The deep, passionate sound of the organ permeated the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall on Thursday, December 12, 2013 as family members and friends of TAMIU students filled the seats. The 6:30 p.m. ceremony was intended to commemorate both undergraduate students graduating with honors and graduate students.
After the processional of the organ was completed by Dr. Colin A. Campbell, Assistant Professor of Music and Organ, the ceremony kicked off with the presentation of colors by the TAMIU ROTC. The crows arose in honor of the national anthem sung by Mrs. Dana H. Crabtree, Instructor of Music and Voice.
Welcoming remarks were given by Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Thomas R. Mitchell. He began the ceremony by foremost congratulating both students and family members for their hard work and dedication. Afterwards, he opened the floor to Dr. Jeffrey Brown, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. He also made his congratulatory remarks and welcomed honorary speaker Dr. Thomas Vaughan.
After Vaughan offered his words of wisdom to the graduates, the formalities of the honor cording and hooding began. Undergraduate honors cording went first. As each student’s name was called out, a professor who the student felt has had a positive impact on their academic career placed the honors cord on the student. Mitchell remarked that not only is it a great honor for the student to participate in the ceremony, but it is also a privilege for the professor to be selected by the student.
Honors students are categorized by Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude. To be eligible for Cum Laude, students must have obtained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher but lower than 3.7. Magna Cum Laude students received a grade point average of 3.7 or higher but lower than 3.9. Summa Cum Laude is the highest honor. Those students graduated with a 3.9 and above.
A total of 11 students graduated Cum Laude, seven graduated Magna Cum Laude, and four students graduated Summa Cum Laude. The four graduating with the highest honors are Raquel Muniz from the Department of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics; Laura L. Castillo and Gladys Gonzalez from the Department of Humanities; and Laura Alejandra Martinez from the Department of Psychology and Communication.
Preceding the honors cording was the hooding of the masters students. As each student’s name was called out, a professor of their choice read a personal statement written by the student as Dean Mitchell and the student’s department chair hooded the student. A total of 19 masters students from the College of Arts and Science were hooded that night.
After the ceremony was completed, a reception in Fine Performance Art lobby was held. Sweet treats and refreshments were served and the TAMIU jazz ensemble performed as students took pictures with their family and friends.
(Celia Villarreal may be reached at celiavillarreal@dusty.tamiu.edu)