8 Chapter IV
The Present
TAMU-CC Student Marcus Nkuko in Anatomy and Physiology Lab (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
In 1989, the Texas Legislature moved to merge the University System of South Texas into the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS). The Island University would again welcome freshman and sophomore students beginning in fall of 1994 as part of the transition to membership in the TAMUS.[i][ii] Joining these two systems would solidify TAMUS as the second largest university system in the state behind The University of Texas System.[iii] Before the merger, the Texas A&M University System consisted of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas A&M University-College Station with a branch campus at Galveston, and Prairie View A&M University.[iv] The addition of the USST schools would increase the number of universities to six. This would be a considerable move forward and position TAMUS to continue its growth and footprint across Texas in future decades.
Kingsville President Steve Altman (1946-) had strongly lobbied for the three USST institutions to join TAMUS. A bill in 1987 expanding the USST had failed to pass. However, during the next legislative session in 1989, a bill merging the two systems was approved and signed into law by Governor Bill Clements (1917-2011) on May 26, 1989.[v] When signing the bill, Clements stated “Clearly these are watershed measures that will enhance quality education in South Texas. These bills symbolize our commitment to our youth and to their well-being.”[vi]
The bill not only merged the three universities in the USST into the TAMUS, but it merged Pan American University, along with its Brownsville Campus, into the UT System.[vii] In 2013, UT would expand through the founding of UT Brownsville followed by a subsequent (re-)merger of these two institutions to form UT Rio Grande Valley. This institution would become home to a medical school alongside several teaching sites in the southernmost region of Texas.[viii]
At the time, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) would be situated in the largest city of any of the TAMUS universities. It was also somewhat unique in that many of the other A&M schools had strong ties to agricultural education. The focus on marine sciences was more akin to the A&M satellite campus in Galveston. The merger would mean that for the first time in its history, Corpus Christi would have a comprehensive university serving freshman through graduate students. Accordingly, the number of students living on-campus would increase dramatically. Facilities to meet the needs of the growing student body, from dining options to recreational activities, would greatly expand.
Campus Housing (2013)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The TAMU-CC atmosphere would again have elements that had been missing since the days of UCC as sports, student groups, fraternal organizations, housing and on-campus activities would be revived or gain prominence. The Island University would also continue to attract professionals and part-time students as it continued to expand offerings, particularly master’s degrees. TAMU-CC would be poised to meet the needs of students from South Texas and around the world.
The leadership structure changed as TAMU-CC would be part of one of the largest university systems in the nation. The Chancellor of the System is based in College Station. Dr. Barry B. Thompson (1936-2014),[ix] would serve as Chancellor from 1994 to 1999. He had served as President of Tarleton State University and West Texas A&M University.
Dr. Barry B. Thompson (n.d.)
Tarleton State University
Howard Graves (1939-2003), A. Benton Cocanougher (interim) (1938-), Robert McTeer (1943-), Michael McKinney (1952-) and Jay Kim-brough (interim) (1948-2020) would serve in succession as TAMUS Chancellor between 1999 and 2011.[x]
In September 2011, former Texas State Representative, Senator, and State Comptroller of Public Accounts John Sharp (1950-) would be named Chancellor.[xi] By 2021, the Texas A&M University System encompassed 11 universities and other state agencies including the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Forest Service, AgriLife Extension Service, Transportation Institute, and Health Science Center.[xii]
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
President Dr. Robert R. Furgason
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
President Furgason
The Island University would also have a new leader as Dr. Robert R. Furgason was named president in December 1990.[xiii] Born in Spokane, Washington, Furgason came to CCSU from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The 55-year-old Furgason was selected out of a candidate pool of 160 applicants.
Furgason is an engineer with extensive international experience who speaks Spanish fluently. He had been a National Science Foundation consultant to the Escuela Politecnica Nacional in Quito, Ecuador where he lived for over a year. This experience included working with the Peace Corps and on projects for the U.S. Agency for International Development.[xiv]
One of the first acts Furgason undertook as president was to change the date on the University Seal to 1947.[xv] The date had been changed to 1973 when the university became a public institution, but the reversion back to 1947 signaled a sense of unity for all the students who had studied on the Island. This was important as some UCC alumni did not feel strong attachment to the public institution.
Furgason would lead the Island University for 14 years through an exceptional period of growth and change. When he began, there were 5,125 students enrolled at CCSU, and by the end of his tenure as president, TAMU-CC had 8,227 students. He oversaw $250 million in capital improvements. In this same period, Hispanic enrollments increased dramatically, as did scholarship awards and degree offerings. By 2004, 36 bachelor’s degrees and 28 graduate degrees were offered across four colleges. This year would also mark the addition of a fifth college, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The university had operated with four colleges since its time as A&I.[xvi]
In the mid-1990s, efforts to bring a health science center to TAMU-CC were ultimately not successful.[xvii] This disappointment would again highlight the scarcity of professional schools in South Texas. Corpus Christi remains the largest city in Texas without easy access to a law, medical, dental, or veterinarian school.[xviii]
Marine Biology Research (2013)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
In 1992, advanced studies did come to TAMU-CC in the form of a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership through a partnership with Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Jaye A. Mandt of Corpus Christi and Ken Stevenson of Beeville became the first students to receive doctoral degrees from TAMU-CC in 1995.[xix] Other doctoral programs followed, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Coastal and Marine Systems degree in 2003. This degree was the first doctoral degree to be offered by the College of Science and Engineering. [xx] A doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction was started in 2004 to help address the need for teacher preparation in the region.[xxi]
Furgason would oversee a time of significant change as the Island University not only joined the TAMUS but transitioned from an upper-level institution to a comprehensive university offering freshman courses through doctoral degrees. He was fortunate to have significant support from the community. The “4 CCU” campaign supported the goal of expanding the Island University to a comprehensive institution. In addition to raising funds locally, the legislature allocated funding for campus upgrades in 1993 in the amount of $22 million issued as Tuition Revenue Bonds or TRBs. These funds would be used to provide significant infrastructure improvements, including a campus wide chiller system that cools water overnight to then regulate building temperatures during the day. This is accomplished through a closed loop system of underground pipes and the storage of chilled water in the iconic water tower on the south side of the campus. Roads and improvements to the bridge to the campus were also completed.[xxii]
ECDC Dedication Ceremony with President and State Representative Todd A. Hunter (1996)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
TRBs as a financing mechanism would be an important source of funding for establishing TAMU-CC and TAMU-Kingsville. The use of the financing mechanism by the state has been expanded for use across all public institutions mainly for building new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities.[xxiii]
Governor George W. Bush visits the Early Childhood Development Center (1997) Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Furgason was instrumental in a second fundraising effort with the launch of the “Wave of the Future Capital Campaign” in 1997.[xxiv] As a result of these fundraising efforts, Furgason would oversee several large construction projects on campus. The $8 million Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) was opened in 1996 for 88 Corpus Christi Independent School District Students. By its third year of operation, the center was designed to accommodate 132 students from age three to grade three.[xxv]
Expansion of on-campus housing, a $3 million dollar University Support Services facility, and the $12 million Center for Instruction were completed in the mid-1990s.[xxvi][xxvii] Governor George W. Bush visited the ECDC in October 1997 to support his commitment to childhood literacy. Bush stated of the center, “I see an intensive commitment to ensure that all children learn to read.” During this visit, Bush discussed his re-election bid for Texas governor but also alluded to a potential run for U.S. President in 2000.[xxviii] Literacy would be an initiative President Bush would champion.
Students in the University Center (Circa 2000)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
In 1999, the University Center was constructed at a cost of $15.9 million. The UC provided 100,000 square feet of space for study areas, dining options, a bookstore, and offices. The facility replaced the woefully overcrowded Glasscock Student Center which had been built at a time when the campus had 800 students. The Glasscock building would be repurposed as a student success center.[xxix]
Construction of the MOMENTUM Sculpture (2003)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The MOMENTUM sculpture was erected in 2003 at the entrance to campus. Flanking Ocean Drive, the iconic stainless-steel structure features five spires and a wave shape measuring 30 feet in diameter. The wave sculpture summons a feeling of wind and water. According to the sculptor, the spires represent educational elements: Strength & Courage, Order, Movement, Accomplishment, and Logic. The spires are also representative of the five institutions in the history of the Island University. Each spire is 32 feet high and topped with a blue cobalt light. Light also emanates from the bottom of each spire to simulate the feeling they are floating at night. The spires represent stability in the face of the more turbulent wave portion of the installation. The use of indigenous landscaping, a curved retaining wall invoking a ship’s curvature, and four-foot-tall lettering stating “Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi” complete the sculpture.
MOMENTUM was designed by artist Robert Roesch and approved by Furgason and local philanthropists Shirley “Sam” (1936-2008)[xxx] and William “Dusty” Durrill, (1934-2016)[xxxi] who underwrote the project. The monument was not only thought-provoking but was on a scope that fit the large open space at the entrance to campus. Roesch relied on six fine arts students to assist with construction. [xxxii]
Bay Hall was opened in fall of 2005. The building was still receiving finishing touches as students began class, but the classroom and office space were sorely needed.[xxxiii] The facility cost $15 million and was the largest academic building on campus with seating for 850 students across multiple lecture halls with a total of 63,000 square feet. Bay Hall would become home to several academic departments within the College of Arts and Humanities, now named the College of Liberal Arts.[xxxiv]
Bay Hall (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
One of the last projects started under Furgason was the Performing Arts Center, commonly known as the “PAC.” The $18 million, 62,850-square-foot building was completed in 2005, and its prominent feature is the 1,500-person concert hall. Funding was provided through public and private funds, including a $3.5 million gift from Edward and Janet Harte.[xxxv] Samuel Frech, a Corpus Christi financial consultant, gave a $1 million gift toward the facility.[xxxvi] The remaining funding for the facility was secured through state issued tuition revenue bonds (TRBs) for $11 million.[xxxvii]
The facility faces Ocean Drive with an atrium that overlooks Corpus Christi Bay through an impressive four-story tall glass façade. In addition to numerous TAMU-CC performances, the PAC is home to the Corpus Christi Symphony and the Corpus Christi Chorale. Through the support of President Emeritus and Mrs. Furgason, the BRAVO! Series is an ongoing tribute to performers of the Coastal Bend.[xxxviii]
Construction of Performing Arts Center “PAC” (2004)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The architect for the PAC was Gordon E. Landreth of Cotton, Landreth, Kramer Architects and Associates Inc. in Corpus Christi. Landreth founded CLK Architects in 1977, and in addition to the PAC, he was the architect for expansion of the Corpus Christi Christus Spohn Health System and the memorial to the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla. In 2016, Landreth was named an outstanding alumnus of Texas A&M University-College Station.[xxxix]
Performing Arts Center
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The New York City-based firm of Hardy, Holzman, Pfeiffer Architects consulted on design of the PAC. The sound quality in the PAC is world class, having been designed by Dr. J. Christopher Jaffe (1927-2013). Jaffee was an acclaimed acoustician and faculty member at the Juilliard School, City University of New York, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In addition to the PAC, he worked on over 250 performance venue projects including acoustic renovations of the Hollywood Bowl, Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, John F. Kennedy Center, Bass Performance Hall, Severance Hall, and Tokyo International Forum.[xl] Tejano artist Freddy Fender, world-renowned pianist Van Cliburn, violinists Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell, and Mezzo Soprano Frederica von Stade have all performed at the PAC. The facility was renovated in 2021.[xli]
Preforming Arts Center
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The Corpus Symphony Orchestra performs at the Performing Arts Center (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Upon his retirement as President, Dr. Furgason did not leave the university but became the first executive director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies in January 2005.[xlii] The HRI occupies a building at the entrance to the Island University on Ocean Drive just south of the iconic MOMENTUM Sculpture.
