Performing Arts Center opens in style

New School of Visual and Performing Arts to debut in
Fall—a response to growth

Professor David Mead elected president of Science Fiction Research Association

A&H researchers study Nueces County colonias to inform legislative efforts

Bay Hall classroom building opens in fall—boasts new lecture halls, research space, offices

Dean’s Message

These are exciting and challenging times for deans at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Our university is growing and maturing at a staggering pace. We are adding and strengthening degree programs, all with the objective of making even greater contributions to South Texas. Over the past several years, each program in the College of Arts and Humanities has been evaluated by outside experts. As a result, we know our strengths and know where we need to improve. We now have a strategic plan for each program, and that can only be good news for our students and graduates. Strong programs with quality graduates produce good reputations, a benefit to all alumni. With my first year as dean drawing to a close, I now have a good feel for what must be done for our programs to meet President Killebrew’s Momentum 2015 objectives. Unfortunately, state support continues to decline, creating a significant challenge to funding our growth and maturation.

In order to give you a sense of the significant growth in your college, I present some recent statistics. In 2003-2004, the College of Arts and Humanities conferred 420 undergraduate and graduate degrees, a 38 percent increase over the preceding seven-year period. In fall of 2003, we had 1536 undergraduate majors in eleven degree programs, a 53 percent increase in seven years. University enrollments have dramatically increased, and our college feels that growth most because of our dominant role in the core curriculum. Over the past eight years, the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences has had a 27 percent increase in student credit hours taught at the masters level and a 69 percent increase at the baccalaureate level.

We are proud of our contribution to improving opportunities for citizens of South Texas, but we must guard against growth and declining resources eroding our quality. I urge you to do whatever you can personally, with your legislators, and with your companies, to ensure that we have the resources to move forward with continued pride. I invite you to call (361-825-2659) or e-mail me with your ideas.

Dr. Richard Gigliotti
Dean, College of Arts
and Humanities