Spring is here along with upcoming events, developing projects, and a new university president with a different approach towards students.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville President Mark Hussey took over his new role Jan. 2 after being confirmed by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
Hussey understands that since he has not been a Javelina for very long it will take time for students to be comfortable around him, but he has a strategy to break that barrier. He asks that when students see him walking around campus and he greets them they should feel free to introduce themselves and start up a conversation. Hussey says unless it is raining he will be walking around campus a lot, and will duck into the dining halls every so often, so students can interact with him and get used to seeing him.
He continues to learn and appreciate the culture, the sense of family, the sense of pride and the passion for the university by current students and especially the alumni.
“I’ve been amazed at how friendly, how everyone has been, how welcoming everyone has been, how much everyone wants to work together to help the institution in terms of achieving its goals. So I’ve been here 21 days, three weeks, so it was everything I was expecting and more actually. I think the sense of family, the sense of pride runs really deep here,” Hussey said.
Along with a new president, the university is planning on constructing a new college, the College of Health Professionals. The plan is in the early developmental stages but is going as projected. The Texas legislature is still in session discussing budgets and policies, but TAMUK administrators are hopeful that the legislature will approve a budget for the construction of the new college soon.
Another development underway is the music building which should be completed by summer 2019. Currently there is a Live Feed available on the university website to watch the progression of construction. The plans for the building started a decade ago and finally the completion is near.
“I’m so excited about the music building. I know most students wanted a parking garage but music is an under appreciated field and it’s nice for the department to be noticed and updated,” Diana Luna a music major said.
The music complex will be approximately 90,000 square feet and will include a 500-seat performance hall, a 100-seat lecture hall, four large rehearsal halls, 50 student practice rooms, 32 faculty offices, five classrooms, a computer music lab, a recording studio, several storage areas, an administrative suite and many other needed facilities.
Spring 2019 was kicked off with fun-filled events like the Silent Headphone Dance Party, fast Action Trivia, Fun in the Snow, home basketball games and many other entertaining activities. The semester looks promising as projects move forward, the university president settles in, and the campus prepares to celebrate Black Heritage Month by wrapping the palm trees that surround the boulevard.
“I’m excited for this spring semester. I’ve been to other colleges before but it’s nice to see updated buildings, pride-filled events, and a close-knit community,” Sarah Guerrero a electrical engineering major, said.