Summer 2022 Commencement Saturday, August 6, 2022 10:00 a.m. American Bank Center Arena
A Member of The Texas A&M University System
Summer 2022 Commencement President Kelly M. Miller, presiding Prelude and Processional* Carrier of the Mace........................................................................................ Dr. Heather DeGrande Assistant Professor of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences Welcome................................................................................................................... Dr. Kelly M. Miller Presentation of the Colors....... W.B. Ray High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps National Anthem..............................................................................................................Jessica Valdez Junior, Music Major, College of Liberal Arts Commencement Address..................................................................................... Joseph (Jay) Wise, Jr. Senior Vice President of Investments, Merrill Lynch Presentation of Degree Candidates.....................................................................Dr. Clarenda Phillips Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs College of Business................................................................................................ Dean Brian Tietje College of Education and Human Development................................................... Dean David Scott College of Liberal Arts............................................................................ Dean Shawnrece Campbell College of Nursing and Health Sciences.............................................................. Dean Hassan Aziz College of Science and Engineering ................................................... Interim Dean Ahmed Mahdy College of Graduate Studies............................................................................Dean Karen McCaleb Conferring of Degrees............................................................................................. Dr. Kelly M. Miller Announcing........................................................................................... Dr. Carmen Tejeda-Delgado Professor and Director of Transformative Alliances 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 Nursing and Health Sciences | Assisting: Dean Hassan Aziz College of Science and Engineering | Assisting: Interim Dean Ahmed Mahdy Alumni Presentation............................................................................................... Kimberly Cook ’94 President Elect, TAMU-CC National Alumni Association Recessional*
*Audience will remain seated.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Dr. Celena A. Hoglund Dissertation Title: On Common Ground: A Study of Teacher Leadership in the Rio Grande Valley Post Pandemic Dr. Elizabeth Perez Dissertation Title: Use of Coping Strategies to Deal with the Effects of Accountability Pressures on Principals Dr. Katherine Diane Teran Dissertation Title: Crisis Leadership: Experiences of K-12 Principals in South Texas School Districts During the COVID-19 Pandemic Dr. Rose Mary Zuniga (Posthumous Degree) Dissertation Title: Administrative Interpretations of Federal and State Policies Regulating Teaching Practices for Emergent Bilinguals in South Texas Schools
