The TAMIU Fall Commencement Ceremony was held on Saturday, December 12 with over 630 students expecting to graduate. TAMIU decided to host two different exercises to accommodate the high volume of graduating students.
During the commencement ceremonies, it is customary to have a student speaker, and for the morning exercise, Rolando Santos was chosen among his fellow graduates.
“I was sitting in class, when I was pulled aside and informed that I was chosen to be the speaker…I was speechless,” said Santos.
The native Laredoan and graduate of both Martin High School and Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts said he was at first overwhelmed, what with two presentations and final exams just a week away, and a full time job, a panic fell over him.
However, it was with the encouragement of his teachers, friends and family, Santos then felt a sense of calm and began the writing process.
“They told me to be myself and the words would come out eventually and they did, I had four days to write an essay,” said Santos.
“I’m used to speaking (in front of) large crowds, so I (wasn’t afraid) and the first thing that went through my mind was ‘this is so cool’…it’s a dream for some people,” said Santos.
“I was trained very well by Dr. (Lynda) Brown.”
Graduating Magna Cum Laude from the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Communication and a minor in Marketing, Santos hoped to continue working at KGNS as a Technical Director, and wanted to keep his options open.
“I like being in (the Television industry) and producing, promoting, and advertising,” said Santos.
Santos continued, saying that he would hopefully work for a master’s degree while continuing his work in the Television world.
“I hope in the future I get to work with something like that and hopefully expand my knowledge on (the industry).”
The commencement ceremonies had been moved in doors due to the uncertainty of the weather, and Santos hoped to make light of the situation, perhaps even with a joke, he said Thursday afternoon, two days before the ceremony.
Originally born in Nuevo Laredo, Santos came to the United States when he was 12 and began learning English in the ESL program, soon rising through the ranks at both high schools he attended.
“I struggled through it and I never tried to be a top student, and my priorities were never getting high grades,” said Santos who instead focused on learning the subject at hand.
“I wanted to know about the subject I had in front of me, and my family was essential to the growth I’ve had over the years.”
As for his advice for future TAMIU graduates, “Just study what you love and do something about it.”