2023 10:00 a.m. American Bank Center Arena
Member of The
A&M University System
Spring 2023 Commencement Saturday, May 20,
A
Texas
Spring 2023 Commencement President Kelly M. Miller, presiding
Prelude and Processional*
Carrier of the Mace ............................................................................................................. Mr. Joe Peña
Associate Professor of Art, College of Liberal Arts
Welcome Dr. Kelly M. Miller
Presentation of the Colors ................................................................. TAMU-CC Army Islander Battalion
National Anthem Isaac Meurer Junior, Music Major, School of Arts, Media, and Communication
Greetings ........................................................................................................................ Mr. Billy Hamilton
Deputy Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer, The Texas A&M University System
Commencement Address ................................................................................................. Dr. Tito Guerrero
Director, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Leadership Academy
Presentation of Degree Candidates .................................................................... Dr. Clarenda M. Phillips
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
College of Education and Human Development Dean David Scott College of Engineering Dean David Ma
College of Liberal Arts................................................................................. Dean Shawnrece Campbell College of Graduate Studies ................................................................................. Dean Karen McCaleb
Conferring of Degrees Dr. Kelly M. Miller
Announcing ................................................................................................ Dr. Carmen Tejeda-Delgado
Professor and Director of TransformativeAlliance for Student Success College of Education and Human Development
Hooding of Doctoral Candidates ............................................................... Candidate’s Major Professor
College of Education and Human Development | Assisting: Dean David Scott College of Liberal Arts | Assisting: Dean Shawnrece Campbell
Commissioning .............................................................................................................. LTC Steven Pierce
Professor of Military Science
Alumni Presentation ..............................................................................................Dr. Haysam Dawod ’85 President, TAMU-CC National Alumni Association
Recessional*
will remain seated.
*Audience
Scan to link to digital program
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Dr. Jennifer Michel Arismendi
Dissertation Title: Factors of Burnout That Impact Self-Efficacy of Special Education Teachers in Texas Urban School Districts
Dr. Michelle Crystal Dewitt
Dissertation Title: Challenges Faced by Female Superintendents in Rural South Texas School Districts and Their Implications for Superintendent Preparation Programs
Dr. Cristina Lorena Esparza
Dissertation Title: Navigating Becoming: Latina Leaders Speak Out
Dr. Kimberley Donaldson James
Dissertation Title: Leadership Unscripted: Portraits of Female Crisis Leadership
Dr. Leslee Elone Schauer
Dissertation Title: Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Design Study to Advance School Counselors’ Knowledge, Awareness, and Understanding Through a Professional Development Experience
Dr. Juan Estevan Vasquez
Dissertation Title: DACA Students Shift to Higher Education in South Texas: A Qualitative Case Study Approach
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education
Dr. Felicia Y. Green-Johnson
Dissertation Title: The Relationship Between Ego Resiliency, Social Support, and Religiousness/ Spirituality of African American College Students Attending Non-historically Black Colleges and Universities
Dr. Karl Vonzell Mitchell
Dissertation Title: Service-Learning in Counselor Education:A Qualitative Inquiry on Core Counselor Education Faculty Lived Experiences Developing and Enhancing Student
Multicultural Competency and Social Justice Advocacy Skills in CACREP-Accredited Programs
Dr. Ana Marie Salazar
Dissertation Title: Creating Safe Spaces: Latino Counselor Educators Advocating for Social Justice in Counselor Education
COLLEGE OF EDUCATIONAND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Michele Lee Cantera
Dissertation Title: Literacy in Mathematics: A Historical Analysis of Existing Gaps Over the Course of Five Decades
Dr. Pamela Clarissa Carrillo
Dissertation Title: Experiences of Heritage Language Learners and Their Instructor in a Secondary Spanish II Class
Dr.AmyCarter
Dissertation Title: International Schooling in the United States: An Exploratory Study of a Burgeoning Industry
Dr. Fredrick Gonzales Jr.
