Freshman Convocation Kicks Off 2012-2013 Academic Year

Described by Texas A&M International University's President, Dr. Ray Keck, as an event that introduces "the men and women who will teach you, the persons who will guide you, the persons who will support you and will help you grow and become the person you want to be," the 2012 Freshmen Convocation took place in the University's Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall on Friday, Aug. 31.

The ceremony began with Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, welcoming everyone and introducing important faculty members. Arenaz advised students to acquaint themselves with all those present by stating, "get to know as many of these faculty members as you can, because they will be a big help to you over the next four years."

Later, Dr. Keck took the stage and advocated for students to get to know the school and take advantage of every service offered here. He outlined what he considered to be some of the university's most prominent benefits to students, including study abroad opportunities, learning a second language, and finding a place in history.

Dr. Conchita Hickey, Director of University College, said a few words before introducing some of the students who won the "Reading the Globe" program. This program consists of freshmen students being assigned a different book to read each year, and later having an essay contest in which students are given the opportunity to visit the country included in the book's main plot. Last year's book choice was Steve Reifenberg's "Santiago's Children: What I Learned About Life at an Orphanage in Chile."

The 15 TAMIU students who were selected to participate in this trip and visit Chile at the end of the 2011 academic year, were Judith Abrego, Carolina Atilano, Joseph Dilworth, Uriel Domínguez, Sabrina Espinoza, Lisa Estrada, Selina Fuentes, Katherine Garza, José Jacobo, Leslie Martínez, Margaret Medellín, Norma Nuñez, Alejandra Ortiz-Caballero, Francisco Palacios, and Daniel Villalobos. Two students at a time, described how the experience was unique for each one of them and what they found most memorable, while soft Chilean traditional music played in the background. In addition, "Teacher of the Year" award recipient Bonnie Rudolph addressed students with motivational words.

The purpose of the 2012 Freshman Convocation was to inform new students about what the university has to offer and encourage them to get involved in university activities. The "Reading the Globe" program, is just one of the many ways in which TAMIU wants to promote diversity and get students excited about visiting other parts of the world, as well as interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

On behalf of TAMIU's faculty, staff, and students, welcome class of 2016!

(Joana Santillana may be reached at joana.santillana@dusty.tamiu.edu)