Spring 2022 Commencement Program - 10 a.m. Ceremony

Spring 2022 Commencement Saturday, May 21, 2022 10:00 a.m.

American Bank Center Arena

A Member of The Texas A&M University System

Spring 2022 Commencement President Kelly M. Miller, presiding Prelude and Processional* Carrier of the Mace.......................................................................................................... Dr. Wei Xu Assistant Professor of Life Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Welcome................................................................................................................... Dr. Kelly M. Miller Presentation of the Colors............................................................TAMU-CC Army Islander Battalion National Anthem........................................................................................................... Sarah Gonzalez Graduating Senior, Bachelor of Arts in Music, College of Liberal Arts Commencement Address.................................................................................................... Liza Wisner Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Talent Development Expert Presentation of Degree Candidates.....................................................................Dr. Clarenda Phillips Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs College of Education and Human Development................................................... Dean David Scott College of Liberal Arts............................................................................ Dean Shawnrece Campbell 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 Science and Engineering | Assisting: Interim Dean Ahmed Mahdy College of Liberal Arts | Assisting: Dean Shawnrece Campbell Commissioning......................................................................................................... LTC Steven Pierce Professor of Military Science Alumni Presentation.............................................................................Dr. Margaret Lara ’98, ’01, ’12 President, 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. Barbara Ann Buckley-Greses Dissertation Title: Latina Superintendents in Rural South Texas and the Social and Cultural Values Impacting Their Success in the Superintendency Dr. Iris Guajardo Dissertation Title: Experiences of Novice Principals at Low Performing Campuses in South Texas During the COVID-19 Pandemic Dr. Roxanne Flores Reininger Dissertation Title: A Cross-Case Study Exploring Former School Board Members' Perceptions When Selecting And Hiring a Superintendent Dr. Nora Rivas-Garza Dissertation Title: Hermanidad: Perspectives of the Journey of Latina Superintendents in School Districts Dr. Rosie Ruiz Dissertation Title: Student Awareness on Access and Title IX Resources

Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education Dr. Stephanie Fuentes Majors Dissertation Title: The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction of Mental Health Case Managers Working in an Outpatient Mental Health Facility Dr. Benjamin Robertson Dissertation Title: Working from the Heart: Mexican Counselors-in-Training and the Development of Counselor Identity

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Leah Bryars Dissertation Title: "'Scared-ish"' About Writing": An Exploration of Effects of Bibliography and Dialogue Journaling on Fourth-Grade Students' Writing Apprehension and Motivation to Write

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Doctor of Philosophy in Coastal and Marine System Science Dr. Lindsey Jeanne Hayden Dissertation Title: Microphysical and Macrophysical Properties of Convective Precipitation and Techniques for Detection Using the GPM Core Satellite Dr. Hao Yu Dissertation Title: Source and Flux of Methane Released from Corpus Christi Coastal Area

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology Dr. Shannan Courtney McAskill Dissertation Title: Cross-shelf Larval Fish Assemblage Structure and Trophic Niche Partitioning, Condition, And Growth of Sciaenidae Larvae in the NorthWestern Gulf of Mexico Dr. Jason Daniel Selwyn Dissertation Title: Determining the Effect of Variability in Habitat Quality on Dispersal

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Master of Fine Arts Payton Shay Koranek Dissertation Title: Quiescent Jacqueline Negreros Dissertation Title: Aqui is Anywhere We Choose to Call Home

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Master of Science Austin Gene Barton Leticia Bazan Shelley Kay Book Clarissa Veronica Brambila Camilo Che Cavada Corina Cedillo Cillianna Marie Cisneros Leslie David Cockrell Bethany Kristen Corpus Bascolyne Wanjiru Day Veronica Estrada Candelaria Nicolle Everett Victoria Lynn Foss Racine M. Garcia Yvette Marie Garcia-Jones

Andrew Davidson Gregg Ashton Leigh Gutierrez Hallie Arai Hancock Edie Lynn Jarldane Betty E. Ko Skye Mckayla Koehl Anastasia Alexis Kovarek Kaylin Ross Landrum Eduardo A. Luna Justen Ryan Luna Adrian Michael Martinez Kimberly Peyton Milam Yamilet Molina Arthur Jon Montiel Danelle Elaine Patterson

