Spring 2025
Commencement
Saturday, May 17, 2025
2:00 p.m.
American Bank Center Arena
A Member of The Texas A&M University System
Spring 2025 Commencement
President Kelly M. Miller, presiding
Prelude and Processional*
Carrier of the Mace
Dr. Dino Mulić
Associate Professor of Piano, School of Arts, Media, & Communication
Welcome ................................................................................................... President Kelly M. Miller, Ph.D.
Presentation of the Colors ................................................................. TAMU-CC Army Islander Battalion
National Anthem Jessica Valdez
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 Retired CCISD Superintendent
Presentation of Degree Candidates
Dr. Cate Rudowsky
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
College of Business.....................................................................................................
Dean Brian Tietje College of Science Associate Dean Barbara Szczerbinska School of Arts, Media, & Communication Director Diana Sipes
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 and Terminal Degree Candidates
Candidate’s Major Professor College of Science | Assisting: Associate Dean Barbara Szczerbinksa School of Arts, Media, & Communication | Assisting: Director Diana Sipes
Commissioning Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Stevens Professor of Military Science
Alumni Presentation ....................................................................................................
Kimberly Cook ’94 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 Marine Biology
Dr. Elizabeth Randi DiBona
Dissertation: Developmental Immunotoxicity of PFAS and their Long-Term Consequences in Oryzias melastigma
Dr.Alexandra May Good
Dissertation: Reefs at Risk: Conservation Strategies, Species Responses, and Education for Sustainable Coastal Ecosystems
SCHOOLOFARTS, MEDIA, & COMMUNICATION
Master of Fine Arts
Mr. William Christopher Burkholder
Thesis: Privacy, More or Less
Ms.Ashley Nicole Burnett
Thesis: Reclamation of Self Through Departing Purity Culture
Mr. Jonathon Charles Garza
Thesis: Regeneration
Ms. Mariana Ruvalcaba Cruz
Thesis: Entre Busquedas y Encuentros
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Master of Accountancy
Alejandro Albino Rodriguez
Hannah Renee Almond
Karen Ann Aviles-Hollis
Christopher Berrellesa
Mayra BrandonCervantes Daniel Chavarria
Jade E. Chavarria
Julia Leigh Delgado
Emily Direnzo
Julo Chez Drigo
Joseph Herman Eckels
Danielle Excell
Bryanna Lyzette Flores
Seth Foreman
Amanda G. Frizell
Morgan Lynn Aagesen
Samuel Connor Abraham
Sofiat K. Adegbindin
Mfonabasi Ime Akpan
Tracey Elaine Akpan
Arlaee Alaffa
Melany Alcazar
Barbara Elzbieta Aleksander Sahadevan
Jordan Anderson
Melanie Renae Anderson
Tolulope Olanrewaju Ariyibi
Lily Armstrong
Lori Lynn Miller Arnold Garraghty
Kerry Babbitt
James William Balistriere
Vidushi Bansal
Jean-Benoit I. Bokutu
Robesfer Bonayon
Richard Michael Brochetti
Allegra Cabrera
Isaiah Michael Calanche
Tabitha Rya Campos
Alyssa Irene Canales
Karolina Ann Carrasco
Caitlyn Leigh Carroll
Dylan Andruw Castaneda
Kelsea Leigh Garcia
Adriana Yadira Gonzalez
Brooke Jahner
Nicholas Ryan Kuhaneck
Garrett W.Latchford
Jessica Morgan Lester
Jamie Michelle Mccaffrey
Michelle Montoya
Tuyet-Vy Thi Nguyen
Omar Emiliano Payan
Dipesh Pokhrel
Richell Ramon
Lily Dyanne Reid
Justin Robinette
Carlos Jesus Rodriguez
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Master of Business Administration
Cory A. Castillo
Waishan Ruby Chan
Kayla Inez Chapa
Jennifer Lynn Chavez
Matthew Allan Clark
Andrew James Colford
Jessica Michelle Collette
Alexander Christopher Comby
Ana Cornejo
Tanya Rene Cutler
Kristen L. Daigle
Jamie Marie Dailey
Yvette Mia De Leon
Thomas Dervartanian
Marisa Lorraine Dodd
Joel Conner Dominguez
Sathya Priya Easwaran
Cynthia Lorina Elias
Luis Alberto Elizondo
Darius Marque Evans
Rodolfo Valentino Folino
Trey Wayne Fricks
Marilene Jimenez Furnas
Orleans John Gac Jr.
