INSIDE - Islander Magazine - Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has a robusthistory of the community’s engagement inour development and expansion. We see evidenceof this generous commitment in our facilities, ourprograms, our faculty and our students. Buildingupon the well-being of the University opens additionalopportunities for many individuals to stepforward and provide private support which helpsTexas A&M-Corpus Christi fund essential servicesthat cannot be accommodated through state dollarsand tuition revenues.President's CouncilTexas A&M University-Corpus Christi'sPremier Giving OrganizationThe President’s Council has grown to become ourmost prestigious private giving society. It is part ofthe annual giving program, and is rich in tradition.Members of the President’s Council support thePresidential Scholars program, the highest-levelscholarship awarded to our best and brighteststudents. Funds also are used for numerous annualactivities and programs implemented throughthe President’s Office which further build uponcommunity engagement.As a member of the President’s Council, youbecome our partner in progress, because yoursupport helps guide us toward the many milestoneswe will reach.member benefitsMembership in the President’s Council places youamong individuals who continually focus their effortson the vitality of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.You are both an advisor and a friend to the University.Throughout the year we have many events and activitiesin which you have the opportunity to meet withfellow President’s Council members. We greatly appreciatethe support of this devoted group and ensureample recognition.membership levelsPlatinum Circle$10,000Gold Circle$5,000Silver Circle$2,500Bronze Circle$1,000Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi • 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5741Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5741 • 361.825.2420

DR. FLAVIUS C. KILLEBREWPresident/CEOThe community leaders who have accepted the challenge of raising $25 millionduring Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Capital Campaign have steppedto the forefront by establishing endowments and putting the campaign well on itsway to meeting its goal and reaching the additional $5 million challenge.The Island University is fortunate to have a loyal base of private donors whounderstand clearly what we face as our campus grows. We’ve laid out an ambitiousagenda and thanks to the hard work of many dedicated people many of thesegoals have been met. Thank you to the Capital Campaign chairs who are leadingthe way by establishing endowments. They are:■ Larry and Karen Urban, Chairs, Momentum Campaign, established the Larryand Karen Urban Endowed Scholarship in Engineering■ Peggy and Avinash Ahuja, Co-chairs for President’s Council, established theAvinash and Peggy Ahuja Endowed Scholarship■ John and Betty Baker, Co-chairs for Austin Alumni, established the John T. andBetty Baker Endowed Scholarship in Athletics■ Bruce and Elenita Collins, Co-chairs for Fine and Performing Arts, establishedthe Bruce L., Jr. and Elenita Collins Endowed Scholarship in Art■ Marty and Becky Davis, Co-chairs for Foundations, established the Rebecca J.and Martin C. Davis Endowed Scholarship■ Kathy and Don Deis, Co-chairs for Faculty and Staff, established the DonaldR. Deis, Endowed Scholarship in Accounting and the Kathy Deis EndowedScholarship in Nursing■ Janice and Joyce Freeman, Co-chairs for University Retirees, established theDr. Janice Freeman and Dr. Joyce Freeman Endowed Scholarship in Biology■ Howard and Julia Townsend, Co-chairs for Houston Alumni, established theHoward and Julia Townsend Endowed Scholarship■ O.B. Garcia, Co-chair for Corpus Christi Alumni, established the CorpusChristi Alumni Endowed Scholarship■ Gordon and Linda Landreth, Co-chairs for Achieve Partners, established theLinda J. Landreth Endowed Scholarship in Counseling■ Curtis and Jennifer Rock, Co-chairs for Young Professionals, established theCurtis A. and Jennifer N. Rock Endowed Scholarship■ Dan and Deborah Shea, Co-chairs for Athletics, established the Daniel andDebra Shea Endowed Scholarship■ Gail and Michael Sutton, Co-chairs for Parents’ Council, established the Williamand Lyell Snyder Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Marine ScienceBut thereis still much thatneeds to be doneto meet the needsset forth in Momentum2015. Asstate funds forhigher educationshrink, substantialprivate giving isbecoming morecritical than ever in maintaining and building upon the excellence we have alreadyachieved. Momentum 2015 delineates three guiding principles for moving theUniversity forward over the next decade – Excellence, Engagement, and Expansion.This is an inseparable triad; achievement of one without the other two willprove a fruitless endeavor. With the generous support of our friends and alumni,these goals will be accomplished.23is produced in fall and spring by the Texas A&M University-Corpus ChristiOffice of Marketing & Communications, part of the Division of InstitutionalAdvancement. Content in the magazine is designed to enlighten the University’salumni and friends on A&M-Corpus Christi’s people, programsand activities. Comments and editorial ideas should be sent to:The Islanderc/o Office of Marketing & CommunicationsTexas A&M University-Corpus Christi6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5726Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-57261813Welcome CenterOpens Doors toCampus CommunityAlumni Profile:Brigadier GeneralLarry WycheON THE COVERUniversity President Flavius Killebrew, a biologist and formerprofessor who helped save the Cagle’s Map Turtle fromextinction, talks to students in the University’s Science andTechnology laboratory.Sp2010S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 1

islander athleticsPrimed to WinIslanders Have Talent to Surprise Southland Conference PrognosticatorsComing off a season when the Islanders struggledto an 18-38 record, Coach Scott Malonewasn’t surprised when his team did not receivemuch respect in the preseason Southland Conferencepolls. Quite the opposite, Malone isconfident that the rest of the conference is infor a surprise.The Islanders were picked to finish 11thin the 12-team conference in both the coachesand sports information directors’ polls. But,thanks to aggressive hometown recruiting andthe signing of top junior college talent, Malonehas his team thinking about finishing in the topsix and making the league’s post-season tournament.The 2010 Islander roster includes eightplayers who played for high school powerhousesin the Corpus Christi area as well as nine playerswith junior college experience. Add in a veterangroup led by heavy-hitters Trey Hernandez andJeramie Marek and the Islanders have an explosiveline-up that can light up the scoreboard.Malone believes the winning formula is simple;outscore the other team.2009-2010 Islanders Baseball TeamMarek, who played at Calallen High Schoolin Corpus Christi, led the Islanders with a .335batting average as a freshman and finished lastseason with a 22-game hitting streak. Hernandezsuffered through a classic sophomore slumpafter batting .339 with 56 RBIs as a freshman,but still led the team with 12 long balls.“If we’re going to be really special, we’regoing to have to play well offensively,” Malonepredicts. “We have seven-or-eight players whocan hit at this level and the potential for the biginning is always there.”Although the Islanders are solid at theplate, the prospects for a post-season play restlargely on the arms of the pitching staff. Whilethere aren’t any dominating hurlers on theroster, it is loaded with capable pitchers whosemain objective is to avoid giving up the biginning.“The stability of our pitching staff is thekey,” says Malone. “The depth is there. If wecan get five-or-six quality innings out of ourstarters then turn it over to the bullpen, we’ll beTexas A&M University Corpus Christi2010 Athletic Hall of Honor InducteesDennis F. DonaldsonDennis F. Donaldson had a very successful basketball career at theUniversity of Corpus Christi from 1967-1971, leading his team tothe postseason. He was a three-year team captain for the Tarponsand following the 1969-70 season received Honorable Mention as aSmall College All-American. He led his team to a 13-gamewinning streak to end the 1968-69 season when the Tarponscompeted in the National Association of IntercollegiateAthletics (NAIA) National Tournament. Followinghis Tarpon career, Donaldson went on to becomea very successful college and high school coach. Heis currently the assistant principal for Administration atKing High School in Tampa, Fla.tough to beat.”Returning starters Roy Ferdin and BrandonOrr have been joined in the rotation byMarc Damon, a transfer from Pima Junior Collegein Arizona who also plays third base. And,when necessary, Malone has the luxury of beingable to hand the ball to several relievers withfastballs in the 88-92 mph range.The infield is also much improved, thankslargely to the play of newcomer Cory Ege, atransfer from Northern Iowa who Malone calls“one of the five best shortstops in Texas. Thecorners are manned by first baseman Hernandezand Weston Montgomery, a utility playera year ago, who has found a permanent homeat third. Bobby Buckner, a newcomer fromNavarro Junior College, takes over at secondbase and Omar Garcia is behind the plate. Theoutfield is anchored by a group led by returnerJacob Perales and Chris Vergne, a newcomerfrom Southeastern Junior College.“Defensively, this group is better than inthe past which helps out our pitchers,” pointsout Malone. “We have a lot of range, especiallyon the left side of the infield which gives us theability to take hits away.”But the bottom line is the team’s attitude.“The thing that has been encouraging inthe early part of the season is that the guys arerallying around the idea of surprising people,”Malone says. “They know we took a step backwardlast year and they are eager to change thedirection and mentality of the program.”4 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

Looking for R-E-S-P-E-C-TWhen Jake Schumann took over the Islandersoftball program three years ago, his obsessionwas to restore the once vaunted program to itsformer prominence and lead his team back topost-season play. After barely missing out a yearago, this may well be the season those goals areaccomplished.The Islanders lost nine straight games toopen the 2009 Southland Conference seasonwith a starting line-up that included six freshmenbefore catching fire, winning six of theirlast seven games and barely missing the cut forthe conference tournament. The signing of agroup of highly-touted players including fourjunior college All-Americans over the off-seasongives the Islanders the talent to competewith any team in the nation and, perhaps moreimportant, players who know how to win.Catcher Brittany Tucker, outfielder HannahSchwarz, and infielders Kacie Smith and CaleyJeter are at the core of the 2009 recruiting class.All four have played in the NJCAA Women’sCollege World Series and last year, Tucker andSmith led the Yavapai College Roughriders tothe national championship.“I worked really hard on the recruitingroad to get these kids to come here with thefull intent of changing not only the physicallook of our team but also the mentality,” saysSchumann. “These kids are all winners and theybring a wealth of championship experience tothis team. They expect to win and that attitudeis contagious.”That expectationbecame evident earlyin the season when,after dropping theirfirst three games, theIslanders reeled off 11straight victories andestablished themselvesas one of the top contendersfor the Conferencetitle. But theIslanders have theirsights set much higher andbelieve that they can ultimately compete for theDivision I national championship.“If you look at our team over the last fewyears, there were one or two players who felt theyhad to carry the load,” points out Schumann.“The players we’ve brought in understand thatthey are good and that their teammates are alsogood so they don’t have to shine all the time.That takes pressure off of them and makes thembetter players.”While this year’s line-up is dominated byjuniors with the speed to play small-ball and thepower to consistently swing for the fences, thepitching chores rest mainly on the shoulder ofsenior left-handers Addie Tallman and MargoHurdt. Tallman was the ace of the 2009 team,taking the mound 39 times and posting a 20-16record and joining four-time 20-game winnerSarah Pauley as the only Islanders in that exclusiveclub. Hurdt, the team’s designated player,islander athleticsSigning of Highly-Touted Players Makes Islanders Contenders2009-2010 Islanders Softball Teamthrew in nine games a year ago, four as a starter,and has taken the second spot in this year’s rotation.At the plate, junior Landry Moore, whoplays several positions, swings a dangerous batand, along with Tucker, is one of two Islandersto earn “Southland Conference Player of theWeek” during non-league playBut Schumann is looking far beyond thisseason. He is confident that with their winningreputation restored and the beautiful campusas enticement, the Islanders are in a position tocompete with any major college program for thetop players in the state.“We’re working our way up the recruitingladder,” he states confidently. “Winningwill allow us to compete for players who arealso being courted by teams like Texas, Baylorand Texas Tech. The key is finding players whoare confident and have the high integrity to dowhat they are supposed to be doing, even whennobody is looking.”Granvil “Wayne” TedderGranvil “Wayne” Tedder attended the Universityof Corpus Christi from 1958-1961and participated in boxing, baseball andfootball. Tedder excelled as a boxer, beingvoted the “Outstanding Fighter” at the TexasGold Gloves tournament. Tedder performedwell at the National Gold Gloves tournament,eventually losing to the NationalChampion in his junior and senior seasons.He was named “Mr. UCC” in 1960 andwas awarded the John Hickman Trophy in1961 as the Most Outstanding Universityof Corpus Christi Athlete. Tedder served inthe military before becoming a successfulTexas high school baseball coach. He iscurrently an assistant coach at Bellaire HighSchool in Houston, Texas.Kristen RogersKristen Rogers had a prolific career as anIslander women’s basketball player, makingher way near the top of numerous categoriesin the Islander record books. Herstreak of scoring 20 or more points in 20straight games ranks as the second longestin school history. From the moment sheset foot on the island she made an impact,being recognized as the Independent Newcomerof the Year following the 1999-2000season. She was named Second Team All-Independent after her sophomore year andwas named to the First Team All-Independentsquad following her junior and seniorseasons. Rogers is a nurse at St. John’sHospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 5

