Javelina Alumni Association announces annual awards
The Javelina Alumni Association recently announced it 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awards. The annual awards are given to outstanding alumni who are successful professionally and personally while positively representing the university.
This year four alumni received the Distinguished Alumni Awards. They are Armando Hinojosa Class of ’66, retired U.S. Army Col. Bob A. Bowden Class of ’86 Ph.D., Dr. Linda Mora Class of ’68, and I.J. “Chip” Berthelot II Class of ’82.
The Rising Star Award, established in 2003, was given to Josh Ruiz who graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a minor in business. Ruiz has received several awards, “including the NASA Group Achievement Award for the NASA Spacecraft Fuel Cell Development Team and iPAS Pathfinder Team. At the NASA Space Center, he designed and flight certified a ground-based ISS Columbus Module Simulator which interfaces with flight-ready satellites in verification of control relays, transducers and power simulation. Ruiz was also recognized as an Engineering Leader Under 40,” according to Marketing and Communications press release.
The Alumni Association also recognized Fred Nuesch with the Blue and Gold Service award.
Nuesch has been serving the university for more than 50 years. He was surprised and honored by the award.
“To be recognized by the Javelina Alumni Association is a great honor,” he said.
“The Blue and Gold Service Award is presented to a deserving individual, business, or organization that embodies the four pillars of the association, are connected with the university and community, has Javelina Spirit, and supports the values and mission of the institution. It can only be awarded to an individual who did not graduate from the university,” according to tamuk.edu.
Nuesch served as the Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations for 35 years, and continues to serve the university as the Coordinator of External Affairs.
“I feel I owe my sincere appreciation to the university for allowing me to be a part of the Javelina family for 53 years. I know there is no other college or university where I could have had such a career. And I have always been appreciative for the opportunity of being here,” Nuesch said
In 2017 Nuesch was named Sports Information Director Emeritus and is the first person to be awarded this title within the A&M System.
“I hope I have been able to spread the good feeling and privilege of being a Javelina. I don’t think I could have worked at a better athletic department or university, and I hope I have been able to express this through all that I have done,” he said. “Any success I’ve had or any honors I have received I owe to the university. It has enabled me to do what I love and what more could you ask for?”
The Distinguished Alumni Award honorees will be recognized in October during TAMUK’s homecoming week. For more information regarding the ceremony and the Javelina Alumni Association visit https://www.javelinagiving.org/JavelinaAlumni.