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education Dr. Yahyahan Aras Dissertation Title: Experiences of Mentors Working with International Doctoral Students in CACREPAccredited Counselor Education Programs: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Inquiry Dr. Melissa Ashley Burks Dissertation Title: Development and Evaluation of the Sex Positivity Inventory for Couselors Dr. Melanie Ann Moseley Dissertation Title: The Lived Experiences of Men Whose Partners Have Postpartum Depression Dr. Wendy Cristal Rivera Dissertation Title: Understanding Mental Health Professionals' Perspective of Therapeutic Alliance in Working with Unaccompanied Children: A Grounded Theory Approach
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Johnathan Wayne Hill Dissertation Title: K-12 Online Literacy and Reading Instruction: A Descriptive Content Analysis from 2000-2021 Dr. Sergio Olivares Dissertation Title: Police Training Academies in the State of Texas and their Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES Doctor of Nursing Practice Dr. Merlendi Bell Brown Dissertation Title: Educational Text Messaging to Improve Knowledge and Self-Care Practices Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Dr. Brenda Rachelle Bucker Dissertation Title: Implementation of a Discharge Pathway to Decrease Infant's Postoperative Length of Stay in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Dr. Kira Lynn Cortez Dissertation Title: A Self-Care Activity to Support Stress Management and Resilience in New Graduate Nurses: A Quality Initiative to Reduce Turnover Dr. Colleen Lenee Eaves Dissertation Title: Improving Adolescent Psychosocial Assessment through Standardized Patient Simulation: An Interdisciplinary Quality Initiative Dr. Amanda Nicole Estrada Dissertation Title: A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Electrocardiogram Competency and Confidence in Medical-Surgical Clinical Staff Dr. Rosa Irene Perez Dissertation Title: A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Screening Mammograms Among Older Hispanic Women in a Primary Care Clinic
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Doctor of Philosophy in Coastal and Marine System Science Dr. Xue Feng Dissertation Title: Dynamics of Ocean Circulation and Air-Sea Interaction in the Southeast Indian Ocean and their Impact on Ningaloo Niño Dr. Bimal Gyawali Dissertation Title: Improving Assessments of Water Resources Characterization and Relationships to Climate Variablities Dr. Coral Marie Lozada Dissertation Title: Livelihoods in Transition Across the Gulf of Mexico: A Three Case Study Approach Dr. Kevin John Nelson Dissertation Title: Planetary Boundary Layer Profiling with Spaceborne GNSS Radio Occultation and Advances in Radio Occultation from Aerial Platforms
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology Dr. Kelsey Lynn Martin Dissertation Title: The Role of Artificial Reefs and Natural Banks in the Distribution and Abundance of Economically Important Fishes Dr. Dominic Gary Swift Dissertation Title: Molecular Ecology and Evolution of Elasmobranch Reproductive Strategies
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Accountancy Alexa Karina Alaniz Amy Esmeralda Cardenas Julio Cesar Castillo Jr. Kacey Leigh Cavanaugh Tyler Thomas Cupit Yelesina Hernandez Alexandra Herring Yu-Tsai Huang Biju Ariyappallil Joseph Jasmin Longoria Shelby Lynn Marina
Veronica Ann Martin John Michael Mathena Natalie Fern Moncada Sarah B. Nelson Jessica Renee Nichols Jaylin D. Olivarez Jennifer Lynn Ottmers Yajaira Pena Terry Reeves Reeves Ella Riser Madalyn Young Riser
Andrea Guadalupe Robles Asel Tabaldieva Briona Thomson Jennifer Trejo Jennifer Vazquez John Wall Sara Ann Wilhelm