NEWS & FEATURESMervat Mostafa Abdelsamad November 7, 2009I N M E M O R I A MMervat Mostafa Abdelsamad, formerly Mervat Mostafa Shokry Abdel Halim Abdelaal, passed away on Nov. 7,2009, in Houston, Texas. Mervat attended Cairo University in Egypt where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce inAccounting. Following her marriage to Dr. Moustafa Abdelsamad in 1982, she moved to the United States. After sixyears in Virginia, they moved to South Dartmouth, Mass., before coming to Texas in 1991.Mervat began volunteering at St. James Episcopal School when her children enrolled, and she served as Developmentand Accounting assistant for a number of years. She was also an active volunteer in the College of Businessat Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Since 1997, Mervat has been the vice president for administration for theSociety for Advancement of Management, the oldest professional management association in the world.She is survived by her husband, Dr. Moustafa H. Abdelsamad, dean of the College of Business at Texas A&MUniversity-Corpus Christi; one son, Omar Moustafa Abdelsamad, working in Boston, Mass.; one daughter, DinaAbdelsamad, working in Houston, Texas; her mother, Malaka Abdelaal; her father, Dr. Mostafa Shokry; and hersiblings, including Mona Shokry Abdel Halim and Dr. Mohamed El-Hadidy.Larry W. Barton January 19, 1950 — February 9, 2010Larry Barton joined the staff at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 1993 and, at the time of his retirementin 2004, was assistant vice president of University Services. Larry’s concern was always for the students, that theywould have the best tools available to obtain a higher education. He served as project coordinator for the StudentCenter, and the first two phases of Camden Student Housing. Larry was instrumental in helping to grow theUniversity from a two year to a four year school. Outside of work, some of Larry’s greatest passions were huntingand dancing.He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Cindy; three sons, Forrest Barton of Killeen, Texas, Lance Barton ofCorpus Christi, Texas, and Brock Barton of Corpus Christi; granddaughter, Brianne Barton of Corpus Christi;brother, Jim Barton of Lampassas, Texas; sisters, Glenda Bush, Shirley Pipkin of Killeen, Texas; as well as manyaunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.Nadina Hutchings April 1, 1946 — October 18, 2009Nadina “Nana” Hutchings spent her early life in Cardenas, Cuba. Her family moved to Maracaibo, Venezuela,where Nadina attended high school. Nadina graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physicsfrom the University of Zulia in 1967 and obtained a master’s degree in Mathematical Statistics at the C.I.E.N.E.S.Institute in Santiago de Chile. During the summer of 1978, she began her doctoral studies in mathematics educationat the University of Texas. In September 1981, she was hired as an assistant professor at Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi. She was the first woman hired by the University in mathematics, and became a full professor,serving in that capacity since 1992. She was recognized numerous times for her contributions to mathematicseducation at the local, state, and national levels.Nadina is preceded in death by her father, Jose Antonio Mesa Fernandez, and mother Ludovina ZayasLabrit. She is survived by her loving husband, Claude J. Hutchings; younger brother, Jose Antonio Mesa Zayas, ofBarquisimeto, Venezuela; niece, Monica Beatriz, and her two children, Ulises Daniel and Carlos Manuel; niece,Nadina Elena and her daughter, Michelle; niece, Mariana Elena; and cousins, Marino and wife, Teresa Duran,of Leander, Texas; Jose Luis and Deborah Perez Duran, of Florida; Guillermo Labrit, Los Angeles, Calif.; SilviaLabrit, of Varadero, Cuba; and Raquel and Rosita Llera of Florida.Dan Viola September 26, 1951 — February 13, 2010Dan Viola was hired on May 19, 1997, to resurrect the University’s athletic program which had been dormant since 1973.He started from scratch as the head of a one-person program in an office with one desk and one telephone and built anIslander program that today field teams competing in 12 NCAA Division I sports.Under Viola’s leadership, the Islander softball team won back-to-back Big South Conference championships andmade two appearances in the NCAA Regional Tournament while the men’s tennis team dominated opponents in winningthe Southland Conference title while competing as an affiliate member. In addition, the women’s basketball program registeredfive straight winning seasons, including a best-ever 19-9 record in 2003-2004.During his nine years as athletic director, there were several moments that propelled the Islanders into the nationalcollegiate sports spotlight. In 2002, the Islander baseball season grabbed headlines by knocking off the defending nationalchampion Texas Longhorns in their season-opener. In 2001, the Islander men’s basketball team defeated the Texas TechRed Raiders in Lubbock and, two years later, they upset Texas A&M on the Aggies’ home court. Viola is survived by hisbrother, Jeff; sister-in-law, Robin; niece, Natalie; as well as numerous friends in college athletics.6 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

news & featuresCassidy Selectedfor Induction intoReading Hall of FameDr. Jack Cassidy, associate dean and interim chairof the Department of Curriculum and Instructionin the College of Education, has been selected forinduction into the International Reading Association’sHall of Fame. Cassidy is the first professorfrom the Texas A & M System to be selected intothe Reading Hall of Fame which honors those in the field who are widelyknown and who made significant contributions to the field of literacy forat least 25 years.Cassidy has taught courses in literacy and gifted education; startedthe BEST program, a clinic for youth ages 6-16 with literacy problems.Recently, he launched the Governor’s Academy for Teaching Excellence(GATE), a free summer educational program for academically talentedTexas high school students interested in teaching math or science.University Recognized atGolden Key ConferenceTexas A&M University-Corpus Christi was recognized by the GoldenKey International Honour Society, the world’s premier collegiate honorsociety, at its 2009 International Conference in Orlando, Fla. GoldenKey, which has two million members and more than 375 chapters aroundthe world, announced that the Island University has achieved a bronzechapter standing for the 2008-2009 academic year, which signifies thatthe Golden Key Chapter is on its way to achieving the highest reportingstandard in the Society.University Receives Grantfor Mobile GO CenterThe University has received a $100,000 grant from the Texas PioneerFoundation to purchase a mobile GO Center. Through the addition ofa mobile GO Center to its existing GO Centers program, the Title VDepartment at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi can expand on three keyobjectives.• Create a college going culture both in the participating school districtsand the surrounding rural communities.• Engage the parent community in higher education planning for thestudents.• Enhance the University’s efforts to help guide students on a successfulpath toward higher education.These objectives will be accomplished through the use of mobileacademic services, which include tutoring/mentoring, financial aid assistance,college searches, filling out admissions applications and parentalinvolvement. GO Centers, located in various surrounding Coastal Bendarea high schools, introduce and prepare students to enter college.Chopin Receives Awardat White House CeremonyDr. Suzzette Chopin, a professor of biomedical sciences, was one of10 educators to receive the National Science Foundation’s PresidentialAward for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and EngineeringMentoring at a White House ceremony with President Barack Obamain January. The Award recognizes outstanding mentoring efforts thatenhance the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilitieswho are underrepresented in science, technology, engineeringand mathematics.Zimba Takes Overas CCS DirectorDr. Paul Zimba has joined the College of Scienceand Technology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi as director of the Center forCoastal Studies (CCS). He takes over for Dr.Wes Tunnell, founder and director of the CCS,who stepped down after 25 years to concentrateon his responsibilities as associate director of theHarte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.Before taking over as director of the CCS, Zimba was a researchmicrobiologist with the Agricultural Research Service Agency of theUnited States Department of Agriculture in Stoneville, Miss. Prior tothat Dr. Zimba worked as a research assistant professor in the Departmentof Fisheries at the University of Florida. His research interestsinclude aquatic ecosystem ecology, algal toxin assessment, harmfulalgae, wetlands, aquaculture and aquatic ecosystem stressors.University Receives $100,000from the Ed Rachal FoundationThe Ed Rachal Foundation has awarded Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi three grants totaling $100,000.• The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies received$30,000 for its Environmental Sciences Teacher Workshops.• The Coastal Bend Eco-Historic Awareness Program received $10,000to highlight the links between the ecology and history of the area.• The Army ROTC Islander Battalion received $60,000 for the EdRachal Foundation ROTC Field Leadership Reaction Course todevelop and evaluate leadership ability and build teamwork.8 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

