Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Encyclopedia
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a U.S. national university with a multicultural student body that is 62 percent Hispanic and includes students from 35 states and 43 foreign countries. The university has nationally recognized programs in engineering
, agriculture
, wildlife
, music
, and the science
s and is known for developing the nation's first doctoral degree in bilingual education
.
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is the oldest continuously operating public institution of higher learning in South Texas. The school was chartered as the South Texas Normal School in 1917; however, the opening of the school was delayed due to World War I
. Founded in 1925 as South Texas State Teachers College, the university's name changed in 1929 to Texas College of Arts and Industries signaled the broadening of its mission. A 1967 name change to Texas A&I University marked another transition. The university became a member of the Texas A&M University System
in 1989 and changed names to Texas A&M University–Kingsville in 1993.
The school has been continuously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
since 1928.
area, with 62% of the students belonging to a Hispanic
ethnicity. Approximately 6% are international students.
, Texas A&M University–Kingsville participates in the Texas "top-10 law"
. This law guarantees admission of the top 10% of Texas public high school students into public colleges or universities in the state. Whereas certain Texas universities (such as the University of Texas at Austin
) can limit these "top 10%" students to 75% of the incoming freshmen class via a tiered system, Texas A&M University–Kingsville offers admission to any student who graduated in the top 10%.
s or Ed.D.s.) and have come to the university from more than 41 U.S. states and foreign countries. The university maintains a student/faculty ratio of 16 to 1. The faculty are governed by members of the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate maintains all faculty committees and the faculty constitution
, and assists the university administration with the academic operations and calendar for the school.
programs and six doctoral degrees
in the Colleges of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education and Human Performance, Engineering and Graduate Studies. The university features the region's only programs in engineering
, social sciences
and agriculture
. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the university's 545 acres (2.2 km²) teaching farm gives agriculture students hands-on farming and ranching experience. A&M–Kingsville's bilingual education
program, offering degrees at the master's and doctoral levels, was the first of its kind in the country and continues to be one of the strongest. Undergraduates in nearly all disciplines have an opportunity to participate in research projects.
. The university consistently ranks among the country's top 10 producers of Hispanic
engineers and has the only accredited program in natural gas
engineering
in the United States
. The Texas Legislature approved and funded the creation and construction of the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
, which, although not owned and run by the university, is housed at Texas A&M University - Kingsville, and is the first professional school of any kind at any university south of San Antonio, which opened in the fall of 2006. In addition, the university offers the only professional degree in ranch management in the United States.
The Center for Urban Education at the University of Southern California
recently identified Texas A&M University-Kingsville as one of the top 25 Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in America. The school is recognized as being "potential exemplar, or model, of effective practices for increasing the number of Latina and Latino bachelor’s degree holders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- known by the acronym STEM." Texas A&M University-Kingsville ranks 43rd out of American colleges and universities in bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic
s according to the Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine
. The magazine also determined that the school ranks seventh in the nation for agriculture degrees and fifth in multi/interdisciplinary studies.
Certain undergraduate and graduate programs have also enjoyed national and international accolades. In 2010, U.S. News & World Report
listed the Environmental Engineering
program at the school’s Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering as one of the top 50 programs in the nation. It is tied for 45th with several other schools, including the University of Southern California
, Tufts University
and Drexel University
. The International Business
program at the school’s College of Business Administration is ranked 6th in terms of graduates in the State of Texas according to a ten year average.
U.S. News & World Report also conducted a survey of Guidance Counselors
around the nation in 2010. In terms or Texas
colleges and universities, Texas A&M University-Kingsville was ranked sixth by counselors
from what the magazine deemed the Best High Schools in America. Texas A&M University-Kingsville was the highest ranked university south of Houston
. The school was also ranked #122 in the nation, tied with Florida State University
, the University of Arizona
and Seton Hall University
.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville was ranked in the top 20% of colleges and universities in Forbes Magazine's
2011 list of America's best colleges. The school outranked perenially ranked academic powerhouses like the University of Tennessee
, Iowa State University
and Drury University
. In Forbes' methodology that focuses on educational outcomes, quality of teaching and career prospects, Texas A&M University-Kingsville ranked ahead of other major schools in Texas, such as Abilene Christian University
, Texas State University
, Sam Houston State University
, University of Texas at Arlington
, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, University of Houston
, Lamar University
, University of North Texas
and University of Texas at San Antonio
.
In addition, the school has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as offering some of the most affordable quality degrees from an accredited public university in the fields of engineering, agriculture, science and education.
s and attracts researchers from around the world to its one-of-a-kind serpentarium
. For almost four decades, its mission has been to provide global research, training and resources that will lead to the discovery of medically important toxin
s found in snake venoms. They also provide snake venoms, venom fractions and tissue for biomedical research.
Texas A&M–Kingsville's Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) is internationally recognized for its research into the conservation and management of wildlife. As the leading wildlife research organization in Texas, CKWRI emphasizes research in such fields of study as Habitat Ecology and Management
, Wildlife Biology, Ecology and Management
, Wildlife Diseases, Parasitology, and Toxicology
, Economic Development of Natural Resources
and Citizen Science
. Research scientists, biology
and agriculture
students conduct research in habitat, toxicology, genetics and various animal programs, including deer, wild cats and birds.
