Dear University community,

• Are you part of our Be A Champ, Get the Shot campaign? Our first Grand Prize Winner is Karla L. Carreón, a senior double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. Find out how you can join previous winners. All it takes is a simple upload!
• Last week, TAMIU’s Petroleum Engineering program was the fortunate beneficiary of a generous $3.087 million software donation from Petroleum Experts (Petex), an international company that develops engineering software for the petroleum industry. This is a suite of programs used by companies to model their complete oil and gas production systems, including reservoir, wells, and the surface network. It’s a significant boost to the teaching and research mission for this new School of Engineering program and we’re very grateful for this generosity.
• Thanks to all who attended the IBC Bank and Commerce Bank-sponsored Keynote Speaker Series last week with author, journalist and former refugee Roya Hakakian who discussed the immigrant narrative. Whether you attended in person or virtually, this lecture presented by the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, and the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade was fascinating.
• EduMed.org has named the College of Nursing and Health Sciences one of the best in the nation for online learning in healthcare in its 2021 rankings, with six programs earning distinction.
• Last week, we were also joined by our colleagues from Laredo College as we signed an important agreement that enables us to continue a shared path benefitting students and their higher education goals. With our renewed Memorandum of Understanding, we’re working together to collaborate, share transfer and admission guidance, and build more opportunities for students.
• Last Friday we shared a very special moment with the dedication of The Dr. Frances “Panchita” Gates Rhodes Children’s and Young Adult Literature Collection, spanning 15,644 items. Family, colleagues and friends attended. The Collection memorializes the late Dr. Rhodes’ research and teaching focus in these areas. It’s located on the second floor of the Killam Library.
• Congratulations to the College of Education's faculty, student and alumni program, POSSE, for their successful book giveaway Saturday at the Outlet Shoppes. They distributed hundreds of books in this celebration of the UNESCO-designated World Teacher's Day. Some students traveled from out of town to join in this event.
• Are you ready to “Make A Difference”? We’ve got a Day for you to do just that…Make a Difference Day is Saturday, Oct. 23. That’s when TAMIU students, faculty, and staff will join from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., focusing on the beautification of the Las Palmas Trail. You can sign up here now.
• The TAMIU Art faculty “Think Fast” Exhibit, spanning a variety of mediums, is coming to an end Thursday, Oct. 28. See the stunning selection by appointment at 956.326.2654.
• TAMIU faculty, staff, students, and the public can still access National Guard-administered COVID-19 vaccines through the end of November 2021. We appreciate their partnership and support. Here’s more on testing.
• TAMIU’s random COVID-19 testing is underway. If selected, you must test within 72 hours. Testing is for ALL members of the University community: students, faculty, and staff. That’s all of us…because all of us are in this together! Please share our commitment.

Have a great week… and Go Dustdevils! Stay safe and stay well.

- Pablo Arenaz, Ph.D., President

TAMIU Honors Late Professor with Children's and Young Adult Library Collection 

The Dr. Frances “Panchita” Gates Rhodes Children’s and Young Adult Literature Collection, which spans 15,644 items now memorializes Dr. Rhodes’ research and teaching. A plaque honoring Dr. Rhodes and her over 38 years of service heralds the Collection, and is located on the second floor of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.

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