Abraham S. Galaviz
Cynthia Garcia
Ellen Marie Roethler
Cendy Vianey Saldivar Dominguez
Chloe Sayers
Hannah Marie Seymour
Vanessa Rangel Simpson
Madelyn Maria Smith
Emanuel Soto-Borrero
Patsy S. CassandraSusserTrejo
Julie Ann Truax
Alexandria Marie Turner
Amber Cope Whitmire
Kasey Allison Yount
Amanda Yilian Garrett
Clarissa Renee Garza
Kimberly Jane Giles
Danielle Rae Gilyan
Luis Adrian Gomez Montelongo
Alissa Gonzales
Lorene Nicole Gonzales
Valerie Ann Gonzales
Caela M. Guerra
Lilieann Guidry
Ashton Spencer Habluetzel
Nabil N. Haidar
Emil TrevonHajjaj--Charpail R. Harris
Brittany Nicole Herdler
Lorena Adalia Herrera
Jared D. Hoesel
Andres E. Ibarra
Puja S. Jabbour
Omar Jimenez
Chad Eugene Johnson
Cynthia Johnson
Steven Andrew Johnson
Sundai Christine Jones
Tayler Alexus Jones
Lauren E. Joyal
Dominic Juarez
Taylor Aquiane Kabwasa-Hopkins
Joshua Baker Keaney
Jacob Kearns
Samuel Kearns
James David Kersh
Phongvan Dang Khong
Tara Elizabeth Knight
Bailey Christine Kolsun
Hunter Krause
Andrew Scott Kubecka
Dmitry Kuleshov
Allison Lorain Lambert
Cailin R. Land
Adelodun Lawal
Hannah M. Lella
Bradley Howard Levandoski
Travis E. Lindstrom
Brandy Elizabeth Long
Kendle Rene Lopez
Rijo Jose Louis
Christopher Lucas
Taylor Lueking
Ethan Joseph Lundgren
Angelica Maria Maldonado
Matthew Ellis Malyon
Abigail Manning
Leisha Marie Martin
Luz Elena Martinez Rico
Shannon Nicole Mathis
Milka Berhane Matios
Kelly Lynn Mcclurg
Stephanie Michelle Mcconnell
Victor Mcginnis
Travis O. Mcglaun
Carre Mclain
Brett Medeiros
Alexander George Megert
Kourtney Ryan Miller
Lori Mi Mitchell
James Michael Montgomery
Chrissonthia Trenecia Moore
Johnathan Lawrence Moore
Niranjan Reddy Bojja
Chandan Akhil Reddy Challa
Travis James Danek
Victoire Delattre
Elizabeth Ashli Everett
Casey Lynn Gallagher
Sai Dheeraj Gasi
Eryn Riley Cowan
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Master of Business Administration, continued
Jordan McDonald Morin
Emma Lynn Mosley
Antonios Moustakelis
Sadagopan Muralidhar
Catherine Mwamsoyo
Robert Newsome
Giang Thanh Nguyen
Kim Nguyen
Yvonne
ChristopherNguyen M. Ochoa
Olalekan Ogunsakin
Ishmael Eric Olewe-Nyunya
Tolulope Oloniyo
Rico J. Olvera
Erika I. Ordaz
Jerry E. Palermo
Jeffrey
Wayne Parks
Shivani Amish Patel
Siji Paul
Ashley Ann Peachee
Nicanor Perez III
Linh Pham
Vi Thuy Pham
Krystianna Marie Platz
Kristin Prather
Brittany Janell Puente
Jared Enrico Ramirez
Syed Ali Haider Rizvi
John Douglas Rose
Aaron Leo Ruminski
Ibad Safi
Kathleen Saldivar
Denise Salinas
Pablo Bernardo Sarabia
Angela Scaria
Dawn Michelle Schmidt
Courtney Michele Schweizer
Gautam Seenivasan
Amber Simpson
William Peter Singer
Nagita Marshall Smalling
Chandler Bryce Smith
Fay Smith
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Master of Science
Anastasiia Golovatenko
Christina Celeste Gonzalez
Alicia M. Jimenez
Jahnavi Krishna Koda
Aleksei Krasnikov
Remi Olivier Labeille
Blake Munz
Rylee Kay Achtzehn•
Allie Nicole Acuna
Brandon I. Anguiano
Sadie Nicole Arispe
Robert Arredondo Jr.