Researchers from the Harte Research Institute of Gulf of Mexico Studies (2013)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
In 2018, the Science and Technology Building was renamed the Dr. Robert R. Furgason Engineering Building in honor of the Island University’s ninth president. President Emeritus Furgason arrived at the dedication ceremony in a teal 1958 Cadillac. He dynamically mingled with the numerous civic leaders and university supporters who were in attendance. The building is a 67,000-square-foot facility built in 2001 adjacent to the Center for Sciences.[xliii]
Dr. Robert R. Furgason Engineering Building (2020)
Andrew Johnson
When Furgason became director of the Harte Research Institute, he was overseeing the implementation of a visionary gift to TAMU-CC. Edward H. Harte (1922-2011) endowed the Harte Research Institute for Gulf Coast Studies (HRI) with a $46 million donation, the largest in the history of the Island University. The gift was to endow six faculty positions and their supporting graduate students to conduct research on the Gulf of Mexico. The gift also included $10 million for facility upgrades.[xliv] The HRI building was secured through state tuition revenue bonds issued in 2003.[xlv] The HRI would greatly expand the scope of ongoing work conducted by the Center for Coastal Studies and the Water Resource Center.[xlvi][xlvii]
The HRI engages in numerous projects to study the Gulf of Mexico. The institute is involved in oyster conservation, sea level studies, shark tracking, oil spill reclamation, the assessment of ecosystems, fisheries management, and many other projects. The endowed chairs of HRI represent a breadth of disciplines, including law and economics, that are reflective of the complexities involved with the study of the Gulf of Mexico.
Some of the most widely known work of the HRI is on the study of sharks. HRI scientists continue to be regularly featured on the popular television series “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel. The show has led to local community programs by HRI to increase awareness about the Gulf’s ecosystems and HRI research.[xlix]
Diver with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The HRI is a leader in studying the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, which occurred in the Gulf waters off the coast of Mississippi. Deep water Horizon is widely considered the worst oil spill in history. Through a coalition of institutions in the Texas ONE GULF Center of Excellence, HRI scientists have studied the long-term effects of this disaster to better understand the resilience of ecosystems. To this end, in 2017, TAMU-CC was designated as a RESTORE Research Center of Excellence.[l] The six endowed chairs, with expertise in a broad range of areas, allows HRI to study the Gulf from numerous perspectives and pivot to address challenges as they arise.
Ed Harte (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Harte had a background that gave him a thorough understanding of the Gulf of Mexico. An acclaimed writer and newspaper publisher, he was well-versed in Mexico-U.S. relations. Thus, he understood that studying the Gulf of Mexico would require participation of the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba–an idea that is reflected in the organization and operation of HRI. Members of the advisory council for the HRI were from each of these nations.[xlviii]
Harte was a publisher of newspapers including the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, prior to his retirement in 1987. A strong advocate for environmental protection, Harte served on the American Farmland Trust board and was a board member and chairman of the National Audubon Society. Harte was instrumental in protecting Padre Island by securing its status as a national seashore for 67 miles of coastline. He sought protection for an additional 4,000 acres of coastline by having it designated as Mustang Island State Park. Along with his brother, Houston, they donated 66,000 acres in West Texas to Big Bend National Park to become the North Rosillos Mountains Preserve.[li][lii]
Dr. Flavius C. Killebrew (1949-), a quiet and reserved, yet formidable Professor of Zoology, became TAMU-CC President in 2005. Killebrew had served at Texas A&M University-West Texas in Canyon as Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs. During his tenure, capital expansion totaling $350 million occurred on the Island University. Under Killebrew, the university raised $62 million in donations and saw an increase in student enrollment of 36%. He would oversee several major construction projects as well as begin a nearby campus addition.[liii]
In his first year, Killebrew set out a 10-year strategic plan named Momentum 2015.[liv] The plan called for increasing research, faculty profiles, and student admission requirements. Additional points in the plan addressed the importance of community engagement, alumni involvement, and attracting a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. In 2006, Killebrew would note that growth of TAMU-CC would require additional space.[lv]
President Dr. Flavius Killebrew
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
In support of this vision, several new degree options would be added. These programs included six new doctoral degrees including Marine Science and Geospatial Surveying. Mechanical Engineering was also offered as an undergraduate program beginning in 2010. In addition to the state funding necessary to begin the degree, the program garnered broad community support in the form of scholarships and matching funds, including a $2 million infusion from the Corpus Christi Business and Job Development Corporation. Large segments of the Corpus Christi economy, such as petroleum refining and heavy industry, rely on engineering expertise. Engineering degrees are costly to start due to the specialized classroom lab space and equipment needed for instruction.[lvi]
Killebrew’s push for additional research activity resulted in increased expenditure for research from $16 million in 2013 to $25 million in 2015.[lvii] Much of this increase in research expenditure is due to the work of the Harte Research Institute. In 2018, the university would be designated as an “R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity” under the Carnegie Classification system for Universities. This distinction reflects a faculty that is increasingly engaged in research and in particular projects that are funded externally such as by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other government sources. Despite these successes, Killebrew was unable to add programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and architecture.[lviii]
President Dr. Flavius Killebrew (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
During Killebrew’s 12 years as president, the campus underwent several major physical upgrades. He would oversee the addition of Island Hall and the Dr. Jack and Susie Dugan Wellness Center. These structures were built southwest of the existing field house and swimming pool. The Dugan Wellness Center is a 67,000-square-foot, $21 million facility featuring basketball courts, a fitness center, offices for athletics and recreational sports, locker rooms, and group exercise rooms. This facility replaced the Glasscock Fitness and Wellness Center, a 6,200-square-foot facility built in 1968.[lix][lx] In 2007, students narrowly approved a fee increase, by just 12 votes, to pay for a portion of the Dugan Wellness Center and its ongoing operations.[lxi] Adjacent to the Dugan Wellness Center, Island Hall is a 148,000-square-foot building that is home to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Education and Human Development’s kinesiology program. The $45 million facility has an indoor track, classroom space, offices, laboratory space, and a state-of the-art biomechanics laboratory.[lxii]
Dr. Jack and Susie Dugan Wellness Center (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Participants in the Emergency Care Workshop (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Students in Corpus Christi Bay Near Campus (2019)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
In 2010, TAMU-CC opened the Woo Sung Lee Alumni Welcome Center on Ennis Joslin Drive overlooking the island campus.[lxiii]Woo Sung Lee was an alumnus of UCC. He also generously donated to scholarships and funds to construct Lee Plaza.[lxiv] The plaza, with its fountain, outdoor seating, and attractive landscaping, provides a place for students to gather. Lee Plaza is centered between the O’Connor Building, Corpus Christi Hall, the round building, and the campus Welcome Center.[lxv] Lee Plaza is the site for several momentous events each year. The area is extensively decorated for the Holiday season and features a Christmas Tree. Lee Plaza serves as the centerpiece for the university’s Holiday celebration. Following the ring ceremony, students come to Lee Plaza to participate in the “The Islander Ring Wish” tradition by tossing a sand dollar into the fountain to make a wish about the future.[lxvi]
Woo Sung Lee Alumni Welcome Center (2012)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The Plaza is a tribute to Lee’s late son, Yongnam Lee, and serves as a memorial to other students as well. During the spring, the Islander Tribute is held in Lee Plaza to remember any student lost during the preceding year.[lxvii] Pavers feature the names of students who have passed away while attending TAMU-CC. As of 2021, there were 82 inscribed bricks in honor of students. A statement above the pavers reads “Let us not forget our fellow Islanders.”
A Campus Tour Group Outside the Islander Welcome Center (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Lee Plaza During the Holidays (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The Michael and Karen O’Connor building was completed in 2011. Karen O’Connor was instrumental in funding the building through a $6 million gift towards the $25 million cost of the facility.[lxviii][lxix] The gift honored her late husband, Michael, who passed in 2003 from a rare, incurable blood cancer. In addition to her philanthropic support of and advocacy for TAMU-CC, Karen O’Connor Urban has worked to advance healthcare in South Texas among other charitable pursuits.[lxx]
Michael and Karen O’Conor Building (2020)
Andrew Johnson
Michael A. O’Connor (1935-2003) attended Notre Dame University and was a heavy-weight boxing champion. He ultimately graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas with a business administration degree in 1958. He moved to Corpus Christi to work for the Gardner-Denver Company, a manufacturer of pumps and compressors. O’Connor would begin several successful businesses and his career would culminate as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Hanover Compressor Company. Under his guidance, the company would be come a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 1997.[lxxi]
President Dr. Furgason, Mrs. Karen O’Connor, Mr. Michael O’Connor, College of Business Dean Dr. Moustafa H. Abdelsamad (n.d.)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
TAMU-CC Business Students Julie Williams, Stephen Gibson, and Blake Cox Study in the Michael and Karen O’Connor Building (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The 75,000-square-foot O’Connor Building houses faculty and administrative offices of the College of Business in addition to computer labs, study areas, classrooms, and meeting spaces. A real-time stock ticker runs the width of the main lobby facing the east entrance of the building.
The Momentum Campus is a 156-acre site located off Ennis Joslin Drive and Nile Drive donated to TAMU-CC by the City of Corpus Christi in 2008. The site was previously used by the city for sports fields. This new campus began with the construction of the Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center, located off Nile Drive. The $2.4 million facility opened in 2011 and has 12 NCAA regulation courts. Henry is a prominent attorney and supporter of Islander Athletics.[lxxii] A track and soccer pitch would be added in 2013 with support from the Dugan family.
