949 Islanders to Graduate During Fall 2020 Virtual Commencement

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Joining the ranks of more than 50,000 Islander alumni nationwide, 949 Islander students will celebrate their collegiate accomplishments alongside family, friends, and loved ones during the Fall 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 19.  While unprecedented times have led the Island University to adapt many traditional ceremonies and events, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi continues to prioritize the celebration and hard work of soon-to-be Islander graduates.

“This year presented many challenges, and we could not be prouder of our Islander students’ determination and resilience as they worked toward this important milestone,” Dr. Kelly Miller, President and CEO of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, said. “We cannot wait to celebrate our students’ accomplishments in person as soon as it is safely possible.”

Along with spring and summer 2020 graduates, fall graduates will be invited to celebrate the long-awaited milestone during an upcoming diploma parade on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, cheered on by Islander faculty, staff, and alumni. The class of Fall 2020 pushed through its final semester amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic showcasing their Islander spirit and will to succeed.

“We are part of a class that knows how to achieve their goals regardless of our circumstances,” Fremmy Cuadra, nursing major and U.S. Navy Combat Medic said. “Our nation needs leaders that know how to persevere, and that is the class of 2020.”

Virtual commencement will celebrate and recognize each student through a personalized slide for each graduate with their name, degree, and a graduation photo. The virtual commencement will be viewable on the commencement website at the following designated times for each college:

• 10 A.M. CST
  College of Business,
  College of Science and Engineering,
• 2 P.M. CST
  College of Education and Human Development,
  College of Liberal Arts,
  College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and
  University College.

First-generation graduate, father, and English major Gary Cooke says while the journey to graduation has not been an easy one, it was well worth the fight.

“I had taken classes at Del Mar College for a couple of semesters in 2004 and decided to enroll full time at the Island University in fall 2017. Being a parent, it was difficult going back to school, but the professors in the English Department made the experience not only challenging but worthwhile,” Cooke said. “I am the first one in my immediate family to graduate, so this is a pretty huge accomplishment for me and my family.”

For more information on commencement or the upcoming diploma parade, visit commencement.tamucc.edu/.