Master of Business Administration Dylan Morrison Aaron Philip Abenojar Danielle Aisueni Osagie Maxwell Aisueni Mellat Alemayehu Jared Joseph Alvarado Tara Denise Alvarez Daisy Alviso Nelson Anyanwu Chinelo Aralu Yessica Christine Archilla Rodriguez Bryndan Cruz Arredondo Kelsey Lee Bakel Rizwan Bashir Raun Albert Bass Drake Erich Bauer Mari Beth Baze Stephanie Becerril Thomas August Beck Jr. Rowda H. Besher Duncan T. Biddy-Hoffman Alec Logan Birchfield Marco Blas Kerri Alyssa Blazej Christina A. Borquez Paige B. Bostwick Joseph Clinton Bowie Sarah Boyer Jesia Linri Boykin Alexis Nicole Bracht Melissa Bazan Brandusa
Katherine Michelle Bright Madison T. Brown Christina D. Byerson Sondra Caffey William Daniel Calderon Wyatt W. Caldwell Alexis Diamond Cantu Vanessa Marie Casas Ruben Angel Castaneda Eduardo Castilleja Kelsey Shea Chopelas Erica Kading Chua Lane Curtis Coffelt Amber Victorija Colley Ryan Christopher Connolly Ashtyn Lauren Conway Leysly Yaquelin Crawford Judith Ann Croasmun Brandon Dale Crowson Kayla Cypert Stephanie Irene Davenport Zneita Louise Davis Desiree Danielle De Hoyos Veronica Alvarado Del Bosque Georgene Dernekxis Arnaud Djemmo-Fotso Cassandra Marie Eschweiler Celeste Escutia Christopher D. Espinoza Sabrina Jasmin Espinoza Ana Gabriela Fernandez
Kathryn Anne Frock Baileigh Beasley Galan Cynthia Paola Gallegos Lopez Jacqueline Aguilera Garcia Joanna Garcia Roderick Garcia Kevin Gentile Karl Giese Mohammed Munieb Gilani Ruben Dario Giraldo Padilla Kathryn Susan Goedke Claudia Vanessa Gonzales Carlos Adrian Gonzalez Christian Alexander Gonzalez Pablo Gonzalez II Timothy James Gonzalez Ronald Douglas Goode Brenda Michelle Goosby Austin Lance Gray Claire Marie Greer Tiffany Ann Griffin Julian Grochocki Gustavo Guerrero Shree Lakshmi Gurumurthy Amir Haddad Jay S. Hanspal Kevin N. Harvey Jason Scott Henderson John Paul Hesse Joelle N. Hill Kathryn Hillin
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Master of Business Administration, continued Jennifer Ann Hiott Valentine Agnes Kplorm Honutse Jenae M. Hopkins Sommer Paige Hortness Alexis Brenay Hoskins Kirstyn Danielle Howard Dustin T. Hubenthal Alexiz Cherelle Hunter Staci Paige Hunter Eric Janise Klajd Jemini Michele Lynn Jensen Damaris Jimenez Stephanie Karina Jimenez Bridgett Renae Johnson Tori Marie Jones Bailey Faye Kemple Sara Khayat Gabrielle E. Kilmer Steven Nassif Ktaili Joseph Kunz Alexis Dawn Lamott Caleb Austyn Leach Julie Walker Leith Crystal Marie Leon Michael Anthony Liles Caden Zayne Little Kiana Lasha Logan David Samuel Long Chin Wei Loo Jayson Lowry Kristina G. Lucero Levi Scott Luis Janelle Macklin Laura Victoria Maldonado Natalie Alina Mangels Ayesha Mansoor Amanda Marie Martinez Fernando Andres Martinez Mark Martinez Austin P. Mayer I Kandra T. McBride-Gailes Alyssa Camille McCarthy Austin William McCartney Valeria Mendoza Thomas Metu Stephen M. Michaud Tyler Jay Dean Miller Anthony J. Montalvo Sabrina Alexis Morales Michael Stephen Morgan Nyquaise Kameni Moteng Frank Archiel Mowery Michelle Denise Mulligan Kavitha Mysoresubramanyaswamy Rachel Alexia Nagir Bethany Marie Najer Pawan Narwal Kennedy Lanae' Nunn Devin Jordan O'Keefe Antonio Ocampo Jr.