Dr. Jack A. Dugan is a respected ophthalmologist and rated as one of the nation’s top 100 eye surgeons. Following a residency at the University of Texas and service as the Chief of Eye Surgery at Fort Benning, Georgia during the Vietnam War, Dugan moved to Corpus Christi. He started the Dugan Eye Institute of Corpus Christi in 1977. The Dugan Family has given generously to support athletics and recreational sports at the Island University.[lxxiii]
Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Dugan Family Soccer Complex (2013)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Momentum Village student housing is located on Ennis Joslin Drive. The first phase was completed in 2015 and housed 482 students. The units were leased at full capacity in the semester in which they opened and planning for construction of a second phase was undertaken immediately.[lxxiv] The second phase was begun on July 6, 2016 and opened for fall 2017 classes. This opening would add an additional 560 beds to bring the total capacity of Momentum Village to 1,042 students. The total capacity for all student housing with these additions was 2,832 students in 2017. The Momentum Campus is notable in that it increased the physical footprint of the campus allowing facilities that require large tracks of land, such as sports venues, to be constructed. This arrangement allows for instructional and research facilities to be prioritized on Ward Island while still allowing for campus expansion.[lxxv]
Momentum Village Student Housing (2015)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
With the increased emphasis as a residential campus, a food truck was added on campus in 2013 while a new dining hall was opened in 2014. The 18,700-square-foot facility has seating for 400 and features numerous food options. In 2019, the dining hall was designated as an “Ocean Friendly” restaurant for its green initiatives such as the reduction of food packaging. The university introduced a related measure deploying eco friendly waste bins to promote sustainability.[lxxvi]
An important program was solidified under Killebrew. The TAMU-CC Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program began as the Javelina Battalion’s Charlie Company (Kingsville) in 1978 with the U.S. Army. In 2006, the TAMU-CC Islander Army ROTC was formed and is organized within the Military Science Department of the College of Education and Human Development.
Members of the 1978 ROTC Program
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
ROTC Rock Climbing (n.d.)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
A Welcome Center was added alongside Lee Plaza in 2013 to greet prospective students. The center allows students to complete admissions applications and arrange for campus tours. Killebrew would also oversee a 35,000-square-foot expansion of the University Center in 2015 at a cost of $27.5 million.[lxxvii]
Construction of Tidal Hall, a new $60 million, 111,000-square-foot Life Science and Engineering Building, would begin in August 2016 and open in 2019. The building features classrooms, nine teaching labs, 34 research labs, and 100 offices. Funding from the project was mostly provided by the State of Texas using tuition revenue bonds approved in 2015.[lxxviii]
Tidal Hall (2020)
Andrew Johnson
Students work in a Lab in Tidal Hall (2020)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Killebrew would serve the TAMUS in various capacities for 43 years. Immediately following his retirement as president, he worked to advise the Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence and Innovation.[lxxix] He was awarded the title of “President Emeritus” in 2017 by the TAMUS Board of Regents.
Student Body President Garrett Ransom and Vice-President Andrea Gilson with Mrs. and Dr. Killebrew (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
President Kelly Miller with TAMU-CC Students (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
President Kelly Miller
Dr. Kelly M. Miller began at the Island University as an Assistant Professor of Communication in 1994. Her entire academic career has been spent at TAMU-CC rising through the ranks as a Department Chair, Director of the School of Arts, Media, & Communication, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and as Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Miller holds a PhD in Communication from Pennsylvania State University. She has been a part of the Island University since the faculty was expanded to accommodate the return of freshman students to the university. Accordingly, Miller knows the campus, faculty, and community well.[lxxx] While serving as Provost, Miller was selected to serve as interim President upon the retirement of Killebrew in December 2016. In August 2017, she was selected to fill the role on a permanent basis.[lxxxi]
President Miller with Students During her Surprise Birthday Party (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Reception for State Legislative Delegation (2017) President Dr. Kelly Miller, State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, and State Representative Todd Hunter
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
President Miller joined the Island University at a time of important change as lower division courses were again offered. She has spent her entire academic career on the Island:
“I joined Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi on August 24, 1994 as an assistant professor. I had just graduated from arguably the top communication program in the country at that time, moved thousands of miles away from home, and the campus resembled an outdated army barracks in many places.
So then, why did I choose the Island University? Because from the first moment I stepped foot on the island, -it was electric. The energy was contagious. And there was a vision, a bold vision, that we were determined to achieve. We were determined to close the gap in educational attainment and help first generation, low-income students become successful professionals and leaders in Texas.
Twenty-seven years later, I can honestly say Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is by all accounts a true success story. We have grown in enrollment, in research, in prestige, and in supporting economic development for our region, but we have never lost sight of what makes this campus truly special – our unparalleled commitment to student success.”
-President Kelly M. Miller, 2021[lxxxiz]
Miller would face a series of major events beginning as soon as she was named interim President. The 2017 Legislative Session proved to be eventful for higher education in the Coastal Bend Region as a push to merge TAMU-CC and Texas A&M University-Kingsville took place. Broadly speaking, the proposal would have created a single A&M university from the two independent campuses.[lxxxiii] The measure was designed to cut costs by consolidating functions between the two campuses that are located less than 40 miles apart. At the time, Kingsville was experiencing declines in enrollment and associated financial difficulties. The proposal would have merged administrations, student services, and programs to better realize economies of scale and efficiencies. Some details were not included in the proposal, such as the name of the would-be institution, location of the headquarters, any changes to programs or degrees, the continuation of sports, and the mascot.
The proposal was met with resistance from both the Corpus Christi and Kingsville communities and many alumni from both universities. Concerns ranged from the use of one mascot over the other, the loss of programs, and the location of the main administrative offices. The allocation of resources to campuses and the location of the chief administrators had also been constant points of contention under the USST administrative structure. Ultimately, the proposal did not move forward when members of the Corpus Christi area state legislative delegation joined State Representative J. M. Lozano (Kingsville) in withholding support for the measure by not filing enabling legislation.[lxxxiv]
Another storm rocked the campus in 2017. Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm, made landfall north of Corpus Christi at San Jose Island on August 26, 2017. The storm quickly intensified from a tropical depression to a major hurricane while in the Gulf of Mexico. Miller was confirmed by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents to fill the presidency on a permanent basis on the same day that campus was closed in advance of the storm. She would return to campus as soon as the vote was held to lead the response to the hurricane.
Hurricane Harvey caused an estimated $125 billion in damage to Texas and southwest Louisiana. Strong winds damaged the Island University, particularly to the roofs of several buildings. Major flooding was present on the barrier islands and areas north of Corpus Christi, particularly affecting the Houston Metropolitan Region. Many Islanders were displaced as the campus had mandatory evacuations while much of the region had recommended evacuations. Some students, faculty, and staff lost their homes in the storm, thus making the academic year challenging for many. Restoration of electricity took several days for parts of Corpus Christi while parts of the region sustained more considerable infrastructure damage. The storm made landfall two days before classes were to begin, thus causing a delay. TAMU-CC employees returned to work on August 30 and classes began on September 5, 2017.[lxxxv]
TAMU-CC Students Assist Members of the Community During the BIG Event Day of Service (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Islanders would meet the challenges caused by Harvey head-on. Almost immediately, groups of students began helping to rebuild area communities. Students removed debris and fallen trees in the hard-hit community of Rockport. The BIG Event held in April 2018 included 1,000 student volunteers contributing more than 4,000 hours focusing on neighborhoods that sustained hurricane damage. The effort to better prepare the Gulf Region for hurricanes is ongoing with TAMU-CC researchers assisting businesses and communities not only with recovery efforts but to become more resilient in the event of another major storm.[lxxxvi]
While Miller is not the first “President Miller” of the Island University, she is the first female President. During Miller’s tenure, several women would serve in prominent administrative roles. Among these appointments was Dr. Clarenda Phillips who was named Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs in March 2018.[lxxxvii] Faculty, staff, and administrators are more reflective of the make-up of the student body. In 2019, 6,953 female students attended TAMU-CC or 60.7% of the total student body.[lxxxviii]
President Miller with Students at Women’s Basketball Game (2019)
Dr. Kenneth Iyescas
Miller has indicated that she looks forward to a time when women being promoted to leadership positions is not an exceptional event. Indeed, her administration has broken a glass ceiling and advanced the Island University.[lxxxix]
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day March (2003)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The student body is diverse with 5% being Black, 48% Hispanic, 37% White, 3% Asian, and 5% other ethnicities in 2018. This is a significant change from the early decades of UCC when Sidney Smith (1944-2009) was the first African American UCC student. He attended during the 1960s and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later earned a Master of Religious Education degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California in 1968, and a Ph.D. from California Graduate School of Theology in Glendale in 1973. Smith was the first director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s African American ministries division serving from 1994-2005. Altogether, Smith served more than 40 years in Southern Baptist denominational roles and supported the opening of more than 400 congregations.[xc]
Another notable change is that TAMU-CC is now the educational home for students from across the nation, and around the world. CCSU only had 14 foreign students in 1979,[xci] a reflection of the focus on recruitment within the local area.[xcii] In the 2018-2019 academic year, international students from 55 different countries comprised 3% of the TAMU-CC student body.[xciii]
Sixty-five students from Vietnam, 53 from India, and 34 from China comprised the largest international groups by nation.[xciv] The Office of International Education assists these students and provides programing to promote understanding of other cultures among the campus community. One of their hallmark events is International Education Week held annually in late fall. Cultural presentations, international foods, discussions by Fulbright Scholars, a fashion show, and study abroad fair are among the activities held during this event.
Student Performance at the Performing Arts Center (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Students Perform During the Colombian Carnival (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
President Miller and Students Performing During International Education Week (2019)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Students Perform During International Education Week (2019)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Regents Professor Dr. Pamela Brouillard Discusses her Experience as a Fulbright Scholar (2020)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
TAMU-CC brings together many people and programs are reflective of South Texas culture and educational needs. There is a long-standing center for bilingual education studies offering a minor in Spanish-English Translation and a certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)/Applied Linguistics. The College of Education and Human Development offers a graduate level certification program in Counseling Spanish Speaking Clients. The College of Liberal Arts offers minors in Mexican American, Latin-American, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.[xcv]
TAMU-CC Art Student Jamie Gonzalez (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Initiatives also include events centered on Hispanic Heritage Month beginning each September 15 and lasting to October 15. Events including food, music, dance, and presentations on research and initiatives that impact the Hispanic community are held at this time.
