Spring 2025 Commencement
President Kelly M. Miller, presiding
Prelude and Processional*
Carrier of the Mace
Dr. Juan Carlos Huerta Regents Professor of Political Science, College of Liberal Arts
Welcome ................................................................................................... President Kelly M. Miller, Ph.D.
Presentation of the Colors ................................................................. TAMU-CC Army Islander Battalion
National Anthem Jessica Valdez, ‘25 Senior, Music Major, School of Arts, Media, & Communication
Greetings ............................................................................................................................... Mr. Tim Eaton
Acting Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications, Texas A&M University System
Commencement Address ................................................................................
Dr. Scott Elliff, ’82, ’86, ’12
Associate Clinical Professor of Educational Administration and Reitred CCISD Superintendent
Presentation of Degree Candidates Dr. Cate Rudowsky
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
College of Education and Human Development ................................................... Dean Joshua Watson
College of Engineering and Computer Science ............................................................. Dean David Ma
College of Nursing and Health Sciences ................................................................... Dean Hassan Aziz
College of Liberal Arts Dean Kyoko Amano
Conferring of Degrees .............................................................................
President Kelly M. Miller, Ph.D.
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 Education and Human Development | Assisting: Dean Joshua Watson College of Engineering and Computer Science | Assisting: Dean David Ma College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Assisting: Dean Hassan Aziz
Commissioning Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Stevens Professor of Military Science
Alumni Presentation .................................................................................................... Kimberly Cook ’94 President, TAMU-CC National Alumni Association
Recessional*
Rakesh Kumar Junnuru
Brundarika Kadam
Jyothi Kalakoti
Koushik Reddy Kambham
Sai Deepak Kanagala
Tejaswini Kanagala
Sneha Kanchukatla
Harshavardhan Kapalavai
Anjali Reddy Kapila
Naga Jagadeeswari Kari
Vivek Ahimamsh Sai Kasturi
Prashant Reddy Kasu
Varshitha Kesa
Rohith Kolluri
Meghana Kolthuri
Badari Kedareeswara Sai Kommuri
Jahnavi Kondaparthi
Siva Bhargav Korrapati
Abdul Aziz Kothapalli
Venkata Phanindra Kotupalli
Shreyas LakshmiKrishnareddy Sai Charan Kunasani
Nitesh Landge
Dai Le
Siddharth Linga
Venkata Supreet Maddela
Sugnani YaswanthMaddukuri Kumar Makana
Raghuvamsi Mallampalli
Pranav Pratheek Malleboyina
Goda Sreya Mamidala
Shane Alan Armstrong
Tejashwini Arya Reddy Davalapur
Cameron Lee Fowler
Anthony Joseph Gonzalez IV
Master of Science
Lokesh Mangishetti
Chanakyanand Mannem
Shashank Marati
Sathvika Mashetti
Satya Sai Tarun Matta
Abhishek Medikonda
Aakarsh Mehta
Surya Teja Merugu
Hisham Saif Mohamad
Farazuddin Mohammed
Farhan Wajid Mohammed
Yaso Deepika Morampudi
Roopa Ascharya Mulukutla
Sasi Supraja Muthakana
Devi Sri Prabhas Nama
Nishitha Nampally
Kavish Nayeem
Khoi Hoang Nguyen
Oluwaseun Omolayo Ogunfile
Shreya Palem
Kiranmayee Goud Panthangi
Harshita Papaiahgari
Sumana Sree Pasupuleti
Girish Kumar Patchikoru
Niharika Pendem
Sri Sai Rashmitha Pilli
Nitesh Pochaboena
Thusheera Potla
Prasanna Potu
Lasyapriya MohammedPulicharla Abdul Rahman
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Master of Arts
Caleb Gray
Kelly Loraine Jones
Zoe Elise Ramos
Anllely R. Rodriguez-Rivera
Master of Public Administration
Rajeswari Raju
Akhil Reddy Ramakkapeta
Susmita Ravula
Vamshi BhavaniSadyaLakshmi Sathi
Tejasv Singh
Mohtashim Maaz Syed