Modurodoluwa Adeyinka Okeowo Alina Olguin Rebecca Ortiz Fernando Jesus Osorio Mason Jacob Owen Samantha Lee Owen Justin Lee Owens Lisa Michel Owens Sarah Lynne Owens Tyler Owens Jon Palmer Morgan Dean Parker Harsh Patel Sarina Nilesh Patel Jennifer Lynn Minyard Pena Bret Tillicum Penny Samuel James Perry Ruben Jimmy Perumbel Melissa Helen Pfluger Elise Pham Mitchell Montgomery Pickett Jessica Jo Post Tarah Michelle Poochigian Stephen Christopher Quintus Rachael Lyn Ragsdale Uma Chandar Ramachandran Rajeswari Ramakrishnaparamahamsan Carlos W. Ramos Jr. Hussain Rasheed Jace W. Rasor Justin Reeves Jose Renteria Andrea Billina Rich Morgan Erin Richardson Jon Harrison Richins Lissa Marie Roberson Billy Ray Rocha Melissa Christina Rocha Nathan Grant Rodgerson Jaylean Nichole Rodriguez Rhiannon Lee Rodriguez Christopher Douglas Roth Nykhail Renae Roth Francisco Ramon Rubinos Ricardo Rueda Nova Jean Sadler Savita Carolyn Saldivar Sara Christine Samaniego Hailey Nichole Satterwhite Elizabeth Faye Shelton Heather Lynne Sheltra Bobbie Dee Sims Vanessa Phair Leann Smock Gabriela Soto Craig Alan Spelhaug Rachel Nicole Stachura Joseph Nikolai Stewart Stephanie Subirias Xin Ning Tan An Thien Tang Bricelyn Rose Tatum
Johnny William Taylor Jason Thamaravelil Benjamin Ellis Thompkins Taylor Elizabeth Thornton Lindsey Tomko Anthony Duc Tran Lisa A. Trevino Dhvani Maulik Vaidya Minh Van Blanca Estela Vasquez Kevin Edward Veir Humberto Omarr Veliz Spencer M. Violette Long Thien Vu Fei Ihedinmadichima Wade Caitlin Cheryel Walker Sharon Lynnette Wallace Ethan Lavar White Shandy Williams Whitney Raelyn Williams Lauren Elizabeth Wolf Priscilla Rose Woodruff Randy Alaniz Yharte Debby Lou York
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Master of Science Tucker L. Addington Alexis R. Benavides Alyssa Nicole Champion Heather E. Coughlin Cameron Neal Cutrer Anessa Michelle Fernandez Omar Javier Garcia Norena B. Gutierrez Darrianne Hale Andrew Hardegree
Anastasia Alexis Kovarek Carmen Anahi Montanaro Alexa Clarice Montemayor Joshua J. Moreno Sandy Marie Munoz Benjamin Morphy Oliveira Robin Michelle Ortega Merideth Kirry Owens Courtney Lee Ann Padron Kelly Marie Perez
Reshma Philip Serita Marie Porter Jennifer Dawn Puente Jacklyn Ramirez Ryan Taylor Rodriguez Jessica Summer Romo Hannah Elizabeth Sing Renee M. Stech Jessica Viar Tullos Alyssa Uresti
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Master of Arts Caitlyn Webb Hill
Benjamin Andrew Tudor
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Master of Science Gangadhar Attilli Deepika Rani Balam Molly Brzezinski Jordana Shelby Cutajar Jacob Kavanaugh Doty Jugal Kishore Gandhesiri Allyson G. Girard
Jacob David Hopkins Evalynn Patricia Jundt Rohith Reddy Mandala Jessie Alejandra Matarrita Rodriguez Molly Rose McBride Mackenzie Leigh Merrill Pooja Patil
Lauren Melissa Rener Emily Renee Saculla Ha Hoang Tran Karin Ivana Trevino William K. Wooten III
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Bachelor of Business Administration Valerie Anzaldua Catheryn Shea Arisano Madeleine Arteaga Kellee J. Bavo Mercedes Nicole Benson Danielle Eyvonne Blasdel* Robbin Janice Bohler Allison K. Borrego‡ Joshua Haston Caraway Rachel Michelle Carlton Blake Fuller Chesnut• Marcos Cortez Andrea Marie Cruz Tiyana Francis Cruz-Rodriguez Trevor Allen Davis Julia Leigh Delgado Ladarion Marquise Douglas Jared Wayne Dylla* Collin James Edwards Aariyana Celeste Egan
Shelby C. Ellsworth Divina Liane Escobar Adam T. Faith Kassidy Erin Fitzsimon‡ Briana Renae Flores Daniela A. Garcia Rubi Garcia Stephanie Denise Garcia Kipp Lane Gellasch Samantha J. Goertz• Sonia Valentina Gomez Regina Lilly Gonzalez‡ Cody Allen Gumbert Nuri Youssef Gusbi• Marcos G. Hernandez• Crigor Hernandez Da Silva Ross Allen Ivey Brandon Seth Jewell• Brandon Paul Kendrick Monica M. Koenig
Ethan David Kraft Reace Klein Lane Dayton Jacob Loyd Isabella Luciana Martini Isaac Reyes Mendiola Nnialcente Mikaela Mendoza Marlee Kaye Morris Braden Chance Nichols Mason M. Nobles Amanda Pena Victoria N. Pereida Victor Ryan Perez* Jacob Randen Pinkston Maneesh Reddy Pisati Shania Milagros Ramey Carson Jacob Reynolds• Kellie Peyton Robinson• David Michael Saenz Jr. Jamie Nicole Shaw Eric Ryan Soriano