To serve this student body, Miller has made student graduation an important goal. This goal aligns with strategies set forth by the State but are particularly important given the large number of first-generation students served by the Island University. In 2019, half of the student body indicated they were first-generation college students.[xcvi] Miller’s initiatives involve additional focus on student support, whether providing tutoring or adequate financial resources.[xcvii] Student success is a broad goal that involves processes from recruitment of prospective students through maintaining relationships with alumni who may return to the Island to serve as mentors. This strategy involves all stakeholders as faculty and advisors must be vested as well.
The university also projects its influence globally. In 1987, Dr. Wes Tunnell (1945-2018) became the first faculty member from the Island University to be selected as a Fulbright scholar. Since the late 1980s, an impressive list of nine faculty have conducted research, taught, and consulted in a foreign nation as part of the prestigious Faculty Exchange Program.[xcviii]
Article Announcing Dr. Tunnell’s Fulbright Scholarship (1987)
Alumni Update, Summer 1987. Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Fulbright Scholars
Many talented faculty have taught at the Island University. Students learn skills and gain knowledge from their experiences inside and outside of the class room. Lives are often shaped by a “favorite professor” or faculty who challenge students to reach their full potential. Experiences from the years spent learning at a university have a profound impact for the rest of a student’s life.
Dr. Wendi Pollock During a Mock Crime Scene Demonstration in the Faculty Center (2019)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Dr. Kenneth Iyescas Conducts a Band class in the Center for Arts (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The Texas A&M University System honors some of the most talented professors with the Regents Professor Award. One TAMU-CC faculty member has received this award each year since 1997.[xcix]
Regents Professor Dr. Awni Zebda Lectures on Cost Accounting (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Regents Professors
Under Miller, the push for higher levels of research expenditure continued. In 2018, she noted that at $28 million, Corpus Christi had the second highest level of research activity in the system, behind TAMU–College Station. New programs in Civil and Industrial Engineering were added due in part to the allocation of special item funding during the 2019 legislative session.[c]
TAMU-CC has expanded into online learning. The College of Business began offering courses as part of existing “traditional” degree programs to then offer students the ability to complete the last two years of a bachelor’s degree in a fully online format by 2018. This option is attractive to students who are completing two-year associate degree programs at community colleges. The college also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Accountancy (MAcc) programs in a fully online format. In 2020, the MBA program enrolled over 1,000 students from across the U.S. and Canada. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers an online Master of Science in Nursing degree for nurses who want to become Family Nurse Practitioners. Other colleges also expanded into the online classroom. Offering online degree offerings mean that students can access educational opportunities virtually anywhere in the world.[ci]
College of Business Students studying in the O’Connor Building (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
In 2018, TAMU-CC joined with other TAMUS universities to launch a unique educational opportunity for students in the Bryan, Texas area. The RELLIS Campus is an initiative launched by TAMUS Chancellor Sharp to extend the reach of system schools into the Brazos Valley Region. While this region is home to TAMU-College Station, the exceptional growth this university has experienced has led to an unfilled need. Sharp indicated that RELLIS is an “academic alternative for students who want to live in Bryan-College Station but who for whatever reason do not attend Texas A&M University [College Station].”[cii] Specifically, this could mean working professionals, or students who are seeking a specific major but do not meet the entrance requirements to be accepted into the program at College Station. Other degree programs, such as criminal justice, are offered at RELLIS by a system institution but not available at TAMU-College Station. Further, the cost of attendance at RELLIS is lower than at TAMU-College Station.
College of Business Dean Dr. John Gamble Congratulates an MBA Graduate in the Commencement Ceremony (August 8, 2015)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The RELLIS campus is located west of Bryan on State Highway 47. The 2,000-acre property was formerly the Bryan Army Airfield and was dedicated on June 6, 1943.[ciii][civ] Similarly, to Chase Field, Cuddihy Field, and Ward Island, the base was surplused by the U.S. Government following its use in World War II and the Korean conflict.
In 1962, TAMU-College Station began a similar arrangement as pursued by UCC to acquire the Ward Island property. After a 20-year lease agreement, the U.S. Government would transfer ownership to TAMU-College Station if the base was productively used as a campus. The property was renamed Riverside Campus in 1988 following the acquisition of the property. The Riverside campus provided an expansion opportunity at a time when the main campus was growing rapidly, particularly for research testing that required a large amount of space.[cv]
RELLIS Campus Entrance Sign (n.d.)
Texas A&M University System
The Riverside Campus was renamed the RELLIS Campus in 2015 to reflect the six Aggie (TAMU-College Station) core tenants: respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service.[cvi] This change coincided with the acquisition of the campus from TAMU-College Station by the TAMUS and development of a master plan. The plan includes extensive research centers that build on the existing campus activities.[cvii] The Texas Transportation Institute has its headquarters and several testing facilities, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), and a joint project between these two entities, the Center for Infrastructure Renewal are all located at RELLIS.[cviii] The TAMUS George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) is scheduled to be operational in 2021 and will be a testing center for emerging technologies used by the U.S. Army.[cix]
Part of the campus master plan includes the academic alliance, a center with degrees offered by system members from across the state. The arrangement is unique as students may take courses from different universities on the same campus. The RELLIS Campus alliance is predicated on a partnership with Blinn College, as the institution charged with offering core classes that comprise the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.[cx] On-campus research partnerships allow for students to gain hands-on experience. Students are counted as attending their respective system university however, shared services such as library services, computer labs, and student engagement are handled by staff employed by the TAMUS.[cxi]
On the RELLIS Campus, TAMU-CC offered four Bachelor of Business Administration degree programs which began in fall 2018. At launch, the TAMU-CC College of Business had the largest number of students in the inaugural semester with 66 students taught by three full-time faculty and supplemented by several adjunct instructors. The program has expanded in offerings and faculty and is experiencing a steady growth in the student body. By fall 2019, 177 TAMU-CC College of Business students were attending the RELLIS Campus taught by seven full-time and additional adjunct faculty.[cxii]
In 2019, the Island University established a presence in downtown Corpus Christi with the opening of the new Islanders Pavilion and Courts. This same year, TAMU-CC purchased a five-story building located on North Chaparral Street. Formerly occupied by retailer J.C. Penney, the 77,000-square-foot building was purchased for $2.3 million from Janet and Ernest “Buz” Maxwell. The building was built in 1947, the same year that UCC was founded. Renovation work and planning for the building began following the purchase. The building will provide a more direct link to the Corpus Christi community.[cxiii]
University of Corpus Christi Students Parade Past the J.C. Penney Co. Building in Downtown Corpus Christi (Circa 1960’s)
Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Special Collections and Archives Department, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
President Miller and TAMU-CC faced another critical challenge in 2020 as the year was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon resumption of classes after spring break in March 2020, courses shifted to an online only format for the remainder of the semester. At the height of the pandemic, the campus would transition fully to online courses. During this semester TAMU-CC faculty and staff pulled together and managed to successfully assist 97% of students in completing the semester, outperforming other semesters. [cxv]
COVID-19 related signage in Corpus Christi Hall (2020)
Andrew Johnson
Almost all summer courses were held online to allow for the campus to prepare for students, staff, and faculty to return in the fall of 2020. Social distancing and health guidelines were set in place. Classrooms and offices were retrofitted with plexiglass shielding and signage to help lessen the contact among people in common areas. The fall 2020 semester offered more “hybrid” and online courses to lower the amount of traffic on-campus and allow for fewer people to be present in classrooms at one time. Across campus, precautions were taken by limiting congregation, offering COVID-19 testing, and through the placement of additional hand sanitizer and cleaning stations. Signage reminding students, faculty, and staff to “Protect the Island” was displayed across campus. Traffic in hallways, classrooms, and common areas was notably lower during the 2020-2021 academic year due to the implementation of social distancing guidelines.[cxvi]
Miller’s time as president has been punctuated by major events. Even still, she is overseeing the growth of programs, facilities, and the broadening of research and community outreach. Her key initiatives are student-centered with an emphasis placed on being successful during college and well-prepared to enter the workforce or take the next step in their educational pursuits upon graduation.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Clarenda M. Phillips Congratulates Recent Graduates During a “Drive-Thru Diploma Pickup” Event (Fall 2020)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
A focus on student success is apparent not only in the support offered to students in trying times but through an increased emphasis on “early warnings” about student performance in courses and by providing additional academic support to assist students in their studies. This initiative is telling about President Miller, as her concern for students has endured since her time as an assistant professor with responsibility for large classes of first-year students.
Miller has also worked to strengthen the bonds between the local community and the university. The expansion into downtown Corpus Christi, numerous service projects, and a focus on preparing students for careers in the local area all work to benefit the community and students alike. Retaining more of the talented and skilled graduates to support social and economic growth is a shared goal of TAMU-CC and the region. [cxvii]
Bill Nye “The Science Guy” Lectures in the Performing Arts Center (September 14, 2015)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Islanders Men’s Basketball Team (2020)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Student Life, Traditions, Athletics, and an Odd Mascot
Over its history, the Island University has developed a distinctive culture. Student life is driven through traditions, athletics, events, and symbols that bring the campus together. Each university that has called the Island home has left a mark on the rich student experience enjoyed today.
Student Life
The Island is home to many different students. Students who enter as freshmen are presented with the opportunity to join numerous organizations, build lifelong friendships, live in a residence hall, and experience a full “traditional” university experience. Other students may attend night classes or take a fully online degree program, with a sharper focus on gaining the knowledge necessary to advance in their careers. These students build professional relationships alongside gaining the knowledge and skills to advance their careers. Still other students enrolled in advanced degree programs may be laser-focused on their pursuit to become experts in their fields and advance the body of knowledge. Put simply, the Island University provides significant opportunity across all levels of higher education from freshman seminars to the awarding of PhDs.
During the years as UCC, there was a significant influence from the BGCT. The curriculum aligned with the ministerial aims of the university as all students were required to take six hours of religious studies regardless of their major or religious affiliation.[cxviii] Student activities at UCC were often reflective of this religious underpinning. The Ministerial Alliance, Volunteer Mission Band, Life Service Band, Baptist Student Union, and other groups all promoted religious ministry and experiences.[cxix] For instance, the Life Service Band performed on-campus religious work in addition to community projects such as weekend trips to conduct youth revivals.[cxx]
Members Of the University of Corpus Christi Band (Circa 1950’s)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
UCC had several student organizations even in its first year. The 1948 Silver King, the UCC yearbook, listed the Thespians, Engineers, and the Betho Club (for female students interested in home economics) as options for students. Other clubs quickly emerged at UCC including the Art Club, Young Women’s Association, Chorus, Band, Pre-Law Club, and the Aggies. The Los Conquistadors were formed to better understand Latin American culture. Clubs were also formed based on the home city of students including Houston, the Rio Grande Valley, and Corpus Christi.[cxxi]
The secular nature of TAMU-CC, as a state-sponsored institution, has changed the student experience to one that is broader and more diverse. Campus life still offers students the opportunity to participate in faith-based organizations such as the Baptist Student Ministry, Young Life, Islander Catholic Organization, and Chi Alpha, a Christian-based student fraternal organization. However, the addition of cultural clubs such as Alpha Kappa Alpha, Black Student Union, India Student Association, Islander Cultural Alliance, Kappa Delta Chi women’s fraternity, and the Anime Club highlight the breadth of organizations available to Islanders. Numerous clubs are associated with colleges, departments, and other academic-based pursuits.
