Islanders Brave Cold, Wet Weather To Make Most of Homecoming 2019
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – And that’s a wrap! Although weather proved to be a factor, neither cold temperatures nor wind and drizzle could dampen the Islander community’s spirit during Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s 2019 Homecoming week, which took place Feb. 3-Feb. 9. This year’s theme was “Shakas Up!”
Islanders kicked off Homecoming with Islander Clean on Sunday morning, Feb. 3. Monday’s events included Anchors Aweigh-which featured a set of rock favorites from College of Liberal Arts Dean Mark Hartlaub’s rock band The Easy As, and the Faculty and Staff vs. Students basketball game, which ended with a decisive faculty/staff victory over the students, 53-45.
For the first time, nine student organizations built designs with canned goods that were then donated to Izzy’s Food Pantry as part of the new Islander tradition called “Can”struction on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Winners include Career Services for Best Original Design, the College of Science and Engineering for Best Use of Original Labels, Empowering Islanders for Best Meal, Heart & Sole for Most Items and Student Engagement and Academic Success as the overall winner.
In its first game of Homecoming week, the Islanders Men Basketball team lost to the Southeastern Louisiana Lions by a score of 64-58 on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Dr. Jack Dugan Wellness Center.
Islander alumna Liza Wizner ’04’07 shared her message of building confidence and finding a voice in her presentation, “The Power of People,” on Thursday, Feb. 7. Later that day, a Homecoming Edition of Patio Jam, the recurring series that invites students to sing, play an instrument or share poetry, was held in the University Center’s Seabreeze Patio.
On Friday, Feb. 8, President Kelly Quintanilla led a dedication of the new Peace Pole in Anchor Plaza along with various faculty and staff members and students. The campus community also celebrated Izzy’s birthday at Friday Fiesta, which was held at the Dugan Wellness Center. Despite the winter chill, hundreds turned out for the Lighting of the “I,” the signature Islander spirit event, and many students enjoyed roasted s’mores at the Bond Fire event.
The National Islander Alumni Association and Islanders Athletics co-hosted the 2019 Homecoming Honors Banquet, on Friday, Feb. 8, and presented awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Awards, Athletic Hall of Honor Inductions and College Achievement Distinctions.
Although the Block Party was canceled after a late-week cold front arrived in South Texas, the Islander community still made the most of HoCo weekend with a new event, the Islander Adventure Course, and an Alumni event at B.U.S., or Bar Under the Sun, on Saturday.
On the court, the Islanders Women’s Basketball team beat the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals by a score of 64-58. The Islanders Men’s Basketball team also got the win against the UIW Cardinals by a score of 70-61.
During halftime at the Homecoming Islanders Men’s Basketball game, the 2019 Homecoming King and Queen were named. Terrin Vogel, a junior at the Island University who represented the Campus Activities Board, was named Homecoming King. Jordan McDaniel, a senior who represented Delta Delta Delta sorority, was named Homecoming Queen.
Around campus, there were three contests with a decorating component. An annual tradition, the Dean’s Cup contest is limited to participating Colleges and Deans. This year’s Dean’s Cup winners are University College in 1st place, College of Graduate Studies in 2nd place, and College of Education and Human Development in 3rd place. For the first time, offices and departments were able to compete for Izzy’s Cup as part of Homecoming. The Marketing & Communications Office took Izzy’s Cup home this year; in 2nd place was the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences followed by Career Services in 3rd place. And last but not least, the top 3 winners in the Islander “I” Decorating contest are Student Volunteer Connection in 1st place, University Center Programs in 2nd place and Student Government Association in 3rd place.
For San Antonio resident Joyce Paez ’18, Homecoming is annual tradition that is near and dear to her heart.
“I was involved with Student Government Association on campus and we did a lot of Homecoming events. I was also in Homecoming Court my final year,” Paez said. “Lighting of the ‘I’ is one of my favorite events – I think it’s exciting to see not only students but faculty, staff and alumni coming together for that event.”
