Jonathon Conyers ’25 Named Outstanding Islander Graduate for the School of Arts, Media, & Communication
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – When Jonathon Conyers ’25 walks across the stage at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, he’ll do so not only as the Outstanding Islander Graduate for the School of Arts, Media, & Communication, but also alongside someone who has been with him every step of the way: his 59-year-old father John, who will also graduate this semester. The father-son duo will take part in the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17, the largest graduation event in the university’s history.
Jonathon Conyers, who was born and raised in Corpus Christi, said he had the Island University in his sights since he was a child.
“By the time I was 13, I was coming to campus every Sunday for youth orchestra,” Conyers said. “The Performing Arts Center felt like home before I even knew what college life was like.”
Under the mentorship of former university faculty member Dr. Jose Flores, Conyers’ musicianship and confidence flourished. Flores encouraged him to audition for the university’s highly competitive Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. String Quartet, a full-tuition opportunity Conyers chased for over a year.
“I practiced harder than I ever had for anything,” Conyers said. “When I found out I made it in, I knew I was stepping into something life-changing.”
Conyers flourished as a violinist under the direction of Flores and Dr. Carrie Pierce, Professor of Music, eventually serving as concertmaster of the university orchestra and performing with regional symphonies across South Texas. One of his proudest achievements was being selected to perform Mendelssohn’s “String Octet” with the faculty string quartet.
‘String Octet’ is a fantastic and important piece of chamber music literature that is usually not made available to students in their undergrad years,” Conyers said. “Having the trust from our professors to work together as equals through that behemoth of a piece was incredible, and it was my favorite concert I ever performed in.”
During Conyers’ time at the university, he carried the weight of a profound loss. Just two weeks before starting college, he lost his mother to cancer, a heartbreak that nearly derailed his dreams.
“I struggled immensely in my first few years and almost lost my scholarship because I wasn’t doing my schoolwork,” Conyers said. “Thankfully, I got to where I am today with my scholarship intact, primarily because of the support I received from my dad, girlfriend, and faculty mentors, Dr. Flores and Dr. Pierce. They both cared enough to sit down with me and help me formulate a plan to keep going, and I genuinely do not know where I would be without the support from these people in my life.”
Throughout his years at TAMU-CC, Conyers made it his mission to give back. As a student instructor at the Center for Academic Student Achievement (CASA), he tutored classmates in Aural Training, taking genuine joy in helping others overcome musical hurdles. He also brought music into the community through outreach at various K-12 schools and the Antonio E. Garcia Arts and Education Center, inspiring elementary students to find their voices through music, just as his mentors had done for him.
“Jonathon has been an exemplary leader in the music department, consistently setting a high standard through his musicianship and unwavering positivity. He is committed to excellence in every aspect of his work and has been an inspiration to those around him,” Pierce said. “We will miss him greatly around the halls of the music building. I am excited to watch his career develop and I know he will make a positive impact on the world.”
Conyers will receive his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance this May, but his journey doesn’t stop here. He’s headed to the University of Oregon to continue his studies, with dreams of becoming a university professor and building his own youth music programs. He’ll graduate alongside his father, who is earning a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies.
“We’ve both worked so hard for this, in completely different fields, but supporting each other the whole way,” Conyers said. “Sharing this moment with him is the most meaningful thing I can imagine.”
The elder Conyers said he found inspiration to make it across the finish line thanks to his son’s hard work and dedication.
“It’s probably unorthodox to have a son as a mentor, but my son inspired me to become the person I am today,” said John Conyers. “He helped me when it should have been me helping him. He is my rock and unwavering in the drive he has shown these last four years. He did his homework and always allowed time to help his dad. Many things were foreign to me before starting this college journey. But my son has always been there for me, and I’m so proud of the young man he has become. His mom would be very proud as well.”