Spaniol Named NSCA FellowKinesiology Professor Frank Spaniol has beennamed a Fellow of the National Strength andConditioning Association (NSCA), an internationalnonprofit educational organization thatserves nearly 30,000 members in 52 countries.Selection as an NSCA Fellow recognizes professionalswhose frequent and sustained longtermcontributions to the profession have promotedthe goals and activities of the NSCA.In June 2009, Dr. Spaniol spoke at theNSCA Advanced Training Symposium inShanghai, China. While in Shanghai, Spaniol,who is chair of the NSCA Baseball SpecialInterest Group, worked with the ChineseNational BaseballTeam. During hiscareer, Spaniol has beenawarded more than 20grants for sport scienceand instructional technologyresearch. He iscurrently conductinginvestigations on a variety of sport performancetopics such as athletic testing, motionanalysis, and pioneering research in visualskills training.news & featuresThe UniversityCenter Turns ‘10’The campus community celebrated the 10thanniversary of the University Center in October2009 with a “Decade of Dedication” ceremonyin the University Center commons. Theceremony included a welcome by UniversityPresident Flavius Killebrew; and presentersDr. Eliot Chenaux, vice president for StudentAffairs, and Samantha Hernandez, presidentof the Student Government Association. RalphMcFarland, assistant director for DisabilityServices, sang “Happy Birthday.”Meyer NamedUniversity Vice ProvostDr. Paul R. Meyer has been named to the newlycreatedposition of vice provost at Texas A&MUniversity-Corpus Christi. For the past six years,Meyer, who works directly with University ProvostAnantha Babbili, has served as assistant provost atTexas A&M University in College Station.Meyer received his bachelor’s degree in physics andEnglish from Rice University and later earned amaster’s degree and a Ph.D. in English/Rhetoricfrom the University of Texas. He has served as anassistant professor of English at both Texas A&M University and NewMexico State University where his teaching and research areas includedrhetoric, professional writing, and literacy.Quintanilla Named Deanof College of Liberal ArtsDr. Kelly Quintanilla became the dean of the Collegeof Liberal Arts in December 2009. Quintanilla,a professor of communication in the Department ofCommunication and Theatre, joined the Universityfaculty in 1994 and, since 2000, has served as either adepartment chair or a program coordinator. She hadserved as interim dean since January 2009.Quintanilla received her Bachelor of Arts inCommunication from the University of Pittsburghin 1989. She earned her master’s degree in Speech Communication fromPenn State University in 1992 and, two years later, her Ph.D. She joinedthe Texas A&M-Corpus Christi faculty as an assistant professor andbecame an associate professor in 1999. She became a professor of communicationin 2004 and was named department chair for Communicationand Theatre. Since 2003, she has been coordinator for the University’scommunication program.S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 9

news & featuresEcological Research,Education Top Priority forUniversity ScientistsUniversity Scientists and graduate students spent several daysaboard the NOAA research vessel “Manta” in October 2009exploring the South Texas “Snapper” Banks off Port Aransas.Although the banks are habituated by red snapper, groupers, tunaand pelagic sharks that support many commercially and recreationallyimportant fisheries, little is known of their ecology. Theproject was funded by the Texas Research Development Fund,NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program, and the HarteResearch Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI).The HRI and the College of Science and Technology are alsoco-sponsoring a series of panels to provide Coastal Bend citizenswith the best available scientific and engineering informationaround which environmental issues revolve. The series kickedoffin fall 2009 with a discussion of wind farms and their impacton South Texas. Other topics have included the environmentaleffects of making high high-octane gasoline and the effects ofnatural and man-made hazards on area beaches.Students Win Awards at PathwaysStudent Research SymposiumFive students from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi won awardsat the seventh annual Texas A&M University System Pathways StudentResearch Symposium Nov. 13-14 in Laredo, Texas.The symposium, held this year on the campus of Texas A&M UniversityInternational, encourages System students to pursue graduatestudies and to present their research and view the research of otherstudents in the System. More than 300 students gave oral or poster presentationswith awards presented for first, second and third places inundergraduate and graduate level categories.Winners from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi were:• Life Sciences Master’s Level: Overall - Rafael Calderon• Life Sciences Master’s Level: First place- Rafael Calderon• Education Master’s Level: Second place- Taylor Flowers• Social Sciences Master’s Level: Second place- Shelly Fox• Business Master’s Level: Second place- Julian Gelvez• Computer Science Master’s Level: Second place- Anh Tuan DoMiddleton in Taiwanas Fulbright ScholarDr. Karen L. Middleton is serving as a visitingprofessor of management at Yuan Ze Universityin Taipei, Taiwan, during 2009-2010 through theFulbright U.S. Scholar Program. The FulbrightFellowship is the most prestigious internationalexchange program in the world, working withuniversities, schools, bi-national Fulbright commissions,government agencies, nongovernmentalorganizations and the private sector to seekout individuals of achievement and potentialwho represent the full diversity of their respective societies.Dr. Middleton holds a BME from Bradley University, an MBAfrom the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Ph.D. from theUniversity of Houston-University Park. Her professional experienceincludes consulting, teaching, and research in organizational behavior,leadership, and strategic management and business policy in theUnited States and Asia. She has worked in Singapore, Malaysia, HongKong, England and China.Dugan Wellness CenterReceives Outstanding SportsFacilities AwardThe Dr. Jack and Susie Dugan Wellness Center is one of nine newcollegiate sports centers at universities and colleges across the UnitedStates to receive the 2010 Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards fromthe National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA).The annual NIRSA award recognizes innovative designs of new orexpanded facilities which are considered a standard or model by whichother collegiate recreational facilities should be measured and fromwhich others can benefit. NIRSA selects and publishes informationon the facilities as a resource for campus master planners, recreationalsports directors, designers and architects, contractors and recreationalsports students.Zebda ReceivesRegents ProfessorDesignationDr. Awni Zebda, a professor in the Departmentof Accounting and Business Law has receivedthe designation of Regents Professor from TheTexas A&M Board of Regents The programrecognizes Texas A&M UniversitySystem employees who have madeexemplary contributions to their universityor agency and to the people of Texas.In addition, Zebda received the 2009 OutstandingAccounting Educator Award from theTexas Society of CPAs. The award recognizeseducators who have demonstrated excellencein teaching and have distinguished themselvesthrough active service to the accounting profession.Since joining the Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi faculty in 1994, Zebda hasdeveloped and taught several undergraduate andgraduate courses. His classes emphasize the useof accounting information in decision making,research and critical thinking.1 0 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

COVER STORYCreating a scholarship endowmentis one way to ensure your contributionwill remain in perpetuity tosupport higher education and tohelp the University remain competitivein attracting the brighteststudents.In recognition of donorsmaking significant contributionsto endowed scholarships, theUniversity established the EndowedScholarship Council. Donorswith cumulative gifts to endowedscholarship funds of $50,000 ormore are inducted into the TexasA&M University-Corpus ChristiEndowed Scholarship Council andrecognized at the annual EndowedScholarship Banquet.Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi • 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5741Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5741 • 361.825.2420S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 1 1

feature STORYServing Our StudentsUniversity First Lady Kathy Killebrew works toensure students receive a quality education and experienceFrom the first day visiting Corpus Christiwhen her husband Dr. Flavius Killebrew wasinterviewing for the presidency of Texas A&MUniversity-Corpus Christi, Kathy Killebrew feltvigorous community support.“You can tell right away if a community isinvested in its University,” says Kathy. “Therewas a special partnership between the Universityand the city. This is where we wanted to be.”Fast forward five years and Killebrew is highlycommitted to the success of the Island University’sbroad population of students.“My husband and I are here to serve thestudents,” says Killebrew. “So in all I do, I ask,‘is it beneficial for the students or the campus?’These students come to us for an education, andI want to make sure they get a quality educationand experience.”Her priority is to connect the communityto University students by “friend-raising,” andestablishing new relationships throughout thecommunity. Sometimes, she even fills in for herhusband to welcome visitors to the campus. Shefeels the University and the community needeach other to move forward.“We want an educated community thatextends beyond the campus, so I also give sometime to other community organizations,” Killebrewsays. “If I’m off campus, I’m probably at acommunity event to help benefit our future students.”In her short five years in Corpus Christi,she has served as honorary chair for severalcommunity fundraisers, as well as a year on theCorpus Christi Symphony Orchestra Board. Forthe past five years, Kathy has served on the advisoryboard for the Art Museum of South Texas,which is affiliated with Texas A&M-CorpusChristi. Currently, she is serving as a three-yearmember of the Spouses Planning Committee forthe American Association of State Colleges andUniversities (AASCU), a national organization.“This is the most active community as faras receptions and fundraisers,” Killebrew says.“People expect us to attend, so we try our best.But our students always come first. We havemany campus events happening as we’re a growingUniversity. There are several each day.”The couple balances their time between thecampus, community and family. Several times,they split and go to different events. One night,the Killebrews attended five functions together.University First Lady Kathy Killebrew chats with Islander Cheer Team Captain Nailah Johns (left), IslanderDance Team Freshman Marissa Flores and James Steele, University Pep Band assistant director.The Killebrews are present at hundreds ofUniversity-related events throughout the yearincluding commencements, Islander Athleticgames, and special meetings, lunches and dinners.In addition, they open their home forspecial dinners, which often involve students.Sometimes, she invites international studentsto meet donors and prepare a meal from theirnative country. The advisor of the IslanderCheer Team, the Islander Dance Team and thePep Band involves the spirit groups at variousfunctions on and off campus. Kathy, a nativeof Audubon, Iowa, is a born performer, withdecades of dance, band, cheer and twirling experience.When she and her husband first came here,Kathy started a new organization named thePresident’s Ambassadors and is the advisor forthat group. The Ambassadors represent “someof the faces” of our University and help the Presidentand First Lady at all events put on by thePresident’s Office.“Anytime I have a question, I ask studentsfor their input,” says Kathy. “We’re here forthem. They bring up ideas for things we may noteven consider.”Killebrew, who constantly communicateswith students, understands the positive differencethat their involvement can make. As formerco-director of “Stepping Out,” a non-profitorganization which taught dance and musicaltheatre to at-risk kids in the Amarillo andCanyon, Texas, school systems, she transformedlives. For her 10-year dedication to “SteppingOut,” a leadership scholarship in her name atWest Texas A&M University is awarded annuallyto a deserving dance or theatre student.Also, Killebrew has consulted with the University’sEarly Childhood Development Centerto provide kids with educational opportunitiesand with the Juvenile Diabetes Association toassist with event planning. She oversees numerousprojects including the design of the annualUniversity Christmas card, which is mailed out tothe community, staff, donors and friends of theUniversity; and she judges the annual “IslanderRevue” music and dance extravaganza.“I want to represent the University as best as Ican,” Killebrew says. “I want to be a supportingpartner for my husband by sharing his vision,leadership and engagement of this University.”1 2 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