The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center is known around the world for its work in citrus
research and development. The Citrus Center attracts scholars and research projects from around the world, incorporating undergraduate and graduate student training into its diverse research programs, such as Biotechnology
, Entomology
, Pathology
and Budwood Certification. The Center is also known for its research and development of several popular varieties of citrus, including the Ruby Red grapefruit.
The Welhausen Water Resources Center, through its membership in the International Arid Lands Consortium, is playing a role in the Middle East
with its expertise in water conservation and development. The newly founded South Texas Environmental Institute plans to bring regional entities together to solve environmental questions through research.
The James C. Jernigan Library is central to the University's goal of offering first-rate academic research. As one of the largest libraries in Texas, the collection boasts more than a half million volumes and over 700,000 microfiche documents. The facility also subscribes to more than 2,200 academic and general interest periodicals and is designated as a depository for selected U.S. Government documents. The Library hosts a Rare Book Room that includes precious and uncommon materials from throughout the Texas, the Southwest
, and the United States.
The facility also houses a Bilingual Center containing many multicultural materials. As the nucleus for research, the James C. Jernigan Library contains large computer labs, a dedicated Media Services Center, a special collection containing juvenile literature and a series of ongoing Continuing Education
and research development programs. The library also participates in the Interlibrary Loan
program, allowing students to access materials from other libraries throughout Texas.
The South Texas Archives and Special Collections
, a division of the James C. Jernigan Library is located on the campus. It hosts one of the largest archival collection in Texas
, devoted almost exclusively to the history of South Texas. The South Texas Archives is a state depository that contains the official records from many local towns, cities, special districts, courts and other regional agencies. In addition, the Archives hosts large photograph collections, thousands of written and oral histories of the region, as well as the collections of many local and state legislators, such as Carlos Truan, Irma Rangel
and J.T. Canales.
, just 40 mi (64.4 km) southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas
and 120 mi (193.1 km) north of Mexico
. Kingsville, with a population of 25,000, is home to the headquarters of the famed King Ranch
and Naval Air Station Kingsville
. The Kingsville campus of Texas A&M–Kingsville encompasses 1601 acres (6.5 km²) of land, with the bulk of activities occurring within a 250 acres (1 km²) main campus that consists of more than 85 buildings.
The architecture of the main campus reflects a Spanish Mission Revival
style. The school’s first president, R. B. Cousins, decided that the campus should reflect the people and culture of the area. He established the tradition of having each of the buildings on campus reflect a Spanish Mission Revival
style of architecture. Nearly every building on the campus has the red tile roofs, towers and the curve gabled parapet
.
The first building constructed, Manning Hall, contains an eastern tower that is a stylized version of the tower at Mission San José. The tower on the west is a replica of the tower at Mission Concepcion
. The curved gable parapet represents the Alamo
, the famous former mission located in San Antonio.
In addition to the main campus, the University operates several satellite campuses in and around the main campus. This includes the agricultural research area to the west of campus, the TAMUK Rodeo Arena and livestock area to the north of campus, and the Tio and Janell Kleberg Wildlife Research Park adjacent to the northwestern entrance of the main campus on Corral Avenue.
The university recently developed a new master plan for the campus. In May 2010, details of the plan were released to the public. This plan calls for a multi-million dollar improvement of the current campus infrastructure along with the development of several new buildings, walkways, green spaces and parking additions. In addition to new and improved structures, the campus will undergo a campus beautification project that will include new signs, lighting, landscaping and remodeling of existing outdoor facilities. Although some of these projects have been recently completed, the majority of projects will commence in the fall of 2010.
In addition, Texas A&M-Kingsville maintains two large research farms known as the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco, Texas
. Scientists and researchers at the Citrus Center seek to find innovative solutions for the global citrus industry while developing variations in citrus (such as the Ruby Red, Star Ruby and Rio Red grapefruit
varieties) through cutting edge scientific techniques.
for students. This optional housing arrangement helps provide a fraternal residential atmosphere for students from diverse backgrounds, academic fields and interests. These communities currently include Fitness and Wellness
, Music
, Engineering
, Agriculture
and Wildlife
, Fashionista
, Leadership, Technology
and Honors.
The university recently completed a new residence hall with 600 beds in a suite-style environment. The university recently broke ground on a new residence hall that will also house students in the Honors College.
During the fall of 2010, the university received state authorization to begin planning and construction for a third new residence hall, to be completed in 2012. In addition, the private Javelina Station apartments near campus offer apartment-style living specifically geared towards college students.
Another student dormitory, Mesquite Village West, opened in time for the Fall 2011 school year. At a cost of more than $18 Million, this 98,000 square foot building provides suite-style two and four bedroom apartments with a kitchenette, living room and one or two bathrooms per unit. It also provides three separated housing wings, including Fashionista, Technology and Honors themed communities.
Many students choose to obtain meals at the various university dining halls and restaurants. In addition to the restaurants located on campus, the university operates several large dining halls in the dormitories and Student Union Building. The university is also building a new dining hall that will be able to accommodate 378 students at one time. Along with this new dining hall, resident students can also use the cafeteria located in Turner-Bishop Hall, Martin Hall or at the various restaurants located in the Memorial Student Union Building. There is also a new cafe located in the James C. Jernigan Library.
