Dear University community,
On Friday, it was great to see Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and Regent James R. “Randy” Brooks who met with members of our Faculty and Staff Senates and toured campus as well.
- Fall University Convocation is on Tuesday, October 5 at 1:00 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall. All are welcome to attend in person and a Livestream will be available. It's also World Teachers Day!
- The Arts certainly have a home at TAMIU and two key events last week helped signal our return to a full Fall experience in a big way: our Art faculty-led exhibit “Think Fast” hosted an opening reception in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Gallery. The exhibit, spanning a variety of mediums, continues through Thursday, Oct. 28. Later, on Friday, our Performing Arts faculty brought live performance home to campus with their Faculty Opening Concert in the CFPA Recital Hall. Things have never sounded better. Here's a look at Thursday night's opening reception and a livestreamed view of our Faculty Concert.
- Hispanic Heritage Month continues! On Wednesday there will be a panel discussion, “Hispanic Business Owners in Laredo, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in Student Center 236. It’s open to all. Here are other upcoming activities and events you should consider.
- Please make your calendar for the next free TAMIU IBC Bank and Commerce Bank 2021-2022 Keynote Speaker Series Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Immigration and the hardships faced by resettling in America is the very timely topic of discussion by former refugee and naturalized American Roya Hakakian. Her lecture is “A Beginner’s Guide to America for the Immigrant and Curious.” Find out more.
- Are you part of our Be A Champ, Get the Shot campaign? There’s a variety of prizes including FREE Fall 2021 tuition. Remember, previous winners of prizes (other than Grand Prize recipients) remain eligible for the tuition prize. Here’s a few of our previous winners.
- Are you forgetting your recommended use of a face-covering on campus? Our Student Government Association and Faculty Senate created this video to help you remember. For more on our COVID-19 Response, visit our COVID-19 Response Center.
- TAMIU faculty, staff, students and the public will have continued access to National Guard-administered COVID-19 vaccines through the end of November 2021. We greatly appreciate the National Guard’s partnership and support.
- TAMIU’s random COVID-19 testing is now underway. If you’re selected, you’ll need to test within 72 hours. This testing is for ALL members of the University community: students, faculty, and staff. That’s you, me, and everyone.
- If selected, you’ll receive an email in your official TAMIU email account. Testing is at no cost to you and conveniently takes place here on campus. We are committed to protecting what matters: you and yours. I urge you to join us in sharing that commitment.
Have a great week… and Go Dustdevils!
- Pablo Arenaz, Ph.D., President
World Teachers Day @ TAMIU Celebrates Australian AIME Partnership + Global IMAGI-NATION {University} Alliance
This Tuesday, October 5, TAMIU's College of Education will once again lead a global celebration of World Teachers Day with a special outreach opportunity, as students join in as potential co-founders of a new democratic system of education aimed at addressing educational inequity, in partnership with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience, a global non-profit headquartered in Australia.
“One and a half years into the COVID-19 Pandemic, this celebration of 2021 World Teachers’ Day is especially shared because it focuses on the support teachers need to fully contribute to the recovery process. Our international theme is ‘Future Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery’ – and our shared experience in this global Pandemic has reaffirmed that teachers have a crucial role in our post-Pandemic recovery."
- Dr. James O'Meara, College of Education dean
TAMIU Hispanic Heritage Month Activities Continue
TAMIU continues its month-long observance of Hispanic Heritage Month with a broad range of engaging lectures, presentations and activities. Anchoring the calendar of activities during Hispanic Heritage Month is the launch of TAMIU's first-ever "Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities" Lecture Series, funded by a Humanities Texas grant. Presented virtually, the lectures are designed to bridge diversity and inclusion topics with the Humanities.
About Our Presenters:
Dr. Irma Cantú is an associate professor of Mexican and Colonial literature. She has published numerous articles and essays on travel writing and Orientalism in journals in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. She has contributed to several volumes of literary and cultural criticism.
Dr. Abigail Meert is an assistant professor of History at TAMIU. Her research focuses on the study of conflict and society in East Africa, looking specifically at how East African political leaders have constructed and asserted their legitimacy since independence. She received her Ph.D. in History from Emory University in 2019.
Sign-up for the Upcoming Lecture at https://go.tamiu.edu/diversity-series.
Upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month Events:
- Breast Cancer and Latinas Panel - Saturday, Oct. 9 at noon: Learn More
- SOLE Talks: Latino Representation in Marvel Comics and Film - Tuesday, Oct. 12 at noon: Learn More
- International Leadership Series - LGBTQ+ Human Rights in Latin America - Friday, Oct. 15 at 11:30 a.m.: Learn More
Dustdevil Diversity Series: Dr. Fernando Quintana
A Lifetime of Service to Higher Education
How do you feel your contribution impacted TAMIU?
I love my students. Adaptation to college life after high school is one of the principal issues for our students. Every time I teach a course, I share with my students my own struggles when I was their age. My failures and my successes. I tell them about University life and their responsibilities. I believe that we as faculty members should think at the level of our students and help them at that level. We should not expect that they know what we know. By helping the students understand their responsibilities as college students, they will be better prepared to succeed in the very complex world in which we live.
Join our 'Be a Champ, Get the Shot' Initiative
Dustdevils, our "Be A Champ, Get the Shot" campaign continues! 🙌 There are still additional opportunities for you to be one of our Grand Prize winners of tuition and fees for the Fall 2021 semester! Remember, we're also giving away Gift Cards and Dusty Dollars.
Here's a look at some of our previous "Be A Champ, Get The Shot" Campaign Winners!
Here's a look at some of our recent employee winners, too!
Dustdevils Invited to Attend Annual All Majors Fair
Recent or impending college graduates are invited to attend TAMIU's Virtual Fall 2021 All Majors Fair. Over 30+ employers are expected to attend, including the City of Laredo, Doctors Hospital of Laredo, H-E-B, Laredo ISD, the Hershey Company, Werner Enterprises and more!
Order Your TAMIU Ring Today!
You have come so far, and that deserves to be celebrated! The TAMIU Ring is an everlasting testament of your hard work, dedication, and achievement. The deadline to order the TAMIU Ring in time for fall ring events is Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.
Acclaimed Journalist, Author Looks at Immigrant Experience for IBC Bank and Commerce Bank Keynote Speaker Series Oct. 13
Immigration and the hardships faced by resettling in America is the upcoming topic of discussion during the next TAMIU IBC Bank and Commerce Bank 2021-2022 Keynote Speaker Series offering Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public. In addition to the in-person lecture, a live broadcast will be available via WebEx Events.
Upcoming Events
- Continuing Education: American Sign Language courses: Monday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.: Learn More
- Handshake Virtual Fair Preparation: Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m.: Learn More
- TAMIU SBDC Presents: Intellectual Property Basics: Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m.: Learn More
- Student Organization Council: Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 4:30 p.m.: Learn More
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