Dear University community,

You may see some new faces on campus this morning. They’re part of our Class of 2025 and participating in our Dusty Camp orientation. We wish them a hearty welcome to our campus and to the Dustdevil nation! Go, New Dustdevils!

• Our campus is committed to a safe and vaccinated campus community. In order to help encourage protecting ourselves and others, we’ve launched “Be A Champ, Get the Shot.” It’s part of a national campaign directed at students that’s consistent with our Dustdevil team spirit and giving tradition. And the best part? Students can win a range of prizes this Fall…including free tuition! Employees, we’ve got something special planned for you too, so stay tuned.
• If you were on campus early this Saturday, you might have seen our Desk to 5K event, part of our HealthyU Employee Wellness Program. Walkers and runners managed to avoid getting rained on and had a great event.
• Congratulations to Drs. Peter Haruna, Adam Kozaczka and Jared Dmello for their combined efforts that resulted in a special grant from Humanities Texas that will fund a virtual speaker series this Fall. The series is focused on bridging diversity and inclusion topics with the Humanities.
• As you know, Uconnect has relaunched and the new icon-driven interface offers an easy navigation experience. Want to share some insight on your experience? Please email UCreloaded@tamiu.edu.
• Have you checked out, TAMIU Books IncludED? It launches this Fall. Hint: Your books at TAMIU are FREE!
• COVID-19 Vaccinations are now available on campus every Wednesday and Thursday through our partnership with the National Guard. They are free of charge and open to all. Additional vaccination dates and more on free COVID-19 Testing located here.
• Don’t forget…Applications for the next funding cycle for CRRSAA Grants for students enrolled during Sub-Term II, Summer Session II, and Summer Session III open this week. Here’s more.
• Employees: Open Enrollment continues through July 31 for all Benefits Eligible Employees and Retirees. The Open Enrollment Virtual Event is tomorrow, 13 July. See email for details.
• Registration for Summer and Fall is on. Fall will be a full and vibrant, on-campus experience. We can’t wait to welcome everybody back.

Have a great week and Go Dustdevils!

- Pablo Arenaz, Ph.D., President

TAMIU Launches “Be A Champ, Get The Shot” Campaign With Prizes; Part of National College Vaccine Challenge

TAMIU is encouraging its students to help end the COVID-19 Pandemic by being part of a safe and vaccinated campus community. Through the “Be A Champ, Get the Shot” campaign, participating students will be entered into multiple drawings throughout the Fall Semester, offering a range of prizes, including Free Tuition, Starbucks Gift Cards and Dusty Dollars.

“We know our community has suffered tremendously with the COVID-19 Pandemic and believe that we have truly turned the corner on this dreaded disease. We all have a real sense of optimism about a return to a life of expectations. This campaign is all about encouraging protection of one’s self and others. We think that’s consistent with our Dustdevil team spirit and giving tradition.”

- Dr. Pablo Arenaz, University president

TAMIU Scholarship Donation Honors Memory of University Faculty Memeber

Officers and members of the Laredo Theater Guild International (LTGI) visited TAMIU this week to present a special donation of $500 to the TAMIU Arts Scholarship in Memory of Brendan Townsend. Townsend, long-time member of the TAMIU faculty and music director and conductor of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, passed away in December of 2020.

TAMIU, Freer ISD Sign Early College High School MOU

We’re proud to announce a new partnership with Freer Independent School District that will provide an Early College High School experience for its students at TAMIU, with concurrent enrollment for academic dual credit University courses. We’re honored to work with the visionary leadership of the District and are looking forward to sharing an amazing journey with these bright and committed students!