The Memorial Student Union Building (commonly called the MSUB or SUB) is often referred to as the "living room of campus." It is home to the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Student Activities, the Dean of Students, several ballrooms and meeting rooms. The building also houses a Pizza Hut
, Starbucks
, Chick-fil-A
and a Subway
. Dining services throughout the campus are provided by Aramark
, operating as Javelina Dining. The building also hosts a large university bookstore, operated by Barnes and Noble. The Memorial Student Union Building also accommodates a large game room with a dozen pool tables, ping pong tables, a computer and study hall section, several large flat screen televisions, and a video arcade room.
The Steinke Physical Education Center (SPEC) is home to the university's Department of Kinesiology
. The multistory complex also houses various recreational concourses that provide many activities for students, faculty and staff throughout the semester. Among these are a bowling alley, racquetball courts, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a fitness center and large locker rooms.
The school has many activities available to students and residents throughout the year. The Office of University Housing and Residence Life and the Office of Student Activities sponsor many activities throughout the year, including Hoggie Days (a student orientation program), fall and spring festivals, picnics, dorm activities. The Office of Student Activities also hosts free weekend movie events in the Peacock Auditorium, lawn and drive-in
movie events, recreational sports, Family Weekend events, the Homecoming Bonfire and several other traditional school spirit or entertainment activities throughout the year.
is the school's official newspaper
. It is an award-winning newspaper
produced by students and has been in continuous publication since 1925. The South Texan
has produced a distinguished list of journalist
s who now work in media outlets across the nation. The university offers broadcast media outlets as well. KTAI 91.1 FM
, the school's official radio station, has been in operation for over 40 years. As Kingsville
's only radio station, KTAI
is a student-operated radio station
that provides a mix of music, news and live sports programming. The school also offers a campus television station, TAMUK TV-2, which is aired throughout the campus and via local cable television
. Like KTAI
, TAMUK TV-2 offers students the opportunity to work in various aspects and roles of broadcast media while earning college credit. Many students have moved on to work in radio and television throughout Texas
. Both KTAI
and TAMUK TV-2 are operated under the auspices of the Radio and Television division of the Communications and Theater Arts Department.
and sororities, including:
Fraternities:
Sororities:
Texas A&M–Kingsville is a member of the Lone Star Conference
(LSC). Athletes from Texas A&M University-Kingsville compete in the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA
). As a member of the LSC
, teams from Texas A&M University-Kingsville compete with schools throughout Texas
, Oklahoma
and New Mexico
. The university has seen much success in athletics, winning several conference titles, most recently in baseball
and football
.
.
Because of its great success, attendance at football
games in Javelina Stadium ranks amongst the highest in NCAA
Division II. Javelina Stadium is one of the largest Division II football stadiums in the nation with seating for more than 18,000 fans. Due to the superb facilities and temperate climate, Javelina Stadium has been chosen to host the NCAA
Division II Cactus Bowl
every year since 2001. The Cactus Bowl draws the best senior football players from Division II football
for NFL
scouting activities and culminates in a game pitting seniors from the East against seniors from the West.
sanctioned sports, including 5 men's sports and 5 women's sports. Facilities include Javelina Stadium
for football, track and field; the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center for volleyball
and men's and women's basketball; Nolan Ryan Field for baseball; and Vernie & Blanche Hubert Field for softball
. In addition, the campus maintains facilities for tennis
, soccer, racketball, swimming
, platform diving
and other various indoor sports.
The Department of Kinesiology
and the Office of Student Activities also provide competitive intramural sport activities for students at the university. Students can compete in basketball
, flag football
, bowling
, softball
, soccer and other intramural sports hosted at the school. Many of these intramural sport leagues are hosted in the new Student Recreation Center that opened during the Spring 2010 semester.
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
, music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, and the science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
s and is known for developing the nation's first doctoral degree in bilingual education
Bilingual education
Bilingual education involves teaching academic content in two languages, in a native and secondary language with varying amounts of each language used in accordance with the program model.-Bilingual education program models:...
.
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is the oldest continuously operating public institution of higher learning in South Texas. The school was chartered as the South Texas Normal School in 1917; however, the opening of the school was delayed due to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Founded in 1925 as South Texas State Teachers College, the university's name changed in 1929 to Texas College of Arts and Industries signaled the broadening of its mission. A 1967 name change to Texas A&I University marked another transition. The university became a member of the Texas A&M University System
Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the United States. Through a statewide network of eleven universities, eight state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the Texas A&M System educates over 100,000 students, conducts more than $600...
in 1989 and changed names to Texas A&M University–Kingsville in 1993.
The school has been continuously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
since 1928.
Academics
Student body
Texas A&M University-Kingsville has a highly diverse student body with 6,610 students pursuing degrees from eight academic colleges. The student body is represented by students from 35 U.S. states and more than 43 foreign countries. The student body is split almost evenly with 53% men and 47% women. Undergraduate students represent approximately 82% of the student population. The student body reflects the ethnic diversity of the South TexasSouth Texas
South Texas is a region of the U.S. state of Texas that lies roughly south of and including San Antonio. The southern and western boundary is the Rio Grande River, and to the east it is the Gulf of Mexico. The population of this region is about 3.7 million. The southern portion of this region is...
area, with 62% of the students belonging to a Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
ethnicity. Approximately 6% are international students.