Dissertation Title: The Relationship Between Secondary Emergent Bilingual Students’ Biology End of Course Exams and English I End of Course Exams in a South Texas School District – A Mixed Methods Study
Dr.Alexandra Janney
Dissertation Title: Faculty’s Transformational Digital Teaching Experiences During the Pandemic
Dr.Angela Cabrera Prestero
Dissertation Title: Elementary Teachers’Attitudes Toward Reading Instruction in the Content Areas: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Inquiry
COLLEGE OF LIBERALARTS Master of Fine Arts
OliviaAnn Hinkel
Dissertation Title: The Holding Cell
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Master of Science
Abria Abron
Aubrey Adele Adams
Michael Kal-El Bailey
Christopher Joe Barberena
Allison Marie Brombach
Cecilia Camille Butler
Ashlee Selena Subia Cameron
Marinna Renae Cammarn
Eric Joel Cano
Eva M. Cantwell
Danyelle Jenee Coe
Roda Hepolito Colo
Heidi Lynn Fasnacht Cope
Ashlen Caroline Crisp
Jessica Iris Deleon
Taylerbrooke Delossantos
Lisa Shannon Doolittle
Kayce Ann Esquivel-Garcia
Ofelia Beatriz Estrada
Victoria Keverina Flores
Lisette A. Garcia
Alexcia Celeste Gomez
Catarina Shelbie Hebert
Cristina Marie Hernandez
Chelsea N. Hess
Danny Kenton Hoskins
Misty Nicole Johnson
Allison Nicole Joyal
Daisy Leann Luera
Kailyn Austin Martinez
Andrea Mendoza
Hailey Miller
Breanna Renee Morales
Xilia Aileen Norales De La Rosa
Emerald Lynn Perez
Ashlyn Nicole Power
Christina Ramirez
Cody Cheyenne Reyes
Jacqueline Demi Rodriguez
Karlo Asrael Rodriguez
Megan Elizabeth Rodriguez
Kimberly Michelle Rosa
Sarah Kaitlyn Rosales
Valerie Ann Sanchez
Veronica Sandoval
Elizabeth Rea Sears
Chelsea Torres
Justin Chigozie Uwaezuoke
Jessica Ann Villanueva
Alyssa Marie Villareal
Diamond Dykir Wraggs
Gabriella T. Zepeda
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Master of Science
Ashwanth Reddy Allala
Sai Swaroop Naidu Ammilineni
Venkata Pavan Ammisetti
Lakshmi Gayathri Annam
Nikhilkumar Bolugoddu
Rajesh Kumar Bongu
Sai Venkat Boora
Krishna Teja Borra
Likhitha Reddy Boyapati
Saivinay Chakka
Naveen Reddy Challa
Manoj Kumar Chamarthi
Prashanth Chanagoni
Praveen Chintada
Ethan R. Clark
Rohith Domakonda
Sathwika Edama
Yashwanth Reddy Erla
Sainath Reddy Gaddam
Sai Rakshith Gande
Jyoshna Goshika
Manisha Janga
Gopikrishna Jarugula
Varshini Kalakonda
Poojitha Kalaru
Yamini Katta
Mahesh Reddy Kondapa Reddy
Dileep Kumar Korupolu
Naveenreddy Kuppireddy
Huynh Lan Phuong Le
Veena Maduri
Akhila Mandhala
Sagar Massetty
Sai Chandra Mekala
Judy Millen
Afroz Mohammad
Jennifer Louise Mondragon
Manoj Sai Ganesh Muvva
Shreya Rebecca Nagelli
Sony Singh Prasad Nethala
Kelechi Eromosele Nzerem
Manaswini Obulampalli
Sahithi Pasupuleti
Harsh Hirenkumar Poshiya
Bharathi Putta
Md Mahabubur Rahman
Laila Maria Romero
Santhosh Reddy Rukkamolla
Prasen Patel Sadaveni
Anusha Sama
Venkata Sai Anurag Thurumella
Rishitha Vemula
Nihal Vujhini
Sudeesh Naidu Yenugula
Maria Elsa Aparicio Daza
Bianca Nicole Arreola
Hanna Susan Benkowski
Alisha Roxann Cowan
Joshua Fabian Esparza
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Master of Arts
Dharma Rene Lynn Frost
Gabriella Victoria Garcia
Audrey Hope Gibson
Kaila Nicole Jameson
Jennifer Ashlee Kavetski
Laura Ashley Lamb
Kiley Lynn Lewis
Ashley Nicole Moore
Jake M. Moore
Brenda E. Riojas
Master of Public Administration
Krystal Nicole Bridges
Jorge Luis Coello Jr.
