SPRING 2019 theIslander GRAND OPENING TAMU-CC raises its profile across town with the public dedication of new Islanders Pavilion and Courts NEW CAMPUS LEADERSHIP ATHLETICS TESTING DRONES WITH NASA Collaborative effort brings bold See 20 years of growth for TAMU-CC is one of two test sites selected to visions to life Islanders Athletics test drones in urban areas PAGE 19: Islanders break in the new pavilion at The Water's Edge park in downtown Corpus Christi. PRESIDENT'S LETTER The year following my inauguration flew by quickly; I built my leadership team and we began shaping our plans for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. In this issue of The Islander magazine, we provide a glimpse of those plans along with a look back at our proud history. We welcomed our first freshman class 25 years ago and Islanders Athletics is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The Carnegie Commission for Higher Education recently named us an R2 Doctoral-High Research Activity campus for the first time, which demonstrates that our efforts are being recognized. These achievements and initiatives increase our impact in the community as well as in the lives of our students. I am so proud of this University and everyone here who strives for excellence every day, including our students, faculty, and staff. We also highlight the successes of some of our alumni in this issue along with amazing work being done by students and faculty. I hope you enjoy catching up on our news, and I look forward to sharing more achievements with you soon. We would love to have you come back to campus to Justin Bustos, 2018 Student visit with us in person! Government Association President, Sincerely, with Dr. Kelly M. Quintanilla. Kelly M. Quintanilla 2 Table of CONTENTS PG. 04 GROWTH PG. 30 ALUMNI FEATURE PG. 34 TRADITION NEW LEADERSHIP ISLANDER ACCLAIM HOMECOMING New leaders on campus focus on Two former students make a name Islanders past and present celebrate 2019 innovation and collaboration. for themselves nationwide. Homecoming with a "Shakas Up!" PG. 11 RESEARCH OYSTER CONSERVATION Dr. Joe Fox is working to start a revolution in the oyster industry. PG. 13 RESEARCH DRONE TESTING A&M-Corpus Christi looks to the future with new heights in sight. PG. 14 TRADITION RING RECIPIENTS Legacy Rings given to six exemplary students. PG. 18 FEATURE ISLANDER PRIDE Island University teams up with City of Corpus Christi to spread Islander spirit. PG. 22 FEATURE I-CREATE MakerSpace opens for students and community to use for creativity. PG. 24 ATHLETICS 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING Islanders Athletics looks to keep the momentum going. PAGE 6: The new Tidal Hall Life Science Research building in the midst of the two-year construction. 3 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi NEW LEADERSHIP Nestled on Ward Island, the institution Recent distinctions include research and innovative academic programs, that was originally a Baptist school has partnerships with NASA and the Federal increased internships, and enhanced evolved into a thriving public university Aviation Administration and being research opportunities, all leading to with approximately 12,000 students and named among the Top 10 universities ever-increasing student success and more than 51,000 alumni. Its milestones nationwide offering a degree in regional economic development,” include expanding to 88 academic Unmanned Aerial Systems. Programs Quintanilla said. programs, the addition of a beautiful in nursing, kinesiology, business, To help achieve this bold vision, Performing Arts Center, and becoming elementary teacher preparation, cyber President Quintanilla has welcomed in an NCAA Division I competitor. defense, and counseling also have new division leaders with a focus on The development and growth of received national distinction. innovation and collaboration, including: several research centers added to its Quintanilla’s vision for Texas A&M • Mrs. Jaime Nodarse Barrera, most recent milestone: the Carnegie University-Corpus Christi includes Acting Vice President for Institutional Commission of Higher Education an unparalleled commitment to every Advancement categorized it as an R2 Doctoral student’s success, closing the gaps in • Mrs. Cheryl Cain, Vice President for University with high research activity for achievement, advancing discoveries Marketing and Communications the first time in University history. that benefit the region and nation, and • Dr. Ahmed Mahdy, Vice President for In earlier years, the institution billed revitalizing Corpus Christi and South Research and Innovation itself as “The Wave of the Future.” Texas. It is a bold vision that requires • Mrs. Jaclyn Mahlmann, Acting Under the leadership of Dr. Kelly M. collaboration across the University and Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Quintanilla, who became its first