cover storyhen Dr. Flavius Killebrew became president of Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi in 2005, he barely had time to settle into his newoffice before heading to Austin to meet with legislators and make theUniversity’s case for state funding. As the budget for higher educationcontinues to shrink and the competition for money expands, the abilityto convince elected officials that the state’s money will be well-investedis a must-have skill that requires meticulous advance preparation and analmost encyclopedic knowledge of the University’s financial and educationalneeds. With 39 percent of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’sbudget at stake, Killebrew didn’t waste any time in getting up tospeed.“The legislature has plenty of places to invest itsmoney so you have to have a good story and sell it,” says Killebrew,who crammed like it was finals week before making hisfirst trip up Interstate Highway 35. “Way before the budgetprocess begins we have to develop our strategic vision andsell it to legislators. Once the session is underway, they havevery little time to visit, so it’s important that we’ve convincedthem of our needs in advance.”After meeting with The Texas A&M SystemGovernment Relations Team to organize priorities andsell Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s internal strategy, Killebrewand other University officials conferred with thestaff of key committee chairs to set up campus visits wherelegislators could see taxpayer’s dollars at work. These onsitevisits may look like photo-ops for politicians but theyare a critical part of the information process.Also in 2005, the aggressive strategic plan which becameknown as the “Momentum 2015” campaign was launchedunder Killebrew’s leadership. Recognizing that a critical elementof strategic planning is funding, in 2006 Dr. Killebrewlaunched a capital campaign also titled “Momentum 2015.” Followinga feasibility study and a silent phase, the campaign wentpublic in September 2009 with the goal of raising $25 million and meetingan additional $5 million challenge.S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 1 3

cover storyOver the past five years, much-neededbuildings have been constructed; innovativedegree programs established; and land forfuture expansion acquired. Dr. Killebrew andhis staff have worked behind the scenes layingthe groundwork for these landmark accomplishments.This proved especially true for the81st legislative session when State Sen. Juan“Chuy” Hinojosa introduced a bill to establishan engineering program.State Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. was instrumentalin arranging a visit by more than 20key legislator who toured the campus and thePort of Corpus Christi, in April 2008, to seefirst-hand that a partnership between the Universityand the Port is critical to supplying aneducated workforce for the nation’s sixth largestwater port. Due to the efforts of Sen. Hinojosaand State Representatives Abel Herrero, JuanGarcia and Ortiz, the program was approvedand the first cadre of future engineers beganclasses in fall 2009.“Many of these legislators are key committeechairs and by having them here we were ableto get up close and personal,” points out Killebrew.“I can’t file a bill or carry a bill so I mustconvince them of our needs. A lot of preparationgoes into that. They can ask anything theywant and you better have an answer. If you’renot prepared, you can unravel a lot of good workthat’s been done.”One of Killebrew’sbiggestconcerns when hearrived was the obviouslack of space toexpand facilities onWard Island. Onceagain, the Universitylooked to theCorpus Christi communityfor help andonce again the citydelivered. In March2008, after monthsof negotiations withCity officials andmeetings to addressthe concerns ofnearby residents,Killebrew andCorpus Christi Mayor Henry Garrett signed ahistoric agreement transferring approximately137 acres of city land at South Guth Park nearthe intersection of Ennis Joslin Road and NileDrive for University expansion.The city’s gift includes around 96 acressurrounding the water treatment plant west ofNile Drive and 41 acres of South Guth Parkon Ennis Joslin Road. The land will be usedfor non-academic facilities such as athleticsfacilities, student housing, a physical plant andremote parking, which will create spacefor expansion of academics at the Universitycampus on Ward Island.“Dr. Killebrew worked closely withcity leaders and the community to finda solution to the University’s need forexpansion due to its growth,” points outDr. Trent Hill, vice president for InstitutionalAdvancement. “Without theadditional land, the University wouldhave had to cap enrollment. The Cityof Corpus Christi leadership found thisunacceptable and, working with Dr.Killebrew, conducted community townhalls to discuss options. Once a suitabletract of land was identified, the transferencebegan accompanied by a masterplan for the Momentum Campus.”The University’s strategic vision aslaid out in “Momentum 2015” is clear.The ambitious agenda for excellence,engagement and expansion is the playbook forpositioning the University as a doctoral comprehensiveinstitution that is recognized asthe university-of-choice in South Texas. At thehalfway point, many of the goals laid out in theplan adopted under Killebrew’s leadership havebeen met.In addition to implementation of theMechanical Engineering Program, new degreeAssistant Professor Magesh Thiyagarajan and Dr. Killebrew gave acontingent led by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst an overview of the PlasmaResearch Lab during a tour of the new mechanical engineeringprogram facilities.1 4 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0programs likethe CooperativePh.D. in Nursingand the Ph.D.in Marine Biologyhave beenadded to the curriculum.Muchneeded classroomspace hasbeen providedwith the openingof Bay Hall.And, when completedlater thisyear, Island Hallwill be hometo the Univer-The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies has becomean international champion of the world’s 10th-largest body of water,encouraging a trilateral approach to insure its long-term ecological andeconomic sustainability.sity’s Collegeof Nursing andHealth Sciencesand the College of Education’s kinesiologyprogram.Similarly, the Michael and Karen O’ConnorBuilding currently under construction willallow the College of Business to consolidateall its faculty and staff into one building. Inaddition, students, faculty and staff are enjoyingthe new Dr. Jack and Susie Dugan WellnessCenter, which was one of nine new collegiatesports centers at universities and colleges acrossthe United States to receive the 2010 OutstandingSports Facilities Awards from the NationalIntramural-Recreational Sports Association.Since it opened in 2005, the Harte ResearchInstitute for Gulf of Mexico Studies hasbecome a nationally-recognized champion ofthe world’s 10th largest body of water. Createdin 2001 through a $46 million endowment fromEdward H. Harte, philanthropist and formerpublisher of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times,the HRI encourages a trilateral approach withCuba and Mexico in assuring the long-term ecologicaland economic sustainability of the Gulf.In 2006, the HRI hosted the State of the Gulf ofMexico Summit, an unprecedented conferencethat brought together world-renowned scientistswith government, business and industry,conservationists and resource managers.“The institute has brought issues regardingthe health and sustainability of the Gulfof Mexico to the attention of countries aroundthe world,” says Killebrew. “The impact ofthe research being undertaken at the HarteResearch Institute is far-reaching.”The University has also established theCoastal Bend Business Innovation Center tostimulate job growth by encouraging entrepreneurialeconomic development of companiesthat, once established, are committed to remainingin the Coastal Bend. A key component of theCenter is its innovative incubator program thatwill nurture entrepreneurial startup companiesby providing targeted resources and services toaccelerate their growth and ensure long-termsuccess.Under the program, fledgling businessesreceive appropriate rental space and flexibleleases, shared basic business services and equipment,and technology support services. Additionally,they have access to professional Ph.D.level consulting, student internship programs,coursework modeling and interaction, executive-leveleducation classes and assistance in

obtaining the financing necessary for companygrowth.Killebrew received both his undergraduateand master’s degrees from West Texas A&MUniversity and, after obtaining his doctoratedegree in zoology from the University of Arkansas,returned to his alma mater as an assistantprofessor of biology. He earned a doctorate inzoology from the University of Arkansas andwas instrumental in saving the endangeredCagle’s Map Turtle from extinction. Whilethat Killebrew takes special pride in the increasingquality and diversity of the Island University’sstudent population. Making students hishighest priority compliments the Island University’sgoal of making a high-quality, affordablecollege education available to anyone with theambition and desire to succeed in life.With its outstanding faculty and programsand the natural beauty of the campus landscape,students from throughout the state and acrossthe United States are increasingly choosingDr. Killebrew takes special pride in the increasing quality and diversity of the Island University’s student population. Thenumber of International students on campus has increased dramatically under Killebrew’s administration.cover storyTexas A&M-Corpus Christi, as are studentsfrom other countries. Originallylocated on just 55 acres, the Universityhas expanded to cover Ward Island’sentire 242 acres and grown from anupper-level school with less than 400 studentsto a thriving University with fiveColleges and a student population fastapproaching 10,000. And with society’sever-increasing demand for a collegeeducatedworkforce, that number is projectedto approach 16,000 students in theforeseeable future.Five years ago, about 50 foreignstudents were enrolled at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. In 2007, as part of theMomentum 2015 initiative, the Officeof International Relations was createdto promote international developmentin the Coastal Bend. The followingyear, that office was combined with thenewly-establish Office of InternationalEducation which fosters an inclusivecommunity and establishes collaborativerelationships across cultures. In addition,the Office of International Education promotesinternational learning environments throughStudy Abroad programs that allow both facultyand students to experience educational systemsin Europe, Asia and Central and South America.Today, the number of international studentshas more than quadrupled with around 450 studentsfrom 40 countries enrolled at the IslandUniversity.Last year, the University celebrated itsgrowing cultural diversity with the first Paradeof Nations Dinner at which campus groupsincluding the Islander Cultural Alliance, theChinese Student Association, the VietnameseStudent Association, the Middle Eastern DanceClub and the India Student Association performedskits and dances representing nativecustoms and presented fashion shows featuringattire from their native countries. The observanceis just one of many events on campuseach year that bridge the cultural differencesbetween students and accentuate the commoninterests and goals that foster internationalcooperation and brotherhood.“Our campus has been growing in traditionalstudents and is doing an excellent jobserving the Hispanic population,” points outKillebrew. “But University life is about socialgrowth as well as academics. In the future,many of our graduates, especially those in businessand science, are going to work in a globaleconomy. To properly prepare them to be globalcitizens, it is important that Texas A&M-CorpusChristi continues to pursue excellence in allareas to maximize both the student experienceand solidify the University’s standing as oneat West Texas A&M, he served as dean of theuniversity’s graduate school and, in 1994, wasnamed provost and vice president for AcademicAffairs, serving in that capacity for 10 years.At Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Killebrewhas worked tirelessly to increase the University’svisibility and participation in professional organizationsthat are pointing the way to the futureof education. He is on the board of directors ofthe American Association of State Colleges andUniversities (AASCU) and is in his second termas president of the Texas International EducationConsortium.He is also on the governing board of the LouisStokes Alliance for Minority Participation,a Texas A&M University System program toenhance retention and degree completion forunderrepresented minorities in the fields of science,technology, engineering and mathematics.In September 2009, Killebrew was presentedwith the “Education is our Freedom” Award bythe American GI Forum and, in February, hewas honored with the 2010 Outstanding CommunityLeader Award by the League of UnitedLatin American Citizens (LULAC) for his dedication,service and contributions to the community.Considering his history of representing theinterests of students, interacting with them asboth as a teacher and administrator, and workingwith organizations to promote their personaland educational development, it’s naturalWhen completed, the $25 million Michael and Karen O’Connor Building,which was in large part made possible by a gift of more than $6million from the late Corpus Christi businessman and his wife, will behome to the University’s College of Business.of the leading up-and-coming institutions ofhigher learning in the nation.”Ultimately, through the Momentum 2015campaign, the leadership of Dr. Killebrew andthe tireless dedication of faculty and staff, TexasA&M-Corpus Christi has quickly become theUniversity of choice for South Texas.S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 1 5

