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 Memorial for Virginia Tech Victims
More than 500 people turned out to remember the 32 victims of the massacre at Virginia Tech during a memorial service Friday, April 20 in the Hector P. Garcia Center. The service coincided with ceremonies at Universities across the nation. In addition to several speakers and a moment of silence, the memorial included a solo of “Amazing Grace” by Flika Rahn, professor of music, and a rendition of the Virginia Tech alma mater by the University’s Music Ensemble. Full Story
 Islander Tribute Remembers Students
Eight University students who died during the past year were remembered at the annual Islander Tribute Tuesday, April 17 in Lee Plaza. Those honored were (James) Doug Loveless, College of Education doctoral program; Linda Beck, College of Education undergraduate; Megan Bloecher, undeclared, incoming freshman (Fall 06); Meredith Tennill Moorefield, College of Education undergraduate; Annette Alcantar, College of Education graduate student; Sahar Mostaghasi, College of Business undergraduate; Marcial Cruz Besinaiz, College of Education undergraduate; Charles McCauley, College of Liberal Arts graduate student.
 Men’s Basketball Team Receives Silver Wave Award
The Islanders men’s basketball team was presented with the coveted “Presidential Order of the Silver Wave” by University President Flavius Killebrew during a celebration at Brewster Street Ice House, Tuesday, April 3. Representing the City of Corpus Christi, Mayor Henry Garrett proclaimed April 3 as “Islanders Men’s Basketball Team Day” and presented Coach Ronnie Arrow with a key to the city. Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal also presented the team with a certificate of proclamation. Full Story
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Professor's New Book to be Released
“Hell on Wheels,” the latest book by University history professor David Blanke will be released Tuesday, May 15. Blanke will sign copies of the book beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Corpus Christi. Blanke’s work, subtitled “The Promise and Peril of America’s Car Culture, 1900-1940” examines America’s changing cultural perceptions of the car and explains how the automobile pulled society in two contradictory emotional directions: exhilaration in personal mobility versus anxiety over public safety. Blanke also explores America’s early love affair with cars and drivers’ risk-taking tendencies. Full Story |
Pulse!! Showcased at National Convention
 Dr. Claudia Johnston led a demonstration team that showcased the Pulse!! Virtual Clinical Learning Lab during the American College of Surgeons spring meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. Pulse!! is a research project overseen by Dr. Johnston and panels of experts in medicine and learning theory. Pulse!! research tests the theory that high-fidelity virtual technology can provide effective medical learning. The Pulse!! learning platform employs state-of-the-art computer-game technologies to create a virtual environment within which users employ discrete medical knowledge and skills. Full Story
Awards, Honors, and Grants
Tanya Lopez a junior media communications and business major, was named the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Student Employee of the Year at a ceremony Thursday, April 12. For the past eight months, Lopez has worked 20 hours a week as an office coordinator for the University Center and Student Activities and has been praised for her enthusiasm, swiftness and accuracy in completing projects. Full Story
 Dr. John W. “Wes” Tunnell has been named the Outstanding Research Scholar for 2006-2007 by The Academy Speaks at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Tunnell is director of the Center for Coastal Studies, associate director of the Harte Research Center and professor of biology. He was honored with the Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activity Award during a reception April 17 to celebrate National Library Week. Dr. Tunnell will be featured in a segment of the PBS series “State of Tomorrow” Sunday, May 20 at 5 p.m. on KEDT-TV. The series about the future of Texas will examine the work on coastal issues being conducted by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. Full Story
The University’s outstanding students, advisors and student organizations were honored during the Student Affairs Leadership and Service Awards ceremony Thursday, April 19 in the University Center Legacy Room. Students, faculty and staff submitted nominations for various awards based on attributes that include campus involvement, volunteerism and school spirit. Full Story
 John J. Buckley, founder and managing partner of the international accounting firm Buckley & Associates, L.L.P. was honored as the recipient of the 2007 G. Russell Kirkland Distinguished Visitor Award presented by the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Business at a luncheon Tuesday, April 17. “Mr. Buckley was selected to receive the award for his outstanding leadership and service to the community and the University, “said Dr. Moustafa Abdelsamad, dean of the College of Business. Full Story
The winners of the 2006-2007 Paul and Mary Haas Writing Awards were honored by the English Department Thursday, April 19. The awards recognize both undergraduate and graduate students for outstanding writing. Full Story
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Island Waves student newspaper won a school record 12 awards and received an Overall Excellence rating at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) Spring Convention. Full Story