Aaron Leon Preston Danelle Elaine Patterson Aaron Leon Preston Emilia Inez Ramirez Bryanna D. Salazar Leticia Marie Salinas Brooke Elizabeth Sherwood Theresa Ann Steele Vanessa Marie Tamayo Shelby Mary Welsh

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Master of Arts Marla Ann Bantigue Pooja Ajit Bhakta Lori Ann Cerda Tory Kay Feldman Caitlyn Webb Hill

Chelsea Elaine Lanzener Cari Elizabeth Loeffler Tony A. Long Jr. Marivel Marroquin Micaela R. Mirabal

Thomas Lee Saudia Sr. Coryna Lisette Trevino Diana Cordova Roca Walker

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Master of Public Administration Kyle James Anderson Triston Crossland John Robert Graham

James Wesley Jones Daniel Patrick Shelton Sophia Michelle Vining

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Master of Science Angela Nicole Anderson Adam M. Bynum Liu Chia-Yu Jose Pilartes Congo Ashleigh Megan Epps Makalah Danielle Griffin Daniel Reed Hardin Elizabeth Kay Harris

Nadia Hatami Rafael Hernani Gabiel Jose Bianca Brianne Lopez Alexis Jean Neffinger Vu Tran Nguyen Cheyenne Lee Novicke Kaylee Ann Pineda Molly Gray Ryan

Amanda Michelle Salinas Jackson Cotten Seymore Pavithra Venkatachalapathy Lily Madeline Walker William Wadin Wolfe

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Bachelor of Science Hunter M. Alonzo* Emily Grace Alvarado• Diana V. Ayala Contreras Troy E. Bernal* Susan Ellen Boland• Bethany M. Brown* Royceten Lejames Bufford Gabriela Berenice Burrell• Emily Brooke Carney• Marisol Chavarria• Sarah Ann Colunga Genevie Alexandra Cortez Jaden Marie Deleon Gabrielle Marie Doerr* Kylie Jo Filipiak Brent Andrew Gamez Dominique Marie Garcia Juan Garcia III

Katrina Garcia• Rebecca Diane Garcia Sebastian Jose Garcia Holly Hayse Gaskamp Nicholas Vaughn Himes* Holly Evelyn Holbrook• Callum Jonathan Ali Kelly• Savhannah Allyse Kitchens* Andres Alexander Lankenau Gabriella Victoria Lares Lilianna Marie Long Cameron Nykole McNabb Maxwell Caine McCarty Zulema Mireles Melanie Ann Padilla* Samantha M. Palomino‡ Alec Marcel Parsons Devon Mackenzie Polk•

Draven Joey Reyes Rene Ramiro Ruiz Jr. Krystal Nicole Salazar Allison Faith Sanders* Mariya Dzmitryeuna Shumeika* Alyson Christine Silvas Leah R. Solis Destiny Rae Tyrone Aspen Mckenzie Williams• Ashley Marie Woodall‡ Kyohei Yamanaka* Christopher Zepeda Jr.

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Abigail Nicole Acevedo Allison Nicole Alaniz‡ Sasha Mireya Alcorta Kelsey M. Ashworth* Jessica A. Brewer* Theresa R. Carrion• Javier Ricardo Castillo Kassandra Lyann Cervantes* Zulema Jylene Chavera Callie Alee Collier‡

Janine Oralia Del Castillo Erica Diaz Areli Anahi Enriquez Lucero Palomo Escutia• Stephanie Espinoza‡ Beatrice Adriana Esquivel‡ Kara Beth Flores‡ Natalie Marie Flores Danielle Renee Freund Guadalupe Garcia

Gustavo Gomez• Chelsea Ann Hernandez• Hadleigh Rickelle Hight* Samantha Jo Katicich* Elizabeth Trevino Kelley• Josephine Elaine Lawson‡ Ericka Marie Ledesma‡ Jodi Marie Lofink Courtney-Lee Nicole Lopez• Lindsey K. Marek•