Admission
As a Texas public university and a member of the Texas A&M University SystemTexas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the United States. Through a statewide network of eleven universities, eight state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the Texas A&M System educates over 100,000 students, conducts more than $600...
, Texas A&M University–Kingsville participates in the Texas "top-10 law"
Texas House Bill 588
Texas House Bill 588, commonly referred to as the "Top 10% Rule", is a Texas law passed in 1997.The law guarantees Texas students who graduated in the top ten percent of their high school class automatic admission to all state-funded universities. The bill was created as a means to avoid the...
. This law guarantees admission of the top 10% of Texas public high school students into public colleges or universities in the state. Whereas certain Texas universities (such as the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
) can limit these "top 10%" students to 75% of the incoming freshmen class via a tiered system, Texas A&M University–Kingsville offers admission to any student who graduated in the top 10%.
Faculty
The university boasts a highly eclectic faculty body. More than 75% of the faculty hold terminal degrees (such as Ph.D.Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
s or Ed.D.s.) and have come to the university from more than 41 U.S. states and foreign countries. The university maintains a student/faculty ratio of 16 to 1. The faculty are governed by members of the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate maintains all faculty committees and the faculty constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
, and assists the university administration with the academic operations and calendar for the school.
Programs
Texas A&M–Kingsville has 56 undergraduate degree programs, 61 master'sMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
programs and six doctoral degrees
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in the Colleges of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education and Human Performance, Engineering and Graduate Studies. The university features the region's only programs in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, social sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the university's 545 acres (2.2 km²) teaching farm gives agriculture students hands-on farming and ranching experience. A&M–Kingsville's bilingual education
Bilingual education
Bilingual education involves teaching academic content in two languages, in a native and secondary language with varying amounts of each language used in accordance with the program model.-Bilingual education program models:...
program, offering degrees at the master's and doctoral levels, was the first of its kind in the country and continues to be one of the strongest. Undergraduates in nearly all disciplines have an opportunity to participate in research projects.
Rankings
Texas A&M–Kingsville is ranked in the Top 100 national universities by The Washington MonthlyThe Washington Monthly
The Washington Monthly is a bimonthly nonprofit magazine of United States politics and government that is based in Washington, D.C.The magazine's founder is Charles Peters, who started the magazine in 1969 and continues to write the "Tilting at Windmills" column in each issue. Paul Glastris, former...
. The university consistently ranks among the country's top 10 producers of Hispanic
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
engineers and has the only accredited program in natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
engineering
Petroleum engineering
Petroleum engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with the activities related to the production of hydrocarbons, which can be either crude oil or natural gas. Subsurface activities are deemed to fall within the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, which are the activities of...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Texas Legislature approved and funded the creation and construction of the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
The Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, located on the campus of Texas A&M University–Kingsville, is the newest addition to the Texas A&M Health Science Center. The first class of more than 70 students began studies in August 2006 in a , $14.5-million facility.The inaugural class recently...
, which, although not owned and run by the university, is housed at Texas A&M University - Kingsville, and is the first professional school of any kind at any university south of San Antonio, which opened in the fall of 2006. In addition, the university offers the only professional degree in ranch management in the United States.
The Center for Urban Education at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
recently identified Texas A&M University-Kingsville as one of the top 25 Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in America. The school is recognized as being "potential exemplar, or model, of effective practices for increasing the number of Latina and Latino bachelor’s degree holders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- known by the acronym STEM." Texas A&M University-Kingsville ranks 43rd out of American colleges and universities in bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
s according to the Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine
Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education
The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education is an American biweekly magazine which focuses on Hispanic education in institutions of higher learning. It is notable for its annual Top 100 list of colleges and universities awarding degrees to Hispanic students.-External links:**...
. The magazine also determined that the school ranks seventh in the nation for agriculture degrees and fifth in multi/interdisciplinary studies.
Certain undergraduate and graduate programs have also enjoyed national and international accolades. In 2010, U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
listed the Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment , to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites...
program at the school’s Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering as one of the top 50 programs in the nation. It is tied for 45th with several other schools, including the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
and Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
. The International Business
International Business
International business is a term used to collectively describe all commercial transactions that take place between two or more regions, countries and nations beyond their political boundary...
program at the school’s College of Business Administration is ranked 6th in terms of graduates in the State of Texas according to a ten year average.
U.S. News & World Report also conducted a survey of Guidance Counselors
School counselor
A school counselor is a counselor and an educator who works in elementary, middle, and high schools to provide academic, career, college access, and personal/social competencies to K-12 students...
around the nation in 2010. In terms or Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
colleges and universities, Texas A&M University-Kingsville was ranked sixth by counselors
School counselor
A school counselor is a counselor and an educator who works in elementary, middle, and high schools to provide academic, career, college access, and personal/social competencies to K-12 students...
from what the magazine deemed the Best High Schools in America. Texas A&M University-Kingsville was the highest ranked university south of Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. The school was also ranked #122 in the nation, tied with Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
and Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville was ranked in the top 20% of colleges and universities in Forbes Magazine's
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
2011 list of America's best colleges. The school outranked perenially ranked academic powerhouses like the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
and Drury University
Drury University
Drury University is a private liberal arts college in Springfield, Missouri.The university enrolls about 1,550 undergraduates, over 2,000 adult part-time undergraduates and around 400 graduate students in six master's programs...