female throughout the community and region. • Mr. Jon Palumbo, Athletic Director president in 2017, the “Next Wave” for “I am a staunch believer in • Dr. Clarenda Phillips, Provost and the Island campus is underway. partnerships that encourage new Vice President for Academic Affairs 4 To further assist student success, work and play in the Gulf of Mexico. University College was created in It includes cutting-edge technology in summer 2018. This unique college unmanned aircraft systems, autonomous centralizes a full range of support systems, cybersecurity, nursing care and services to facilitate student success innovative aging. Our research improves CONTRIBUTORS LIST from entry into the University through K-12 education, mental health shortages, graduation. It includes orientation, and provides business and policy advising, the first-year experience, solutions for environmental, national UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT and career preparation, among other and cultural borders.” support programs. The Viking-Islander As part of the initiative to partner Dr. Kelly M. Quintanilla Program (VIP) was developed to allow with and impact our community, an EDITOR students to begin their college career External Relations Task Force was at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi created to address questions and Cheryl Cain Vice President for Marketing and while also taking some courses at Texas provide recommendations on how to Communications A&M-Corpus Christi to gain familiarity best improve and maximize University with the four-year campus. relationships with the local and ASSOCIATE EDITORS In other changes, the Division of broader community. Research, Commercialization and “Together, we will continue building Luisa Buttler Interim Director of Communications Outreach became the Division of on the success of the past knowing that, Research and Innovation to place because of our efforts, the best is yet to Ashley Larrabee emphasis on efforts to innovate come,” Quintanilla said. “Students and Director of Marketing across campus and throughout the graduates are more than just our legacy; community. With research expenditures they are the future leaders who will WRITERS exceeding $28 million in the last year, chart a direction for dynamic growth for Richard Guerrero the University’s efforts to expand its generations to come.” ◆ Michelle Villarreal Leschper research are proving successful and providing valuable experience to student DESIGN researchers as well as important impacts Taylor Bodeker in our community. “Our research provides solutions for PHOTOGRAPHY regional problems with national and Edgar De La Garza international significance,” Quintanilla said. “Our research serves all who live, Drs. Ahmed Mahdy (left) and Don Albrecht, along with President Kelly Quintanilla, volunteer to serve lunch to students at the Welcome Back Splash and Picnic in fall 2018. Media representatives may use part or all of any article within this publication. Please provide appropriate credit and tearsheet. For more information, please contact the editor. Check out The Islander magazine website for exclusive content including slide shows and videos, and opportunities for you to share your story ideas and comments about our content: theislander.tamucc.edu The Islander is published biannually (fall and spring) by the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Marketing & Communications Division. 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5726 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 361.825.2420 Dean Frank Pezold. “Teaching labs were complements and further enhances that New Research Facility doing double duty as research labs, odd mission capability.” closets and loading docks were converted Tidal Hall represents the University’s to research lab space. This was a major largest construction project since the TIDAL problem for us as we began hiring faculty opening of the 18,700-square-foot to support Ph.D. programs—research is Islander Dining Hall in 2014. an integral and defining component for “This state-of-the-art research facility HALL those programs.” will be a great draw for graduate students Within the 111,000 square feet of but will also attract highly motivated Built at the corner of Ocean Drive and panoramic glass windows, Tidal Hall undergraduate students through our Island Boulevard, the newest building houses nine instructional labs, 34 strong undergraduate research program,” on campus, Tidal Hall, is three stories research labs, dedicated workspace for Pezold said. ◆ high with impressive views of the bay, master and doctoral and postdoctoral Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi and the students, and faculty offices. It also Harbor Bridge. includes one of two lactation rooms on In September 2015, the Texas campus for new moms. The Island University celebrated the grand