cover storyWhat has happened in the “MomDid you know?In September 2009, the University hit a major milestonewhen it launched the largest comprehensive capitalcampaign in University history with a goal of $25 millionand an additional $5 million challenge.L a n dMomentum CampusHistoric expansion of the IslandUniversity at South Guth Park.The deed was signed over to theUniversity on March 10, 2008.P r o g r a m sBachelor of Sciencein Mechanical EngineeringBachelor of Arts inApplied ScienceMaster of Art in CommunicationPh.D. in Marine BiologyCooperative Ph.D. in NursingCoastal Bend Business Innovation CenterOffice of International Relations1 6 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

cover storyentum 2015” Five-Year Period?B u i l d i n g sDr. Jack and Susie DuganWellness CenterThe state-of-the-art fitness andwellness facility openedJanuary 2009.Chapman FieldImproved baseball andsoftball fields includinga press box werededicated March 2007.Woo Sung LeeAlumni Welcome CenterThe new center is the gatewayto the Island University. Thedestination for alumni andstudents openedFebruary 2010.PalapasA gift from William “Dusty” Durrill, the12 palapas located at 10 points aroundcampus enhance the University’snatural beauty. The palapas werededicated on March 31, 2010.Island HallFuture home to the Collegeof Nursing and HealthSciences and College ofEducation’s kinesiologyprogram. The much neededspace will serve studentsfall 2010.Michael and Karen O’Connor BuildingSlated for a spring 2011 opening, the newestconstruction on campus will be home to theCollege of Business.S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 1 7

news & featuresNew Woo Sung Lee Alumni Welcome CenterGreets Visitors to Island UniversityA crowd of University officials,community members and thepublic gathered on Feb. 4 forthe grand opening celebrationof Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi’s new Woo Sung LeeAlumni Welcome Center locatedat 6129 Ennis Joslin Road, nearthe intersection of Ocean Driveand Alameda Street.The Welcome Center is thegateway to Texas A&M-CorpusChristi, providing a home awayfrom home for many graduateswho return to campus each yearand greeting prospective studentsand their families who visit theIsland University. At the beautifulfacility which overlooks thecampus, visitors can obtain informationabout the University’s fivecolleges and degree programs aswell as other materials to maketheir campus visit more informativeand memorable.The site for the University’snew Alumni WelcomeCenter is just the latest gift Leehas bestowed upon Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. In 1999, he establisheda scholarship fund at theUniversity and, in 2001, providedthe resources for the creation ofLee Plaza. This garden area withstone benches, shade trees andthe soothing sound of water flowingfrom a dome-shaped fountainhas become a natural gatheringspot where students study or relaxbetween classes.Lee was an international studentfrom Korea who enrolled in1955 at the University of CorpusChristi. After receiving his bachelor’sdegree in chemistry in 1959,he went into the restaurant businessand turned one fast-foodestablishment into a chain ofhighly-successful “Boat-N-Net”Restaurants. In 2004, Lee receivedthe Distinguished Alumni AwardUniversity President Flavius Killebrewpresents longtime benefactorWoo Sung Lee with a press releasetranslated in Korean.for his volunteer efforts and financialcontributions to the IslandUniversity. He has been honoredby the President’s Counciland his photograph is on TexasA&M-Corpus Christi’s Wall ofRecognition in the UniversityCenter, Legacy Hall for his giftsto the University’s scholarship andbuilding funds.Pictured from left are University First LadyKathy Killebrew; University PresidentFlavius Killebrew; alumni and benefactorWoo Sung Lee; Chaiok Lee, wife ofWoo Sung Lee; and Sonny Lee, son ofWoo Sung Lee.Dr. alma garcia2010 Nationalalumni presidentDr. Alma Garcia was electedpresident of the National AlumniAssociation in February. For morethan 20 years, Garcia has workedfor the Corpus Christi Independent School District and is currentlya Title III program specialist. She is active with the Corpus ChristiArea Alumni Club and serves on the National Alumni AssociationBoard. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Educationin 1990, a Master of Science in Occupational Training andDevelopment in 1996 and a Doctorate of Educational Leadershipin 2007. In addition, she volunteers with the Rise School ofCorpus Christi.Alumni Chapter ContactsNational Alumni AssociationAlma Garcia ’90, ’96 & ’07lety1219@yahoo.com361.537.5276Anchor Alumni ClubCassandra Hinojosa ’99cassandra.hinojosa@tamucc.edu361.825.2337Corpus Christi ClubLee White ’95lwhite01@stx.rr.com361. 548.3141Houston ClubPatrick Richardson ’03prichardson28@hotmail.com832.721.29141 8 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

alumni newsPathology: A Perfect FitAlumna is Clinical Chemist for Eight Hospitals in New Orleans, La.In her work at OchsnerMedical Centerin New Orleans, La.,Dr. Danyel Hermes isright where she wantsto be, “in the middleof the action.”Tacker, whograduated magnacum laude from TexasA&M University-Corpus Christin 1999 with a bachelor’s degreein chemistry and cellular biology,is a clinical chemist for the medicalcenter’s eight hospitals. In thatcapacity, she is the critical linkbetween the technical and administrativeparts of the laboratory,leading developmental projects,and facilitating the addition ofnew equipment and advanced testingmethods for detecting cysticfibrosis and fetal lung maturity inexpectant mothers.For many, says Tacker,the benefits of updatingthese tests canmean the differencebetween life anddeath. The advancedtechnology for chloridemeasurementin sweat samples, sheexplains, providespediatricians with theconvenience to test forcystic fibrosis in hospitalsand clinics, insteadof sending samples toanother lab, makingresults available ina couple of hoursinstead of a few days or weeks.“My job is always evolving,”says Tacker, who is from Hondo,Texas. “It’s my responsibilityto determine what the nationalstandards are for medical laboratorypractice and see what we cando to make those standards workhere. Pathology is always changingto meet new standards and thelaboratory is central to that. That’swhat I thoroughly enjoy about it.”Tacker is lead of the Center’schloridometry project andis responsible for more than 200laboratory tests. She designsstudies, reviews data, andapproves implementationof new testing and equipmentfor chemistry laboratoryprojects, assistingmedical directorsand laboratory staff as needed.Tacker, who went on to obtainher Ph.D. in experimental pathology,credits Dr. Suzzette Chopinfor giving her the tools that led heron a successful career path. It wasin Chopin’s pathophysiology classthat she developed an interest indiseases and how they occur.“Her classes were mystifying,and it was because of her recommendationthat I looked into earninga Ph.D. in pathology,” Tackersays. “I had no idea that such aprogram even existed. Dr. Chopinwas able to assess my abilities andshe was absolutely right. Pathologywas a perfect fit.”After completing a post-doctoralfellowship at the Universityof Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)in Galveston, Texas, in 2006, sheaccepted a Clinical Trials ResearchFellowship in Penzberg, Germany,conducting background researchon new medical analyzers commonlyused in hospital laboratories,and assisting with FDAapproval submissions that allowmanufacturers to sell the new analyzersin the American market.These analyzers are used for measuringeverything from glucoseto thyroid and prostate markers,making them key elements ofpatient care.“That was the time I startedlooking at the applications of clinicalchemistry,” she says. “It wasone of my most interesting andrewarding experiences, so far.”In October 2009, Tacker whomet her future husband, Matthew,a 1999 graduate with degreesin chemistry and math, while astudent here, returned to TexasA&M-Corpus Christi to addressthe South Texas Chapter of SigmaXi. She spoke on “The Value ofResearch: A Clinical Laboratorian’sPerspective, explaining tostudents how she has applied herresearch experiences from A&M-Corpus Christi and UTMB in hercurrent work.“It is important for the studentsto understand that all oftheir efforts, starting with undergraduatecourses, could be usedin the future,” she says. “My plansto begin a successful career pathall started at Texas A&M-CorpusChristi.”S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 1 9

ALUMNI NEWSDr. Catherine CoxDistinguished Faculty AwardDr. Catherine Cox, a professor of English who teaches classes in Shakespeare,Renaissance Literature, and Literature of the Western World,has been a faculty member for 21 years. She has published numerousarticles and is the recipient of many research grants and fellowshipsincluding the Mary and Paul Haas Fellowship under whichshe worked at the FolgerShakespeare Library inWashington, D.C. In 2005,she received the College ofLiberal Arts’ OutstandingService Award.The Distinguished FacultyAward honors individuals whohave made a positive impact onstudents, advanced the missionof the University, and are recognizedby their peers as outstandingcontributors to their profession,campus and community.Dr. Nolan EstesDistinguished Alumnus AwardDr. Nolan Estes (BA ’50) is the L.D. Haskew CentennialProfessor for Educational Administration in the PublicSchool Executive Leadership Program at the University ofTexas Graduate School of Education. He has servedas a U.S. delegate to Ministries of Education inseveral countries and received the DistinguishedService Award from the Organization forEconomic and Community Developmentin Paris, France. Former PresidentLyndon B. Johnson appointed Dr. Estesto a term as associate United States Commissionerof Education to work with Congressin implementing the historic Elementaryand Secondary Education Act.The Distinguished Alumnus Award honorsgraduates who have demonstrated significantpersonal accomplishments and professionalsuccess and who are also involved in helpingthe University further its mission. These individualsare leaders in our region, state andnation.2 0 1 0 A l u m n i A w a r d W i n n e r sBinesh PrabhakarYoung Alumnus AwardBinesh Prabhakar (MS ’04) hasstarted two companies, one ofwhich has earned revenue ofmore than $2 million dollars inits second year. He is a volunteerwith the Women’s Educationproject, a non-profit thatsupports women’s educationin India. Also, he is amember of the RegulatoryAffairs Professional Society,the Indus Entrepreneursand the American Society forQuality. In addition, he is inthe process of establishing analumni association club in theNew England area.The Young Alumnus Awardhonors former students who havegraduated within the last 10 yearsand have enjoyed exceptional personaland professional success early in theircareer fields.Dr. Donald DeisOutstanding Alumni AwardDr. Donald Deis, the Ennis and VirginiaJoslin Endowed Chair in Accounting (BA’75 and MBA ’77), is also chair of theAccounting and Business Law Departmentand a professor in the College of Business.Between 1982-1983, Deis served as presidentof the National Alumni Associationand was instrumental in establishing theNational Alumni Association and thelocal area chapter, the Corpus ChristiArea Alumni Club. Deis and his wife,Kathy (BSN ’78 and MSN ’90), also aUniversity alumnus, generously contributetheir time to the University and haveestablished two scholarship funds to assiststudents. In addition, Deis and Kathy areco-chairs of the faculty/staff part of theMomentum Capital Campaign.The Outstanding Alumni Award honorsindividuals who have remained active withthe alumni association and served as leadersthrough both their personal and professionalaccomplishments.2 0 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

