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 University Turns Out for President's PicnicDespite the approaching threat from Hurricane Ike, University students, staff, and faculty turned out for the annual President’s Picnic Tuesday, Sept. 9, in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom. The festivities included performances by the Islander cheerleaders and dance team, Recreational Sports demonstrations, a presidential trivia game, henna tattoos, a deejay, voter registration and a caricature artist. |
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 Professor Signs Copies of Book on Laguna MadreDr. David McKee, professor of biology and mariculture, signed copies of his new book “Fishes of the Texas Laguna Madre” Saturday, Sept. 27, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers. “Fishes of the Texas Laguna Madre” covers the history of the "Mother Lagoon" and provides insights into the characteristics and habits of the fish found in this hyper-saline environment, especially the "Big 5" coastal sport fish. Full Story |
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Exhibit Highlights University’s Collaboration with Macedonian Museum |
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 Camden Miramar Turns ‘15’ with QuinceañeraTo mark Camden Miramar’s 15 years on campus, the Islander Cultural Alliance and Camden Miramar Apartments and Residence Halls held the “Quinceañera for Camden Miramar” Wednesday, Sept. 24, in the Surf/Jetty parking courtyard. The celebration included food, music, arts and crafts activities and information about the tradition of the Quinceañera, the celebration of a young woman’s 15th birthday in some Spanish-speaking regions of the Americas. |
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| Awards and Honors | |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been named the Large Business of the Year by the Westside Business Association. The award will be presented during the 2008 Community Leaders Banquet, Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Solomon Ortiz International Center. | |
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The Antonio E. Garcia Arts & Education Center has received a $178,000 grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention to provide family support services to Coastal Bend families through the Life Enhancement & Academic Direction (LEAD) Program. The LEAD program is a three-pronged intervention program to combat the high rates of school dropouts, alcohol and drug abuse, lack of parental involvement, and victimization of at-risk youth. |
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| The University has been awarded a two-year, $1.7 million Title V College Cost Reduction and Access Act grant from the Department of Education to increase the number of transfer and first year college students, especially Hispanics obtaining degrees in STEM areas (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). | |
| Around the Island | |
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| The University’s Office of Community Outreach has contributed $100,000 of their expected annual project proceeds to fund scholarships for deserving undergraduate students. For 2008-2009, Community Outreach has provided $50,000 of unrestricted scholarship funds ($10,000 designated for each academic college), and $45,000 to the Community Outreach Matching Gift Program. The remaining $5,000 will go toward five $1,000 Honors Program Scholarships. | |
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Luncheon Celebrates ‘State of the University’
Dr. Lari Dianne Young, director of the Performing Arts Center, was recently appointed by the Corpus Christi City Council to serve a three-year term as the education and youth representative on the city’s Arts and Cultural Commission. The commission promotes the development of the community’s visual and performing arts organizations and encourages the creative development of local artists. 
Dr. John Fernandez, chair of the Department of Computing Sciences, is the 2008 recipient of the “Outstanding MAEStro Award” presented by the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES) for his contributions to the Hispanic community. The award recognizes individuals for their efforts to increase the number of Latino students successfully completing high school and continuing on to college.
Dr. Fereshteh Billiot, an associate professor in the College of Science and Technology, has been named to the Phase II Statewide Science Vertical Team mandated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Education Association to establish college readiness standards and develop policies to integrate those standards into the curriculum. The team, which will meet in Austin Oct. 6-7, consists of six high school science teachers and four higher education faculty.
Season Tickets to Islander Games: Support the University’s men’s and women’s athletic programs by purchasing season tickets to Islander volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball games. Special rates and flex plans are available for faculty and staff who purchase season tickets through payroll deduction. For more information, go to 
Camden Miramar residents will celebrate Halloween with a “Safe Treat” for neighborhood children and children of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi faculty and staff Friday, Oct. 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call ext. 5000.
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 Students and teachers at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) gathered as an American flag presented to the ECDC by the 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq was raised by University Police Officer Marco Everett. Tejano station Club 98.3 FM sent a care package to the troops on behalf of the ECDC students who collected the items. |
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 More than 100 international students of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi enjoyed an array of Hawaiian-style foods during a “Luau Welcome Party” held Saturday, Sept. 6, on campus. University and English as a Second Language International program students participated in a variety of limbo, hula hoop and Texas trivia games. The event was hosted by Chi Alpha’s International Student Friendship Ministries. |
 The College of Education pinning ceremony held Sunday, Sept. 21, recognized 106 students from the University’s five colleges who are entering the Teacher Education Program. Each student received a commemorative pin while a statement of why the student wants to be a teacher was read. |
 Local businesses showcased their products and services to students, staff and faculty during a Community Expo held Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the University Center courtyard. Participating businesses included the Corpus Christi Hammerheads, YWCA, Sam’s Club, Coca-Cola and the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation. |
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