Convocation Welcomes First-Year Students to Islander Family
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – As first-year students made their way to Convocation, they were greeted by rows of smiling Islander faculty and staff with boisterous words of welcome and festive pom-poms. Once in Island Hall Gym, incoming students took their place amidst a sea of blue and green.
“This year we revitalized Convocation to be less formal and more fun,” said Lori Shearin, Orientation Coordinator in Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s newly formed University College. “We placed more emphasis on celebrating our students’ entry into the Islander family.”
As a meaningful part of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s growing traditions, Convocation was designed to make incoming students feel as though the Island University is their “home away from home” and promote a sense of belonging. Students received a lapel pin featuring an anchor, learned about Islander traditions, acquired information on University resources, and heard advice from students, faculty, and administrators.
“Convocation gave me some much-needed reassurance,” shared Elisya Schafer, a first-year biomedical science major. “It made me feel like there are people at this campus I can depend on.”
“Convocation was pretty cool,” said Terry Murphy, a first-year theatre major. “I liked how engaged we all were – we were all having so much fun! There was a dude behind me yelling ‘shakas up’ the entire time. I was expecting a long speech from a single person but I’m glad that we heard from multiple people who shared different points of views and experiences.”
Convocation presenters included:
- Alondra Crystal Aguilar, music education major who sang the National Anthem
- Dr. Don Albrecht, Vice President for Student Engagement and Success
- Dr. Julie Fomenko, Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Larry Martinez, sophomore majoring in theatre with an acting and directing focus
- Quintin Payton, Assistant Athletic Director
- Dr. Clarenda Phillips, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Dr. Kelly Quintanilla, President and C-E-O
- June Scheick, Vice President of Student Government Association, senior political science and communication studies double major
- Russell Wagner, Executive Director of Alumni Relations
- Islander Army ROTC Color Guard