. In Forbes' methodology that focuses on educational outcomes, quality of teaching and career prospects, Texas A&M University-Kingsville ranked ahead of other major schools in Texas, such as Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute...
, Texas State University
Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos is a doctoral-granting university located in San Marcos, Texas...
, Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located in Huntsville, Texas. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first...
, University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas, United States. The campus is situated southwest of downtown Arlington, and is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The university was founded in 1895 and served primarily a military...
, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, Lamar University
Lamar University
Lamar University, often referred to as Lamar or LU, is a comprehensive coeducational public research university located in Beaumont, Texas, United States. Lamar confers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and is classified as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Commission on Higher...
, University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
and University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio, commonly referred to as UTSA, is a state university in San Antonio, Texas. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, it is the third-largest of nine universities and six health institutions in the University of Texas System and the eighth-largest in...
.
In addition, the school has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as offering some of the most affordable quality degrees from an accredited public university in the fields of engineering, agriculture, science and education.
Research
The National Natural Toxins Research Center at Texas A&M–Kingsville(NNTRC) boasts a large collection of venomous snakeVenomous snake
"Poisonous snake" redirects here. For true poisonous snakes, see Rhabdophis.Venomous snakes are snakes which have venom glands and specialized teeth for the injection of venom...
s and attracts researchers from around the world to its one-of-a-kind serpentarium
Serpentarium
A serpentarium is a reptile zoo or reptile park specializing in snakes. Many serpentariums milk snakes for venom for medical and scientific research.-History:The Miami Serpentarium opened in 1948 and closed in 1984.-Notable serpentariums:...
. For almost four decades, its mission has been to provide global research, training and resources that will lead to the discovery of medically important toxin
Toxin
A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are thus excluded...
s found in snake venoms. They also provide snake venoms, venom fractions and tissue for biomedical research.
Texas A&M–Kingsville's Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) is internationally recognized for its research into the conservation and management of wildlife. As the leading wildlife research organization in Texas, CKWRI emphasizes research in such fields of study as Habitat Ecology and Management
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
, Wildlife Biology, Ecology and Management
Conservation biology
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
, Wildlife Diseases, Parasitology, and Toxicology
Parasitology
Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them. As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question, but by their way of life...
, Economic Development of Natural Resources
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
and Citizen Science
Citizen science
Citizen science is a term used for the systematic collection and analysis of data; development of technology; testing of natural phenomena; and the dissemination of these activities by researchers on a primarily avocational basis...
. Research scientists, biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
students conduct research in habitat, toxicology, genetics and various animal programs, including deer, wild cats and birds.
The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center is known around the world for its work in citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
research and development. The Citrus Center attracts scholars and research projects from around the world, incorporating undergraduate and graduate student training into its diverse research programs, such as Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
, Entomology
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
, Pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
and Budwood Certification. The Center is also known for its research and development of several popular varieties of citrus, including the Ruby Red grapefruit.
The Welhausen Water Resources Center, through its membership in the International Arid Lands Consortium, is playing a role in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
with its expertise in water conservation and development. The newly founded South Texas Environmental Institute plans to bring regional entities together to solve environmental questions through research.
The James C. Jernigan Library is central to the University's goal of offering first-rate academic research. As one of the largest libraries in Texas, the collection boasts more than a half million volumes and over 700,000 microfiche documents. The facility also subscribes to more than 2,200 academic and general interest periodicals and is designated as a depository for selected U.S. Government documents. The Library hosts a Rare Book Room that includes precious and uncommon materials from throughout the Texas, the Southwest
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
, and the United States.
The facility also houses a Bilingual Center containing many multicultural materials. As the nucleus for research, the James C. Jernigan Library contains large computer labs, a dedicated Media Services Center, a special collection containing juvenile literature and a series of ongoing Continuing Education
Continuing education
Continuing education is an all-encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and Canada...
and research development programs. The library also participates in the Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan
Interlibrary loan is a service whereby a user of one library can borrow books or receive photocopies of documents that are owned by another library...
program, allowing students to access materials from other libraries throughout Texas.
The South Texas Archives and Special Collections
South Texas Archives and Special Collections
The South Texas Archives and Special Collections, a division of the James C. Jernigan Library of Texas A&M University–Kingsville, was established to preserve and to make available to the public documentary materials about the history and natural history of South Texas. The Archives are housed in...
, a division of the James C. Jernigan Library is located on the campus. It hosts one of the largest archival collection in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, devoted almost exclusively to the history of South Texas. The South Texas Archives is a state depository that contains the official records from many local towns, cities, special districts, courts and other regional agencies. In addition, the Archives hosts large photograph collections, thousands of written and oral histories of the region, as well as the collections of many local and state legislators, such as Carlos Truan, Irma Rangel
Irma Rangel (Texas politician)
Irma Lerma Rangel was an attorney and state legislator in South Texas. Her office was based in Kingsville, Texas.-Biography:Rangel was born on May 15, 1931 She was the youngest of three daughters. Her father, Presciliano Martinez Rangel, from Duval County, was orphaned at an early age and was...
and J.T. Canales.
Campus
Texas A&M–Kingsville is located in Kingsville, TexasKingsville, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,575 people, 8,943 households, and 6,134 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,848.8 people per square mile . There were 10,427 housing units at an average density of 753.8 per square mile...