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Bachelor of Business Administration, continued Jarrett Daniel Sosa Athen Dennis Steele Devon Elizabeth Steffan
Caleb Martin Thomas Isabel Tirado Hernandez• Jonathan Michael Torres
Robert Stefan Vassilev Jake Steven Villarrubia•
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Bachelor of Science Victoria Angelica Cisneros Collin McPherson Clark Jr. August Marie Garcia• Lesley Lorena Garcia‡ Rebecca Jo Heinert Briahna Alyssa Herrera‡ Brittny Higginbotham Jacob Daniel Kennedy
Julissa Kaylee Llanos Sonia Margarita Martinez* Jordan Ortega Mendez Sr.‡ Madison Recoder* Andrea Michelle Reyna Fredy B. Romero Juan Salinas III Taylor K. Simmons
Itzamara April Spicak• Kyana Vela Kathryn Elexis Villalobos* Megan Elizabeth Volden Blakelyn Taylor Watson
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Elvira Consuelo Lopez*
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Bachelor of Arts Ashley Janelle Anderson Enriqueta Joanna Babbitt• Sebastian Scott Bonilla Joshua Daniel Briones Ashtyn Taylar Broom Jose Camacho Jonathan Edward Craig Falyn Nicole Currie Delanie Elizondo Justin Anthony Ferguson• Brianna Michelle Fernandez Roland Flores‡ Simeon Bryant Fryer Brenden Arthur Gilbreath• Makenna Madeline Graham Jasmine Kiera Grant Maria I. Gutierrez
Amber Lynn Hernandez Cinthia Hernandez• Sonya E. Hill Lisette Nicole Holmes Lametria Nicole Jackson• Lilliana Stephanie Jimenez Linda Ashley Kidd• Madison Paige Lanam Laura Lee Landa Madalyn Renee Lerma Megan Nerissa Loving* Juan Pablo Madrid Sr. Meghan Leigha McQuary Kylie Paige Melancon Kirsten Danielle Mendez Julianne Marie Mills Krista Rae Moreno
Kelly Moynihan Carson Tyler Nemeth* Emma Danielle Norton• Madeline Lauren Olivarez Kearsten Brianna Ortiz Morgan Alyssa Pavlock* Clarissa Marie Ramos Alexis Lynettte Rhodes Vladimir Vladimirovich Riabov Brendan Paul Rippner• Vivian R. Rodriguez Kenneth Paul Saenz Bryce William Stewart Jr. Victoria C. Trevino Jackson Lee Wettstein Vivianna Rae Ybanez
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Paloma Oriana Hernandez Joel Isaac Jimenez‡
Kandice Mykel Kotzur Bruce Allen Krnavek Jr.
Anne Linda Thomas*
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Bachelor of Science Marena Renee Bocanegra Alejandro Joshua Elizondo Victoria Espinosa Espinosa Stephanie Jo Garcia Madeline Rose Hernandez Yzulet Hernandez
Karsten Olof Holm Jenna Monaih Jimenez America M. Martinez Alexa Amber Mortl‡ Anand E. Pallekonda Mackenzie Lyn Purcell*
Jordan Allan Scott Mariah Sharice Toliver
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Andrea A. Acuna Arline M. Benitez Joseph Omar Carrillo Sylvia Noemi Cortez Alexis Marie Cremeens Taylor Elise Eckhardt
Laura Garcia Mary Brandil Nicole Griffin Dominique Daniela Larioz Alexandria Nicole Pollard Mallory Morgan Reynolds Jacob Ramon Rodriguez
Marina Rosas Sabrina Lynn Tellez• Alexis Michelle Velez Anthony Joseph Villarreal Rachel Leigh Weaver•
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Davis Joseph Abraham• Leeanne Mikielle Acosta Valeriya Anatolyevna Afanasyeva‡ Andrea Kate Palmares Aguilar Ian Jasper Palmares Aguilar Saif Alex Aljuboori* Andrea Alvarado• Denise Alvarado Nina Brittany Aquino‡ Ashley Giselle Banda Elyssa Taylor Barge Elise Raquel Becerra Elisabeth Ashley Bengtson* Jacqueline M. Bird Hannah B. Bode• Nondiphiwe Kelly Butterworth• Mikenzie Jewel Cade‡ Alejandra Calera Janelle Marie Camero Elena Cantu Ashley Michelle Cardosa• Joshua Jose Gulapa Carlos• Paul Adrianne Pinton Castaneda Kailey A. Castillo Matthew Victor Castillo‡ Justin Cedillo John Ruben Charo Pauline Perey Cornejo Vanessa Michelle Cortez‡ Alexis Marie Cremeens Falyn Nicole Currie Paula Cristina De Jesus Martinez Leslie Dominguez• Natalie Claire Drlik Cameron Anthony Duck‡ Bailey Ann Durbin Bailee Marie Escobedo Isabella Clarice Esquivel Erika Gizelle Estrada Chelsey Jacquelyn Faris