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, continued Connie Lizzette Martinez‡ Gitzel Monserrat Martinez* Jacqueline C. Martinez* Sarah Ann Martinez* Maria Luisa Medina‡ Shelby Malynn Mills Jennie M. Morales• Michael Jay Mulligan II Norma Ortiz-Mariscal* Chloe Marie Pellizzaro

Jonah Z. Perez Juliza Brooks Pimentel-Flores Matthew A. Quiroz• Sandy Rios* Jasmine Acacia Samuels• Leslie Montserrat Sanchez‡ Jordana M. Shaheen‡ Doremi Dianne Silva Bayli Annmarie Smith• Aracely Sosa•

Nathaniel Jay Sosa Chantel S. Togarepi Ngoc Hong Tran* Sabrina Elizabeth Tschirhart* Viola Marie Villarreal‡ Ashten Kaye Wagenschein• Bailey Anne Wiatrek* Katheryn Elizabeth Wiggins• Waylon Emmitt Windland

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Bachelor of Arts Letitia Preciado Adame Daisy Jean Aguilar Sean Patrick Allred Shane Alan Armstrong‡ Alexander S. Atinda• Sydney Marie Aviles* Maria Luisa Baca Jordan Lee Baylor• Aricel Lia Bordayo Carson T. Bourque Jessica Faye Boyd* Matthew Alan Brady• Justin Alfred Bucholtz• Sierra Michele Buress Jason James Buseman II Francisco Cantu Aurora Nicole Carnes‡ Alyssa Rita Carreno Julia Mae Carter‡ Alexis Nicole Castillo• Cristobal Castro Typhani-Ryan Cervantes• Marina Rae Chavez* Sadie Jo Cramer Jasmine Marie Crandall Ethan Aaron Decker* Kayla J. Delgado Anna Kay Diaz• Deborah Donez Victoria Bernice Rose Dyer• Sarah A. Eckhoff Daniel Seth Egnal* Adam Keith Elliff Mariah Mercades Enriquez Lauren Rose Epstein Ashlyn Sidney Evans Brooke Audrey Free‡ Honors Program Graduate Trixy Jade Galindo‡ Karina Fabiola Garcia Marlaina M. Garcia‡ Olivia Grace Garcia• Samantha N. Garibay Catherine Lindsey Gartland Kristen Goley

Savannah Mariah Gomez Raeann Aleesh Grigsby* Joselyn G. Grooms Briann Lynnette Guzman* Solheia P. Hall Torin David Havelka Erica Renee Hernandez Bayleigh Joann Hudson Miranda Rose Hulse Ketavion De'Ron Humber Ethan Scott Inglis• Aaron Philip Jaggers Christina S. Janicek Reese Michael Johnson Lauren Christen Juarez Ian Nelson Kaer Lisa Marie Leal Sr. Briane Scout Leeton‡ Lucero Leon‡ Justin Lane Lewis Elisa A. Linan Kenzie Gage Long• Reyna Lexi Longoria Victoria Lovato Lorena Gabriella Luera Sara Kristen Lyden Juan Pablo Madrid Sr. Allison M. Major Larissa Nickelle Manciaz Olivia Joan Markham• Jacob Ryan Martinez‡ Honors Program Graduate Shannon Nicole Mathis Joseph Aaron Mavero Kallieste Houston McKinzey Davis J.Scott McDaniel• Daniera Kirsten Mendoza‡ Matthew Austin Meza• Julianne Marie Mills Iran Jacklyn Montes Meghan Ashley Moore‡ Mariah Destiny Moreno Samantha Morgan Muilenburg Amanda Cheyenne Munoz Ellianna Jazzmene Nejat