Alexandra Laurel Flucke
Shreya Gupta
John LaRue
Jarred Daniel Ponder
Ashley Rose Viera
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Bachelor of Science
Cassandra Argotti
Omar Arizpe Jr.*
Honors Program Graduate
Carissa Michelle Barnes*
Ashley N. Barrows•
Spencer Bigner
Luz Mckenzie Bueno
Kylee Blaze Bunton‡
Allison Edith Casas
David Castillo•
Jaime Nacholas Castillo
Miranda Kay Choma*
Ashlynn Katrina Marie Colson‡
Rebecca Mae Degregorio‡
Ana Mariel Elizondo Ugarte
Sarah E. Escovy*
Bianca Brittany Flores
Lauren Brittany Fuentes
Serena Skye Fuentes
Andrew Bradley Gandy
Feysi Guadalupe Garcia Regalado
Samantha Anysse Garza
Mariam Guerra-Rachidy‡
Jewel Angelique Guerrero•
Samantha Nicole Hall
Katie Lynn Harmon*
Liliana Hernandez•
Dominique Nicole Jimenez
Brandon T. Kesselring•
Kaitlyn Paige Kolar‡
Tami Lea Krueger*
Ashlynn Lamb*
Elly Demps Lopez
Noemi Gabriella Lopez
Madison Victoria Lucas
Malorie Jessica Major Gomez‡
Alejandra Martinez‡
Mallory Kate Montero•
Rosa Marvely Ortega*
Jessica Renee Ortiz*
Marcos Daniel Ortiz*
Faith Lily Panhans‡
Kaitlin Olivia Perales
Ariana Mariel Perez•
Jaime Ramirez Jr.
Hajra Raza•
Jessica Rae Riojas
Aaron Andrew Rodriguez
Sebastian Gabriel Rodriguez
Alexis Victoria Ruelas
Celeste Nicole Salazar
Jordan Elizabeth Salinas•
Jennifer Marie Samaniego
Shelby L. Scott•
Shannon Michelle Shea
Jasmin Margarita Sotelo
Joseph Christopher Alldredge Tamez
Lillian Grace Thorn
Malayna Capri Urive*
Destiny Vega
Emily Pearl Waddles‡
Rebecca Ann Westbrook‡
Danielle Nicole Zinsmeyer*
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
Erin Claire Clendenin*
Victoria Gabrielle Duke
Amaya Corynn Forbes•
Katelyn Mary Garza
Taylor Ashleigh Hugdahl‡
Maricruz J. Jimenez•
Aleksandra Giovanni Johnson‡
Elizabeth Brito Johnson
Jasmine M. Anguiano
Daniel Arnold Armstrong
Amy Louise Ayala‡
Adaneli P. Leija
Alexis Illeanna Martinez•
Brianna Rose Nevares
Daniela Monserrath Ochoa-Aguirre
Alexandria June Schoppe
Brant Matthew Smith
Gwendolyn L. Ybarra
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Bachelor of Science
Ancel William Furlow
Christian Anthony Gonzalez
Connor Payton Gooch•
Mahmoud Khaled Mahmoud Ebrahim Badawi
Jesus Ernesto Banales Jr.‡
Nolan B. Bell
Kyle M. Boyet
Sandra Marie Brooks
Rene David Cantu
Hunter Thomas Carver
Ian Chase Castillo
Jules Avery Cerda
Matthew Michael Craig
Lawrence Miguel Davila
Edgar Enrique Diaz‡
Kelli Ann Dugan
Rowan Savannah Elkins*
Hugh Scott Falconer II
Kyla Ann Fowkes
Jose A. Franco Jr.
