Homecoming 2008 Weekend Kicks Off Friday, Feb. 1
Join us as we “Celebrate 60!” during Homecoming and Parents' Weekend 2008 with a treasure chest of festivities Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1-2. From reunions and an awards brunch to the Islander men’s basketball game against the University of Texas at San Antonio, there’ll be plenty to enjoy. Full story

A&M System Board of Regents Chairman Addresses Graduates
Bill Jones, chairman of The Texas A&M System Board of Regents, was the keynote speaker at the 2007 fall commencement Saturday, Dec. 15, at the American Bank Center arena. Jones was appointed to the board in 2003 and became chairman earlier this year. Full Story

‘Islander Lights’ Illuminates Campus
Santa Claus joined in the merriment during the University’s “Islander Lights” celebration Friday, Nov. 30, at the Performing Arts Center plaza. During the holiday event, children visited with Santa and enjoyed arts and crafts, a dunking booth, an inflatable obstacle course and a moonwalk. Full Story

University Observes World AIDS Day
More than 60 people took advantage of free HIV/AIDS screenings during the University’s World AIDS Day Observance Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the University Center. Students, faculty and staff were encouraged to wear a red ribbon, the international symbol of AIDS awareness. In addition, a memorial service and drum circle were held to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS. The observance was sponsored by the University Counseling Center, Planned Parenthood, the Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation, the Island Cultural Alliance, the Pre-Professional Health Society, Lambda Theta Alpha, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and the Gay Straight Alliance.

College of Education Co-Hosts 'Navidad de los Niños'
More than 2,500 children and their parents attended the 24th annual “Navidad de los Niños” (Children’s Christmas Festival) Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Antonio E. Garcia Arts and Education Center. During the festival co-hosted by the College of Education and the Westside Business Association, 60 bikes, 25 stereos and CD players and 10 digital cameras were given away. Full Story


Texas Writer Discusses Mexican American Research
The Clearinghouse for Mexican American Research presented a lecture by José Angel Gutiérrez Thursday, Nov. 29. Gutiérrez discussed his latest research project, "Manuscript Production: The Biography of Albert A. Peña, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas." Gutiérrez, a professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, was a founding member of the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO) and of the Raza Unida Party.

Dr. Philip Rhoades Chairs Topic at Annual Meeting
Criminal Justice Professor Philip Rhoades organized and chaired a discussion on Port Security featuring local security professionals at the annual Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice (SWACJ) meeting at the Omni Marina Hotel in Corpus Christi Thursday, Oct. 4, through Saturday, Oct. 6.
Full Story


'Jazzy Holiday Concert' Held Thursday, Nov. 29
The Department of Music presented its “Jazzy Holiday Concert” Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Performing Arts Center. The 10-song program, which included the holiday favorites “Christmas Time is Here,” “White Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” featured students and faculty on vocals and an array of brass, wind and rhythm instruments.

'Holiday Gala' Held Sunday, Dec. 2
The Department of Music presented its “Holiday Gala” Sunday, Dec. 2, in the Performing Arts Center. Familiar holiday tunes included “Christmas Time is Here,” “The Little Drummer Boy” and selections from “Messiah” and “The Polar Express.” Full Story

Islander Men's Basketball Raise Their Banners
The Islander men’s basketball team raised their 2006-2007 Southland Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament banners prior their game against Troy University, Friday, Dec. 1. The Islanders won the championship in their first year as Southland Conference members and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they gave Wisconsin a scare before losing to the nation’s third-ranked team.

Casting Workshop Enlightens Future Artists
Jack Gron, a professor of sculpture, conducted a hands-on workshop in the casting of molten aluminum Friday, Nov. 30, at the Wynn Seale Academy of Fine Arts. Gron introduces students to processes and materials not normally available in art classes through his Mobile Foundry facility, which is mounted on a trailer, allowing Gron to visit area schools.


Students Demonstrate Historic Advances in Technology
The launch of a medieval-style catapult was one of several final projects presented in the Philosophy and History of Science and Technology class Wednesday, Dec. 12, on the playing fields next to Moody Sustainers Field House.
Full Story

Whataburger Helps Fund Scholarships and Athletics
Todd Coerver, vice president of brand development for Whataburger Restaurants, presented the University with a $25,500 gift Monday, Dec. 3, that will support student scholarships, Islander athletics, a Furgason Bravo! Series concert, and other programs. In total, Corpus Christi-based Whataburger has provided around $175,000 to the University to support organizations, including the Tarpon Foundation, the President’s Council, the Achieve Partnership, the Island Jazz Festival and the State of the University luncheon.