Over 150 organizations are available for students to join under the oversight of the University Council of Student Organizations (UCSO). TAMU-CC is a diverse campus with students from many walks of life. A majority of students are women, and many are the first generation in their family to attend college.[cxxii] Often students hold jobs, devote significant time to caring for family members, and may take evening or online courses to better arrange their classes alongside these other obligations.
The student body is formally represented through the Student Government Association (SGA). The SGA President, Vice President, Judiciary, and Senators for each College, as well as other areas (e.g., athletics, housing), are elected annually by students. SGA is guided by their mission statement:
“The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Student Government Association has the dedication and momentum to effectively serve, guide and act on behalf of our student body while promoting the general welfare of our Island Campus.”[cxxiiz]
Student Government Association Officers (2019)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Greek life is another important aspect of campus life. In 1960, Kappa Lambda, Tau Delta Delta, and Zeta Chi sororities were founded at UCC. The number of Greek organizations remained relatively stable as some new groups formed and existing groups changed names or dissolved. Following Hurricane Celia, all of the Greek organizations existing at the time, Delta Kappa Psi and Delta Phi Omega sororities, Sigma Pi, Tau Delta Phi, and Kappa Sigma Kappa, closed within a few years. The closing of the Tau Kappa Epsilon chapter in 1974 would begin a two-decade hiatus for Greek life on the Island.
In 1995, Phi Sigma Chi fraternity was founded and marked a new beginning for Greek life. By 2020, International Fraternities with cam pus chapters included Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Sigma Pi. Panhellenic sororities included Alpha Gamma Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Delta Delta, and Zeta Tau Alpha. The Multicultural Greek Council consists of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Delta Chi, Sigma Lambda Gamma, and Alpha Phi Alpha. All campus chapters are affiliated with a national organization. These groups regularly participate in community service projects and raising funds for charitable causes at the local and national level. Students involved in Greek life tend to perform better in their courses in addition to the valuable social and leadership skills gained through membership.[cxxiv]
Members of Kappa Sigma Kappa (Circa 1970)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Sisters of Delta Delta: Emily McDonald, Sarah Pena, Taylor Cope, Jaycie Martinez at Greek Event (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Traditions
Located near the University Center, the anchor is a focal point for traditions. The first anchor was left on Ward Island by the U.S. Navy after their departure. President Cavness dedicated the anchor to the freshman class and charged the class to maintain the anchor, carry it to sporting events, and guard it against rivals. However, they were not successful in their duties. During a series of pranks with rival universities in the 1960s, the anchor was taken and subsequently disposed of. A new anchor was situated on campus on February 27, 2015 during Homecoming Week. This anchor was placed between the University Center and Science Building in the re-named Anchor Plaza. It is 13 feet long and weighs 5,500 pounds.[cxxv] The original plaque and a new plaque to accompany the second anchor are on display. The anchor is fixed in place to prevent a similar fate as the first anchor.
Members of the Freshman Class Guarding ‘The Original” Anchor (1950)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Students Prepare the Anchor for Painting (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Anchor Plaques (2015)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Islander Homecoming is held each spring. The naming of a Homecoming Islander at a home basketball game is the culmination of a week of wide-ranging activities. A pep rally, annual awards ceremony, fiesta, tip-off picnic, pre-game tailgates, and the lighting of the “I” are part of these traditions. The lighting ceremony is marked by the ignition of a large metal structure in the shape of a “capital I” and fueled by propane. Anchors Aweigh is a part of Homecoming Week representing a renewed tradition from the early days of the University of Corpus Christi. This tradition of painting the anchor with a fresh coat of paint was revived in 2018. Service projects have also become part of Homecoming Week with Islander Clean (a time to clean up the campus) and a collection for the food pantry being included.[cxxvi]
Anchor Ceremony (2015)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Students Participating in the “Lighting of the I” Events (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
During Homecoming, alumni from the Island University are honored at a banquet. Individuals are recognized in three broad groups: Outstanding Alumni, Distinguished Alumni, and Young Alumni. These individuals represent their alma mater exceptionally well as they have excelled in pursuits such as business, the military, academia, professions, or in public service.
Members of the CCSU Alumni Association John Buckley (left), Tom Goad (center), Don Deis (right)
Alumni Update, December 1982. Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Since 2008, Islanders have engaged in an annual BIG Event aimed at providing volunteer service across the community. A similar service day, the Little Event, is held in the fall. The MLK day of service, alternative winter or spring breaks, service Saturdays, and Islander Clean are all regularly-held service events. Students also volunteer in Adopt-A-Beach, Strides Against Breast Cancer, Kids Against Hunger, Habitat for Humanity, Grow Local South Texas, Glenoak Therapeutic Riding Center, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Junior Achievement, Mission 911 (homeless assistance), and others.
Students Participating in Volunteer Work (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The Islander Ring Ceremony is a bi-annual event for upper-level students and all alumni to be presented with their class ring. This important ceremony is often witnessed by the student’s family and friends. Receiving the Islander Ring signifies that you are close to becoming a distinguished member of the Islander Alumni Association and nearing graduation. This is a formal event held in the Performing Arts Center.[cxxvii]
Islander Ring (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Russell Wagner, Director of Alumni Engagement, Speaks During the Islander Ring Ceremony. Also Pictured are President Dr. Miller, Alumni President Mr. Ed Cantu, Vice-President of Student Engagement Dr. Don Albrecht (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
TAMU-CC Student Derrek Arnold during the Islander Ring Ceremony (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
A TAMU-CC Student Tossing a Sand Dollar in the Lee Plaza Fountain as Part of the University Ring Ceremony (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Student Jordan Mayfield and Jeffrey Thomas View Islander Ring in the University Center (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Students Ayman Abdalla and Julie Reyes at Late Night Breakfast (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Another annual event is Late Night Breakfast held in advance of final exams in May and December. Students enjoy breakfast in the dining hall as they stay up late to study.
Some places on campus have become traditions in their own right. Dr. Hector P. García Plaza is an outdoor meeting point with a stage and tables to rest or study. Garcia was a tireless advocate for education, stating: “Education is our freedom, and freedom should be everybody’s business.”
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Dr. Hector P. García Plaza (2005)
Anna M. Canales Photograph Collection of the Creation of the Dr. Hector P. García Statue and the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the García Plaza at TAMU-CC, Box 7, Folder 2, Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The García statue stands nine feet tall and was dedicated in 1996. García was able to view the completed statue in June 1996 just before his passing the following month.[cxxviii] The statue is a point of pride for students who, by tradition, rub the foot of the statue for good luck.
García was a prominent veteran, physician, civil rights leader, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He opened a medical practice in Corpus Christi following his distinguished service in World War II being honorably discharged at the rank of Major. His early community service mostly dealt with public health issues which he addressed through regular radio spots. He would become a noted civil rights leader for his pursuit of rights for Hispanic Americans. He was the founder of the American G.I. Forum, a Congressionally recognized Hispanic Civil Rights Organization.[cxxix]
Construction of the García Statue (1996)
Anna M. Canales Photograph Collection of the Creation of the Dr. Hector P. García Statue and the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the García Plaza at TAMU-CC, Box 7, Folder 2, Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Hector P. García Plaza Statue (1996)
Anna M. Canales Photograph Collection of the Creation of the Dr. Hector P. García Statue and the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the García Plaza at TAMU-CC, Box 1, Folder 2, Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Caliente Television Show, Filmed at TAMU-CC for Broadcast on August 18, 2001 on Univision (2001)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Captain Hector P. García (Circa 1945)
Dr. Hector P. García Papers, Collection 5, Box 438, Folder 8. Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
García’s work would take many forms, from supporting the desegregation of local schools, resisting the push to declare English as the official language of the United States, improving living conditions in South Texas, and pursuing better labor conditions. He would be appointed to various positions by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Carter. García would be the first U.S. citizen to address the United Nations General Assembly in a language other than English when he gave a speech in Spanish in 1967.
Dr. Hector P. García Alternative Ambassador to the United Nations (Circa 1967)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
For his work, García received several high honors. Pope John Paul II recognized him with the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Pope Gregory the Great in 1990. President Ronald Reagan would present García with the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1984. García was the first Hispanic American to receive the recognition. In 2009, The State of Texas established the third Wednesday of each September as “Dr. Hector P. García Day.” President Bill Clinton eulogized him as a national hero.[cxxx]
Near the Garcia Plaza, Cat Alley lies between the Library and the Center for Sciences/Glasscock Center. It is a unique meeting point for students and the many cats who also call the Island home. The i-Cat (Cat Assistance Team) is a committee composed of faculty, staff, and students who care for the feral cats. The team not only feeds and provides medical care for the cats but helps manage the population through a trap-neuter-release program. A student Cat Club also works towards caring for the collective “pets” of the student body.[cxxxi]
i-Cat on Campus (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Since UCC first took the initiative to make the campus more reflective of the Island environment, this theme has grown to now encompass virtually every aspect of student life. In addition to the naming of buildings in accordance with a nautical theme (e.g., Seabreeze, Tidal Hall, Bayside Parking Garage, Bay Hall) streets (e.g., Oso Lane, Surf Lane, Dolphin Lane, Seagull Lane) and many rooms on campus now reflect this theme (e.g., Anchor Ballroom, the Breakers Break Room, the Cove food court, Seabreeze Patio). Several of the campus parking lots are named for sea animals (e.g., Angel Fish, Starfish, Jelly Fish, Tarpon). Student focused items such as the “SandDollar$” ID Card and S.A.I.L. (online registration portal) further reflect this theme. Names of programs and services often use an “i-” designation meaning “Islander” as a prefix to abbreviated terminology such as with the i-CARE (wellness services), i-News, i-Create (project lab), i-Engage (organization and service portal) among others.