, just 40 mi (64.4 km) southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
and 120 mi (193.1 km) north of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Kingsville, with a population of 25,000, is home to the headquarters of the famed King Ranch
King Ranch
King Ranch, located in south Texas between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, is one of the world's largest ranches. The ranch, founded in 1853 by Captain Richard King and Gideon K. Lewis, includes portions of six Texas counties, including most of Kleberg County and much of Kenedy County, with...
and Naval Air Station Kingsville
Naval Air Station Kingsville
Naval Air Station Kingsville or NAS Kingsville is a military airport located 3 miles east of Kingsville, Texas.Under the current US Navy organization known as Commander, Naval Installations , NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Kingsville are part of Navy Region Southeast headquartered at NAS Jacksonville,...
. The Kingsville campus of Texas A&M–Kingsville encompasses 1601 acres (6.5 km²) of land, with the bulk of activities occurring within a 250 acres (1 km²) main campus that consists of more than 85 buildings.
The architecture of the main campus reflects a Spanish Mission Revival
Mission Revival Style architecture
The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
style. The school’s first president, R. B. Cousins, decided that the campus should reflect the people and culture of the area. He established the tradition of having each of the buildings on campus reflect a Spanish Mission Revival
Mission Revival Style architecture
The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
style of architecture. Nearly every building on the campus has the red tile roofs, towers and the curve gabled parapet
Parapet
A parapet is a wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony or other structure. Where extending above a roof, it may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a...
.
The first building constructed, Manning Hall, contains an eastern tower that is a stylized version of the tower at Mission San José. The tower on the west is a replica of the tower at Mission Concepcion
Mission Concepcion
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña was established in 1716 as Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de los Hainais in East Texas. The mission was moved in 1731 to San Antonio...
. The curved gable parapet represents the Alamo
Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a battle fought during the Texas Revolution.Alamo may also refer to:-Places:*Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas*Alamo, California*Alamo, Georgia*Alamo Township, Michigan*Alamo, Nevada*Alamo, New Mexico...
, the famous former mission located in San Antonio.
In addition to the main campus, the University operates several satellite campuses in and around the main campus. This includes the agricultural research area to the west of campus, the TAMUK Rodeo Arena and livestock area to the north of campus, and the Tio and Janell Kleberg Wildlife Research Park adjacent to the northwestern entrance of the main campus on Corral Avenue.
The university recently developed a new master plan for the campus. In May 2010, details of the plan were released to the public. This plan calls for a multi-million dollar improvement of the current campus infrastructure along with the development of several new buildings, walkways, green spaces and parking additions. In addition to new and improved structures, the campus will undergo a campus beautification project that will include new signs, lighting, landscaping and remodeling of existing outdoor facilities. Although some of these projects have been recently completed, the majority of projects will commence in the fall of 2010.
In addition, Texas A&M-Kingsville maintains two large research farms known as the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco, Texas
Weslaco, Texas
Weslaco is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 35,670 at the 2010 census. Weslaco derives its name from the W.E. Stewart Land Company...
. Scientists and researchers at the Citrus Center seek to find innovative solutions for the global citrus industry while developing variations in citrus (such as the Ruby Red, Star Ruby and Rio Red grapefruit
Grapefruit
The grapefruit , is a subtropical citrus tree known for its sour fruit, an 18th-century hybrid first bred in Barbados. When found, it was named the "forbidden fruit"; it has also been misidentified with the pomelo or shaddock , one of the parents of this hybrid, the other being sweet orange The...
varieties) through cutting edge scientific techniques.
Student life
Residence Life
The majority of undergraduate students at Texas A&M-Kingsville live on campus in one of several major dormitory buildings. Turner Hall, Bishop Hall, Lewis Hall, Martin Hall, Lynch Hall and Poteet Hall house approximately 1,800 students in a shared or private dormitory environment. In addition to traditional male and female dorms, Texas A&M University–Kingsville provides many apartment style residence halls and suites that house approximately 1,200 students. Many of the residence halls on campus provide distinct "Living Learning Communities"Learning community
A learning community is a group of people who share common emotions, values or beliefs, are actively engaged in learning together from each other, and by habituation. Such communities have become the template for a cohort-based, interdisciplinary approach to higher education...
for students. This optional housing arrangement helps provide a fraternal residential atmosphere for students from diverse backgrounds, academic fields and interests. These communities currently include Fitness and Wellness
Physical fitness
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...
, Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, Agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
, Fashionista
Fashionista
Fashionista or fashionistas may refer to*Fashionista , an Australian TV series*Fashionistas, an American pornographic film*The Fashionistas, minor villains in the Kim Possible series*Fashion victim, an avid follower of fashion...
, Leadership, Technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
and Honors.
The university recently completed a new residence hall with 600 beds in a suite-style environment. The university recently broke ground on a new residence hall that will also house students in the Honors College.
During the fall of 2010, the university received state authorization to begin planning and construction for a third new residence hall, to be completed in 2012. In addition, the private Javelina Station apartments near campus offer apartment-style living specifically geared towards college students.
Another student dormitory, Mesquite Village West, opened in time for the Fall 2011 school year. At a cost of more than $18 Million, this 98,000 square foot building provides suite-style two and four bedroom apartments with a kitchenette, living room and one or two bathrooms per unit. It also provides three separated housing wings, including Fashionista, Technology and Honors themed communities.