ALUMNI NEWSHomecoming 2010Welcome to Our JungleDid you miss out on Homecoming 2010?Check out our favorite alumni photos from the AwardsBreakfast, Alumni Brunch and Jazz Mixer.Get connected at:IslanderNetwork.comS P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 2 1

alumni newsHave You Heard?COLLEGE OFBUSINESSLeonard Allen Schlueter ’68 BS BusinessAdministration retired from theIRS as a management analyst and movedinto his grandparent’s house in Austin,Texas. The house is around 100 years oldand there are lots of chores to do aroundthe house and property.Dr. Jeffrey Getchell ’82 BBA Marketingreceived his doctorate in instructionaltechnology and distance education inDecember 2009. He is the director ofE-Learning at Del Mar College in CorpusChristi. The newest addition to his familyis his grandson, John Jeffrey, born inNovember 2008.Kevin S. Rees ’89 MBA Business Managementspent three months in Kuwait,Afghanistan and Iraq helping U.S. soldiersperform battle-damage repairs on helicopters.In May, he will go to Poland, Slovakiaand the Czech Republic to providehelicopter repair instruction to U.S. allies.Benita Mendell ’94 BBA Marketingis the general manager of The MonitorNewspaper and regional advertisingdirector for the Texas Freedom RioGrande Valley Newspaper in McAllen,Texas.Jay A. Nesbit ’95 MBA Management isthe pharmacy manager at Genoa Healthcarein Mentor, Ohio.Andrew Rolf ’00 BBA ManagementInformation Systems is engaged andhas set the wedding date for fall 2010.He is employed by Chevron in Houston,Texas.Victoria Elizabeth Kelley ’01 MACCAccounting is the broker and ownerof TopNotchRealty inCorpus Christi.She has a newhusband and anew daughterwho is 2 yearsold.Maria Olinda Yzaguirre Ramirez ’04BBA Accounts Management InformationSystems is an accountant at DenburyResources, Inc. in Plano, Texas. Sheis also studying for the CPA exam. Sheand her husband are expecting their firstchild in September 2010.Abby Diaz ’05 BBA Management is ahuman resource specialist for the Houston,Texas, ISD. She recently startedgraduate school.Camillia (Cammy) Simone ’06 BBAFinance is an auditor in the Internal Auditand Compliance Department at AmericanBank in Corpus Christi.Sarah Fay ’08 BBA Management is ahuman resources coordinator for CHRIS-TUS Spohn Health System in CorpusChristi. She became engaged to MikeRaffay on Jan. 1, 2010 Their wedding isplanned for Nov. 6, 2010.Erik Burciaga ’09 BBA Management isa sales coordinator at Cup Graphics andScreen Printing in Corpus Christi. He gotmarried in Sept. 2009.Erika Iriarte ’09 BBA Finance is a businessmanager for Kiewit Offshore Services.Craig Robert Parker ’09 BBA GeneralBusiness won the “Rising Star of 2009”Award from Nouveau Eyewear, where heworks from home as a sales representative.He feels very fortunate to have goodcustomers, support from his managementand his good customer service team. Heworked in ophthalmic frame sales prior tofinishing his degree at Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi in 2009 and returnedto several existing customers that havebeen essential to his success.continued page 24A S Y M B O L O F Y O U R A C C O M P L I S H M E N THave you been thinking about ordering your Official University Ring? Make today the day!Call the Alumni Office at 1.877.482.6822 to place your order. We will inform you of how to get yourbachelor’s ring upgraded to reflect your master’s degree free of charge.Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Alumni Associationwww.IslanderNetwork.com • 866.482.6822 or 361.825.57872 2 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0

alumni newsRising through the RanksAlumnus Makes Transformation fromEnlisted Man to General OfficerFor Brigadier General Larry Wyche, theIsland University is all about beginnings.As a young boy working alongside hisgrandfather in the tobacco fields of Virginia,Wyche dreamed of being the first in hisfamily to earn a college degree. That pursuitbegan in 1979 when, after discoveringCorpus Christi State University while on aBrigadier General Larry Wyche received his commission inthe office of former University President B. Allan Sugg.weekend pass from nearby Fort Hood, heenrolled as a business management majorfollowing his discharge from the Army aftergraduating from Del Mar College.It wasn’t long before he met DeniseMartin, a Corpus Christi native, fellow studentand the woman who would becomehis wife. Four years later, diploma in hand,he began another journey thatwould take him further in lifethan he had dreamed possible.Rather than use his businessmanagement degree inthe private sector, the formerenlisted man was commissionedinto the Army as asecond lieutenant.Wyche received hiscommission in theoffice of University President B.Alan Sugg who personally pinnedthe lieutenant bars on the newgraduate’s uniform. Today, Wychecredits Sugg, Dr. Paul Cameron, aB-52 pilot during the Cold War, andother faculty members with settingthe course that would ultimatelylead him to the command of theJoint Munitions Command at RockIsland, Ill., where he is responsiblefor supplying conventional ammunitionfor all military services andother governmental agencies.“They changed my life,” statesWyche. “They urged me to go backin the military because of the manyopportunities the Army offers.From the president to the facultyand everyone on campus, theywanted to help all the students andprovide a great environment to goto school.”During subsequent years, Wyche rosethrough the commissioned ranks servingin several theatres including Afghanistanand earning, among others, the Legion ofMerit, the Bronze Star, the Defense MeritoriousService Medal and, most recently, theGlobal War on Terrorism and AfghanistanCampaign medals.Brigadier General Larry Wyche became reaquainted with hisalma mater after his professional visit to the Naval Air Stationin 2009.“I am a war-fighter logistician preparedto give the shirt off my back and boots off myfeet to support the fight. I will never say no aslong as I have one gallon of gas or one bulletto give,” vows Wyche. “You have to be part ofit to fully understand, but Americans shouldbe proud of the sacrifices being made by oursoldiers in harm’s way.”After attending a professional developmentsession at the Naval Air Station inSeptember 2009, Wyche experienced a newbeginning with Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi. Impressed by the University’sgrowth, he returned for Homecoming 2010and spent time with the Islander ROTC Battalion,talking with the cadets.That night, he was the guest speakerat the Battalion’s annual ball. In his addresshe urged the cadets to cherish the time theyhave with University faculty because, formost, it will be many years before they realizehow important their professors were inhelping chart their lives.“When I left, never in my wildest dreamsdid I think I’d return as a general officer,”says Wyche. “The University was good tome and my family and in return I want to giveas much time as possible back, especially tothe cadets who are the future leaders of ourcountry.”S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 2 3

alumni newsHave You Heard? continuedCollege ofEducationNorita C. Smith ’68 BS Education madea trip back to Corpus Christi to celebrateDennis Donaldson’s (1971) induction intothe Athletic Hall of Honor at Homecoming.She also visited with many former Universityof Corpus Christi basketball playerswho played for her husband, formerbasketball coach (1964-1969), Ray Smith.Marlana Sandra Beatley ’70 ElementaryEducation retired after teaching for39 years, the last 13 with the Brownfield,Texas ISD. She works for Brownfieldpart time as a contracted reading coachand enjoys a more flexible schedule thatincludes some hobbies.Judy Maroney ’73 BA Education isretired and living in Boxelder, Texas.Vicki Hall Perry ’73 BA Education hasfour grandchildren ranging in age from 1to 14 years old. Her eldest grandson isplaying for the United States Boys Soccerunder 17 divisions in Bradenton, Fla.Norma Burnside ’79 BS Educationretired from public schools in 2000. Sincethen she has been traveling and volunteeringas a teacher/administrator. Sheis also treasure of the National AlumniAssociation. She enjoys being free to dowhatever she chooses, and volunteeringis a passion of hers.Juan J. Adame ’83 BS Education washired as acting fire chief for the City ofSugar Land in Sugar Land, Texas, for oneyear to assist the department with officerdevelopment and transition. In January,2010 his contract was extended for anadditional year and his title was changedfrom acting fire chief to fire chief.Jimmy P. Gable ’92 BS Education hasbeen with Security Service Federal CreditUnion for 12 years and was excited whenthe credit union expanded to the CoastalBend area back in 2007. During theexpansion, he had the opportunity to visitand see how much the Coastal Bend hadchanged over the years. He lives in SanAntonio, Texas, with his wife, Jill, to whomhe has been married for 17 years. Theyhave a 6-year-old son who is in the firstgrade and really loves school.Rhonda Stephens McKinzie ’93 MSCounseling & Guidance received herLPC license and worked with The DeafCenter for Dr. Sharon Rogers and later,Dr. Eric DuBois, in Corpus Christi. Shehas been interpreting for the deaf professionallysince age 18, has receivedupper level board certification, and taughtpsychology at the University of Texas atTyler and Tyler Junior College (TJC). InAugust 2008, she accepted the positionas department chair of the sign languageinterpreter training program at TJC.Janet Thames Johnson ’94 MS Educationis a counselor at Taft High School inTaft, Texas. She has a seven grandchildren,ages six months to 15.Pamela (Van Loan) Neven ’97 BSEducation is a teacher trainer for EagleMountain-Saginaw, Texas, ISD, andassists and trains the district’s middleschool teachers.Virginia Guerra ’99 BSIS BilingualEducation is an instructional teacheradvisor for George Evans Elementary inthe Corpus Christi ISD. She married GuadalupeEddie Flores in June 2000. Theyhave three beautiful children, Juliana, 8;Matthew, 5; and their newest addition,Daniel, born in May 2009. Virginia is aninstructional teacher advisor for GeorgeEvans Elementary in the Corpus ChristiISD.Mark Lee Wilder ’99 BS Kinesiologyis an assistant principal at Tejeda MiddleSchool in the North East ISD in San Antonio,Texas. He and his wife celebratedtheir 10-year wedding anniversary lastsummer with a trip to Niagara Falls. It washis first time in Canada.Thomas J. McCabe Jr. ’02 MS Educationhad the honor of overseeing theopening of a new national call center forveterans and their families. The CombatCall Center is a 24/7 live source of information,referrals and assistance for ournation’s fighting men and women.Adam Thomas Sadler ’02 BS Educationand his wife had triplets in March2009, identical girls Hayden and Hannahand a boy, Johnathan.Lindsey Rinn Lester ’04 BS Educationwelcomed a baby girl this past summer.D’Nese Rios Hinojosa ’05 BS Kinesiologyworks for the Corpus Christi ISD. Herson, Ryker, just turned 1 on Dec. 30.2 4 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0Robert Neal Hall ’06 MS Education is ahead softball coach and a lead guidanceschool counselor at Decatur High Schoolin Decatur, Texas.Monica Johns ’06 BSIS Educationtaught summer school for the past threesummers, received an offer to write ascience curriculum for her district, andaccepted it, anticipating the offer as a nicechange and a challenge.Albert D. Winks ’06 BS Education wasdeployed to Afghanistan as a MEDEVAChelicopter pilot. He and his pilots wereinvolved in more than 200 missions andthe rescue of more than 300 patients.Scott J. Roberts ’07 MS Education is aschool counselor in the Leander, Texas,ISD. His wife and he had a baby boy inlate June 2009.Leigh Bryant ’08 BS Education is aphysical medicine and rehab assistantphysical therapist for Gonzaba MedicalGroup.Sandra Rene Jacoby ’08 BSIS Educationgot a job in her hometown of Fredericksburg,Texas, in September 2009 whenthey had to open another Pre-K class dueto the large enrollment. Eight months aftergraduating, she loves her new job and her15 students.Patricia Knight ’08 BS Education isa student at UT Southwestern MedicalCenter in Dallas, Texas, and will befinished with physical therapy school inDecember. She hopes to work in Dallasafter she graduates.Jesse Riojas ’08 MS EducationalAdministration is an assistant principalfor the Corpus Christi ISD.Sukhbir Singh ’08 MS Education has adaughter named Suukhman Kaur who is astudent of Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi. She was accepted into dentalschool in the fall and he is very proud ofher.Terry Lynn Frels (Butts) ’09 MS Educationis a long-term special educationinclusion teacher at an elementary schoolin Edgewood ISD in San Antonio, Texas.Mia R. Cannon ’09 BBA Management isorganizing Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi’s Relay for Life 2010, “What Happensat Relay Goes Around the World.” Itsgoal is “to raise $50,000 for the AmericanCancer Society to promote wellness, fundlife-saving research and provide a voiceto all of those affected by cancer to fightback!”COLLEGE OFLIBERAL ARTSErnest A. Sibley ’61 BA Bible and wife,Auttie, retired from the International MissionBoard in 2001 after serving for 29years in the country of Malawi in southeastAfrica. They have three childrenand four grandchildren. Their youngestdaughter will graduate from Texas TechMedical School in May 2010. In February,he attended his first Homecoming sincehis graduation in May 1961. He states,“What a Delight!”Dr. Vicki R. Vaughn ’70 BA English isexecutive director for the Jackson Centerfor Evangelism and Encouragement inBrownwood, Texas.Eduardo E. Benavides ’77 BM Musicdecided to enter the long-term care fieldand became a licensed nursing facilityadministrator (LNFA) after retiring from asuccessful private piano teaching careerin Austin, Texas. He has worked forGranger Villa Nursing Facility in Granger,Texas, for five years. He believes in trying“to change the face of long-term care and