University Mace (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
A special time in the life for any student is the commencement ceremony. Wearing a fresh flower lei is a tradition that is unique to Islander alumnus. The lei distinguishes graduates as new members of the Islander Alumni Association.[cxxxii] Other symbols used during the graduation are the university mace and the presidential medallion. The mace is a three-foot-tall wooden emblem that is carried at the front of the processional. The mace is made from wood from one of the old navy barracks on Ward Island and has a medal seal of each of the four universities at its head-UCC, A&I, CCSU, and TAMU-CC. The presidential medal is worn during formal events and has been handed down by each president to the next. This tradition began in 1972 with President Halladay. The Islander Alumni Association promotes traditions and provides the means for over 50,000 alumni to remain connected to the Island University after graduation. The Association has satellite chapters in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas/Fort Worth. The Woo Sung Lee Alumni Welcome Center, located just east of campus on Ennis Joslin Drive over looking Oso Bay, is the home of the National Alumni Association. This building was opened in 2010 and named for Lee, an alumni (class of 1959) and businessman, who founded the Boat ‘n Net restaurant chain in Texas.[cxxxiii]
Building deep connections is important to students and the university. The Alumni Association uses the slogan “Islander Forever” to signify that alumni are always part of their alma mater. The organization recognizes and welcomes alumni from all four universities to call the Island University home.[cxxxiv]
The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Foundation shares a similar mission to promote the growth and quality of TAMU-CC. The nonprofit corporation was founded as the Corpus Christi State University Foundation in December 1987. Founding members included Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Haas, Mrs. John Allen King, Mrs. Margaret R. Turnbull and many other community leaders. By 2020, the Foundation managed $32 million dollars for the benefit of TAMU-CC through scholarships, sponsoring research, endowed chairs and professorships, campus construction projects, and improvements in classroom technology. Notable past trustees include Cecilia Garcia Akers, Linda Benavides, John Buck ley, John Chapman, Gloria Hicks, Rosie Mirabal-Garza, Celika Storm, and Karen O’Connor Urban.
TAMU-CC Graduates (August 6, 2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The foundation and university currently manage assets that support 15 endowed chairs and professorships at the Island University.[cxxxv]
• Paul & Mary Haas Endowed Professorship in History
• Conrad Blucher Fund for the Advancement of Science and Technology
• Ennis and Virginia C. Joslin Chair in Accounting
• Rogelio “Roger” Benavides Memorial Chair
• Joe Frantz Professorship in History
• Ruth Campbell Professor of Coastal and Marine Sciences
• Ruth Campbell Professor of Marine Biology
• Harte Research Institute Endowed Chair in Geospatial Sciences
• Harte Research Institute Endowed Chair in Marine Policy and Law
• Harte Research Institute Endowed Chair in Ecosystems and Modeling
• Harte Research Institute Endowed Chair in Fisheries and Ocean Health
• Harte Research Institute Endowed Chair in Socio-Economics
• Miriam Wagenschein Professorship in Women and Gender Studies
• Miriam Wagenschein Professorship in Sociology
• Eve Layman Endowed Professorship in Nursing
• Barbara Silverman Professorship in Literacy
• Margaret and Paul Turnbull Professorship Endowment
• Mary & Jeff Bell Endowed Professorship in Business
• Jessie Frances Neal and Clifton W. Coonrod Endowed Chair in Accounting
Some traditions have not endured to the present. Homecoming Week activities have changed over the years. Past events have included a bonfire as opposed to the lighting of the “I.” Perhaps this change can be best reconciled due to a lack of space on the modern TAMU–CC campus as opposed to the smaller footprint occupied by UCC. A snake dance was held as part of pep rallies during Homecoming Week when the Tarpons fielded a football team.[cxxxvi] A homecoming parade was part of the celebration until 1970, being revived again in 2007 and lasting through 2016.[cxxxvii][cxxxviii] The Islander Revue began in 1999 and was held for 18 years ending in 2017. Student organizations performed an eight minute, Broadway-style production in competition with one another. The event was sponsored by the Student Foundation Association.[cxxxix]
Tarpons to Islanders
TAMU-CC Athletics have built strong programs across many sports. As a member of NCAA Division I, Islanders Athletes bring national notoriety to the Island University. Attending a sporting event is enjoyable and a source of pride for alumni and the community. Islanders Athletes are not only known for their athletic abilities but routinely earn exceptionally high marks in their academic pursuits as well.
Several athletic programs came and went during the UCC years. It was often difficult to provide the necessary facilities or scholarship support necessary for sports programs. At times, these programs were some of the easiest to cut during financially lean years.
Students Attend a Bonfire (Circa 1950s)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Football was difficult to maintain on the island. The large teams are difficult to recruit and providing the large number of scholarships needed to attract student athletes was a challenge as well. Scholarships were often granted without the financial backing of the BGCT or endowments. This practice placed a burden on UCC to provide education for some student athletes with little revenue to offset the costs. Football facilities are also expensive relative to other sports and require a good deal of maintenance. While the programs may have been unsteady, early yearbooks show a number of events including send-offs of the team to away games and UCC pep rallies held in the chapel.
The first football game ever was a 14-0 loss to the Trinity University Tigers in San Antonio in 1948. Playing mostly against independent and private universities, the team ended the first season with a 3-7 record. In 1950, the team had a very successful 25-1 record. After a two-year hiatus, football returned the campus in 1953 with the construction of a football field on the island.[cxl] However, football would not be included in the athletic program when TAMU-CC brought sports back to the Island University.
University of Corpus Christi Football Team (1948)
Silver King, 1949. Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
UCC Football Program (1949)
Silver King, 1950 Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Other sports such as swimming and boxing were offered at UCC but have not returned to TAMU-CC. UCC had a successful boxing program. One standout, Johnny Cloud, is honored in the Athletics Hall of Honor for his success at the regional and state level in 1956-57. In the same year, Billy Joe Butler competed at the national level. Collectively, the Tarpons won 62 of 78 bouts in team matches in this season.
Johnny Cloud
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The early years of athletics were marked by instability. The high-cost team travel often outpaced revenues. There was a high turnover among the coaching staff and some sports would be fielded one year and abruptly canceled before the next season. This occurred with the basketball and baseball teams in 1951. The following year, football was cancelled even after their successful 1950 season. Under President W. A. Miller, athletics would return with a parred-down coaching staff led by Kenneth Robb.[cxli] [cxlii]
UCC completed a field house that was dedicated on November 7, 1968. The building was paid for by the UCC Sustainers Club and Moody Foundation. This building still serves Islander Athletics as of 2021 and is located adjacent to the Dugan Wellness Center. The Sustainer’s Club was founded in 1959 by several civic leaders of the Corpus Christi area for the benefit of UCC. In addition to the larger gifts of buildings, the club also assisted with academic items such as faculty research projects.[cxliii]
The Tarpon Club was founded in 1960 as one aspect of Miller’s push to re-invigorate athletics while also making them more fiscally sustainable. This group would assist with the costs of the programs by providing items such as equipment.
Billy Joe Butler
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
UCC President Maroney was instrumental in obtaining NCAA certification in 1970. Even as this important milestone was achieved, a long hiatus for athletic programs would soon begin on the island. As UCC transitioned to an upper-level public institution under A&I, all sports programs would be discontinued. Athletic programs would began again in 1998 after almost a quarter of a century.[cxliv]
Facilities, teams, and coaching staff would have to be built from the ground up. To lead this effort, Dan Viola was hired in 1997 as athletic director.[cxlv] The community and the Susser family were vital in support for this undertaking. This monumental effort paid dividends as TAMU-CC was accepted as a Division I school in 2002. Islanders compete in 14 men’s and women’s sports as a member of the Southland Conference. By 2021, women competed in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, beach volleyball, volleyball, and track & field. Men’s sports were baseball, basketball, cross country, tennis, and track & field.[cxlvi]
Home basketball games are held in the Dugan Wellness Center or in Downtown Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center Arena. Baseball and softball home games are held at facilities located adjacent to the Dugan Wellness Center/Island Hall. Chapman Field is the home of the Islanders baseball team and is named after John (1925-2008)[cxlvii] and Louise Ann Chapman (1926-2004).[cxlviii] Occasionally, baseball tournaments are held at Whataburger Field, a minor league ballpark that is home to the Corpus Christi Hooks near Downtown Corpus Christi.
Soccer and track & field are held at the Dugan Family complex on the Momentum Campus.[cxlix] The Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center opened in 2014 as host to the Southland Conference Tennis Championships, with the Islanders winning both the men’s and women’s titles.[cl] Sand volleyball courts were opened on Momentum Campus in June 2015 as the sport became part of the intercollegiate athletics program in spring 2016. Opened in 2019, the addition of the Islanders Pavilion and Courts at Water’s Edge Park provides the team with a bayfront home and serves the Corpus Christi community.[cli]
As of 2021, Islanders Athletes won 23 Southland Regular Season Titles: Women’s Basketball (2020); Women’s Tennis (2014, 2016-2018); Volleyball (2015, 2016); Men’s Basketball (2007); Women’s Cross Country (2007-2009, 2011, 2018); and Men’s Tennis (2003, 2008-2015, 2017).[clii]
TAMU-CC Tennis Poster (Circa 2011)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The TAMU-CC Hall of Honor is a recognition for individuals and standout teams who have made significant contributions to TAMU–CC athletics. Teams include the 1971 tennis team which ranked fifth in the nation. The 13 players and coaching staff which comprised the 2004-2005 women’s basketball team are honored for their outstanding season and boosting the national prominence of the program. The 2006-2007 men’s basketball team was inducted in 2017 based on their 14-2 season with the Southland Conference player of the year, Chris Daniels (1984-), and coach of the year, Ronnie Arrow (1947-). Arrow would lead the Islanders for eight seasons with a 134-91 overall record. Arrow left TAMU-CC to take the head coach position at South Alabama following the 2007 season.
The 2006-2007 Men’s Basketball Team is Inducted into the Athletic Hall of Honor During the Alumni Honors Banquet (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Among the standout players, Terra Andrews holds the career scoring record with 1,550 points during her basketball career. Standout pitcher Donald “Trey” Hearne (1983-) would play minor league baseball. Tennis star and hall of fame inductee Gonçalo Figueiredo (1981-) would continue to support Islanders Athletics as an associate head coach. Hall of Honor individual inductees include Dr. Jack Dugan and President Maroney, among other prominent players, coaches, and supporters.[cliii]
The unique island setting provides for some unusual mascots. TAMU-CC was identified as the “Island University” early in its history and mascots have reflected this trait. The Tarpon, a type of Gulf fish, was the official mascot UCC adopted in 1947. The phrase “eat ’em up Tarpons” served as a rally cry during sporting events.[cliv] Upon the resumption of sports, the Islanders were represented by Tarpie the Tarpon.[clv] There was concern that the Tarpon was poor branding for the university. In particular, the costumed version of the mascot appeared more as a scary bird with blue fur than a fish. Re-branding efforts culminated with Izzy the Islander.