Annalyn Ngo* Jacquelyn Marie Nunez Perla Guadalupe Ortiz Hansley E. Osborn Taylor Michelle Pace Angela Ashley Padilla Sarah Haley Palomo Lauren Michelle Parish• Audra Anne Parker Meagan Brooke Pendleton* Allison Eden Penton‡ Carley Adrianna Perez Christian Rey Perez Kiara D. Perez Ulyssa Yanai Perez• Lauren Brynn Peterson* Andrew Joseph Pfeffer• Kiara Jakayla Pickens Megan Rae Pielago Zoe Vasilios Piperis• Brittany Raye Pless Emily Ann Polk Gabriel Chrstopher Purnell‡ Emily Faith Putch Natasha Shea Raisanen-Ryan Alexandra Elizabeth Reed Pablo Eliud Rendon IV Brendan Paul Rippner* Amber E. Robbins‡ Gilbert Joseph Rodriguez‡ Hexiquio Rodriguez Jr. Roel Rodriguez Jr. Frank Rubio Jr.• April Marie Salazar Ashley Danielle Salinas Dalton Michael Salinas Daniel Anthony San Miguel Jr.• Demie L. Sanchez Jennifer T. Sanchez* Samantha Carolina Sanchez Madison Elise Sandefur Michael Anthony Sauceda Jacob Thomas Sazon Sarah Laurin Schiller• Drew Elizabeth Scott*

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Bachelor of Arts, continued Autumn Lennae Scrimpsher‡ Adam Ray Shelton• Michael Cassius Shy Selah Rain Silva Erika Danielle Snyder Faith Ellen Stevens Jason B. Sullivan• AnnMarie Paige Tapia Megan Renee Tenery River J. Thompson*

Daniel Patrick Tobin* Kassandra Renee Torres Camille Alexandra Townsend‡ Trinity Michelle Trevino Isabo Lynn Turner* Julianne Marie Uherek Michael Travis Uhlig Dulce Karina Vallejo Rolando Ybarra Villarreal Jr. Kaitlyn Rose Walencey

Alice Warigia• Anna Mae Whetstine* Erin Elaine Whitman* Janae Marie Wilkey Natalie Anne Williams‡ Patsy Nicole Winn Justin Charles Young Kenya E. Zarate Clarissa Danielle Zavala*

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Yuliya Brown* Logan De Beer Graciela Angelica Figueroa• Brandan Lee Garza Brianna Graveley Martina Gurrola John M. Herrera*

Taylor Leigh Kelly Karina Lopez‡ Reuben Alexander Lopez Jr. Rodney Lee Lopez David Maldonado Jacob Chance Money Emma Diaz Nunez

Jennifer Dawn Puente Brandon Michael Roberts• Christopher Octavio Rodriguez‡ William Cody Thomas Jesse James Valdez* Josie Marie Wilson*

Bachelor of Fine Arts Christopher Brandon Janssen Rianna Kristine Kirkham•

Evelyn Bailey Pauley* Teresa Rayne Priour•

Bachelor of Music Alejandro Nathaniel Arizmendi• Sarah Catherine Gonzalez• Jesse Cole Goodwin Joshua William Loyd Hatcher• Eric Satoshi Heatherley*

Dustin Ruben Hernandez* Alejandro Herrera Jordan Matthew Kuzmack• Kevin Lester Lopez Elisha Victoria Lozano

Phillip Jacob Matczak* Edrwin Suaso* James Thrower Tomerlin

Bachelor of Science Julian A. Alvarez Robert Louis Barron Christian Federico Carranza Mercedes M. Chavarria Iliana Elizondo Jonathan Edward Flores Ana P. Garcia Danielle Marie Garcia• Joshua Gabriel Garcia Emily N. Gaucin Andre D. Gill Emilia Jane Gonzalez Fabian Gonzalez• Itoro Linda Gonzalez Dominic J. Guerra-Vargas Jennifer Leann Guzman Paloma Oriana Hernandez

Shylina Juliet Hernandez Rylan J. Jimenez Cameron I. Johnson Quin A. Johnson‡ Leenette Mercedes Krezdorn Dominik Matthew Lopez Jacob Matthew Lopez Jeffrey J. Lopez Herrera Lisa L. Maldonado Kevin Andrew Mandel Irene Martinez Jessica Martinez Megan Amanda Martinez Raine Valentina Martinez Mykaela-Joe Mcnorton Alexa G. Mendoza‡ Honors Program Graduate