Krishnatejaswi Tallada
Sai Siri Tammineni
Jagadeeshwar Reddy Thammaneni
Akshitha Thimmapuram
Rohith Chandra Thonupunoori
Sai Venkata Anil Thota
Manoj Kumar Reddy Tippireddy
Kumar Datta Tummala
Aishwarya Vadla
Sai Avinash Vagicherla
Sai Prasanna Valluri
Lakshmi Sai Prasanna Varikuti
Harshita Veerla
Tejeswari Veeralaxmi Velugubantla
Uma Mahesh Vippalapally
Manoj Saiprakash Viswanadharao
Mithil Sai Yachamaneni
Nithesh Kumar Yaddlapalli
Lava Kumar Yanamandala
Rajyalakshmi Yarlagadda
Pranav Yatagiri
Jyothsna VenkateswarluYekulaYelchuri
Anupam Yerramsetti
James Thomas Rogers Lynette Rucker
Cheyenne Nicole Sanchez
Kyle Christopher KnutsonRaymon John Loa IIEric Matthew Pardo COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES
Lauryn Danielle Acosta
Leeanne Mikielle Acosta
Ilysia Mia Alaniz
Stephanie Fernandez Arroyo
Destiny Ann Benavides
Sandra Leticia Celis-Reid
Brittany Danette Cephus
Allison Michelle Christie
Rebekah Mae Dakers
Miandria Dawn Allyse Davis
Jan Kyla Mae Lopez Fernando
Jamie Eileen Fink
Alma Lydia Flores
Nelly Yazbeth Acevedo‡
Krista Ann Adame•
Master of Science in Nursing
Cassandra Ann Flores
Anastasia Sophia Flower
Ilinah Monique Ford
Gabriel Garza
Sandra Allison Hebert
Beverly Jean Jackson
Josephine Kpebah Gyinia
Kathryn Lisa Mahana
Keyla Giselle Martinez
Mereyda Mcdonald
Katie Mae Miotti
Candace Rose Montoya
Samantha Marie Nino
Isaiah Alexi Olmos
Sarah Kureska Parrish
Maria C. Perez
Armando Rodriguez
Graciela Garcia Rodriguez
Britney Ryann Salazar
Anne Christian Schwartz
Brooke Leigh Smith
Maryssa L. St. Clair
Tamara Lynn Vasquez-Maldonado
Madison Ann Villarreal
Veronica Villegas
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Bachelor of Science
Joseph Edward Bryan
Marin R. Castiglione
Megan Elizabeth Adams‡
Paige Elizabeth Aguilar
Raeleen Monique Aguilar‡
Gabriella Renee Alaniz
Kayla Nicole Alaniz•
Rhyanne G. Amthor*
Rosalinda A. Arias
Melissa Arizpe Padilla*
Alyssa R. Atilano*
Alexandra Danielle Ayala*
Alexis Kierstyn Babiuch
Morgan Ann Baese
Joshua Paul Barrera
Cameron Clark Bateson
Kya Jessenia Battle
Ian Michael Bechler
Kylie Rae Bendele
Jordan Nicole Bezner
Traci Ann Boenau•
Bailey Elizabeth Boucher
Dawn Elizabeth Castolenia‡
Sailor Dayne Clenney‡
Ellionna Jean Coppage‡
Miranda Ashlee Cortez
Tymberlin Mahree Criswell•
Owen Ezekiel Dease
Kendrick David Debree
Reese Seidler Dingee•
Christian A. Drake‡
Joseph W. Fontana•
Hannah Garza‡
Sunette R. Garza
Amanda Jordan Geneva‡
Makayla Gilmore
Lillian S. Gish*
Rogerio Gomez III*
Miranda Jade Gonzalez
Madison Kate Gregor•
Becca Grace Henicke
Chelsea Pauline Hernandez
Davis W. Horne
Havilah Henna Kalbfleisch Sr.
Tyler Dean Leonard*
Cristanne Nicole Levett
Michael Antoine Lewis
Chance E. Lowery*
Maricella Alliyah Maldonado
Samantha E. Martinez
Sandra Martinez Salas•
Michelle Medrano*
Natalie Mae Membreno
Kela Aliza Moreno*
Leslie Y. Moreno Mora*
Vincent Narvaez*
Hannah P. Neal•
Kaela Aubrey Nieto‡
Kiley Lane Ochsner
Alanna Perez‡
Sofia ChandlerPiperisGrace Pittman
Megan A. Ponce‡
Alyssa R. Rodriguez
Destiny Alize Rodriguez
Sarah Gianna Rodriguez
Kyle Rodney Russell
Robert Joseph Sandate
Karen M. Santos
Savannah K. Sibley‡
Hannah Joy Smith*
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Bachelor of Science, continued
Stephanie Rene Southard
Leah Marie Stolfus*
Braeden B. Talamantez*
Adriana Marie Torres•
Alexandra Gissel Vasquez*
Venece Vasquez*
Owen N. Wagner
Carsyn Claire Walker•
Kylee A. Ware‡ Hailey
MadelineWelpKate Zambrano
Jamie L. Zinsmeyer‡
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCE
Allison Elizabeth Adams•
Noah Matthew Aguirre‡
Grayson Clinton Aldrich
Conner Lewis Antonelli
David Alberto Avila
Chantey Naydia Baca
Janavi Uttara Bhalala
Kevin Lee Bond•
Kate Marie Brockman*
Tayler Ryan Burka
Salem Jordan Bussey
Austin Wonchai Butrviengpunt
Kevin Daniel Castillo
Gabriel Fernando Cavazos*
Madison Leigh Colledge*
Jason Jet Cross
David Del Moral Jr.