 Three A&M-Corpus Christi students have received scholarships for their winning entries in the 6th annual President’s Council Art Scholarship Competition at the Art Museum of South Texas. Winners were chosen by President's Council members who cast their ballots after viewing the entries during an April 10 reception. The President’s Council art Scholarship Competition is open to all degree-seeking A&M-Corpus Christi students. Full Story
The Staff Advisory Council-Employee Excellence Awards were presented at the Islander Awards Celebration on April 20 at the University Center Lone Star Ballroom. Winners recognized in the three Momentum 2015 themes of Excellence, Engagement and Expansion were: Velma Gonzalez, program assistant in the College of Education, Excellence Award; Bea Blomquist, budget manager in the College of Science and Technology, Engagement Award; and Sandra D. Garcia, sponsored programs coordinator in the Graduate Studies and Research Office, Expansion Award. Each winner received $500 and a trophy. Their names will be added to the Perpetual Plaque near the President’s Suite in Corpus Christi Hall. Finalist awards were presented to Dee Edgar, executive assistant for the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science, Finalist for Excellence; Maria Lenhart, human resources assistant I, Finalist for Engagement; and Kay Anderson, systems programmer II in Computer and Media Services, Finalist For Expansion. Full Story
Around the Island
 The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Science and Technology hosted the 19th annual Coastal Bend Science Fair from Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29 in the University Center and the Moody Sustainers Field House. The fair was the final competition for students who have competed in science fairs in their school districts and included kindergarten through eighth-grade students from Corpus Christi and surrounding school districts. Full Story
The Theater Department will present a One-Act Play Festival Sunday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 9 in the Warren Theatre in the Center for the Arts. Performances begin at 6 p.m. and include three to four student-directed one-act shows per evening. Plays are for mature audiences. Admission is free. For more information, call ext. 5800.
The A&M-Corpus Christi Army ROTC Islander Battalion will host the Islander Battalion Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 2 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the University Center Bayview Room 320. This ceremony will honor those cadets who have excelled in both their military and academic skills. Guest speaker will be University President Flavius Killebrew. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
The University’s spring 2007 Commencement will be held Saturday, May 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd. The ceremony will include graduates from the College of Business, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Science and Technology. Keynote speakers will be U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz and graduating senior Christina McAusland.
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U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison took a tour of an engineering technology laboratory as part of her promotion of the proposed Creating Renewable Energy Through Science and Technology Act (Senate Bill 1020). Hutchison is sponsoring the act which would create the Council On Renewable Energy (CORE).
More than 170 costume-clad children from the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) presented scenes from “The Wizard of Oz” Thursday, April 26 in the Performing Arts Center. The ECDC’s arts, music and drama programs collaborated for the presentation with scenes being presented in both English and Spanish. Full Story
An estimated 200 fraternity and sorority members hit the beach Friday, April 20 as Greek Week activities at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi concluded with a clean sweep of Padre Island’s Balli Park. The public service project marked the end of five days of festivities and friendly competitions among the University’s Greek Organizations. Full Story
Alternative rockers Black Market Revival beat out eight other local groups to win the unofficial title of “top rockers on campus” during the “Battle of the Bands” sponsored by the Campus Activities Board. On the evening of Friday, April 13 the bands played 30-minute sets on the East Lawn adjacent to the University Center while judges rated their technical skill, creativity, stage presence, vocal skills and audience reaction. As the winning band, Black Market Revival won the $500 top prize. The band Spectrum took the $350 second prize and the $250 third prize went to Wyrd Fate.
Students in the honors macroeconomics principles class set up a “box city” in front of the Mary and Jeff Bell Library to bring attention to the plight of the homeless as part of its “Fight Poverty in Corpus Christi” campaign in April. The highlight of the week’s event was a dinner and silent auction in the University Center Lone Star Ballroom where a simple meal of soup and bread was served. Full Story
The Recreational Sports Department held its 2007 Wellness Expo for faculty, staff and students, Wednesday, April 11 in the University Center Lone Star Ballroom. More than 40 vendors and organizations as well as several hundred students, staff and faculty participated in the event which focused on the “Wellness Wheel,” a framework of health based on occupational, emotional, physical, social, intellectual and spiritual components. Full Story
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