Alumni recognized for achievements
On Friday, Oct. 29, Texas A&M University-Kingsville hosted its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet. This was the first banquet held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s distinguished alumni were Armando Hinojosa ’66, Dr. Linda Mora ’68, I.J. “Chip” Berthelot II ’82 and Josh Ruiz ’08 who received the Rising Star. Fred Nuesch received the Blue and Gold Service award. Last year’s distinguished alumni were also recognized and those who were able to attend this year’s event received their awards. Last year’s recognized alumni included Carmen Lomas Garza, David Allex, Donna Shaver, Jose Luis Cortez, Angelica Barrera, Roberto Montoya and Robert “Ray” Molina Jr., who was awarded the Rising Star Award.
“As a distinguished alumni I was honored, my nomination was really a surprise. The university is near and dear to my heart,” 2020 Distinguished Alumni honoree Barrera said.
Barrera was an athletic student trainer for the university and is now the Associate Vice President for Student Success at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
During the awards banquet, many alumni were recognized in a slide show to show the impact Javelinas have had not only on the campus, but worldwide. The presentation featured athletes, scientist, business moguls and more.
Hinojosa, 2021 Distinguished Alumni, has been making art for more than 50 years.
“I’m real thrilled that they felt they wanted to honor me,” he said.
Hinojosa’s art is an integral part of campus. He sculpted the Javelina statue featured on University Boulevard, the Javelina statue in the engineering building, the Frank Dotterweich statue outside of the engineering building and the Coach Steinke statue located at Javelina Stadium.
“When I came here, I was a young man. I was 18 years old and the best thing that ever happened to me here, I met my wife here, we were married for over 50 years,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed the way the university has changed since I’ve been here; all the change I see is for the better.”
Among other distinguished alumni was Dr. Mora, a 1968 Texas A&I graduate. For the ceremony, Mora brough a few of her closet college friends whom she lived with during her time at the university. In her speech she shared memories of her college living situation and recognized her friends.
Longtime university employee Nuesch was recognized with the Blue and Gold Service award.
“It means everything; I am so appreciative. I’m a sports journalist. I’m used to somebody else getting the honors, so to receive something like this is a nice surprise and really an honor. I love this school and everything about it and so to receive something like this, it really means a lot,” he said.
Nuesch has been with the university for 54 years and has served in many roles from the advisor for The South Texan to the Sport Information Director.
Ruiz received the Rising Star Award for his work and accomplishments in engineering, including being awarded the NASA Group Achievement Award. Ruiz graduated from the university in 2008 and now serves as Maintenance Manager at Dow Chemical in Freeport, Texas.
For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Awards and honorees visit https://www.javelinagiving.org/daa2021.