Ximena Arredondo‡
Paolina Erica Baez•
Daniel Matthew Baker•
Madelyn E. Baker•
Jennifer Casey Balbin
Angelita Aleman Barrera
Gilbert Javier Barrera IV*
Katherine Bassett
Posthumous
Christian G. Spillman
Matthew Mason Strumpell
Eva Christine Stubbs
Florence Suen
Makayla Svetlik
Paul Sherif Tadrous
Leah Michelle Terry-Harvey
Derek Anthony Thielges
Jonathan R. Toews
Francisco Tovar
Quang Tran
Royce Vinh Xuan Tran
Myla Bea Trevino
Ankit Trivedi
Craig Thomas Turgeon
Hong Thi Nhu Van
Leigh Van Osselaer
Ritesh Varuna Pandya
Jennifer Marie Vazquez
Aparna Verma
Induja Vijayaragavan
Nhat Phuong Vo
Brandon Lewis Walker
Travis Mcleod Warden
Ryan Howard Warrell
Philip Daniel Wassel
Matthew Roger Weir
Sara Wendland
Tyler M. Wenzel
Jefferson Jacob Wharton
MacKenzie Drew Whitehead
Elizabeth Anne-Marie Whitmire
Alona Wilson
Maya N. Wilson
Kaylee N. Wipff
Benjamin Marcus Woods
Imrie Craig Worley Jr.
Grace Mendoza Wymore
Reuben Yinteresie
Hadiya Zaidi
Alaina Zink
Rebecca Aishwarya Namala
Nikhitha Pamidi
Jessica Leigh Peterson
Naga Sasitha Polavarapu
Sushma Ponugoti
Sai Sri Thirupati
Quincy Elias Walker
SCHOOL OF ARTS, MEDIA, AND COMMUNICATION
Master of Arts
Brittney Ann Esqueda
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Bachelor of Business Administration
Haleigh Morgan Bauch
Leela Raya Belaouchi
Heidi Jeannette Bell
Maria Glorety Benavidez
Joshua Michael Blount*
Baylee Celeste Boren
Emma Ruth Bracken
Kashawna Brooks
Kathrynn Lizette Campos*
Sara E. Cantu
Braidan E. Carlisle
Randall Ray Carver Jr.•
Cullen Patrick Casey
Kacie Lee Cazalas*
August Marie Garcia
Valeriia Cherfus‡
Madelynne Grace Christian
Justice Malachi Christopher
Aidan Christopher Clark*
Jacob P. Clark*
Rylan West Cotten
Ruth D. Cox•
Ethan Isom Crain
Samuel Jett Cummings
Rachel Alexandria Dampf
Georgios Piperis Diakomanolis•
Hannah Rachel Dill•
Madison L. Dimbleby
Caylee J. Dossey
Caleb M. Ebersole
Laynee Ann Echols
Maya Nicole Ellis
Jessica Grace Elms
Roseanna Maria Esparza