Emilee E. Donham
Christian Thomas Duff•
Nicholas Alexander Elwell
Kurt John Gaertner
Richard J. Godsey Jr.
Noah T. Gonzales*
Abraham Gonzalez
Gabrielle Marie Adame
Danika Patricia Aguayo
April Nichole Alvarez
Alexia A. Anzures
Camila Soleil Avantes
Jonathan Israel Baez
Raistlin Anne Bailey‡
Dorothy Marie Barringer‡
Sandra Sofia Benitez
Sarah Nicole Bervinkle‡
Grace Mae Bise
Kalli Cheyenne Bridges
Jamie-Lynne H Byrd‡
Alejandra Esined Caldera
Amy Chamberlain
Lilly Elizabeth Chandler•
Izabella G. Chapa
Jazlyn I. Colunga‡
Cecilia Roxana Concha Rondon•
Dante Cristian Contreras
Amelia N. Cook*
Tyler J. AmandaCortes‡Elizabeth Cortez Jr.•
Sydney J. Craig•
Destiny Jean Cruz-Sada
Mckenzie Reid Curlee*
Jamal Markell Dawson
Addison De La Cruz
Robin Lynn Delgado
Angela Guadalupe Diaz
Karissa Brianne Dominguez•
Abigail Faith Donato*
Madeline P. Dupus
Juan Jose Eguia III
Melissa Ann Esparza*
Celeste I. Espinoza
Celeste G. Esquivel
Alyssa Estrada
Kyler Lee Ferracci
Haley Elizabeth Frasier
Katie Julianne Fuentes•
Ashton Zaide Gaona
Elizabeth Garcia
Gabriella Garcia
Michael A. Garcia•
Xenia G. Garcia
Bachelor of Science
Asceneth Nicole Greathouse
Pierce T. Holden
Jose Antonio Jaimes
Jose Maria Jaquez Jr.
Philip B. Johnson
Brendan Charles Jozwiak
Jorge Daniel Juarez
Thomas Allen Kovar•
Thomas Andrew Krozel
Ty M. Ligon‡
Rene L. Limon III
Nicholas Vezozzo Lincks
Roman Jordan Longoria
Hannah Katherine Love•
Alicia Mares*
James M. Mclendon
Christian Henry Medrano
Youssef Mersal
Luke James Moellering
Ryan Alexander Molina
Alejandro Roel Montelongo
Joshua Gabriel Montemayor
Austin Alfred Morin
Aiden Jonathan Mosher
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Arts
Chloe Anell Garcia Grafing
Jesse C. FranciscoGaribay Garza Jr.*
John Moses Garza
Rhandall Haden Gober‡
Sofia Ximena Godoy Villalobos*
Rebekah Grace Gomez
Jordyn A. Gonzales
Lilliana Isabella Gonzales
Hilary Marie Gonzalez
Joseph A. Gonzalez
Kira J Griffin*
Trinity R. Guerrero
Mallory H. Gulley•
Cecily Hall
Chloe B. Hall
Kendra Rae Hermes‡
Kellie Mei Heron*
Hilliary Ann Herrera*
Josie Lynn Hinojosa
Kaylan Faith Hominick-Sims
Savannah Huerta
Jordan A. Huntsberger*
Shilo Ty Jackson•
Jessica Lynn Jordan
Lauren F. Kauachi‡
Madison Clare Kutac•
Logan Lorene Lang
Antonio Miguel Leos
Julia Samantha Loya*
Victoria Isabella Lugo
Erick Fabian Mancilla Sanchez•
Alexia Irma Martinez
Aylin Alexa Martinez*
Gracie M. Martone•
Kayla Larissa Mathys*
Frankie Rose McCain•
Daniel Charles McGraw
Mark Wayne McNamara•
Karina Lauren Mccune‡
Nicholas Patrick Mcdonough
James Douglas Mcfarland
Maricely Medina
Kaitlynn Isabella Melton*
Sydnee Nicole Michael
Ali Mofakham
Natalie Nelson
Manh Thang Nguyen
Truc Vu Nguyen
Hunter Michael Nichols•
Ethan L. Norales De La Rosa
Brenden David Oller*
Jorge Ortiz
Jenae Marie Pena
German Peralta
Dylan Joseph Posey‡
Bryson Neil Ransom
Luke Eric Recine
Chance Reznor Roberson
Ean Yi Shi
Jay Matthew Sierra
Cole
Thomas Smith
Tanner Eugene Soliz
Matthew Alexander Tomme•
Julian Enver Toro
Alvaro Vazquez Jr.