Julie Anna Farris Jan Kyla Mae Lopez Fernando• William Figueroa• Lauren Elizabeth Finley Desiree Marie Flores* Emily Grace Flores* Tristan Jorrell Franklin Jr. Claudia Yesenia Garcia Jenalysa Gabriela Garcia Juan Luis Garcia III‡ Laura Garcia Kasey Makiela Garrett Leonela Garza• Blanca Estrella Gonzalez Gabriella Enedina Gonzalez• Kayla Lynn Gonzalez• Ninfa Rebeca Gonzalez• Steven Nicholas Gonzalez Bethany Danielle Green* Morgan Ashley Gutchess Kirbi Paige Guthman• Jennifer Eileen Harvey Albert Hernandez* Andrew A. Hernandez‡ Ashley Marie Hernandez* Cinthia Hernandez• Tiffini Horton Alexis Michelle Hubbard Allison Leigh Hunter Claire Elizabeth Imig Deja Jacqueline Jackson Karen Marie Teresa Janneck Joanna Margarita Jimenez Elizabeth Ann Johnston• Amber Lorene Jones Chris Seungwoo Jung Brianna Michelle Kieffer• Glen David King Breanna Michelle Lauder• Sierra Renee Lenz-Ross
Alexi Loya Julia Chyna Lozano* Christianne Redoble Lu• Lisette Nicole Luna Marjorie Yvonne Mendoza Luna‡ Jasmine Martinez Jessica Lynn Martinez Nadia Loren Medina• Bianca Alexandra Mendoza Korri Meredith Mesmer Kaleigh Renea Meza Robert Hunter Middleton* Katie Mae Miotti* Jacqueline Autumn Molina Recinda L. Moreno Sergey Sergeevich Myakishev Rad Lil Le Nguyen* Samantha Marie Nino* Isaiah Alexi Olmos Blanca Estella Padilla‡ Rebekah Mae Quigley Kindal Maree Rice Alyssa Marie Rivera Damien Edward Rivera Haley Breanna Rodriguez Kaleigh Alixandra Rodriguez Kayla Renee Salinas* Samantha Justine Salinas• Sophie Raye Salverino Stephanie Michele Sanchez• Taylor L. Sandoval* Lauren Emily Saterfield* Elizabeth Skyler Shaw Hannah Jo Smith* April Stewart• Katelyn Dawn Stout Amber Lynn Taylor• Michael Steven Teach‡ Jazmin Alexis Tejada Madalyn My Quynh Tran
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES Bachelor of Science in Nursing, continued Faith Nicole Tremblay‡ Christine Lou Trevino Vicenta Maria Trevino Lisa Truong Taito Julius Urushihara-Urvil Veronica Marina Valadez‡ Ashley Nicole Vasquez• Karla M. Vasquez
Melanie Hope Vasquez Alexis L. Velasquez• Ruby Jean Perez Velasquez‡ Madison Ann Villarreal Ashlli Sue Walker• Sarah E. Weiser* Gretchen Gail Wersterfer Brandon C. Wheeler
Leona K. Wilfred Nicole Mary Wintrode* Shanei Womack* Whitney Bree Yates Alexandria D. Zuniga
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Bachelor of Science Omotayo O. Ajanaku Danielle M. Arispe Cameron Gene Barkley Chaianne Madaline Kor Bee Alana Faith Blankenship Kayla Marie Butler‡ Meghan Hanna Bygate Tabitha Mercedez Chavez David Lee Chessher III III‡ Alejandro Chicas Jr. Amanda Cortez Glenda F. Cuellar Flores Eduardo Felix De Leon Madeleine Claire Deel Claudia Rita Elmaalouf Emily Nicole Escatiola Gissele Faith Everhardt• Catana Janai Faison Crystal Guadalupe Fernandez
Lauren Alexis Fuentez William Lane Galbreath Annika Marie Godines Abel Gonzalez IV* Javier Guadalupe Gonzalez Viviana Gonzalez Emma Valeria Hammock Emeri Nikole Hoenshel* Vonshae La'Sean Johnson Maxwell Cameron Keene Faith Marie Lenhardt• Maria Mata Merinas* Yesena E. Matos Kathleen Elizabeth Matthews David M. Mendez Nicholas Ezri Mireles Shreyash Umedbhai Mistry Lauralee Muro Vinh Bao Nguyen