Joannah Alicia Espinoza
Joseph Louis Farah IV
Wendy Felix•
Nathan J. Felts
Isalia S. Fernandez
Olivia Grace Florence•
Steven Flores
Noelle G. Freese
Reagan Blake Fulenwider
Doyle Callahan Fulton
Cole Wesley Gaddy
Jennifer Garcia
Krystal Lynnette Garcia
Tyler Jean Garcia
Yasmine Garcia
Andrew Allen Gardner
Enrique Emmanuel Garza
Travis Clark Gilbert
Anica N. Gomez
Juan Gonzales III
Rachil Noelle Gossett
Morgan Gabriella Grant
Gracie M. Graves
Leah Mckenzie Guerra
Luke William Gulick
Deaundra Brooke Guzman
Ashton Riley Harrington
Penelope Grace Hasson
Kristela M. Hernandez*
Linda Isabella Hernandez Betancur
Stephen Hom
Reya Monroe Hooper
Connor Jonathan Howard*
Aiden Rey Huerta
Gabriela Beatriz Ibanez
Nicole Catherine Ivory‡
Giovanni Janke
Lorenzo Jara Jr.
Ariel Lee Jasso
Cameron Matthew Jeter
Logan M. Johnson•
William George Joyce II
Katherine Frances Acker
Kamilla Anderson‡ Honors Program Graduate
Katie Lynn Archer
Tarzan Arturo Arguilez
Samantha Laila Bagcal
Eden Thomas Baklas
Evan Alexander Baklas
Nancy Mary Ballard
Mathieu L. Barcak*
Connor Layne Baughman
Caleb Michael Bauhs
Jade A. Bennett
Kaylee Alexa Birdsong
Kassandra Nicole Bonilla
Brianna Raquel Bowman
Erin Jane Brindza
Nevena K. Cail‡ Honors Program Graduate
Breanna D. Clark
Mckenzie C. Cole
Andrea Marie Cross
James D. Cure
Leilani D. Davis•
Rebecca Noelle Davis* Honors Program Graduate
Emma Catherine De Kiewiet
Braelynn R. De Los Santos
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Bachelor of Business Administration, continued
Evan Douglas Kaye‡
Kayt Elaine King
Kaleigh N. Knight•
Andrea L. Lara
Nayeli Lara
Trey Jacob Lawhun
Kylyn A. Leach
Madison K. Lindsey
Jadyn R. Lira*
Mia Louise Littleton
Zachary Ross Livesay•
Rachel Aberle Loetzer
Laiza
LandonLopezFord Mahan
Kendall Mechele Mahaney*
Madisen Elizabeth Mann
Kristin Nicole Marion
Ryan J. Martin•
Anita Hope Martinez•
Coby E. Maxwell
Brice Jude Mccullough
Jonathon Mckinney
Mario A. Mendoza Jr.
