Island University to Host Fall 2021 Commencement, H-E-B's Rob Hall Announced as Keynote Speaker

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will hold its Fall 2021 Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 11, at the American Bank Center in downtown Corpus Christi. The celebration will include two ceremonies to honor graduates from the university’s five academic colleges. Ceremony times are as follows:

10 a.m.
College of Business
College of Education and Human Development
College of Nursing & Health Sciences

2 p.m.
College of Liberal Arts
College of Science and Engineering

More than 870 degrees will be conferred during the two ceremonies.

“Graduation is the single-most important event held on a university campus. It is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate all that our students have accomplished during their academic journey. We, at the Island University, are proud of the impact our Islanders are making,” said Dr. Kelly M. Miller, TAMU-CC President and CEO.  

Rob Hall, Group Vice President and General Manager for H-E-B’s Gulf Coast region, has been selected as commencement speaker. An alumnus of the Texas A&M University System, Hall graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics in 1989 and was a student athlete, attaining All Southwest Conference honors for pole vaulting, as well as athletic academic awards. Hall, who started his career with H-E-B in 1989, is also a community advocate, having served on the board for multiple local organizations including the Texas State Aquarium, K.E.D.T., USS Lexington, American Heart Association, CHRISTUS Spohn Health System Foundation, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, and United Way. In 2019, TAMU-CC's College of Business also welcomed Hall during the 40th Annual G. Russell Kirkland Distinguished Visiting Executive Lecture Speaker Series. 

“I am proud to be granted the opportunity to speak to this incredible class of graduates – they are our future leaders. I hope to make a strong impact with them on their big day,” Hall said. “My hope is that they truly see the value of being grateful and the impact that gratefulness makes on others – to look at all things in a positive light and start everything you do with ‘yes, it can be done.’ Make the impossible – possible!”

In preparation for the big day, Hall says he’s reflected on the lessons learned over the years and he hopes to inspire Islanders to become lifelong scholars. When asked what advice he’d like to instill to the graduating class, Hall simply shared his own life motto.

“Never stop being a student of life,” Hall said. “Choosing to make yourself better through education and meaningful connections will only make you stronger and wiser with the ability to positively impact the lives of others.”

The 2021 Fall Commencement includes five Outstanding Graduates who have been selected by the TAMU-CC Office of Provost. They include:

• John Carreon – College of Liberal Arts
• Jasmin Gomez – College of Education and Human Development
• Adriana Hurtado – College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• Jack Kelly – College of Business
• Joshua Rowe – College of Science and Engineering

“Commencement is an exciting celebration of academic achievements,” said Dr. Clarenda Phillips, TAMU-CC Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “We are proud of the perseverance each graduate has shown to reach this important milestone.”

Tickets are not required to enter the ceremony and there is no guest limit per graduate. Guest seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and arena doors will open one hour prior to each ceremony.

For those who are unable to attend, both ceremonies will be live-streamed at tamucc.edu. For more information, visit commencement.tamucc.edu.