NOAA Officials Visit Harte Research Institute
Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) visited the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6-7 to investigate the feasibility of locating a Gulf Coast weather research center in the Coastal Bend/Corpus Christi area. NOAA is seeking a newly-created Gulf Coast location for a storm weather, ecosystems and fisheries research center that would be used to track hurricanes and storms using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), a new development in hurricane tracking research technology.

University President Hosts Holiday Tamalada
University President Flavius Killebrew mingled with faculty and staff during the annual Holiday Tamalada Social Thursday, Dec. 13, in the University Center Ballroom. Each year employees take time out to socialize, enjoy tamales, refreshments and holiday music before the winter holiday break.

Alumnus Donates Property for Use as Future Welcome Center
Long-time benefactor and alumnus Woo Sung Lee donated more than a quarter acre of property on South Alameda Street to the University during a ceremony in the Chapman Conference Room, Friday, Dec. 14. The property will be the home of The University’s new welcome center which will be named after Lee. The facility will house the University’s alumni relations operation and some development functions.

Awards, Honors, and Grants
Dr. Charles Etheridge, assistant professor of English, and graduate teaching assistant Anne Ries have received an $18,925 grant from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation’s (CBCF) Diabetes Initiative to fund the Food Bank of Corpus Christi’s (FBCC) “Kitchen Kaptains,” a comprehensive diabetes prevention initiative targeted at elementary school-aged children at risk for obesity and diabetes. The program will take a three-pronged approach to diabetes prevention by providing children with nutritious food, age-appropriate instruction on nutrition, and an exercise program intended to promote a healthy, active lifestyle.

Dr. Phillip McEndree, associate professor of special services in the College of Education, has been awarded four new competitive grants totaling more than $500,000. McEndree received grants from the Texas Education Agency for Educational Excellence for Career and Technical Education to improve professional development programs and curriculum materials related to careers involving agriculture, food and natural resources, and transportation, distribution and logistics ($330,000); Professional Development for Career and Technical Education ($60,000); and Professional Development for Career and Technical Education administrators and counselors ($90,000). He also received $25,000 from the Texas Workforce Commission for the Apprenticeship Instructor Training Program.

Around the Island
The Corpus Christi Area Islander Alumni Club will have a dinner and meeting Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. at Beamer’s, 5425 S. Staples St.

The African American Cultural Society and the Islander Cultural Alliance will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Joe Martin, president and founder of Real World University. The celebration is free and open to the public. For more information, call ext. 2612.

The Department of Communication and Theatre presented its Island Dance Demo Thursday, Nov. 29, in the Wilson Studio Theatre. The event featured warm-ups, combinations and complete works choreographed by instructors and students of the theatre jazz, theatre ballet, and kinesiology jazz classes offered on campus. The Island Dance Demo is held at the end of every semester.

The College of Education’s Educational Center for Math and Science and the Cabeza de Vaca Earthmobile Project, a grant funded by the National Science Foundation, hosted middle school science teachers and their students from four South Texas independent school districts Friday, Dec. 7, and Friday, Dec. 14. Full Story


The fall 2007 Academic Honors Ceremony, held Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Performing Arts Center, included a welcome and presentation of academic honors from Dr. Anantha S. Babbili, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Full Story

More than 70 graduates were recognized at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Recognition Ceremony held Friday, Dec. 14, at the Performing Arts Center. Dr. Bunny Forgione, associate dean of the College of Nursing, welcomed guests and Nancy Goodman, assistant clinical professor, presented student awards. The event, also announced new Sigma Theta Tau inductees.

The College of Education formally recognized and honored its student graduates Friday, Dec. 14, during a hooding ceremony. Around 450 guests were in attendance. This semester, 67 students received graduate degrees (11 doctorate and 56 master’s degrees). The hood, historically a functional piece of clothing worn by scholars, today represents the graduate’s institution, specialization, and academic rank. By placing the hood over the students’ heads, professors symbolically welcome them as fellow scholars.

The ROTC Islander Battalion held a pinning ceremony for three cadets Friday, Dec. 14, in the University Center Ballroom. Students recognized as second lieutenants during the commissioning were David C. Faciane, Derek C. Knapp and Otto J. Vindekilde, who all completed military science requirements and graduated with their bachelor’s degrees. Nueces County Judge and former Corpus Christi Mayor Loyd Neal was guest speaker.

Cmdr. Bruce Emero from Naval Air Station Corpus Christi presented certificates of merit to students in Dr. Karen Middleton’s Leadership and Managerial Effectiveness Class, after he and other NAS-CC representatives viewed presentations of their service learning projects, Tuesday, Dec. 4. Full Story

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