Joe A. Moreno Jesse H, Ogden Luke David Ohlson• Michael J. Orgill Luz Karina Ortegon-Vidal Bethany Selest Perez• Tyler Austin Price• William Isom Russell III Melissa M. Salazar Alexandria Rae Salinas Emmett Sanchez Timothy Leland Sanchez Vanessa M. Scarbrough Jessica Tobias Mark Anthony Villanueva II• Daniel C. Yanez III Andrew Starughan Ydoyaga

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Bachelor of Science Araceli Adrianna Acuna Manuel Aguilar Jr.• Michael M Alcala Jesse Lee Aldridge III Matthew Ryan Antosko Gerson J. Arnao Christopher Paul Ashworth Auria Fernanda Avalos Honors Program Graduate Joaquin Alejandro Avila Christian Anthony Banda Grayson Lee Beck Christian Beletic Andres Benavides Hunter Betancourt Meagan Patrice Billings Brayden Ray Boone• Sydney Lauren Boucher* Trevor Lee Murphy Boyd Randi Leigh Brouillette Morgan Nicole Bruce Braydon Cade Burns* John Romeo Cabrera Aryanna M. Campos Elizabeth Carrillo‡ Jacinto Noel Castro Aaron W. Catozzi Kristopher Aldair Cerda Matthew Alec Cortinas Rylee Linn Counts‡ James Arthur Crisp Mary Elizabeth Cundiff Donovan Devlin Von Dahlin‡ Travis James Danek* Rodolfo Dehoyos Jr. Jaime Delagarza Herculano Dennis Jesse Aaron Dennis Samantha Mary Dumity* Vanessa Eligio* Turner Robert Ellis Anna Marie Erftenbeck Emily Nicole Escatiola Jacob D. Estrada* Tara Estelle Eubank• Meagen Carol Fails Catana Janai Faison Jose Ramon Falcon II Cheyanne Nicole Falkenberg Alessandra N. Francisco Anthony Allen Llamado Gaither* Felicite J. Galvan• Honors Program Graduate Brandon Christopher Garcia Josephine Danielle Garcia* Vivien Marie Garcia Charles A. Garrett Jr. Gloria Diana Garza Maryssa Christine Gates* Heather Nicole Gillmeister Duncan A. Godell Ramon Godoy Villalobos*

Joey Paul Gold Jr. Sierra Nicole Gonzales* Daisy M. Gonzalez Fernando Ivan Gonzalez Liana Marie Gonzalez Erick Guillen Ramirez Benjamin M. Hacker Kirsten Marie Hajek Paul Andrew Hankosky Jon Patrick Hooks Heffley Meghan Sheree Heimbuck Cassandra Lee Hernandez Fidel Hernandez Jr. Leticia Angelica Hernandez Macario Hernandez III Nathan Reece Heslep• Derrick Hinojosa Esteban Hinojosa Wayne Alan Hodge Scarlett Reign Horton* David E. Houston Cameron Edward Hunt Casandra Annai Hurtado• Jorge L. Jimenez III Nathan Andrew Jinks Jackson K. Justus‡ Jennifer Kayla Kininmonth* Edward John Klash III Motunrayo Rofiat Kukoyi Joseph Michael Kuntz Matthew Ryan Lara Timothy John Laughbaum Wendy Kay Lee• Johnny Joe Lenis Sr.• Ginger M. Lingo Annica Marie Lyssy Dylan L. Mack• Sidney Elaine Mangus Felicity Marie Martell Lucy Stephanie Martinez• Alyssa May* Christian McAllister• Sarah Elizabeth McCurdy Amber Rose Meadows Gavin Joseph Medel Skylar Meischelle Meehan• Harvy Mejia* Nohely Mejia Rachel Augusta Meza Austin C. Montez‡ Aaron Douglas Mooney Alexandra Rene Moore* Christian Michael Morales Elizabeth Carol Moreau‡ Keila Ludivina Morin Carranza• Jordyn Danielle Mullin* Rita Isabel Muniz• Kevin James Munoz Vanessa Grace Navarro• Garrett Alan Nemeth Cody D. Norman Reina Izabel Ochoa

