Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Spring 2023 Commencement Program - 2 p.m.

Spring 2023 Commencement Saturday, May 20, 2023 2:00 p.m.

American Bank Center Arena

A Member of The Texas A&M University System

Spring 2023 Commencement President Kelly M. Miller, presiding Prelude and Processional* Carrier of the Mace............................................................................................... Dr. Benjamin Walther Associate Professor of Marine Biology, College of Science 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 Business...................................................................................................... Dean Brian Tietje College of Nursing and Health Sciences.................................................................... Dean Hassan Aziz College of Science............................................................................................ Dean F. Eloy Hernández College of Graduate Studies..................................................................................Dean Karen McCaleb Conferring of Degrees................................................................................................... Dr. Kelly M. Miller Announcing................................................................................................. Dr. Carmen Tejeda-Delgado Professor and Director of Transformative Alliance for Student Success College of Education and Human Development Hooding of Doctoral Candidates................................................................Candidate’s Major Professor College of Science | Assisting: Dean F. Eloy Hernández Commissioning............................................................................................................... LTC Steven Pierce Professor of Military Science Alumni Presentation...............................................................................................Dr. Haysam Dawod ’85 President, TAMU-CC National Alumni Association Recessional*

*Audience will remain seated.

Scan to link to digital program

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Doctor of Philosophy in Coastal and Marine System Science Dr. Mariana Careli León-Pérez Dissertation Title: Assessing the Occurrence, Social Vulnerability, and Legal Implications of Sargassum Influxes in Puerto Rico Using a Socialecological Systems Approach

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Accountancy Ruth Ard Juan M. Cardenas III Austin Michael Cayon Ricardo De Los Santos Jr. Tatiana Dumbrava Marcelino Espinoza Teresa Lee Marie Fernandez Elba R. Figueroa Cynthia Luisa Flores Jaime R. Garcia Michelle Inez Garcia Tiffany Lynne Garrett Lori Ann Gonzalez Debra Lynn Hankins Sheri Lyn Henry

Roberto Hernandez Jr. Kimberley Chen Hodges Laura E. Hunt Erin C. Jones Ramzi Raafet Kayaly Isabel Ledesma Murillo Noh Eul Lee Matthew Charles Martens Denisse Gabriela Martinez Bianca Millan Rachael Sarah Nelson Long Pham Lacey Anne Piekarski Teal Pimentel William Spencer Poage

Charles Nathan Porter Karson Ruiz Hasan Ahmad Saqib Tracy Jewel L. Scroggins April K. Smith Michelle Rae Thomas Candice Ashley Tipton Kailie Nicole Tuttle Brandon Tyler Vizcarra Jessie Vo Darlena Vu Jackson Wyatt Williams Lauren Nicole Williams Jaden Hunter Worstell

Master of Business Administration Leticia Acosta Dianah Monyangi Aiko Jeeva Ajith Nwakaego Rebecca Akintoye Angelia Alaniz Nadia Alawi-Kakomanolis Maysaa Albabbili Matthew Albers Isaac Joseph Alvarado Waqas Ameen Ahmad Paiman Amiri Alexander K. Amponsah Crystal L. Amrein Shelby Anders

Dominque Monet Anderson Jessica Lynn Anderson Anthony Arguello Francisco Martin Armenta Jaime Arredondo Dary Artavia Manuel Izai Avina Emily Gabrielle Carine Balaga Tiyahna Bambaata Danielle Banks-Edmondson Maria Teresa Banuelos Jacquelyn Samantha Barnum Stefani Marie Barrera Nashon Kamau Barton

Frederick Martin Bathje Darrell Jay Beckel Matthew Ryan Bell Christopher Benham Makena Marie Blanco Matthew Benjamin Blonder Dominique N. Booker Oliver Edward Bottle James Ryan Bradley Matthew James Bregar Warren Lee Brooks Cristina Alejandra Bruno Timothy Bryant Julie Annabeth Brzozowski

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Business Administration, continued Avis Janell Burleson Christine J. Burns Mikala Janelle Burns Kimberly Lynn Bush Kendra Marie Busse Rocha

