A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of Starbucks on Sept. 15 at the Killam Library.”Isn’t it wonderful to see those words up there in our library?” President Dr. Ray Keck asked the attendees. “Yes,” people shouted.Keck thanked Aramark Food Service, Laredo Chamber of Commerce, the library staff, and the people who worked on the Starbucks project.Along with Keck, Vice President for Finance and Administration Juan Castillo and Louis Keefe from Aramark Food Service shared a few words at the ceremony.Castillo mentioned that students and the community can take advantage of the Wi-Fi network at Starbucks and around the campus.”Students have access to the network by student log in, and the community can get a library community card for a small annual fee,” Castillo said. Card members pay $25 annually, which also allows them check-out privileges at TAMIU, according to Castillo’s statement at the university’s online news release.”We have had a long partnership for six years,” said Keefe. “We worked tirelessly with our partners here to make this happen.”Keefe mentioned there will be more exciting projects with more opportunities along the road, so the public should keep its eyes open.Student Government President James Cortez and Student Government Vice President Eliezer Castañeda held the ribbon from each end during the ceremony.After the crowd shouted “Drink it up” instead of counting from one to three, Keck and Keefe cut the ribbon.Students and a library staff member expressed their opinions on the opening of Starbucks.”I think students should take advantage of the opportunities to be able to buy some good drinks to be able to use to study in the library,” Cortez said.”Having been employed at the university for 13 years, it is a historical moment for me,” said Alejandra Puente, a library clerk.Samples of Passion Tea, Black Tea, Green Tea, Caramel Frapaccino, and Vanilla Bean Frapaccino were served to the public. Starbucks will be open during the library’s normal operating hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sunday noon to 8:00 p.m.Aside from specialty coffees, deserts, and low-calorie options, Starbucks will also offer healthy sandwiches and salads, according to the TAMIU news release.Starbucks’s website claims the company has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 8,000 locations in over 43 countries, including three other Laredo stores. Starbucks Coffee Company originated from Seattle’s historic Pike’s Place Market in 1971 and is the leading retailer, roaster, and brand of specialty coffee in the world, according to the TAMIU news release. “I am very glad Starbucks is on our campus, and now we can stay up later and study now with the caffeine-rich drinks,” Casañeda added. “Like the master of ceremony said, ‘Let’s drink it up.'”