Brianna Kendall Oconnor Jacquelyn Marie Olivares Ava Nicole Ortiz Juan Carlos Padilla Krystal Anne Palacios Jessica Shannon Palitza* George Papalexiou‡ Caitlynn Letty Partin‡ Honors Program Graduate Nishant Rajeshkumar Patel Rhett Destin Pavelka Danielle Renee Perez Isaac Ray Perez* Julia Rose Pina Daniel David Plasencia Eric Ryan Posadas Elizabeth Andrea Puentes Kathleen Erika Pull Alexis McKenzie Rau Emily Celestino Rawlins* Rebecca Lynne Reyes• Madison Elizabeth Riba‡ Kiara Jequel Roberts Raeni Rae Robles Maria J. Rodriguez• Tamara Rodriguez-Acosta Sedarrion Oneal Roland Tristan Charles Rolling Alexis Destine Ruel Cheyenne Autumn Rumfield Richard A. Salas III Juan Salazar Jr. Reva Justeen Salazar Joshua Alexander Saldana Analise Salinas Daniel Anthony San Miguel Jr.• Annarae Sanchez Hailey Jade Santa Ana• Roel Marcus Santana Nicholas H. Sepeda Paul William Shank Catherine Sydney Shaw* Kristen Roxan Silva Adam M. Smith Chloe Elizabeth Smith Melany Solis Ranger James Startz Hannah Joan Y. Steen• Sierra Alysse Stuyvesant Leah Marie Swinney• Roslyn Camille Swonke• Justin Paul Tamborello Jocelyn Marie Taylor• Justin J. Thiel* Calvin Joseph Todd Jazmin B. Torres Kayla Karina Torres

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Bachelor of Science, continued Mariah Nicole Trigo• Alexandria Dominique Troutman* Cecily Irene Trujillo Shelby Marie Tullos• Abigail Lynn Tyler• Franklin Upton III Michael Martiny Vazquez

Jose M. Vela Jr. Cecilia Jovanna Villarreal Hannah Marie Walker* Steven Scott Warrick Angelina Gladys Weigand Wade Jacob Willms Adrianna Elaine Wooldridge‡

Analicia Danielle Zapata Hannah McKenzie Zapata Matthew Wilson Zuniga•

Officer Commissioning Second Lieutenant United States Army Matthew Alan Brady Jason James Buseman II

Duncan A. Godell Mark Anthony Villanueva II•

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 Liza Wisner is an award-winning television personality who serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Talent Development Expert, Workforce Optimization Keynote Speaker, and was a top 3 finalist on the television show, “The Apprentice” on NBC. Liza is the Senior Curator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives at OpenSesame, leading strategic initiatives for more inclusivity in human capital services and working directly with many organizations to make their products and services connect better with their teams and their community.

At the age of 19, she moved to Corpus Christi from Nairobi, Kenya, on a golf scholarship to pursue a career in Computer Science. She is a proud Islander, having graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, earning a master’s degree of Science in Educational Technology, along with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a minor in Management of Information Systems.

Liza stays very involved in the community. She is a Coastal Bend Court Appointment Special Advocates (CASA) partner, a Corpus Christi Metro Ministries Ambassador, Junior Achievement Volunteer, Girls Scouts Board Member, and a Magna Cum Laude National Scholars Honor Society member. She was recognized as Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Corpus Christi Black Chamber of Commerce, was previously named “Corpus Christi Under 40 Person of the Year,” and received a Certificate of Commendation from the Mayor and City Council of Corpus Christi for community advocacy and technology integration efforts.

Liza is married to her husband, Denis, and resides in Corpus Christi with their three sons.

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. “Bob” 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 Ms. Matilin “Mati” Rigsby, Student Regent..................................... College Station

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.

Special thanks to the faculty, staff volunteers, the Student Government Association, and Island Ambassadors who participated in today’s events.