Roy Reagan Franks Elizabeth Victoria Freire Vamsi Varma Ganaraju Caitlyn Marie Garcia Catherine M. Garcia Jourdan Thomas Sadao Cantiberos Irene A. Garcia Ernesto Castro Janel Garcia Christopher Stuart Catterall Tanner W. Garrard Stephanie Lauren Cervantes Anna Gabriella Garza Micaela Elizabeth-Lai Chan Lori Ann Garza Tommie Kay Choate Marc R. Giamo Cynthia Rachelle Claphanson Paul Wanner Gleichauf III Stephanie Joi Clay Karla Gomez Teala Ruth Clay Ashley Christine Gonzalez Jenna Marie Clos Barbara Gonzalez Ashley Conner Roger J. Grato III Christopher Rey Croson Carmen Grossi Brent Allen Crow Nicholas Kyle Gruesen Sarah R. Cunningham Marissa Noelle Guevara Peyton Riley Curtis Kathleen Gunn Alexis Catrice Custard-Mobley Arun Mani Guruprasad Beverly Sanger Custodio Joel Gutierrez Meagan Rae Dake Ty Robert Louis Hammonds Gary Richard Davenport Nickalus Hagen Harrill Oscar Davila Jr. Olivia Harris Amanda Joanna De La Paz Kevin N. Harvey Katherine Diane Deebel Syed Yaser Hasan Malison Rae Deleon Tina Marie Hauser Anh D. Do Abarrane Rose Henderson Jennifer Elizabeth Duncan Hunter Michael Hendricks Amanda Edwards Lucinda Monica Henry Ibhahie Ebakole-Ane Ehizokhale Edward Patrick Hickey III Cynthia N. Elad Craig Franklin Hill Jenny Giselle Elizalde Cruz Maria La Hoang Joseph Johnathan Elvir Anne Lynnette Hodges Shari Emeana Jennifer Ann Hoppe Valiree Candace Encina Sommer Paige Hortness Faith Joy Eneushike Kyra Evan Hyman Lauren Felder Lisa Joan Illowsky Bryan Luis Fernandez Ethan Thomas Jacobs Frank Flores IV Lizbeth Jaime-Gibb Gene Paul Fogh Ethan S. James Traneisha D. Franklin Jillian Lee Janak

Jorge Luis Jasso Nickolas Jelden Jessie Lynn Johnson John Moises Juarez Michael Aaron Kandrach Simranjeet Kaur Minna Michelle Kay Cynthia Van Kelly Sean B. Kendrick-Graham Judith Kathleen Klein Erik Knutson Arkadios Kofidis Frank Edward Kotar Priyanka Krishan Supriya Belpathak Kulkarni ‘ San Siew K. Lacanlale Tyler Delk Lambert Mehdi Lamkies Thalia Patricia Lara Kate Uyen Le Salimeh A Lebig Rene Elizabeth Leiber Joo Hua Edward Lim Javier Linares Melanie Lo Cassandra R. Logan Stephaine S. Long Benjamin Lopez Cesar Mauricio Lopez Paul Angel Lopez Matthew Tyler Luig Michael Justin Mansour Amba Martin Marissa Mayfield Nnenna Chidinma Mbidom Austin Mcentee Rodolfo Marcial Medina Jennifer Renee Milks Laurie Jeanette Minze Elena Sophia Mirabito Alyssa R. Montes Danielle Marie Moore Zamora Shane Dylan Mosley