Have You Heard? continuedmake sure it is what we would want for ourown parents and, later, ourselves.”Oscar Hernandez ’79 BS CriminalJustice has been back to the Universityon various occasions and is amazed atits beauty and growth. He and his wife,Lisa, operate delivery a service companyand deliver just about anything within thelegal parameters of the law throughout theState of Texas.Carolyn M. Plank ’84 BA English is atechnology manager for IBM Corporationin Florida.Diane Goforth Bray ’86 BA Art is an artteacher for the Texas City ISD. She wasnamed the National Art Honor SocietyTeacher of the Year for 2009 by the TexasAssociation of Art Educators. She hasthree sons and one granddaughter.Carla Daws ’86 BA Communication is astaff resources officer at the Texas WaterDevelopment Board. She is a certifiedyoga instructor, teaching in Wimberleyand Austin, Texas. Carla also co-wroteand acted in a film with her husband andother actor friends, called “Wine Bar of theMind.” She is represented by DVA Talent.Joe Sanchez ’97 BA Sociology graduatedfrom the University of Texas at Austinwith a doctorate in Information Science.He is now a tenure track professor at theSchool of Communication and Informationat Rutgers University.Edith Z. Cahlik ’98 BA Communicationmoved back to Corpus Christi fromOhio, where she worked for the HamiltonCounty Court of Common Pleas as aprobation officer for five years. She plansapply to the doctoral program at TexasA&M University-Corpus Christi.Duane M. Pufpaff ’98 MPA PublicAdministration is now retired. Hebelieves the Master’s Degree in PublicAdministration program helped himdevelop the skills he needed in his finalposition as chief of Communication, Analysisand Planning.Kendall (Arden) Peterson ’99 BA PoliticalScience plans to go international witha new business called ZENtrepreneur,in Corpus Christi, that helps people getoff prescription pain medications with anew medical technology that simulatesthe effects of acupuncture without theneedles by using specially programmedmicrochips placed on the skin. The profoundchanges that Kendall has seen inpeople’s lives have been amazing.Velma Sanchez ’99 BA Psychology isa human resources and training managerfor URS in Austin, Texas.Karisa Lynn Davidson ’00 BA Psychologyis a care associate at the TrinityTowers Brookdale Senior Living Community.Her 6-year-old son participates ina tae kwon do after school program andloves it. In January 2010, Karisa reachedthe official two-year mark of being cancerfree and only has to go to MD Anderson inHouston, Texas, every six months insteadof every three months.Edward (John) Marez ’00 BA PoliticalScience is serving his third term on theCorpus Christi City Council and secondterm as chairman of the City Council’sMunicipal Court Committee.Teodoro David Aguilar Jr. ’01 BA Psychology& Criminal Justice is a legalcase worker with the Department ofFamily and Protective Services in SanAntonio, Texas. He is engaged and plansto be married by September 2010.Desiree J. Wuennenberg Nothstine ’01BA English is in her fourth year teachingsophomore and senior English at VacavilleHigh School in Vacaville, Calif. She ison the District Pacing Guide committee,is an in-house detention supervisor andis a member of their Western Associationof Schools and Colleges delegation. Thestudents keep her young and she “absolutelyloves” her job.Veronica Del Carmen Ramirez ’01 BMMusic teaches private singing and pianolessons. She performed for the WashingtonBirthday Celebration Association,the Mr. South Texas Luncheon and theInternational Bridge “Abrazo Ceremony,”a symbolic international bridge hugbetween nations featuring children fromNuevo Laredo and Laredo, and Mexicanand U.S. dignitaries.Jessica Ann Alaniz ’02 BA PoliticalScience is an assistant to the vice presidentof Administration and Finance at DelMar College in Corpus Christi. She is alsostudying for her doctorate in Higher EducationAdministration at the University ofPhoenix.Miranda Louise Burge ’03 BA Communicationis an event planning specialistfor Plan Ahead Events in Austin, Texas.Noelia Posas-Lucio ’03 BS CriminalJustice is a superintendent for TexasYouth Commission in Austin, Texas.Carolyn Young ’03 MS Studio Art isan adjunct professor for the Departmentof Art at Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi.Vanessa R. Ballmer’ 04 BA Englishand husband Luis Castillo ’07 MBABusiness Administration reside inKaty, Texas. Vanessa enjoys workingwith Houston Community College as thesystem-wide compliance documentarian.Catherine Rose Killeen ’04 BA Psychologymarried Chris Lee Storey ’04BS Mathematics in June 2004. Theymoved to San Antonio, Texas, whereshe began a career in higher educationadministration and completed her Masterof Education in Counseling with anemphasis in student affairs in May 2009.Their biggest news, however, is welcomingtheir wonderful son, Cason Storey,into their lives on March 18, 2009.Gregory Lee Diehlamn ’05 BS CriminalJustice is studying for his doctoratewith Capella University. He plans to keepworking until he accomplishes his goal ofbecoming an attorney.Niomi Fuentes ’05 BA Psychology is aquality assurance administrator for AvailSolutions, Inc., in Corpus Christi. She is inlove with Wayne Smith ’08 BA Psychology.Carlota Santos ’05 BA Communications,’08 MBA Business Administrationis a research specialist workingunder the auspices of the endowed chairDr. David Yoskowitz, professor of Economicsat Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi, at the Harte Research Institute forGulf of Mexico Studies.Michelle Renee Brauchle-McDowell’06 BA English and husband Anthony,who is in the Navy, were transferred to thebeautiful state of Washington. They aremaking the adjustment to the snow, coldand abundant greenery.Jarrod Chavana ’06 BA Psychologyand History is a journalist for the U.S.Air Force. He was married on Sept. 12,2009 and will be deployed to Iraq untilJune 2010.Brandon T. McElveen ’06 BA Psychologywill graduate from the University ofHouston-Victoria with his master’s degreein psychology in May 2010. He is founderand president of the University’s psychologyassociation, and was honored to bethe University’s NASP student leader.Lacey Beth David ’07 BS Criminal Justiceis a therapist for the Head Start programin the San Patricio, Jim Wells andNueces counties. She works with childrenages 5 and younger, doing play therapy.She feels this is such a rewarding job andloves it.continued page 26S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 2 5