Margaret Linda Mikula*
Catharena Leerae Mireles
Timothy Michael William Mitchell*
Ayanna S. Moten*
Hannah Grace Nasto
Julie Kim Nguyen•
Grayson Davis Olds
Kirsten Reece Olivares
Misha R. Patel*
Bryce Clayton Payne
Mario Anthony Perez III
Noemi Perez‡
Catherine Elizabeth Peterson‡
Stacy Almendra Pina Flores•
Karla Puente
Ashley Marie Pulido
Clarissa B. Ramon
Ayden James Reilly
Chance R. Reisdorph•
Brandon Anthony Richardson
Elizabeth Annette Robinson
Alexander James Rodriguez
Breanna M. Rodriguez
Marissa Annette Rodriguez
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Bachelor of Science
Desiree Angelie Eaglin
Cierra Cristine Escamilla
Sierra Lue Fields
Mia Vanessa Flores
Lillian Elisabeth Fultz
Guillermo Garcia
Miranda Nicole Garcia*
Zachary Michael Garcia*
Bianca Garciarivas
Shane Austin Gary• Honors Program Graduate
Valeria Garza
Peter W.Gibson
Coy W.Gillum
Beyonce’ Aveli Gomez
Natalie Nicole Gomez
Sky L. Gonzales
Ryce Breanne Hailes•
Laney C. Hargita
Bradley S. Harris
Virginia M. Hemming*
Nasanna D. Henley‡ Honors Program Graduate
Jezebelle Sky Hernandez
Anissa Anjolie Hilaire
Sarah S. Holz
Elijah E. Houston
Vincent Louis Jares‡
Jesus Romero•
Madison Mackenzie Ross
Jeremy Cruz Ruiz
Ian Joseph Russell‡
Reynaldo Saenz
Javier Joel Salazar
Benjamin Michael Salinas
Islen Salinas
Ayline Sanchez
SerenaAimee Sanchez
GerardoA. Santos
Madeline Schmidt*
Matthew James Scogna*
Aven Joseph Severson
Joshua Scott Sloey
Angelica Marie Soliz
Leah Renee Soliz
FrancesAnn Speckman
Shelby Madisan Sprinkle
Sheridan Baxter Stephens
Emily Kay Stewart•
Sarah Stewart
Kyle Matthew Stirman
Christian Sage Sullivan
Brooke M. Tedder
Theodore Terry Toliver
Amy Tovar*
Corbin H. Treibs‡
Carolina Isabel Uvalle•
Evelyn Samantha Valadez
Fernanda Y Valadez
Gabriela Valdovinos
Dalton Taylor Vance
Robert James Vela III
Christian Villegas
Tanya Mae Watkins•
Nathan G. Weeks
Kayla Madison White‡
Eric Williams
Mary Grace Winton
Destany Ranae Winzenried
Faith Elizabeth Womack‡
Keagan Thomas Wood
Simon Yang•
Sara Doyon Yu•
Vanessa M. Zapata‡
TysenA. Zepeda
Harley Drew Johnson
GraceAutumn Kelly
AtifAhmad Khan
Colleen Makayla Kilbury
Brent M. Kirkland
Thea E. Kraft
MeaghanAlanah Kutzer
Berchelin D. Laguna
Mikayla Nicole Lavake‡
Brock Matthew Leeton
Danielle Nicole Lisiecki•
Eric S. Lopez
Taylor Estelle Maashoff
Robyn Bautista Manahan*
Haleigh E. Massey
Brookelyn Gayle McWilliams•
Marycarmen Mendoza
Miranda R. Mitchell
Maria K. Moreno*
JuliaAnn Muniz
Tristan Georgia Nemec
Hien T Nguyen*
Honors Program Graduate
Jacqueline N. Nicolay
Elizabeth Gail Olivarez
Colin Stephen Otubanjo‡
Alexander Paul Oveisi
John M. Pena-Baker
Christopher Jacob Perez
Isabella Raine Pruitt
Leala Nirmala Punjabi* Honors Program Graduate
Karol Millenia Ramirez-Prado
Layla M. Rayburn
Honors Program Graduate
Jsera Emily Kay Reed‡
Lauren Olivia Reeder
Estefan Ricardo Resendez
Ivan Jacob Reyes
Lauren Grace Reyna‡ Honors Program Graduate
Payton Elizabeth Rios
Emmanuel J. Rivera