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Business Administration, continued Felix Moulier Grace Godfrey Msacky Alexandria Pauline Murphy Garrett James Muse Justin Narayan Rajeev Kumar Nayak Charlie James Nelson Cuong Nguyen Hung Kim Nguyen Julie Nguyen Bhavika Nishar Johnpaul Chukwunaedum Nnadi Devin Jordan O’Keefe Oluwatobi Abieyuwa Ogunbor John Patrick Okeeffe Uyono Merierhe Onovo Salma Abigail Ontiveros Jamiu Abiodun Opoola Regina Chioma Osuji Samson Okechukwu Otuneme Alicia Monisha Paecht Amy Parent Sana S. Pasha Miguel Arturo Pastrana Macia Rahul Jayesh Patel Christopher Michael Pena Jessica Priscilla Pena Jennifer Gabrielle Perez Kathleen Perez Kasey Nicole Petika Uyen Thanh Pham Danita Johnson Phelps Austin Barrett Phillips Ruthy A. Pierre Melody Rebecca Puente Abneet Singh Raina Shashi Kumar Reddy Lingala Alexus R. Reyes Brandon K. Reynolds Jeffery Ritchie Grace Elise Roberts Kiera L. Robinson Arturo Rodriguez Jr.

Timothy Scott Rosebrough Kaitlyn Carrick Ruff Elmin Sacic Kathleen Saetern Sergio Alejandro Salguero Castaneda Sergio Enrique Salinas Elias Sanchez Leslie Nicole Sanchez Jordan Noelle Sansing Melissa Ann Saucedo Samantha Jo Schweizer Carly Christine Scott Andrew D. Serrato Danita L. Simms Misty Nichole Skrobarcek Benedicte Marie Smallwood Keosha Shonta Smith Samantha Kaspar Smith Colin W. Snell Adrian Ioan Socaciu Joshua Sol Daniel Solis Lisa Dawn Sprenger Grace Elizabeth Steele Monica Lauren Stephens Edward Seymour Stith Giselle Annais Stoddard Michael Bryan Stoddard Tamara D. Sugarek Amy Suzanne Taylor Ashley Arnold Taylor Jonathan M. Taylor Damian M. Thomas Megan Leigh Tijerina Sheeban Tobria Alyson Ann Torres Cindy Trevino Amanda Vasquez Lindsey Rhea Velasco Kritin Kumar Verma Sasikant Vetcha Teresa Lynn Veylupek

Tristan Elizabeth Ward Crystal Essence Waters Amanda Dean Webb Ian Quinn West Matthew Shuichi Westmoreland Kristen Blake Whiting Daniels Taylor Anne Wilson Lorand Scott Wolfe Janet Melanie Woolley Zane Robert Young Maria Isabel Zamora Kyle David Zimmerman

COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES Master of Science in Nursing Angelica Zarah Serrona Cabral Aaron Matthew Cardona Melissa Grace Damschen Ayriana N. Davis Juan De Leon Amanda Rochelle DeSpain Marlowe Driscoll Marion R. Flores Francisco Garcia Ray Garcia Jr. Morgan Taylor Gawlik Reyes Joanna Joy Glick Briana Nicole Gonzalez Daniela Rae Gonzalez

Angie Marie Guerrero DeAnna Brooke Henson Alyssa Hernandez Jessica Marie Jurach Megan Beth Lange Samantha Adkinson Mayfield Mikkaa D. McQueary Alicia Andrea Mimms Tuyen Nguyen Cynthia A. Ochoa Mathews Maria Alejandra Pacheco Mary Grace Belen Patel Dinah Perez Heather Ann Perez

Carolina Rock Maricela Rodriguez Monique Ann Romero Janie Ruiz April Hyonchi Shin Leslie Anne Taylor Valerie Infante Tobias Blanca Ofelia Trevino Michelle Tyrrel-Christie Evangelina Valdez Linn Denise Grieb Wright Shania Cristine Ybarra

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Master of Science Hunter Cage Austin Ulysse Bertrand Alexis Cheyenne Burghoff Caleb Carr Carol Lynn Haley Stephen A. Henry

Zahra Hormoz Esterabad Kaitlin Sharae Huerta Samantha Ann Huron Ayesha Jabbar Rijith Jayarajan Jr. Mary Louise Kramer

Nicole Kumbula Danielle Ann Marshall Mara Rose Martinez Jan Legare Roberson Zoe Tallulah Ruben

