and friends. Through a variety of actions, events, services and communication, the Association promotes positive interaction between the University and Alumni.

The Alumni Association currently has active chapters on campus, in Corpus Christi, Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. All graduates and former students from the University of Corpus Christi, Texas A&I University at Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi State University and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi are considered to be alumni.

For a complete list of scheduled activities, go to Islander Homecoming 2006 or call (361) 825-2335.
Dr. Andy Piker received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Piker, an associate professor of philosophy, has been a driving force behind the state, regional and national honors garnered by the University’s teams in the annual Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Bowl. Piker’s teams have placed in the top 10 nationally three times and won the national competition in 2001. University’s teams took first and second at the 2005 regional competition and will once again compete for the national championship.

Dr. Kenneth Maroney, a professor in the College of Education, was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Maroney was a member of the 1949-1950 basketball team, which ended the season with an unequaled 25-1 record. After earning his master’s and Ed.D., he began his career at the University in 1957 as an instructor and assistant basketball coach and served as president from 1969 to 1973. He was instrumental in the University’s conversion from a private institution to part of the A&M University system.

The Young Alumni Award was presented to Bea Blomquist. After graduating with a bachelor’s in business administration in 1998, Blomquist went to work in the University’s Budget and Payroll Department, becoming budget manager two years later. She serves as president of the Staff Advisory Council and represents the University on the A&M University System Employee Benefits Advisory Committee. She is a director on the National Alumni Board and president of the Anchor Alumni Club.

The Outstanding Alumni Award went to John Buckley, a certified public accountant and adjunct professor in the College of Business. Buckley has 25 years of experience including a stint with the Internal Revenue Service and 10 years with one of the nation’s top-five accounting firms. In 1991, he formed Buckley and Associates, a local accounting firm. He served as treasurer of the National Alumni Association for six years. He is also the past president of the A&M-Corpus Christi Foundation.
 
Official Ring Recipients:

William Bryan Davis: Major- English with Teacher Certification
 
Stacey Heather Icke: Major- Nursing; Minor- Psychology
 
Julie Anne Lashua: Major- Marketing