COAS December Graduates Celebrate and Look Ahead

Another fall semester has come to an end here at Texas A&M International University, but for many students, the end of this semester marks the beginning of their professional careers. December graduates stood in line in front of the Kinesiology Convocation Building to wait for the College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 15. The event was held in honor of the 244 students' hard work over the years and the experience was shared with their peers, educators, mentors and loved ones.

The ceremony began with the fanfare and processional played by the TAMIU symphonic band, conducted by Dr. James A. Moyer. Then, the opening declaration was made by Dr. Pablo Arenaz, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, which was followed with the "presentation of colors" by TAMIU ROTC with Captain Marivel Sanson. The national anthem was then sung by TAMIU music students Margaret Medellin and Luz Chavez, accompanied by the TAMIU symphonic band, which preceded the ceremony's commencement speaker, Dr. Rex H. Ball and Distinguished Student Scholar, Chamois S. Holschuh.

In this particular ceremony, the graduates were not the only ones saying goodbye to the university. Dr. Ray Keck introduced Dr. Rex H. Ball as the Commencement Speaker. Ball is a Professor of History and Founding Faculty at TAMIU. He spoke his last words to end his educational career after being 42 years in the field. He has the distinction of being a member of the founding faculty of the university's predecessor, The Texas A&I University Center at Laredo. Ball used his time to speak to the graduates on struggle and perseverance. He suggested they "turn [their] talents into strengths" and to never settle. He also noted that most speeches were filled with clichés about how "the world [is] your oyster ...and that's never been more true, especially during these times in history." He offered the graduates many stories about people who found themselves on rough roads in life, but choose to work harder instead of giving up. Most notably was the story of Helen Keller, a blind and deaf woman who surpassed the odds of her limitations and earned a degree from college and published several books. Ball also said, because things are always changing, students must always keep learning and reach for success in life and in their professional careers.  He concluded by explaining how "good is the enemy of great [and although] you may think you cannot change the world, you could" if you expect the best from yourself. After roughly 70 commencement ceremonies, Ball will begin a new chapter in his life by leaving to New Mexico to enjoy retirement.

Chamois Summer Holschuh was the second to take the stage. She was named the Distinguished Student Scholar and had the honor of speaking in front of this graduating class. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in Creative Writing. She is a member of the campus Honors Program, Phi Kappa Phi (national honors society), and Sigma Tau Delta (national English honor society). Her post-graduation plans are to pursue a MA and Ph.D in English. Her academic career doesn't end here and she encouraged others to continue as well. Just like Dr. Ball before her, she too inspired her peers to keep advancing in life both personally and professionally. She warned about the dangers of conformity and suggested they "go outside [their] comfort zone" and share their potential with the world. Before returning to her seat, Holschuh was honored with a gift on behalf of the university.

Both of these accomplished individuals spoke about the idea that although this is the end of the road for many of them here at TAMIU, they have not arrived to their destination yet. They both congratulated the graduates on this milestone, but motivated them to look ahead for greater accomplishments. Instead of seeing this degree as a final product, they both urged to use this as a motivation to propel students to new heights. Like the title suggests, this "Commencement Ceremony" marks the beginning of their professional careers.

While the ceremony focused on future academic and professional endeavors, it was also to commemorate this significant accomplishment and encourage others to their own graduation.  According to the Pew Research Center, only 8.5 percent of college graduates are Hispanic so no one can deny that graduation is a celebration of growth for both the Laredo and Hispanic community.

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(Michelle Rubio and Michelle L. Munoz can be reached at michellerubio@dusty.tamiu.edu and michellemunoz@dusty.tamiu.edu)