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Bachelor of Business Administration Alondra Edith Arce* Victoria E. Armendariz Mauricio Brandon Banuelos Valeria A. Barbosa Lauren Ashley Barrera Bertha Ann Barrientos‡ Maria Candelaria Beltran‡ Chance Dalton Bernal‡ Stella T. Boulan* Matthew P. Burgin Hayle Jo Campbell Joel Cantu Jr.•

Roshan A. Chatham Marcus Andrew Chavarria Ricardo Chavez Jr.‡ Yuxing Chen Cecilia Roxana Concha Rondon• Ernest Cortez• Luke James Costin• Taylor Loranne Costin Hector Cruz Jr. Amanda Delacerda• Helen Maryury Determan Phuong Thanh Dinh•

Richard Rashaud Dorsey Sean Patrick Downey* Hannah Brooke Dvorak* Hunter Glen Ellison* Levi C. Emmons Ashlyn Reann Epton Janell Leeann Escatiola Reyanna Marie Escobar Tannor A. Fischer Gavin Braden Flanagan• Jordan Elizabeth Fletcher Noah Edward Flores

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Bachelor of Business Administration, continued Justin M. Fowler Rebecca Fuentes• Jessica Garcia* Juan Manuel Gomez Jr.* James Matthew Gonzalez Dierra Lynn Goslin• Felipa De Jesus Gutierrez Jocelynn Diane Hargrove• Samuel Morgan Hatton Maggie Elizabeth Hendrix‡ Cristian Cruz Hernandez Amber Rose Herrera Chase K. Hilderbrand Naziya Yunus Hira• Kevin Steven Jackson• Dylan Ray Johnson Natasha Khalil Sanchez Ryan David Kincaid Leyla Denise Kluck Reagan Michelle Korenek• Haleigh Sue Kunschik Jeffrey Scott Laclaire II Amber Lynn Lally* Yd Lampkin Jr. Caden Dale Langston Grant Wayne Lathern Stephen Lee Litton Brittany Michelle Lugo• Robinson Bautista Manahan‡ Madison A. Mann• Alexander James Martinez David Martinez Teya M. Martinez‡ Luz Elena Martinez Rico‡ Dylan Chad Matter* Elissa Mayfield• Jennifer Nicole McCaig‡ Remy Morgan McCluney‡ Scott Wesley McCullough• Aliza Jo Medina• Luis Jesus Mendez Adriana L. Mendez Villa David Albert Mihalco‡

Zachary Robert Millican Matthew Salazar Kimberly Paige Milligan Sasha Melina Salazar Lezli Marie Milner Mackenzie K Sanchez Sofia Cristine Mings* Matthew Garza Sanchez Honors Program Graduate Paola Jasmine Santoyo Stephen Lee Monroe• Jenai L. Satchell Letrice D. Moore Nathan Schwartz‡ Shelley Anne Moore• Phillip Wade Scott‡ Ivan Moreno* Lancer Darby Sellers‡ Trevor James Morrow• Parker Ryan Shelley Sabrina Lynn Mott Nicholas N. Shirley* David Cole Myers• Honors Program Graduate Jose R. Nava III Sushanka Shrestha Amberly Dawn Nye Thomas Jeremy Simms Brian N. Owens II Kailan Breyanne Sinclair• Honors Program Graduate Trpimir Siroki Danielle Palma Diaz• Sabrina Victoria Sperry* Shivkumar Dilipkumar Patel Bradley Scott Steen Joshua Kagan Penland* Kennedy B. Stelling Matthieu Pierre Peres• Cole Robert Stewart Alexa Perez Anthony Cade Sullivan• Alyssa Marie Perez Patsy S. Susser James Miguel Petty Seth Thomas Taggs Marc Renzo Lamanilao Pielago* Travis Lane Talley Giuliana Poletti Corrales* Edwin Wenceslado Torres• Ryan Joseph Pollard Zachary Michael Travers* Alexander James Pollock Jesus Angel Trevino Ryan Christopher Price Luke Gordon Tschritter‡ Joseph Parish Pruett* Jonathan Isaac Tubbs Hannah Grace Raabe‡ Stanley K. Uzoigwe• Michelle Ramirez• Tiffany Camille Valverde• Penelope Ramirez Julianna Isabel Veliz• Hansika Rastogi‡ Jacob Corey Walker• Payton Robert Reynolds* Kayla D. Walker Kenneth Malcolm Richards‡ Shauri Ann Walker Joshua Robert Richardson• Bailey Rebecca Ward* Arlene Genevieve Ridgway‡ Matti Lynn Wendel• Rodney Sincere Robinson Tyler Griffin Wilkinson Benjamin Alejandro Robles III Lane Garrett Willis Alexis Leeanna Rodriguez Danny Christopher Wilson Jesus Esteban Rodriguez Sydney Elizabeth Wilson Francisca Isabella Polison Rojero• Amber Dawn Wood* Tiernan James Ross Andrew Charles Zavala

COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES Bachelor of Science Rebecca Claire Allman Amelia Conception Deleon

Natalie Michaela Guerra* Abigail Amparo Iglesias-Ruiz

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Lauren N. Breckenridge Celeste Marie Cantu Rachel L. Garcia Juliana Nicole Gonzalez Taylor Jayne Gonzalez

Madison Avery Grubbs Kyla Ann Janecek Seth A. Luera Kelsey Marroquin• Adelyn Elise Neblett II

Jennifer Nguyen Pallatto Grecia Guadalupe Paulin Olivia Grace Saenz Nagita Marshall Smalling Brooke Ann Woelke

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Madison Paige Adkins Molly Elizabeth Harrison Haylee Alejandra Perez Gabrielle April Amador Devin Marie Holmsley Flores‡ Rheannon Marie Pionek Nina Eloisa Arend Angelique Socorro Huerta Jarod Joseph Pitcher Analise Adriana Arredondo Lynette Mary Kakkassery Abigail Nicole Pollo‡ Mofoluwaso Oyinkansola Atanda Rebecca Leonila Yambao Kinman Zeinhelle Hermoso Quezon Andrew Logan Bagley• Kacy Ann Korenek• Briana Lizette Reyes* Julia Ann Belzel Opeyemi Ganiat Kukoyi Makenna Shaye Robertson Kayla Michelle Blankenship Analis Leal Karla Daniela Romero Mary Elizabeth Borrego• Destinee Nicole Ledezma Janel Marie Rosales* Sarah Rae Borrego Victoria Nicole Lerma‡ Melissa Guadalupe Ross Olan Emilee Michelle Bumpas Ashlynn Makayla Lobrecht‡ Tristian Zachary Saucedo Kacie M. Cantwell Angelina Monique Martinez Eryn Brooke Saunders• Kyra Lynn Carr Jaimee Lynn Martinez• Faith Nadine Savage‡ Reesen Seth Caster Marisela Martinez Olivia Quinn Simon Lindsey A. Castillo Ariana Daelynn Mata• Kimberly Annette Smith Victoria Marissa Clay Kyle McAlister* Gabriella Pilar Solis Izabella Susanne Cobb• Denise Andrea McBride Lillian Grace Stork* Katie Dominguez• Meagan Marcelle McKeen• Shelby Dawn Sullivan* Drew Savannah Dunnahoo Honors Program Graduate Valeria Ludim Tamez Henley Blake Elam• Kaitlynn Elisa McKinnon• Emily Ann Taylor Nicolas Drake Esquivel• Honors Program Graduate Denise Renee Torres Patricia Celeste Gallegos Paloma Y. Mendoza Ashlyn Grace Umberhocker Kristan Nicole Garza Knathaniel Ryan Merrill Abigail Velazquez‡ Emma Marie Gibbs‡ Maya Brionne Miller Morgan Leigh Vinklarek Honors Program Graduate Lakyn K. Mingst‡ Kaitlin A. Wheeler Alexandria Kate Golden Angelina Seleste Neri Madison Elizabeth Wood Jesus Alejandro Gonzales III Myra Ngwa Madison Michelle Woolsey‡ Hailey Rose Gonzalez Christian Rachelle Ochoa Ylianna Monique Yanez Elizabeth K. Guerra* Hailey Lynn Ordonez Karla Gisel Zamora Stephanie Michelle Hanelt Raelynn Marie Ortega*