Ana Marisa Guerrero
Matthew Richard Herrera
Anthony Hinojosa
John Marcus Kelly•
Nadia Nenet Khan
Ernie Llamas Jr.
Oscar Lomeli Jr.
Phuoc Mai
Grace Esperanza Marshall‡
Mohit Thomas Mathew•
Honors Program Graduate
Michael Joseph Morin
Natasha Isabel Pfeiffer
Gerardo Portales Jr.
Justin Patrick Quinn
Braden Scott Remington
Ryan Salinas
Katherine Elizabeth Sanchez
Andrew Austin Shaw Jr.
Grace E. Smith
Edward Stafford St. John II*
Olivia Catherine Stokes
Scott Steven Tardif•
James Vernon Tate‡
Payne Thomas Taylor
Salena Nguyen Thornton
Marcial Torres•
William James Torres‡
Jason Alexander Trevino*
Zachary Paul Urrutia
Javier Vera
Amanda Clarissa Villarreal
Nathaniel R. Webster
Preston Scot Whaley‡
Nathaniel Gregory White*
Matthew Thomas Wray
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Arts
Cailey Nicole Acker
Emily Marie Aguilar
Omar M-Rashad Ahmed
Emilee A. Ahrens‡
Joan Marie Albor •
Logan Michelle Alves*
Aleah Brooke Anderson
Hannah Grace Anderson •
Heather Marie Arjona
Katelyn Marie Ashley
Jessuip Abram Avalos
Danielle Angelique Avinger Russell
Ileana Baeza
Brandon Allen Bankston
Jedidiah Adam Barker
Preston D. Bass
Grace Elizabeth Beikirch*
Rachel Sue Bohnert•
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Arts, continued
David Alexander Bradshaw
Madeline Victoria Brast
Braeden Anthony Brotherton*
Easton Blane Brown•
Josephine Lynn Burdzilauskas
Taylor Burns
Gracie Torres Canales*
Mauricio Porfirio Cantu
Samantha Caudillo
Shelby Lynne Clark*
Stephan Samuel Cohen
Elizabeth Leigh Coldewey
Victoria Feliz Contreras•
Ava Lenora Coronado•
Eryn Riley Cowan*
Trevor Cade Davis
Cameron Marie De La Rosa
Bailey Anderson Dean‡
Honors Program Graduate
Alyssa Danielle Deleon‡
Savannah Alyse Dobson
Julie Ann Dudenas‡
Juan Jose Eguia III
Virginia Guitard Ellis•
Alexis Maleea Erickson•
Honors Program Graduate
Amanda Gail Espericueta
Calvin Patrick Estrada
Bryson Anthony-Blake Evans
William Thomas Fairchild
Adriel Nicolas Flores
Crystal Lee Fultz
Destany Rickelle Garcia
Megan Emily Garcia
Yadira I. Garcia
Brianna Rae Garza*
Coby Lee Gass
Kelsie Ranae Gonzales
Natalie Alexis Gonzalez
Alex Omar Granados
Hattie Elizabeth Gregg
Colby Ryan Gregory
Cody Joe Guerra
Lanie Marie Gullett
Desirea Joslynn Harder-Neely*
Ian Q. Hamon
Sarah Michelle Hebel•
Catherine Victoria Henke•
MiguelAngel Hernandez•
Perla Fabiola Hernandez
LaurenAnne Herrera
Raymond Jacob Herrera*
Elise Marie Hinojosa
Hannah Lilia Hudak
Savannah Huerta
James Milent Hurst*
Brandon Wade Hutto•
Natalie Chidera Iwuagwu
Jalen Jamar Jackson
Adrian Lee Jimenez
Jacob Lee Johnson
Trezvaun Diego Johnson
Nathaniel E. Kastl
Jessica Marie Kelman
Sheridan Grace Kemper*
Catherine Brooke Kerr‡
De’Lazarus Edmyon Keys
Lacey Taryn Koehler
James Christopher Lang
Luke Leal‡
RobertAanthony Leal
Kamryn Mckenzie Lewis
Annika Nicole Linguist
Ashley Nicole Linn
Trinity Lea Littlefield•
Ricardo Gabriel Longoria•
Dylan T. Lopez‡
Levi Lopez‡
Matthew Demps Lopez
Issac Santiago Lopez Castro*
Autumn Michelle Lutkenhaus*
Kylie Brianna Marchitello‡
Julia Lynnese Massey
Michael Christopher Matta
JoshuaArnett McMullen
Mckenzie Lyn Mclendon*
Dustin Marvin Merrell
Dejanee T. Miles
Christin Kate Miller•
Lauryn F. Miller
Nicholas Graham Montalvo
Malorie Cheyanne Mosley‡
