Honors Graduates Cum Laude Christy Rebecca Acevedo Tara E. Bartlett Bill Martin Boss Lisa Marie Cantu Wendy Kay Cartwright Melina R. Cavazos Samuel Rey Chavez Marcos J. Cueva Melissa Ann-Tracy Cunningham Bridget Evelyn Flores Sara Neill Foster Michael Damian Guzman Carol Norman Hankins Lyra Marie Hendry Matthew J. Huebner Paul R. Infante David Paul Jauregui Kristina Lardner Cody Vaughn Lopez Malcolm A. Lujan Criselda M. Martinez Jessica Ann Martinez Amanda Renee Matheaus Jennifer Lee Mathewson Christopher Charles McFaddin Jose Antonio Mejia
Abigale Mondragon Candice Ellen Neiuwenhuis Stacie Lynn Ornelas Joshua J. Ortegon Tania Ortiz Dorothy Anna Pallotti Michelle Lee Palmer Guadalupe Itzel Ramos Nicole Kristi Riojas Jennifer N. Risi-Hereim Sarai Salazar Dante Saldana II Aristeo Sales Roxanne Amanda Silva Michael Brian Smith Debbie Tang Ramsey Torres Virginia Maria Torres Crystal Marie Valdez Debbie Ferguson Van Slooten Michael J. Vasquez Regina Kristyne Vasquez Nicholas B. Yeargin
1943 Salary schedule is set. A teacher with a doctorate’s degree with 11 years of service earns $2,700; a teacher with a master’s degree with only one year of service earns $1,800. Mayor A.C. McCaughan writes an open letter to students: “…I know how your City feels about every one of you…Here’s wishing you the greatest success in the many ventures in a new life that will come to you all in the future…”
1944 College forms courses of study whereby student nurses of local nursing schools can receive Junior College diplomas when they complete training. Local school teachers allowed to sit in on College classes for free. Frosh and Sophs particpate in the Victory Loan Campaign to help the war effort. Students brave windy days waiting to ride the Nueces Transportation Company bus home after classes. Hackley’s Store for Men and Boys is home of the Scuttlebutt Lounge.
1945 College celebrates 10th Anniversary. Student body represents 17 states, one territory (Hawaii), and 33 different Texas towns. Student clubs abound on campus including Le Cercle Gaulois French Club, Sigma Epsilon science club, and YMCA/YWCA clubs. Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, jointly sponsored by the College and the Symphony Society, debuts under the direction of C. Burdette Wolfe with Eunice Padis as guest soloist. Texas A&I extension courses are taught at the Junior College.
1946 World War II veterans wash over campus, pushing enrollment to 600. College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Board unanimously agrees to award Associate in Arts Degree to graduates. Dr. E.L. Harvin becomes first full-time president of the College, fourth in succession.