University of Corpus Christi students with a Tarpon (Circa (1940)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Izzy was born on October 13, 2004 as the official mascot complete with a “replacement ceremony” featuring both Izzy and Tarpie.[clvi] In 2011, Izzy received a makeover from the original styling that had included a grass skirt, use of a spear and shield, and a more prominent (and less child-friendly) mask. The revised Izzy has an Islanders jersey with board shorts, always sports a “game face,” and has a Momentum emblem on the top of a blue and green decorated mask.
Izzy the Islander and TAMU-CC Cheerleaders (2018)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Izzy was envisioned as a combination of influences from a “cool” surfer/beach person, Tarpie the Tarpon, and “a rock-bodied Polynesian from the island of Rapa Nui.” Rapa Nui is also known by its European name, Easter Island, a remote Chilean territory most notable for its Moai statues built by the island’s first inhabitants. However, the mascot has been a topic of concern over the cultural appropriation of people of Pacific Island descent. Discussions over the use of Izzy as the mascot continue due to a concern over racial insensitivity. Articles in the Islander Waves student newspaper and formal action by the TAMU-CC Faculty Senate have called for Izzy to be replaced or further re-branded. The Island University responded to this issue with forthcoming changes to the mascot.[clvii]
University Slogan: “The Island University”
Colors: Blue (dominate), Green, and Silver (accents)
“Alma Mater”
From the East, From the West, From the North, the South, Alma Mater we praise your name. As a fire in our hearts none shall ever doubt, That your spirit is kept aflame. Many people are heard the whole land through, All lifting their voices praising you. To the ends of the Earth we your worth will hail! Alma Mater our A&M-CC
“Islander Fight Song”
Fight for A and M, A and M C-C Highest Honor, Brave and Strong Ever True will be Onward to Victory Islanders will Prevail We’ll Fight, Fight, Fight Forever A and M C-C!
UCC Alma Mater Sheet Music (Circa 1950s)
Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Bright Days Ahead for the Island University
In 1969, Othal Brand (1922-2012) would express disappointment at the loss of UCC as the transfer of the institution to the State of Texas became eminent. The loss of identity and a changed mission could be disheartening especially for the people who worked to build UCC. Moving from a private, religious school to a state-supported institution was a profound shift for the Island University. However, its progression, under several names and leaders, has been impressive.
President Furgason Presides Over the 50th Anniversary of the University (1997)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
At the 50th anniversary celebration in 1997, dignitaries gathered to celebrate its progress. Brand, who went on to serve as mayor of McAllen, Texas, stated at the anniversary, “Now we have realized the dreams of the past. But we never dreamed it would become one of the finest institutions in the nation.”[clix] These statements perhaps represent a sentiment for many. The university has been transformed.
While attending the anniversary celebration, Brownie Clapp, the wife of the late UCC President Clapp, noted that she recognized nothing about the campus.[clx] Indeed much has changed. The Island University, as a state school and part of one of the largest university systems in Texas and the U.S., has thrived.
TAMU-CC Campus (2010)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The Island Today
TAMU-CC Vision Statement (2021)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is committed to becoming one of the leading centers of higher education in the Gulf of Mexico region while serving the intellectual, cultural, social, environmental and economic needs of South Texas. As a result, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will invigorate and strengthen the region and state through its educational programs, research initiatives and outreach efforts.
TAMU-CC Mission Statement (2021)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is an expanding, doctoral granting institution committed to preparing graduates for lifelong learning and responsible citizenship in the global community. We are dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, creative activity and service. Our supportive, multicultural learning community provides undergraduate and graduate students with a challenging educational experience through residential, distance learning and international programs. The university’s federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) provides a foundation for closing educational gaps, while its strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico and on the cultural border with Latin America provides a basis for gaining national and international prominence.[clviii]
Fauna of Ward Island (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Fauna of Ward Island (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Little evidence of the Naval Radar Station remains on Ward Island. Some foundations of the buildings can be found in less developed portions of the island. One small warehouse building is still in use that was constructed in 1943. Otherwise, the oldest buildings on campus date to the early 1960s with UCC construction projects.
In 2019, TAMU-CC employed the equivalent of 595 full-time faculty members offering 47 undergraduate degrees, 25 graduate programs, and six doctoral degrees. TAMU-CC holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Additionally, other colleges carry accreditations for specific programs. Programs in the College of Business are accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The designation is held for both the business and accounting programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has approved the baccalaureate and master’s programs. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program, began in 2015, is pursuing CCNE accreditation. The Clinical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Within the College of Science and Engineering, programs in Geographic Information Systems, Computer Science (Systems Programming), Mechanical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering Technology are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET).[clxi]
TAMU-CC Student Pedro Galvan (left) Britney Sauceda (center) and Tyanna Gold (right) (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Geographic Information System Students Near the MOMENTUM Sculpture (2014)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
TAMU-CC Student Jonathan Blades Tries on a Pair of Google Glasses at the iCORE Labs (2015)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The College of Education and Human Development holds accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for master’s programs in Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. The Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education is also CACREP accredited. Additionally, accreditation for the Athletic Training Education Program is through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The College of Liberal Arts carries accreditation for music programs through the National Association of Schools of Music.[clxii] These accreditations are a testament to the quality of academic programs across all colleges at the university.
TAMU-CC Students Kristi McLane and Emerald Perez with 4th Grade Student at the Early Childhood Development Center (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
TAMU-CC Students Look on as Dr. Valeriu Murgulet Presents a Rock Sample (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Professor of Art Louis Katz Addresses Students (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Programs in healthcare are the largest undergraduate major on campus with 352 students enrolled in fall 2018. This is reflective of the strong demand for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in the Coastal Bend. Business majors and biomedical science are also highly popular degree programs.[clxiii]
Students Attend a Psychology Lecture by Ms. Amanda Foy in Bay Hall (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Graduate education is an important offering for TAMU-CC. A total of 659 master’s degrees were awarded in the 2018-2019 academic year. The Master of Business Administration degree was the largest graduate program with 314 degrees awarded. The College of Business also awarded 25 Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degrees. Master’s degrees were awarded by every college including 116 by Education, 94 by Nursing and Health Sciences, 57 by Science and Engineering, and 53 by Liberal Arts. TAMU-CC offers doctoral degrees in every college except for Business. The College of Education and Human Development awards the most degrees at the doctoral level with 28 conferrals in the 2018-2019 academic year.[clxiv]
University of Campus Christi Nursing Students (Circa 1948-1949)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
TAMU-CC Students Lorisa Gallardo, Angela Rivera and Mark Perez Participate in a Clinical Exam (2016)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The Mary and Jeff Bell Library provides academic support for students and faculty across all colleges. The staff of professional librarians oversee a collection of over 392,000 volumes, extensive online databases with access to over 220,000 eBooks, an i-Create lab (a multipurpose makerspace), numerous technology resources, and study areas. The special collections section of the library houses the Daniel E. Kilgore, Blucher Family Papers, and Dr. Hector P. García papers. The archives houses university records since the founding of UCC in 1947. This collection includes a vast number of photographs, UCC yearbooks from 1948-1973, and other records such as catalogs and alumni magazines.[clxv]
TAMU-CC Students Jackie Roman, Zac Lewis, Vinnie Von Poyveld, and Justin Dear in the Mary and Jeff Bell Library (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The university continues to impact the community through several centers, programs, and initiatives. The Early Childhood Development Center serves Corpus Christi Independent School District students and provides hands-on training for teachers.[clxvi]
Founded in 1945, the Art Museum of South Texas has been an affiliate of TAMU-CC since 1995.[clxvii] The museum is located on Corpus Christi Bay with views of the ship channel and Harbor Bridge. The current building dates from 1972 and is an impressive post-modern structure designed by renowned architect Phillip Johnson. Among his best-known designs are the modernist Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, 550 Madison Avenue in New York City, and 190 South La Salle Street in Chicago. Johnson is also noted for serving as the architect for several other museum projects.
The Miller addition to the museum was completed in 2006 and named for William “Bill” (1926-2007)[clxviii] and Maurine Miller (1927-2021)[clxix] of Corpus Christi. This new wing was designed by renowned architect Ricardo Legorreta (1931-2011) to complement the original structure.[clxx] Legorreta designed numerous buildings in Mexico and the United States including the Camino Real Hotel in Mexico City, Torre BBVA Bancomer tower in Mexico City, the IBM Factory in Guadalajara, the Cathedral of Managua, the San Antonio Public Library, and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.[clxxi]
The art museum’s permanent collection focuses on regional works but holds works across multiple periods, mediums, and several categories (sculpture, paintings, drawings, and decorative arts). The museum has ample space to host large special exhibits allowing the Coastal Bend to attract exceptional visiting collections.
