Hughes celebrated by supportive colleagues, friends, students<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After serving almost 40 years at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), Chief of Staff Randy Hughes retired Saturday, July 31. A reception was held in honor of Hughes at the Founder\u2019s Room on Wednesday, July 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hughes, an alumnus of TAMUK, was an instructor, Department Chair in Health and Kinesiology, Vice President of Advancement, Chief of Staff and led the University\u2019s Covid-19 Response Team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRandy is a Javelina alumnus, a highly respected member of our community, and a passionate champion for Texas A&M-Kingsville,\u201d President Mark Hussey said. \u201cHe has been a leader, a counselor, and a mentor to generations of Javelinas. His contributions to this university are vast and too many to name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the reception, Hughes was greeted by friends, colleagues, former students and his wife Belinda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belinda Hughes, alumnus and TAMUK retiree, met Randy in 1971 when they were both college students. They have been together for 50 years and married for 48 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy husband is a very people person,\u201d Belinda said. \u201cHe loves to be involved in athletics and people of all kinds\u2026When he meets somebody new, he asks them 20 questions; he likes to get to know them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belinda is looking forward to spending more time with her husband and doing more activities together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m very excited that he\u2019s retiring, he\u2019s worked hard and he\u2019s feeling like it\u2019s time,\u201d Belinda said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hughes is known by his colleagues and students as a person who positively impacts and inspires other people\u2019s lives. Raquel Garcia, hired by Hughes 10 years ago, knew him particularly as an inspiring motivator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time and I\u2019ve enjoyed every moment of it,\u201d Raquel Garcia said. \u201cI always enjoyed the motivation he always sets. When I had first started working with him, I had just started going to school coming in as a non-traditional student. He would tell me \u2018just keep going.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Impacting and changing the lives of every student was Randy\u2019s goal. The students, in fact, would be the aspect of the university that he will miss most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe best thing we have here is our students,\u201d Randy said. \u201cThey make me get up and go to work and when I see them at commencement it is the best day. I have a certain number of students that are here today that are staff members, so it is a pretty special time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Henry Burgos, Dr. Nirmal Goswami, Coach Johnny Estelle, Adriana Garza-Flores and President Hussey finished off the reception by dedicating their speeches to Randy and Belinda Hughes. President Hussey presented the first certificate of retirement to Hughes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRandy has been a trusted member of my team from the start. When I first arrived on campus, he shared many insights about our institution and community. One in particular stands out\u2014when discussing the legacy and mission of our institution, Randy said, \u2018We change lives.\u2019 It is a truth that I have seen in action every day, and I remain grateful to him for sharing his perception,\u201d President Hussey said. \u201cThere is no doubt that this University is a better place because of Randy\u2019s dedication, and I want to thank him for his service and support.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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