Javelina Nation will soon close the books on another academic year packed with exciting developments for the university.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) President Mark Hussey took over his new role Jan. 2 after being confirmed by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
“I’ve been amazed at how friendly everyone has been, how welcoming everyone has been, how much everyone wants to work together to help the institution in terms of achieving goals,” Hussey said soon after his arrival.
Hussey was not the only administration change TAMUK saw this year. After 12 years of service, TAMUK Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and University Administration Terisa Riley accepted a new role as chancellor of the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
“Each person—faculty, staff, students, community members, and TAMU System employees—has made my journey an amazing one where I have been able to learn so much and surround myself with remarkable people,” Riley said in an interview.
In the realm of farewells, TAMUK was forced to say goodbye to Freshman Social Work major Tais Hinojosa after an automobile accident took her life.
Although TAMUK saw its fair share of heartbreaks this year, it also celebrated triumphs in the academic, theatric and athletic fields.
Carnegie Classification recognized TAMUK as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity, an honor only 89 public institutions in the United States qualified for in 2018. TAMUK was announced as the first four-year university to receive AVID Campus of Distinction in the nation.
TAMUK students earned numerous awards and accolades throughout the school year.
The softball team won the conference championship for the second time in program history and is ranked third nationally, according to NFCA.
The cast of June Bugs excitedly received the KCACTF ASPIRE Arts Management Award granted to Ryan Duncan earning him an opportunity to advance to the finals in Washington D.C.
Eden Garza was a finalist for the Edward Kleinhammer Orchestral Bass Trombone Competition.
The Vet-Tech club now holds the title of being the 2018 National Association of Veterinary Technician in America’s Student Chapter of the Year.
Students at TAMUK were not the only ones to rake in recognition for their work.
In early July, Christopher Hearon, the chair of the health and kinesiology department at TAMUK, won the Jerry R. Thomas Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Kinesiology Association.
Representation of African-Americans at TAMUK increased with the creation of the Black Student Union (BSU.)
“A lot of times, a lot of black students get in to school and we just kind of go through the motions and we don’t get involved, and I want to give them an opportunity to get involved,” BSU president Markeia Evans said at the time.