Katherine Rose Murphy
Isaac Ngoy Mushila
Victor Ruben Navarrete
Troy Michael Nessner‡
Nichole Netek
Ngoc Thanh Vi Nguyen*
Tyrese Hakeem Nickelson
Vaughn Malan Nottingham•
James Edward Nunez
Espectacion Aarin Ochoa
Anayansi Ortegon
Daniel Chanmin Park
Chase Simpson Passow•
Shaylee Patterson*
Halli Michelle Peltier
Kristen Faith Perez
Tristan Ryder Perez
Elise Caroline Perry
Sierra Yolanda Posada•
Roseann Poynter
Elizabeth P. Presley*
Edwardo Ramirez Jr.
Ileana Loren Ramirez•
Jessica Ramirez
Briana Grace Ramos
Emily Renee Rebne•
Avery Lorraine Reed
Paige Elizabeth Renfrow•
Destiny Marie Rios
Rose Nicole Rodriguez*
Olivia Louise Rosario
Gabriella Alyssa Ruiz•
Brendan Patrick Ryan
Hannah Marie Ryan
Emily Marie Salazar‡
Honors Program Graduate
Jacqueline N. Salazar
Melissa Maria Salazar*
George Miguel Salcido
Brianna Eileen Sandoval•
Jasman Singh Sangha•
Ariana Isis Santos•
Grace Belle Schuette
Tyler Ray Schultz
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Arts, continued
Zachary Craig Stephenson
Alexandrea Danielle Stubbs
Mandy Ellen Syamken
Mason Edward Todd
Chloe Conrady Tome*
Alexandria Erin Torres*
Savannah Rae Torres*
Angelina Kadine Shephard-Domengeaux
Christin Deanne Sheppard‡
Sabrina Claire Shrum
Marcus Alexander Silguero
Alyssa Danielle Silva*
Nathaniel Luke Staggs‡
Lindsey E. Startz
Veronica Torres
Abby C. Trimble‡
Honors Program Graduate
Gunner Adam Valadez
Morgan M.Vardeman‡
Samantha Nicole-Love Vasquez
Samantha Elizah Vega
Sierra Velma Vela•
Myra Anai Villanueva•
Taylor Leigh Walton*
Robert Scott Warrick‡
Jeannia Kae Washington
Jordan Marie Weaver
Jessica Victoria Webster
Jason T. Weiser
David Hugh Wheelis*
Mallory Quinn Winchester‡
Lauren Marie Zapata*
Zoila Toni Zarate
Ashley Nicole Zepeda
Melanie Zuniga
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
Arnoldo Castillo•
Sheila Elaine Eatmon
Christopher Chase Faulkner-Pagans
Jezelle Jule Garcia•
Joshua Allen Garcia
Benjamin Ross Guerra‡
Samantha Lee Jasso•
Shawn D. Johnson•
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Yvette Rendon Pimentel‡
Joseph M. Shuler
Sarah Riley Windham
Emily Marie Fleetwood
Adam James Haney
Gabriella Elise Hoss‡
Andrea O. Labrador‡
Bachelor of Music
Maximiliano Guevara
Manuel Jesus Jasso*
Casey L. Marquette*
Brandon A. Morin•
Kimberley Louise Peters
Richard Schuetze II*
Bachelor of Science
Alyssa Rae Valdez•
Mary Margaret Silva
Sophia Pearl Sweet•
Madison Rose Bryant
James Brendan Carty*
Cyril Chatonda
Vivian Lee Chavez
Astrid Denize Cruz
Irma-Laura Lourdes Davila
Leorenzo C. Dela Cruz•
Erin Bailey Donovan
Edward Ashtyn Elizondo
Aquileo Andres Estrada
Jennifer C. Galan
Nicole Gallegos
Luis Garcia
Alicia Pina Garza
Zachary Isaac Gordon
Ramona Granados
Kelly Ann Grim
Jaqueline Olivia P. Gutierrez
Alan Hernandez
Alyssa Rae Hernandez•
Daniella Marie Hinojosa
Lissa Beth Hoelscher
Cameron J. Kernan
Barbara E. Kubeczka•
Destiny Cheyane Leribeus
Shawn Allan Lindial
Gabrielle Marie Lopez
Braden Rollie Keith Mangum
Juliana Soleil Marrero
Britney M. Matheson
Bionca Marteen Mays
Amanda J. Nava
Lauren Paige Piper*
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Science, continued
Carisma Nicole Presas
Josselyn Puente
Maxwell Arlington Puls•
Serena Renae Quinones
Joshua Alexzander Quintanilla