Many students choose to obtain meals at the various university dining halls and restaurants. In addition to the restaurants located on campus, the university operates several large dining halls in the dormitories and Student Union Building. The university is also building a new dining hall that will be able to accommodate 378 students at one time. Along with this new dining hall, resident students can also use the cafeteria located in Turner-Bishop Hall, Martin Hall or at the various restaurants located in the Memorial Student Union Building. There is also a new cafe located in the James C. Jernigan Library.
The Memorial Student Union Building (commonly called the MSUB or SUB) is often referred to as the "living room of campus." It is home to the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Student Activities, the Dean of Students, several ballrooms and meeting rooms. The building also houses a Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
, Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
, Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A |"fillet"]]) is a quick service restaurant chain headquartered in College Park, Georgia, United States, specializing in chicken entrées and is known for promoting the company founder's claims of Christian values. Long associated with the southern United States, where it has been a...
and a Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
. Dining services throughout the campus are provided by Aramark
Aramark
Aramark Corporation, known commonly as Aramark, is an American foodservice, facilities, and clothing provider supplying businesses, educational institutions, sports facilities, federal and state prisons, and health care institutions. It is headquartered at the Aramark Tower in Center City,...
, operating as Javelina Dining. The building also hosts a large university bookstore, operated by Barnes and Noble. The Memorial Student Union Building also accommodates a large game room with a dozen pool tables, ping pong tables, a computer and study hall section, several large flat screen televisions, and a video arcade room.
Activities
The university recently opened a new Student Recreation Center. The new 24-hour center is approximately 36000 sq ft (3,344.5 m²) and contains two indoor multi-purpose gymnasiums that can be used for basketball, soccer, and volleyball. It also contains 5600 sq ft (520.3 m²) square feet for a new cardio fitness and weight room with an elevated track. It was officially opened in April 2010.The Steinke Physical Education Center (SPEC) is home to the university's Department of Kinesiology
Kinesiology
Kinesiology, also known as human kinetics is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. Applications of kinesiology to human health include: biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational...
. The multistory complex also houses various recreational concourses that provide many activities for students, faculty and staff throughout the semester. Among these are a bowling alley, racquetball courts, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a fitness center and large locker rooms.
The school has many activities available to students and residents throughout the year. The Office of University Housing and Residence Life and the Office of Student Activities sponsor many activities throughout the year, including Hoggie Days (a student orientation program), fall and spring festivals, picnics, dorm activities. The Office of Student Activities also hosts free weekend movie events in the Peacock Auditorium, lawn and drive-in
Drive-in
A drive-in is a facility such as a bank, restaurant, or movie theater where one can literally drive in with an automobile for service. It is usually distinguished from a drive-through. At a drive-in restaurant, for example, customers park their vehicles and are usually served by staff who walk out...
movie events, recreational sports, Family Weekend events, the Homecoming Bonfire and several other traditional school spirit or entertainment activities throughout the year.
Media
Texas A&M University-Kingsville is home to several prestigious media outlets. The South TexanThe South Texan
The South Texan is the weekly student newspaper of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The newspaper was founded in 1925 to provide students with knowledge and experience in print media while offering relevant news to the university campus. It is run entirely by students at Texas A&M...
is the school's official newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
. It is an award-winning newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
produced by students and has been in continuous publication since 1925. The South Texan
The South Texan
The South Texan is the weekly student newspaper of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The newspaper was founded in 1925 to provide students with knowledge and experience in print media while offering relevant news to the university campus. It is run entirely by students at Texas A&M...
has produced a distinguished list of journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
s who now work in media outlets across the nation. The university offers broadcast media outlets as well. KTAI 91.1 FM
KTAI
KTAI is a radio station licensed to Kingsville, Texas, USA, the station serves the Kingsville-Alice-Falfurrias area. The station is currently owned by Texas A&M University-Kingsville.-History:...
, the school's official radio station, has been in operation for over 40 years. As Kingsville
Kingsville, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,575 people, 8,943 households, and 6,134 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,848.8 people per square mile . There were 10,427 housing units at an average density of 753.8 per square mile...
's only radio station, KTAI
KTAI
KTAI is a radio station licensed to Kingsville, Texas, USA, the station serves the Kingsville-Alice-Falfurrias area. The station is currently owned by Texas A&M University-Kingsville.-History:...
is a student-operated radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
that provides a mix of music, news and live sports programming. The school also offers a campus television station, TAMUK TV-2, which is aired throughout the campus and via local cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
. Like KTAI
KTAI
KTAI is a radio station licensed to Kingsville, Texas, USA, the station serves the Kingsville-Alice-Falfurrias area. The station is currently owned by Texas A&M University-Kingsville.-History:...
, TAMUK TV-2 offers students the opportunity to work in various aspects and roles of broadcast media while earning college credit. Many students have moved on to work in radio and television throughout Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Both KTAI
KTAI
KTAI is a radio station licensed to Kingsville, Texas, USA, the station serves the Kingsville-Alice-Falfurrias area. The station is currently owned by Texas A&M University-Kingsville.-History:...
and TAMUK TV-2 are operated under the auspices of the Radio and Television division of the Communications and Theater Arts Department.