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Bachelor of Science Alan-Michael Jaime Alfaro Alyssa M. Arrambide• Samantha Bane Arrollado Elena Katharina Barrada• Honors Program Graduate James B. Bennett Arianna Demitria Benson Madison Ann Birmingham• Andrew Robert Bixler• Robert Anthony Bland III Victoria Isabel Blesa Derik Wilson Boles• Zoie Brianna Bright‡ Christine Grace Burinda* Olivia R. Burnes• Laura R. Button Brittsha Norvene Cain Emily Grace Cano‡ Honors Program Graduate Anastasia R. Cany Cody S. Capindo• Evan Patrick Carley Austin Albert Castillo Pablo Castillo Fabian Castro John Patrick Ceniseros Isabella Frances Cevallos* Cambria Anne Clark Audra Caroline Hinojosa Clute Dylan Stewart Colquhoun Anaya Cekay Cotton• Alayna Nicole Curnan Robert Albert Dantonio Nikki Michelle De Vries• Victoire Delattre Emily E. Duprie Ashlyn Nicole Edwards Clifford William Ehrke* Christian Evan Escochea Jaden Ethan Finch Lauren Elise Flinchbaugh Gabriel Christian Flores• Honors Program Graduate

Austin Patrick Fuentes• Myrissa N. Garcia Madyson M. Gilmore Madison Brooke Gomez* Conner James Rowdy Guidry Aspen Brielle Hamilton Desirea Joslynn Harder-Neely* Honors Program Graduate Gilbert Ross Hernandez Jr.• Matthew Cade Hickman• Yasmin Infante Himsieh Allyce F. Hughes Alan Jorge Innes Maryann T. Kalka Nathaniel E. Kastl Michelle Catherine Kotch* Hunter Derian Kulesz Isabelle Grace Lobdell• Reganne Elisabeth Long Victoria Anne Longo* Honors Program Graduate Pascal Michel Georges Lorieul‡ Kristen Nicole Love• Lillian Marie Marshall James Donald Martin Julian Andrew Martinez Samantha Renee Maupin Honors Program Graduate Lindsey Faith Mccravey Emmanuela Mezonu Menka• Noah Andrew Millican Colin Andrew MogfordEncarguez Caleb Thomas Moon* Emma Leigh Moon* Philip James Munoz• Nicole L. Murphy Shahrukh Khan Niazi Erika Novosad Aaron N. Nunez Montsserrat Ochoa Brittney Nicole Ortega Jasmine Nicole Pena

Kylan Sue Petty Randall Charlie Porter Starlett Rose Ramon Angelica Marie Rivas• Phillip Julian Rivera* Honors Program Graduate Richard Rodriguez Jr.‡ Travis William Romero• Madison Lynne Rotunno Ignacio Jr. Rueda Grace Isabelle Rush• Honors Program Graduate Fatima Maria Salinas Cara Elaine Scheller Riley S. Sebby* Tina Michelle Shield‡ Nicholas Slade Shropshire Tiana Sis-Depina* Jennifer Nicole Snowden Alexandra Lauren Soliz Veronica Rozlyn Soliz Breanna Marie Sparks Acadia Belen Anorga Tamez Eleanor G. Tenbrink* Honors Program Graduate Alexandra Jane Tomes Gabriella Renee Torres• Shay Jacob Townson Clarissa Ray Trainer William James Turner Camryn Nicole Van Landingham• Dominic Russell Vargas Isabelle Renee Vargas• Julia Gisel Vazquez Quincy Elias Walker Ethan Ralph Walsh* Laurel Cameron Weeks Allison Leigh Wilkins* Honors Program Graduate Karalyn Kiana Wysong Jay Yoo*

Officer Commissioning Second Lieutenant United States Army Derik Wilson Boles

Jenai L. Satchell

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.

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.