Jared E. Vieyra
Kynera Nicole Wolpert
David Michael Wong-Garcia
Jackelyn Elizabeth Montecillos
Geovanny Virgil Montemayor‡
Alexia Morales‡
Arlene Munoz
Jennifer Lee Munoz•
James Austin Munson
Gerardo Murillo Jr.
Deziree D. Navarro‡
Gabriel Dante Ortiz
Emmali Abigail Padron
Sydney Christine Pankey
Will Matthias Paul•
Gina Renea Perez•
Mason Anthony Persons
Allison M. Ramirez
Ethan Michael Ramirez*
Iliana A. Ramos
Michelle LeeAnn Ramos
Jude Lynn Ray
Reagan June Reed•
Marigail G. Reyna•
Honors Program Graduate
Jordan A. Roberts
Miranda Raquel Rodriguez‡
Regan B. Rowlett
Mia Love Sanchez•
Kai Bradford Seidenberger•
Anthony Raymond Sendejas
Houston Doan Shockley Jr.
Tania G. Silva*
Aubrey Lee Rose Sinfield
Destiny Hailey Smith
Victoria Nicole Smith
Monica Janel Tamez
Jameson Tidwell•
Bridget M Trujillo-Martinez
Sara E. Valenzuela*
Sofia M. Vela‡
Devean D. Velasquez
Matthew Joel Villarreal
Sabrina R Villarreal*
Jaden Walker
Hannah Liesl Walston
Zachary D. Watson
Melissa Wofford
Charles James Zehr‡
Kenneth Isaac Anderson
Monica Gutierrez Balarin
Rebecca DeLeon DeLaGarza
Makayla E. Hons*
Marlena Kae Alejandro•
Julian Le Anthony Arias•
Joanna L. Arneson
John E. Rhea-annArriaga• Avalos
Kylie Anne Bowen*
Skylina Star Cantu
Garry M. Clark
Paige E. Coghill*
Timothy R. Cook Jr.•
Jesus Cavazos Curiel Jr.
Brian D. Evans
Mariajose Felan‡
Reed W. Fishbeck
Claudette A. Garcia
Valerie Megan Garza
Rebecca Guzman Alfaro
Tori Marie Arrington*
Laura Lee Hastings•
Juan Luis Hernandez
Aaron J. Acebo*
Jessica Brooke Allen
Monique Alvarado•
Jasmine Aran
Briana Nicole Arriaga
Alexis Star Ashley‡
Faith Jepkogei Bett
Charmie Calpo
Jorge Campos
Bethany G. Castronuevo
Stevie Denise Cavazos
Amy JoelleCervantes• Leanne Cline
Lenly Z. Collazo-medrano
Zachary Delosangeles
Dylan James Desormeaux•
Haley Elizabeth Eidlebach
Anna Marie Ervin•
Felicity Jasmin Escamilla
Celeste G. Esquivel
Aryssa M. Flores
Gabriella Irene Flores
Sirena Alexia Flores
Daniel O’Brien Flynn•
Josue Franco
Sarah Victoria Gallegos
Michaela Alexis Garcia
Grace Evangeline Gill
Amber Malynn Gottlieb*
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
Jessica Marie Leija•
Edward Israel Rios Beas
Robert Lee Tilmon II*
Priscilla Vasquez
Bachelor of Science
Preston A. Gilchrist•
Jay IsabelGuzman
Alicia Hain Trevino
Cindy Hielscher‡
Dylan E. Hill
Madison Michelle Holley
Stephen Hom
Tristan Michael Hullett
Rupert Burke Lamb Jr.
Ruben Benito Leal
Ariana Emilie Lopez
Karigan Mclain Martin
Lauren R. Ochoa*
John R. Olivarez
Duncan Reed Patterson
Gabriel M. Pena
Mateo L. Vega
Ryan Estevan Villarreal*
Erin E Williams‡
Anthony Quinn Woodward
Jacob Nathaniel Perez
Michael Anthony Perez Jr.