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Bachelor of Science, continued
Paige L. Rogers• Honors Program Graduate
Mariana Rojas Ramirez
Naty A. Rosales
Kellen Grace Kendall Rushfeldt•
Antonio Alexander T.Salazar
Leah Grace Saldivar
Cynthia Mariana Sanchez
Holly E. Schnettler*
Marissa N. Spinelli‡
Celesta Sue Stinson
Jordan Aaleyah Strait•
Katelyn Dianne Tabali
Kathryn Grace Taliaferro‡
Alexandra Rae Tello
Chloe Rose Thoms‡
Amaya Tondre*
Dat T. Tran•
Cindy D. Vaquero
Abigail Danielle Vasquez
Alexis BriannaVasquez N. Venable
Grace Annalise Walsh
Andrew Thomas Waltrip
Emelia Rain White
Annukka Willstedt*
Sarah Kathleen Yniguez‡ Honors Program Graduate
Librado Zavala III
Bria Rayne Zettlemoyer•
SCHOOL OF ARTS, MEDIA, AND COMMUNICATION
Bachelor of Arts
Ashton A. Acuna
Alejandra V.Alaniz
Kennedy Renee Alexander‡ Honors Program Graduate
Christian Andrew Alfaro
Gabriel Noah Almager•
Megan B. Bain*
Lucas Balentin Barraza
MaryAnn Cavazos Beckett
Mason Rush Bowling•
Melissa Elizabeth Boyle
Mackenzie A. Broderick
Tanna Danielle Cantu
Isabella Ortiz Carrion
Mckayley Aleigha Clifford*
John L. Conyers
Damion D. Cuevas• Allyson Paige Davison
Marlene De Leon
Natalie Kate Dollar
Bethany Emma Dorantes
Karl T. Dornseifer II*
Madelynn Ashley Duque
Madison Marie Eason
Grace R. Eaton*
Gabriella Danielle Esqueda
Rodolfo Fabela Cernas
Mary Gabrielle Gaczewski
Meranda Kristine Garcia
William Stewart Livingston•
Gabriel J. Bradt Jr.•
Alexandria Danielle Cantu‡
Jonathon M. Conyers
Erick Garcia
Kevin Daniel Garcia•
Lorenzo Rey Garza•
Roberto Andres Garza
Jalil Hamauei
Kevin Daniel Hammond*
Douglas H. Harley•
Justin R. Hattersley
Bryannah K. Hernandez‡
Rachael D. Hernandez
Chloe Elizabeth Hill*
Greyson Scott Hughes
Melissa Alayna Kutzer
Macie Lincoln
Ericca Danielle Mahaffey
Dawn M. Manuel
Alyssa Leigh Martinez
Chelsey Addison Mateja
Grace Elizabeth Mcdonald
Emily Kay Miksch‡
Honors Program Graduate
Erin Grace Mohler*
Bianca Benavidez Munoz‡
Megan L. Nauman
Vanphi CameronNguyen*
Drew Nucete*
Liliana Ortiz
Ryleigh Danielle Patterson
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Emily Marie Neslage
Laura K. Patterson•
Bachelor of Music
Enya Fiorela Lopez
Fatima C. Marcelo
Diego Valentin Molina‡
Officer Commissioning
Second Lieutenant United States Army
John M. Pena-Baker
Lucien Jonas Zuniga
Erika Marie Rios Pedraza‡
Karolina Perez-Cancel
Ryann Paige Phillips
Carlos Cameron Pina
Madisen Michelle Piontkowski•
Xavier Alonzo Pon Sr.
Mason P. Rausch
Jayden Love Rea
Hameen A. Reynolds Jr.
Taylor Ann Rice‡
Ally M’Kay Ripps
Makayla Nikyra Perry Roberts•
Greta Noelle Roehm•
John David Sanchez
Korey P. Sayre*
Preston D. Sneed
Jesse R. Soliz•
Nelson C. Thornton
Victoria Mae Tilley
Vi Anh Tran*
Aurora Stefania Usai*
Ayana J. Vasquez
Dian Lester Wright-Forde•
Maina Yamaguchi•
Natalie Megan Ziesmer• Lucien Jonas Zuniga
Sebastian Elliot Plumb•
Amera M. Saenz•
Danielle Marie Sanchez•
Jessica Valdez*
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.
