Relighting the way for students

On Nov. 29 during his inauguration speech, Texas A&M University-Kingsville(TAMUK)

President Dr. Robert Vela announced the Javelina Relight Program, and 21 students have applied to take advantage of this opportunity.

The program gives those who in the last five years have completed more than 90 credit hours a $2,500 scholarship and a chance at graduation.

“You never know what’s going on in [students’] lives right now and we wanted to give them the opportunity. If they’re wanting to come back, we want to leave the doors open for them,” Vice President Enrollment Services

Students of Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) gathered at the Memorial Student Union Building to show gratitude towards Black heritage. TAMUKs’ own Student Engagement and Campus Life (SECL) hosted Black Heritage Kick Off last Wednesday as a way to celebrate the first day of Black Heritage Month. The first 100 students who came out to the event received a t-shirt and a ticket for a free meal from AAA BBQ or Chick- Fil- A. This kickoff also included music and activities.

Omar Chavarria, TAMUK senior, explained why he believes it is important to host events honoring Black culture.

“We’re a lot of Hispanics down here [in Kingsville] but we’re diverse in

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The start of a new year brings many changes, including to the student media organizations on campus. The South Texan and KTAI welcome new and returning faces to the student and administrative staff.

culture… it’s really good that we’re raising awareness for Black heritage. I think just so we could learn about each other… it just creates more friendships, more bonds together instead of having more segregation,” Chavarria said.

Further explaining just

The teenager who once graced the screens of many in the early 2000s made his way to Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) on Tuesday, Jan. 24, as a part of this year’s Lectureship Series hosted by Student Engagement and Campus Life (SECL).

Josh Peck, known for his role as Josh Nichols on the hit Nickelodeon series “Drake and Josh,” spoke to students in the Jones Auditorium in a Q&A fashion with Alumni Engagement Coordinator Monica Hysquierdo and student Ferny Garcia emceeing the event. Students lined up for hours to guarantee their how important Black Heritage is, senior and Black Student Union member Christopher Graveley-Rosado said it is important TAMUK holds such events.

“It’s important for Black Heritage Month to be acknowledged by the university, to show the history of the Black people in the university, because black history is American history,” Graveley-Rosado said. “Although it is a primarily Hispanic serving institution there’s still some black students that go here.”

SECL will be holding more Black heritage spot in the auditorium to see Peck speak.

“I think it’s important to understand what people in college are thinking about and passionate about to keep you relevant and understand what’s important,” Peck said.

Peck, who recently reprised his role in the second season of “How I Met Your Father,” spoke to students about a range of topics, from rock bottom to new beginnings, life changes and career highlights.

“I feel like college students, I think high school is probably where it starts… we put so much pressure on ourselves to deliver and achieve and what we do now is gonna pay dividends for the next 20 years of my life, when in reality I think it’s important that we just kind of take it easy on ourselves and be nice to ourselves,” he said.

Before the lecture event, a meet and great was held for students who won tickets by entering into SECL’s challenge of answering questions about Peck correctly.

The meet and greet took place in the Ben Bailey Art Gallery at which a handful of students had the oppor- events throughout February, for students to gain even more knowledge and diversity for Black culture.

Events for Black Heritage Month include, Heritage Heroes on Feb. 9, an Academic Lecture Feb. 22, and an Academic

Since students, faculty and staff have sprung into the spring semester at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) they have been without a Provost. With the previous retirement of former interim Provost Dr. Jaya Goswami, TAMUK has been in search of a new Provost to take her place.

In the meantime, filling in for this position is Dr. Darin Hoskisson, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Martin Brittain, Assistant Provost, alongside Dr. Robert Vela, TAMUK President, who have begun sharing these administrative duties together.

See Provost, Pg 6