Romeo Ramirez Jr.*
Tanner Cade Rector
Jailyn A. Rios*
Zachary Thomas Rios
Cristopher Arturo Rivera
Noemi M. Rodriguez
Ashley Rae Salazar
Cher Drecklyn Zarandona Sintos
Honors Program Graduate
Madelyn Ann Smith
Valorie Rose Smith
Trevian Lafrank Tennyson
Jesus P. Trevino Jr.
Jaydy Lee Valdez*
Marc Patric Valdez
Kimberly S. Valencia-De La
Nicholas Alan VanWay‡
Anthony Adam Villarreal
Diana Marie Zavala
Officer Commissioning
Second Lieutenant
United States Army
The names on this program include all students who have applied for graduation. Conferral of the official degree is based upon completion and certification of all degree requirements.
Edward Ashtyn Elizondo Joseph M. Shuler
Commencement Speaker
Dr. Tito Guerrero currently serves as the Director of La Academia de Liderazgo for HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities). La Academia de Liderazgo is an initiative designed to help prepare individuals for senior-level positions in higher education settings. Prior to this role, he worked as Vice President with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Before that, he served as President of Cambridge College. He also has served as President of Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Southern Colorado (now known as Colorado State University-Pueblo). Dr. Guerrero worked at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for over 20 years. He served as a member of the faculty in the College of Education, and the last position that he held at the university was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Guerrero obtained his Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Biology from Texas A&M University, his Master of Education from the University of North Texas, and his Doctorate in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. He is married to Dr. Guadalupe E. Guerrero.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
Mr. Bill Mahomes, Jr., Chairman .................................................................... Dallas
Mr. Robert L. Albritton, Vice Chairman .................................................. Fort Worth
Mr. David C. Baggett ................................................................................... Houston
Mr. John W. Bellinger San Antonio
Mr. James R. “Randy” Brooks San Angelo
Mr. Jay C. Graham ....................................................................................... Houston
Mr. Michael A. “Mike” Hernandez III ................................................... Forth Worth
Mr. Michael J. Plank .................................................................................... Houston
Mr. R. Sam Torn Houston
Mr. Demetrius L. Harrell, Jr. (Student Regent) Palatka, FL
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Official Ring
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Islander Alumni Association unveiled the official ring in 1999. The ring itself is a symbol of achievement, unity, and University spirit. Upperclassmen wear the ring with the school’s name facing their heart. Upon the granting of degrees at commencement, graduates turn the ring around, with the name facing outward. This symbolizes that the graduate is now ready to face new challenges outside the University.