Crystal Rae Power‡ Lessly MatthewRamirezA.Ramirez
Raul Jose Reyna III
Tammy Lee Schanen
Chase T. Simmons*
Mariana Elizabeth Sorias
Daleth Alejandra Sosa•
Arianna L. Stephens*
Jasmine Perez Torres
Dante Librado Vasquez
Casey A. Wilcox•
Olivia Irene Yanez•
COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES
Bachelor of Science
Bailey N. Kelly
Kaylyn Renay Naranjo
Alexia A. Olvera
Emma M. Pina•
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Daniela Guerrero*
Samantha Gutierrez
Christie Marie Hect
Kaitlyn Maria Hubal‡
Natalie Citlali Jaimes
Kassidy A. Kahn•
Nguyen Van Anh Le
Bethany Leal•
Wendi Liu*
Caton A. Llacuna
Saul Longoria*
Diego Eduardo Martinez Reyes
Corinne Lee Mcmullan‡
Mireya Medina•
Arabella Madelynn Mendez
Obuchi Mgbaraho*
Jordon Ivan Mireles
Nikolai Mok
Natalie A. Monterosa•
Jamia De’Rai Morgan
Brittany Nicole Muro
Melissa Kay Nelson
Ariella Yasmin Nieto
Samantha Angelica Noble*
Meliroth Chelsea Nou
Joshua Steven Olmeda•
Sara Rae Otto•
Ariadna Betsabeth Palomino-Munoz•
Angelynn Parker
Officer Commissioning
Second Lieutenant United States Army
Julian Le Anthony Arias
Abigail Faith Donato
Kevin Poun Sengvanhpheng*
Mia L. Torres
Marisela Nicole Trejo•
Faith Brielle Pedraza
Kathleen Jo Pena•
Mandy Desiree Pena•
Vy Thao Phan•
Irma Aracely Plasencia*
Gabriel Joseph Ramirez
Kaylie Nichole Rempp
Lisette Rocha Palamares
Alexis Nichole Rodriguez*
McKenzie Kay Rodriguez
Larisa Isavel Saenz*
Julie Sagredo
Delfino Salinas III*
Natalie Savinon Valenzuela•
Ashley Silva Mendez‡
Ally Miyen Soliz‡
Megan R. Strawn
Sydney S. Summerville
Shay Alexandra Tatum
Jordan Danielle Terry-Kraemer
Elena Thompson
Unyque Tionne Tolefree
Isabella R. Valadez•
Taryn J. Veselka
Isaiah J. Vidal
Alexis Michele Villarreal•
Brianna Imelda Villarreal‡
Madelyn Claire Weber•
Haley Nichole Zimmerman
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. Scott Elliff, ’82, ’86, ’12, Associate Clinical Professor of Educational Administration at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is a practitioner and researcher whose career in school leadership has spanned more than four decades, in settings from the classroom to the superintendent’s office.
His work is motivated by a deep curiosity about how successful leaders use intention, attention, and the strengths at their disposal to continually expand their influence in service to others.
Dr. Elliff served as Corpus Christi ISD Superintendent of Schools from 2007-2014. He was the Region 2 Superintendent of the Year in 2012 and was named Texas Superintendent of the Year by the Texas PTA in 2013. Since 2015, he has served his students as a faculty member and coordinator of the Superintendent Preparation Program in the TAMU-CC College of Education and Human Development. This month, he closes this chapter of his career with his official retirement.
Dr. Elliff received his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from TAMU-CC and he also attended Del Mar College. In 2021, he completed a two-year program of study with Fr. Richard Rohr in The Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM. He was honored as TAMU-CC Distinguished Alumnus in 2017.
He is a lifelong resident of Nueces County and has served in leadership capacities with more than 30 nonprofit organizations. Currently, he serves children in foster care as a volunteer guardian ad litem with CASA of the Coastal Bend.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
Mr. Robert L. Albritton, Chairman ....................................................................... Fort Worth
Mr. Jay Graham, Vice Chairman Houston
Mr. David C. Baggett ............................................................................................... Houston
Mr. John W. Bellinger ....................................................................................... San Antonio
Mr. James R. Brooks San Angelo
Mr. Michael A. Hernandez III .............................................................................. Fort Worth
Mr. William Mahomes Dallas
Ms. Kelley Sullivan Georgiades ............................................................................... Houston
Mr. Sam Torn Houston
Mr. Cage Sawyers Fort Worth
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 UniversityCorpus 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
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
Medicine Green Music.......................................................................Pink
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, Student Government Association, and Island Ambassadors who participated in today’s events.