alumni newsHave You Heard? continuedJanelle J. ’07 BA Communicationsmarried Christopher E. Reyes ’08 BBAMarketing on June 27, 2009. They wereengaged following Christopher’s graduationin August 2008 where he proposedby writing “will you marry me?” on hiscap. They honeymooned in Paris, France.Janelle has returned to Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi to get her Masterof Science in Secondary Educations andCertificate in Speech.Stephanie Fuentes ’07 BA Psychologyis a rehabilitation teacher and casemanager at Mental Health and MentalRetardation Youth Services in CorpusChristi. She is attending graduate schoolfor the Counseling Program for Marriageand Family Therapy and plans to graduatein 2011.Sarah Makins ’07 BA Communicationsmarried Chris McAlister’ 07 BA Communicationson Aug. 14, 2004. They arethe proud parents of Hallie Grace, 5, andTy Christopher, 9 months. Chris worksin sales in Corpus Christi and Sarah isworking on her Master’s in CommunicationDisorders at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.Rusty Lynn Pitre ’07 BA Art is aninventory management specialist for theCorpus Christi Army Depot. He marriedthe woman of his dreams, Jeana RenneePitre, on July 7, 2007. They have a wonderfullittle boy, Cole Austin, 6, and theyrecently had the most beautiful little girl,Kassidy Alyse, born March 3, 2009.Brain Richard Tillis ’07 BS CriminalJustice has inquired about starting theMasters Program for Public Administration.He is in the promotional process atTexas Alcoholic Beverage Commissionand spends a lot of time with family andfriends.Kristi Weikum ’07 BA English marriedMatt Stolzenberg in Sept. 2008. Matt isa C-130 pilot in the Marine Corps andreturned from Iraq in February 2009. Theylive in North Carolina where Kristi writes acolumn about life as a military spouse forseveral newspapers.Eugene Dodaro IV ’08 BA Communicationteaches sixth grade English in theJasper, Texas, ISD.Holly Knippa ’08 BS Criminal Justiceis an early intervention specialist for EarlyChildhood Intervention-Infant DevelopmentProgram in Corpus Christi. She isplanning her wedding for June 12, 2010.Ashley Schmitt ’08 BA Music is a graduateresearch assistant at the Stephen F.Austin State University School of HumanSciences. She is working on her master’sdegree in music education and obtainingteaching certification. Ashley plans to gether doctorate in music history.Wayne Smith ’08 BA Psychology is aqualified mental health professional workingas a crisis counselor and as a faceto-facescreener for clients at high riskfor Avail Solutions, Inc., in Corpus Christi.He is also attending classes to obtain hismaster’s degree in clinical psychology atTexas A&M University-Corpus Christi.Jennifer Tajchman ’08 BA Psychologyis an office manager at South Texas Benefits,an insurance and investment firm.She is engaged J.D. Pleasants, a NorthCarolina native who moved to CorpusChristi while in the Coast Guard. Theyplan to marry in April 2010 and can’t wait2 6 | T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y - C O R P U S C H R I S T I ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 0to start their new lives together.Don Patrick Trahan, Jr. ’08 BA Psychologywill receive his master’s degreein psychology in spring 2010 (from TexasA&M University-Corpus Christi). He plansto continue his education by pursuing aPh.D. in Counselor Education.Gabriela Rae Vera ’08 BA Psychologyis pursuing her master’s degree in counselingat Texas A&M University-CorpusChristi and plans to graduate in December2011 under the Marriage and Familydegree plan. She works for NuecesCounty Mental Health and Mental Retardationas a service coordinator for mentalretardation. She recently was acceptedin Chi Sigma Iota, a Counseling HonorSociety.Jessica Renee Viar ’08 BA Communicationsplans to return to schoolin summer 2010 to obtain her master’sdegree in early childhood education.Ashley Wang ’08 BA Psychology isstudying at the American Academy McAllisterInstitute of Funeral Service in NewYork City, N.Y. She will receive her funeraldirector’s license in December 2010.John D. Delgado ’09 BA History willcontinue substitute teaching in the CorpusChristi area until the fall of this year. Heis pursuing a junior high school historyteacher position in the local area.Brent Flack ’09 BA Art leads the SpecialEducation Department in the Comal ISDin New Braunfels, Texas. He loves watchinghis daughter, Avery Rae Flack, growup. Brent and his wife are getting ready toclose on their first house.Danelle E. Flores-Hogan ’09 BA Sociologymoved to California after graduatingand has remained a stay-at-homemom due to the state of the economy.She has applied to several graduate programsand is in the process of headingback home to find a job in Corpus Christior San Antonio, Texas. She plans to applyto University of Texas at San Antonio forthe master’s program in sociology.Becky S. Lutzke ’09 BA History is aneighth-grade American history teacher inthe Alice, Texas ISD.Carlos Jaime Martinez ’09 BA Theatreis a seventh-grade English languagearts teacher at Zapata Middle School inZapata, Texas. He is also a coach for UIModern Oratory, Impromptu at the middleschool and extemp (informative/persuasive)at the high school.Jose Luis Noriega ’09 BM Music is amanager and librarian for the VSO anda graduate teaching assistant for theDepartment of Music at the University ofTexas-Pan American. Most recently, hehas joined the Rio Grande Valley GenesisDrum and Bugle Corps, a non-profitorganization dedicated to promoting theexistence and marketability of drum andbugle corps through social events; musicmarching; and competitive performances.Travis James Washmon ’09 BA is thecampus coordinator of the Denton StateSupported Living Center in Denton, Texas.He adopted thenewest memberof his family, Isis,in October andshe is growinginto an amazingyoung lady. Heplans to attendthe University ofNorth Texas insummer 2010.Danielle Whiteside ’09 BM Music has a3-month-old boy and is waiting eagerly forher husband to come home from deployment.She is also applying for teachingjobs in Texas for the fall.Nursing and Health Sciences

Have You Heard? continuedCOLLEGE OF COLLEGE OFNURSING AND SCIENCE ANDHEALTH SCIENCES TECHNOLOGYMelissa Bubela ’05 BSN Nursing is astaff nurse on a medical surgery unit atSt. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston,Texas. She married Jonathan Howell’04 BBA Accounting, who is now in theGus George Law Enforcement Academyfor the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s office.They have 2-year-old daughter, MadisonFaith.Jill Malazzo Holcomb ’06 BSN Nursingis a graduate student studying forher nurse practitioner degree and willgraduate in May 2010. She had her firstchild, a girl named Addison Claire, on Jan.28, 2010. Addison weighed 5 pounds, 1ounce and was 18 ½ inches long.Patricia Mae Branton ’07 BSN Nursingis engaged and planning to marry on thebeautiful River Walk in downtown SanAntonio, Texas. Since June 2007, she hasbeen employed with Seton Family Hospitalsand has worked at Dell Children’sMedical Center of Central Texas. Sheworks on a neurosurgery unit serving childrenand teens.Kimberly Garza ’08 BSHS Nursingand Health Sciences works at UrestiSenior Assistance, a local home healthagency. After graduating in May 2008,she obtained her funeral directing degree,and is back in school pursuing a nursingdegree. She married in 2009, and herhusband, a registered nurse at ChristusSpohn Memorial hospital, convinced herto continue her education. She plans onhaving children soon.June L. A. Ness ’09 BSN Nursing hastransferred to the Neonatal IntensiveCare Unit at Bay Area Hospital in CorpusChristi. The change has brought on newlearning and “exciting heartwarmingexperiences.” She says it has encouragedher to attend graduate school in the springof 2011. She became engaged to John D.Delgado in December and will wed inNovember of this year.Roger J. Halwachs ’68 BS Biology hadhis first grandchild born on Aug. 14, 2009,Katie Lorraine Flynn, to daughter Kristenand her husband, John.Pat Nichols ’76 BS Biology was promotedto director of the Center for CareerDevelopment (CCDET) at the Universityof Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) in December2009. She served as interim directorfrom September 2008 to November 2009,where she worked since 1989. CCDETprovides services through a TruancyIntervention Program, a Youth EmploymentService, and UWO AmeriCorpsConnects. They also provide training andquality assurance for public agencies inWisconsin. All of their work is focused oncreating a better quality of life for those inneed of supportive services in the Stateof Wisconsin.Russell “Russ” W. Thompson ’79 BSComputer Science is the owner of FiveGulf Software and is a Web developerwho specializes in online data bases.Linda Kay Lee ’92 BS Mathematics hasa grandson named Tommie James Lee,2. She is getting married again in the fallto the man she let get away 12 years agoand is not letting get away this time.Corando Gallegos ’94 MS EnvironmentalSciences is a chemist with CCADwhere he has worked for almost 20 years.He has been married for 15 years and hasa 13-year-old daughterNikolay T. Todorov ’99 MS ComputerScience is skiing in Big Bear, Calif.Dan Kueck ’01 BS Computer Scienceworks in Data Integrations Systems forRadio Shack at its corporate headquartersin downtown Fort Worth, Texas.Jennifer M. Darling (Scott) ’01 BS Biologyis a lab supervisor at MuskegonCommunity College in Muskegon, Mich.She and her husband run a non-profitorganization, Darling Cetaceans.Hannah Louise Towne ’02 BS EnvironmentalScience works for the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture in one oftheir Marketing Services Dairy Programlabs. She plans to be there for the next30 years and is excited that she does nothave to keep looking for “the job” anymore.She is happy at her job and lookingforward to her new career.Chris Lee Storey ’04 BS Mathematicsis a mechanical engineer at SouthwestResearch Institute in San Antonio, Texas,and will begin the master’s engineeringprogram at the University of Texas-SanAntonio in August 2010. On March 18,2009 his wonderful son, Cason Storey,was welcomed into his family.Lisa Jones (Maloy) ’05 BS Biologyworks in research. She was married inMay 2008.Lisa Winnett ’05 BS Biology just completedher internship, working with exoticbig cats, and has applied to law school forfall 2010.David Matthew Schweitzer ’05 BS Biologyhas a great job teaching seven biologyclasses at Coastal Bend College inKingsville, Texas.alumni newsHanna H Henzen ’06 BS EnvironmentalScience is working on her master’sdegree in Environmental Science at theUniversity of Texas-San Antonio. She andKyle Adams are engaged and planning aJuly 2010 wedding.Megan M. Reese Robillard ’06 MS Biologymarried Brian Robillard, a CorpusChristi fireman, in October 2009.Stephanie Rose Salinas-Ramos ’06 BSBiology earned a post-graduate certificatein health care administration from theCollege of Nursing and Health Sciencesin December 2009. She married AdamRamos on April 18, 2009, and honeymoonedat Walt Disney World.Andrea Baskin ’07 BS Mathematics isengaged.Caley Deshawn Hunter ’07 BS Biologyteaches aquatic science and advancedplacement biology at Memorial HighSchool in Victoria, Texas. She coachesthe Academic Science team and alsosponsored the Interact Club and assistswith school district’s science fair.Michael Bradley ’07 BS MechanicalEngineering Technology works forOEM Pump, a manufacturing companythat makes pumps for the petrochemical,industrial and municipal markets. Heis married to Rachael DeVos, They hadtheir first baby in 2008 and bought theirfirst house.continued page 28S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 ■ T H E I S L A N D E R | 2 7

alumni newsHave You Heard? continuedMaribell Roblez Martinez ’09 BSChemistry was married on Nov. 28, 2009and is looking for a job in which to use herdegree. She hopes to return to school forher master’s degree, and will most likelypursue a Masters of Education. But just incase she is not able to make the classes,she is looking into teaching certificationclasses.Magdalene Moczygemba ’09 BSEnvironmental Science is pursuing anadvanced degree in environmental scienceat Texas A & M University She ispreparing her proposal and degree planfor committee approval, as well as lots offield sampling.Russell Wayne Raab ’09 BS Biology isa zoo keeper in charge of the MammalsSouth section at Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin,Texas. He has birds (African, American,Australian, and South American), hippos,crocodiles, Malayan tapirs, Louisianapine snakes, and hoof stock, etc. Thezoo is noted as the best small city zoo inthe nation. It was one of the first zoos inTexas to receive Association of Zoos andAquariums (AZA) accreditation.Zandra Gutierrez-Castaneda ’09 BSBiology married her soul mate, Omar, onAug. 1, 2009, at the Texas State Aquariumin Corpus Christi, Texas. They are blessedand thankful for all they have.Let’s hearfrom YOU!Would you like to have yourphoto and update included inthe next Islander Magazine?Share your life’s celebrationswith your classmates. Theywant to know! Go towww.islandernetwork.comto submit your classnotes.NominateSomeoneSpecialfor anAlumni AwardDo you know an alumnus, alumna or professor who you thinkembodies all the great qualities to be an Islander Award Winner?Nominate your favorite:Young AlumniOutstanding AlumniDistinguished FacultyDistinguished AlumniDetails and forms are available at www.IslanderNetwork.com.Deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, November 5.

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