Prem A. Panchal• Katilyn Parker Justin Clark Perkins Tanner Michael Pottenger• Hanna Grace Ragnar Vladimir Vladimirovich Riabov Natasha Alyssa Rodriguez• Abigail Louisa Schulz• Megan Mackenzie Solis Anna Katherine Swanson• Kaylan Naomi Vaiz Eric Darius Vigil Jr. Cecilia Jovanna Villarreal Zachary Thomas Watson Emma Elise Whitten Sammantha Lee Winston Alexander Robert Zambrana Hannah McKenzie Zapata Kirsten Lee Zeug
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 Joseph “Jay” Wise is a Senior Vice President of Investments for Merrill Lynch, also serving as the Senior Resident Director of Merrill Lynch’s Corpus Christi office. After his time as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Wise went on to study at Del Mar College and the University of Houston, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology. He and his wife Conni share a long legacy of philanthropy, generously giving to various organizations dedicated to the betterment of the people in this community. Because of their incredible service, the Association of Fundraising Professionals announced the Wise’s as 2021’s Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year. His impact in the Corpus Christi community is extensive, having chaired and served on numerous boards including: USO South Texas, Corpus Christi International Airport Advisory Board, U.S.S. Lexington Board of Directors, Corpus Christi Symphony, Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Del Mar College Foundation, Corpus Christi Police Department Foundation, and Texas Rangers Association Foundation, as well as supporting Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He was named one of Forbes Top 50 Wealth Advisors in Texas. His most recent awards include the Community Excellence Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Merrill Lynch David Brady Award for Community Service.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Mr. Tim Leach, Chairman............................................................................ Midland Mr. William “Bill” Mahomes, Jr., Vice Chairman...........................................Dallas Mr. Robert L. Albritton............................................................................ Fort Worth Mr. James R. “Randy” Brooks................................................................ San Angelo Mr. Jay Graham............................................................................................ Houston Mr. Michael A. “Mike” Hernandez III................................................... Forth Worth Ms. Elaine Mendoza...............................................................................San Antonio Mr. Michael J. Plank.................................................................................... Houston Mr. Cliff Thomas...........................................................................................Victoria Mr. Demetrius L. Harrell, Jr., Student Regent......................................... Commerce
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 through the semester prior to filing for graduation. Official honors designation, which includes the calculation of the final semester’s grades, 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 The Islander Faculty Brass Quintet Dr. Mary Thornton – Trumpet | Steven Garcia – Trumpet | Dr. Kenneth Iyescas – Horn Dr. Rai Morales – Trombone | Dr. Dan T. Sipes – Tuba Special thanks to the faculty, staff volunteers, Student Government Association, and Island Ambassadors who participated in today’s events.