The official ring is a visible, tangible manifestation of the long-lasting bond between Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and its alumni, offering symbolic representation of one’s past, present, and future as an Islander. As always, it is alumni who carry the same pride in their University, and a seamless gold band holds together the many people who have shared a dream—to earn a college education.
University Mace
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Mace is the wooden staff that is carried by a mace bearer leading the academic processional for commencements, convocations, and special university ceremonies. Originally, the mace was a long-handled club used by knights during the Middle Ages to crush the armor of enemies. Later, ceremonial maces were carried by guards of French and English monarchs. Later still, the mace was carried or placed by a magistrate or dignitary to establish authority. In sessions of the British House of Commons, the mace is placed on the treasury table. In the U.S. House of Representatives, it is placed to the right of the speaker. Today, the University Mace is used to symbolize the authority of the University President and is a grand emblem of tradition at commencement ceremonies for colleges and universities.
Academic Regalia
Academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) date to 12th-century Europe, where they were worn primarily for warmth by university students as well as laymen. As laymen gradually changed their garb to capes and breeches, institutions of learning prescribed the gown of black for scholars, with a hood draped down the back when not worn over the head and a mortarboard cap shaped like the mortarboard of the master workman.
In 1985 in the United States, the Intercollegiate Commission prepared a code, specifying the design and color of academic regalia for colleges and universities in the United States. Under this code, the bachelor’s gown has long pointed sleeves. The master’s gown has an oblong sleeve. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves. Gowns are generally black; however, a number of schools have adopted special regalia for the doctor’s gown.
The velvet border of the hood may represent either the color of the degree or the color of the field of study. The current trend is for the color to represent the field of study rather than the name of the degree, but in earlier years dark blue was characteristic for a Ph.D. in any field. Hoods are lined with the official colors of the college or university from which the degree is received.
Caps are the traditional mortarboard except for the doctor’s degree, where a four-sided velvet tam is optional. Caps from schools with special color gowns or from foreign universities may be more distinctive. Cap tassels for the doctor’s degree are gold, while the tassels for the master’s and bachelor’s degree are typically black. Holders of all these degrees wear the tassel on the left. The ritual of bachelor’s degree candidates shifting the tassel from right to left marks the conferring of one’s first university degree.
Hood Color Code
Arts, Letters, Humanities ..................................... White
Commerce, Accountancy, Business ....................... Drab
Dental Lilac
Economics .......................................................... Copper
Education Light Blue
Engineering ........................................................ Orange
Fine Arts, Architecture Brown
Library Science Lemon
Medicine .............................................................. Green
Music.......................................................................Pink
Nursing ............................................................... Apricot
Philosophy Dark Blue
Physical Education ...................................... Sage Green
Public Administration Peacock Blue
Public Health ............................................. Salmon Pink
Science Golden Yellow
Social Work Citron
Speech ......................................................... Silver Gray
Academic Honors
Students earning academic honors wear cords in recognition of academic excellence. The following honors are awarded at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi:
‡ Summa Cum Laude: the silver honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.9 and above.
* Magna Cum Laude: the blue honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.7 to 3.899.
• Cum Laude: the green honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.5 to 3.699.
*The honors presented during the ceremony are calculated on the student’s institutional cumulative grade point average and institutional credit hours through the semester prior to filing for graduation. Official honors designation, which includes the calculation of the final semester’s grades and hours, will be indicated on the final transcript and diploma.
Honor Society Medallions and Cords
Students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have the privilege of being asked to join honor societies. Membership is based on grade point average and special criteria for each organization such as major, community service, and service to a profession. Students belonging to these honor societies wear cords and medallions that represent their high achievements and the colors and symbols of the organization.
Music Provided by Symphonic Winds
Directed by Dr. Brian Shelton, Professor of Music
Special thanks to the faculty, staff volunteers, Student Government Association, and Island Ambassadors who participated in today’s events.
