On September 1, 2011 the atmosphere at Texas A&M International University cafeteria in the Student Center was quite different from the usual. As students awaited the arrival of Dr. Ray Keck, decorations, reserved seats, and Mariachis filled the Student Center rotunda. Faculty, staff, students, and special guests honored the ceremony with their presence and overwhelming school spirit.
As the celebration began, Dr. Keck gave encouraging words of wisdom on how a new and improved food court affects students’ lives. He went on to give the example of Plato’s symposium, “in which it’s because of a meal, that very important and very significant ideas are exchanged.” The place where you share meals and the people you share them with are crucial in the development of your social skills.
Moreover, Dr. Keck emphasized how students made this remodeling possible by paying a “slightly higher student center fee.” This new cafeteria is an investment in students and hopefully it will make TAMIU a more affable place for not only its students, but also teachers, visitors, and anyone who walks through our halls.
Amongst the many distinguished guests was Mayor Raúl Salinas, who asserted how proud he was of all the improvements and changes our University has made since its inception. These changes included this new food court, which was necessary to accommodate our ever-growing student body.
After guest speakers finished sharing their thoughts and good wishes, the ceremony concluded with the symbolic cutting of the ribbon to officially inaugurate our new food court. Afterwards, free items were raffled, Mariachis played, and Dusty, the school’s mascot, ended the event in high spirits.
After walking into this new cafeteria, it is quite hard to imagine that there was once a book store located in that same place. This new enlarged food court is a parallel to our expanding academic programs, student body, instructors, and overall learning environment. Hopefully, Texas A&M International University will have many more successes to come and embrace changes that are essential for the growth and development of our University.
(José Prado and Joana Santillana may be reached at joseprado@dusty.tamiu.edu & joana.santillana@dusty.tamiu.edu)