Art Museum of South Texas Under Construction (1974)
University of North Texas Archives
Gallery of the Art Museum of South Texas (2017)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Another community outreach location is the Antonio E. Garcia Arts and Education Center located in West Corpus Christi. The center provides programs in arts, health, literacy, and culture to the community. For instance, summer camps are held on writing, ceramics, and mathematics. As an affiliate of the College of Education and Human Development, the center’s programming is focused on children and families.[clxxii] Antonio E. Garcia (1901-1997), the namesake of the center, was born in Mexico but was sent to live with family in the U.S. as a safety precaution during the Mexican Revolution. Garcia would spend most of his adult life in Corpus Christi working as a painter and art teacher. His works are reflective of Mexican and Latin culture and several may be viewed as part of the permanent collection of the Art Museum of South Texas and at the Garcia Center.[clxxiii]
TAMU-CC Students Conducting a Health Fair at the Garcia Center (2015)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
The College of Business operates the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center (CBBIC) housed in the TAMU-CC Flour Bluff Building on South Padre Island Drive. The Center provides entrepreneurs with a range of services to both on and off-site client companies. A focus of the center is to cultivate local businesses to create jobs and positive economic impact.[clxxiv] The CBBIC is designated as part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s University Center Economic Development Program. Centers in this program work to deploy resources from affiliated universities into communities to encourage economic development.[clxxv] The college also added the South Texas Economic Development Center in 2014. The center produces regional monthly and annual economic reports. Regents Professor Dr. Jim Lee was the inaugural director of research for the center.[clxxvi]
The Flour Bluff Building is also home to the Lone Star Unmanned Aerial System Center of Excellence & Innovation (LSUASC). LSUASC is one of only seven Federal Aviation Administration designated centers for unmanned aircraft system research in the U.S. Established in 2013, this center conducts research, development, testing and evaluation of unmanned aerial systems for educational, public, and commercial uses. Clients include public safety agencies, the oil & gas industry, scientific researchers, and government agencies.[clxxvii]
Lone Star Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Vehicle (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
A notable achievement of Lone Star UAS is its partnership with NASA. In 2019, NASA selected LSUASC as one of two test sites to spearhead testing in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management project. The center was chosen for their past work with NASA, expertise in the field, and the challenging environment that the Coastal Bend represents for operating unmanned aircraft systems. LSUASC and its partnerships provide ample opportunity for TAMU-CC students to be involved in projects as interns and participants in large scale tests. The opportunity to study UAS on such a deep level is only available at a handful of universities.[clxxviii]
Lone Star Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Command Center (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Student Access
One of the primary reasons for the state to desire a public university in Corpus Christi was accessibility. TAMU-CC has a high acceptance rate for those who apply. In 2018, 87.1% of prospective students were accepted. Students from 47 of the 50 U.S. states and 176 of the 254 Texas counties attended TAMU-CC in fall 2019. The mission of the university to serve South Texas is evident by the large enrollments from counties in the region. Nueces County (Corpus Christi) has the largest representation of any county at 3,509 students. Other counties with large numbers of their residents attending include Bexar (San Antonio) (819), Harris (Houston) (754), and nearby San Patricio (Sinton) (464).[clxxix]
Another major factor for the desire to bring a state university to Corpus Christi was to address the barrier created by the high tuition cost for attending a private school. In 2018, the tuition and fees for full-time attendance for the year were approximately $9,760. The average amount of educational debt for a TAMU-CC student is $37,454. While this level of student debt rate is not out of line with peer institutions, the amount is the highest among the TAMUS universities located in South Texas. TAMU-CC tuition is higher than other Texas A&M University System universities such as Texas A&M University-San Antonio ($8,245) or Texas A&M University-Kingsville ($8,462). However, it is considerably lower when compared to Texas A&M University-College Station, as their projected cost was $10,316 in 2019.[clxxx]
One reason contributing to higher debt for TAMU-CC students is that a lower percentage of students receive Pell Grants compared to other peer institutions in South Texas. These grants are one of the largest sources of Federal Government Aid and are granted to students with economic need. Among the four A&M universities in South Texas, TAMU-CC had the lowest percentage with 42.2% of students receiving Pell Grants in 2018. Texas A&M International University is the highest with 63.1% of students receiving this type of aid.[clxxxi]
Had UCC not been transferred to the state and continued as a private university, the tuition would undoubtedly be significantly higher. Among the universities that remain affiliated with the BGCT, tuition and fees are closer to $30,000 annually as reported in 2018-2019. For instance, Howard Payne University was $29,198,Mary Hardin Baylor was $29,700, and Baylor University in Waco was $47,364. The least costly BGCT institution was Wayland Baptist at $22,658 per year. Private schools affiliated with other denominations located in San Antonio, the closest geographically to Corpus Christi, are also relatively expensive. Trinity University states an annual tuition and fees rate of $44,600 while University of the Incarnate Word estimates tuition and fee costs at $32,576.[clxxxii] These examples of cost illustrate the concern that private education limits the number of students who are able to attend due to expense.
The cost of attending university has increasingly shifted to students and families as state appropriations for higher education as a percentage of the total cost has decreased over time. However, the importance of pursuing higher education has increased as more careers require bachelors or advanced degrees. In this environment, maintaining accessibility for students often involves financial considerations. This situation further emphasizes the importance of scholarships and other support for educational institutions.
The Future
The unique setting of the island has made for a rich environment. Native vegetation remains in less developed areas of campus, particularly in the southern portion of the island beside the Cayo del Oso. A trail extends around the south side of the island providing for a scenic walk or jog. Extensive and unique non-native landscaping exists near the buildings and pathways of the central campus. Across Ocean Drive from the Performing Arts Center lies a strip of sandy beach. A unique feature near the campus, this additional recreational area connects the campus to Corpus Christi Bay. With more than 223 sunny days a year,[clxxxiii] chances are that classes are being held on a bright day with a breeze off the gulf.
Ward Island (2015)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
A picturesque setting is the stage for the future of the Island University. TAMU-CC is a diverse institution that serves a region with a history shaped by Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the US. In the past 75 years, the Island has seen robust change. In 1947, a utilitarian naval training faculty was the start of a transformation into a modern university that is a component of one of the nation’s largest systems of higher education. The bond between TAMU-CC and the community is strong having been forged over decades of change and based in mutual need. The institution increasingly engages in globally impactful projects while hosting a sizable community of international students. Each semester hundreds of graduates become “Islanders Forever” and tell the story of the Island University through their own pursuits and success. The Island University has taken several names, been guided by many leaders, and served as home for tens of thousands of Islanders during some of the most formative years of life.
Sunset from TAMU-CC Campus (n.d.)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
[i] Palmer, D. (1989,May 27). S. Texans watch as Clements signs education-merger, 4-year CCSU bills. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 1.
[ii] Young, N. B. (2020, August 26). Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/texas-a-m-universitycorpus-christi
[iii] History of the UT System. (2020, August 23). The University of Texas System. https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/chancellor/history-ut-system
[iv] About. The Texas A&M University System: https://www.tamus.edu/system/about/
[v] Hunter, C. A., & Hunter, L. G. (2000). Texas A&M University Kingsville. Charleston, SC: Arcadia.
[vi] Palmer, D. (1989, May 27). S. Texans watch as Clements signs education-merger, 4-year CCSU bills. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 1.
[vii] Palmer, D. (1989, May 27). S. Texans watch as Clements signs education-merger, 4-year CCSU bills. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 1.
[viii] History of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. (2020, August 30). The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/history/index.htm
[ix] Barry B. Thompson. (2014, March 5). Obituaries. Fort Worth Star Telegram. https://legcy.co/3wKpNAw
[x] Past Chancellors. (2021). The Texas A&M University System. https://chancellor. tamus.edu/ about/past-chancellors/
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[xv] Robert R. Furgason. Personal communication to author, June 15, 2021.
[xvi] Halladay, D. W. (1972, December 31). Texas A&I-CC plans to be flexible, original in scope. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 81.
[xvii] Ray, S. (1995, March 15). Big boost for A&M-CC Truan files bills to create a health science center. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 1.
[xviii] Arlington, Texas has a larger population than Corpus Christi and does not have a professional school within the city limits. As part of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Arlington is located within proximity to multiple professional schools.
[xix] Deselms, J. (1995, May 13). School makes history with doctoral degrees. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
[xx] Fernandez, I. (2003, October 12). New Harte doctoral program seen as growth spur – It is A&M-CC’s first doctoral in science. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 4.
[xxi] Fernandez, I. (2004, April 24). A&M-CC doctorate may help literacy – Program to stress reading instruction. Corpus Christi Caller Times.
[xxii] Dietz, K. (1993, June 1). CCSU, A&I stand to benefit from legislative priorities. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, A5.
[xxiii] Dietz, K. (1993, June 1). CCSU, A&I stand to benefit from legislative priorities. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, A5.
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[xxv] Averty, L. (1996, August 15). Day of firsts – With beaming smiles and streaming tears, a year of change begins for local schools. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
[xxvi] Mortensen, E. (1993, October 8). Around the city: University expands. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
[xxvii] Deselms, J. (1995, July 30). A&M Corpus Christi shaping city’s growth. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.[xxviii] Howard, H. (1997, October 31). Bush praises local reading efforts. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
[xxix] Howard, H. (1997, September 4). Work begins on A&M-CC student center. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
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[xxxii] Fernandez, S. L. (2003, November 12). New A&M-CC entrance given a warm welcome – Sculpture donated to the university by the Durrills gets good student reviews. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, B1.
[xxxiii] Fernandez, I. (2005, August 26). A&M-CC Bay Hall building near done. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
[xxxiv] Garcia, K. (2005, April 25). Building at A&M-CC much needed. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
[xxxv] Day, J. (1998, August 29). A&M-Corpus Christi lands hefty donation. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 1.
[xxxvi] Garcia, K. (2005, April 17). Harte guest of honor at Cliburn concert. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
[xxxvii] Garcia, K. (2005, April 17). Harte guest of honor at Cliburn concert – Symphony plays first concert in venue he donated to generously. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, B1.
[xxxviii] Performing Arts Center. (2020, August 31). Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: https://pac.tamucc.edu/
[xxxix] Gordon E. Landreth. (2021). Texas A&M University-College Station. http://www.arch.tamu.edu/community/former-students/outstanding-alumni/2016/g-landreth/index.html
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[xliii] Island University Engineering Building named in Honor of President Emeritus Robert R. Furgason. (2018, December 7). Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. https://www.tamucc.edu/news/2018/12/furgason-engineering-building-dedication.html#.X0gqd8hK-iUk
[xliv] Jares, A. (2000, September 23). $46 million gift for A&M-CC. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 1.
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[l] Flavius Killebrew, President and CEO of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Announces his Retirement at State of the University.
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[liii] Flavius Killebrew, President and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Announces his Retirement at State of the University. (2016, September 14). Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. https://tamucc.edu/news/2016/09/091416%20Killebrew0/420Re-tires.h tml#.X0giR8hKiU m
[liv] Garcia, K. (2005, September 8). Killebrew touts his 10-year plan. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 9.
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[lvi] Flavius Killebrew, President and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Announces his Retirement at State of the University. (2016, September 14). Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. https://tamucc.edu/news/2016/09/091416%20Killebrew0/420Re-tires.h tml#.X0giR8hKiU m
[lvii] Alvarado, B. (2016, September 15). Outgoing leader set A&M CC on new path – CEO to retire, college focuses on research. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 1.
[lviii] Garcia, K. (2005, February 4). Killebrew to seek more funds. Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
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[lxxv] Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Begins Second Phase of Construction on Momentum Village Housing. (2016, July 6). Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: https://tamucc.edu/news/2016/07/070516%20Momentum%20Village%20Phase%20II%20post%20event%20VNR.html#.X0hZT8hKiUk
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[lxxviii] Alvarado, B. (2018, September 13). A&M-CC sets sights on research status – New $60 million building will help university reach goal. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, p. 5.
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[lxxxiv] Watkins, M. (2016, November 16). Legislator, A&M chancellor spar over nixed campus merger talks. The Texas Tribune, p. 1
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[lxxxvi] Students make Islander impact, donate over 4,000 volunteer hours during BIG Event. https://www.tamucc.edu/news/2018/04/042018_BIG_Event.html#.YNPmkflKiUk
[lxxxvii] Dr. Clarenda Phillips Announced as A&M-Corpus Christi Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. (2018, March 1).
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[cxxxix] Student Organizations Rocked the Stage at the 18th Annual ‘Islander Revue’ (2017, November 15). Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. https://www.tamucc.edu/news/2017/11/111517%20Islander%20Revue.html#.YNAF6flKiUk
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