Student organizations
The university hosts a number of student organizations, including a number of Greek-letter academic honor societies, academic and professional societies, political clubs, religious student organizations and many others. There are approximately 105 vibrant student organizations at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. They are divided into categories: academic, community service, honor societies, faith-based, spirit & tradition, cultural/international, military, sports, Greek, performing & visual arts, social & political issues, student government, student media, health & recreation, programming and special interest.Greek life
The university is home to chapters or colonies of several Greek fraternitiesFraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
and sororities, including:
Fraternities:
- Lambda Chi AlphaLambda Chi AlphaLambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest men's secret general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a...
- Sigma ChiSigma ChiSigma Chi is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than . Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon...
- Omega Delta PhiOmega Delta PhiOmega Delta Phi , also known as O D Phi, is an intercollegiate fraternity that was founded on November 25, 1987 by seven students attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Its seven founders known as the "Men of Vision" to fraternity members wanted to create an organization to help...
- Omega Psi PhiOmega Psi PhiOmega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos...
Sororities:
- Alpha Kappa AlphaAlpha Kappa AlphaAlpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle...
- Alpha Sigma AlphaAlpha Sigma AlphaAlpha Sigma Alpha is a US national sorority founded on November 15, 1901 at the Virginia State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia...
- Delta Phi EpsilonDelta Phi Epsilon (social)Delta Phi Epsilon is an international sorority founded on March 17, 1917 at New York University Law School in New York City...
- Theta Phi AlphaTheta Phi AlphaTheta Phi Alpha women's fraternity was founded at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor on August 30, 1912. Theta Phi Alpha is one of 26 national sororities recognized in the National Panhellenic Conference...
- Kappa Delta ChiKappa Delta Chi----Kappa Delta Chi , also known as K-D Chi, pronounced Kay-Dee-Kie, is a Greek letter, intercollegiate sorority founded by Latina women in the United States...
Honor Societies
- Alpha Lambda DeltaAlpha Lambda DeltaAlpha Lambda Delta is an honor society for students who have achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher and are in the top 20% of their class during their first year or term of higher education.-History:...
(ΑΓΔ) – 1924; co-ed freshman year honor society - Alpha Phi OmegaAlpha Phi OmegaAlpha Phi Omega is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members...
(ΑΦΏ) – 1925; co-ed service fraternity - Alpha Psi OmegaAlpha Psi OmegaAlpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society is an American recognition honor society recognizing participants in collegiate theatre. The Alpha Cast was founded at Fairmont State College on August 12, 1925 by professor Paul F...
(ΑΨΏ) – 1925; co-ed theatre fraternity - Beta Gamma SigmaBeta Gamma SigmaBeta Gamma Sigma or ΒΓΣ is an honor society for business students and scholars. Founded in 1913 at the University of Wisconsin, it has over 650,000 members, selected from over 500 chapters in AACSB-accredited business schools...
(ΒΓΣ) – 1913; co-ed business fraternity - Delta OmicronDelta OmicronDelta Omicron is a co-ed international professional music honors fraternity whose mission is to promote and support excellence in music and musicianship.-History:...
(ΔΟ) – 1909; co-ed music fraternity - Eta Sigma PhiEta Sigma PhiEta Sigma Phi is a College honor society which grew out of a local undergraduate classical club founded by a group of students in the Department of Greek at the University of Chicago in 1914. This organization later united with a similar organization at Northwestern University and became Phi Sigma...
(ΣΦ) – 1924; co-ed classical honor society - Kappa Delta PiKappa Delta PiKappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, was founded in 1911 and was one of the first discipline-specific honor societies. Its membership is limited to the top 20 percent of those entering the field of education. Kappa Delta Pi claims over 600 chapters across North America and...
(ΚΔΠ) – 1911; co-ed international education honor society - Phi Alpha ThetaPhi Alpha ThetaPhi Alpha Theta is an American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history.The society is a charter member of the Association of College Honor Societies and has over 350,000 members, with about 9,500 new members joining each year through 860 local chapters.-...
(ΦΑΘ) – 1921; co-ed history honor society - Phi Beta Delta (ΦΒΔ) – 1986; co-ed international studies honor society
- Phi Eta SigmaPhi Eta SigmaPhi Eta Sigma is an American freshman honor society. Founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923, is the oldest and largest freshman honor society and now has more than three hundred chapters throughout the United States and more than 1 million members.-Eligibility:Any first-year...
(ΦΗΣ) – 1923; co-ed freshman honor society - Phi Sigma PiPhi Sigma PiPhi Sigma Pi is a national coeducational honor fraternity based in the United States. The fraternity is a 501 not-for-profit organization incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania, with the purpose of fostering the ideals of scholarship, leadership and fellowship...
(ΦΣΠ) – 1916; co-ed academic honor society - Pi Delta PhiPi Delta PhiPi Delta Phi is the French National Honor Society for undergraduate and graduate students at accredited public and private colleges and universities in the United States. The society was admitted to membership in the Association of College Honor Societies in 1967.Pi Delta Phi was founded as a...
(ΠΔΦ) – 1967; co-ed French honor society - Pi Gamma MuPi Gamma MuPi Gamma Mu or ΠΓΜ is the oldest and preeminent honor society in the social sciences. It is also the only interdisciplinary social science honor society. It serves the various social science disciplines which seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their...
(ΠΓΜ) – 1924; co-ed social sciences honor society* - Pi Sigma AlphaPi sigma alphaPi Sigma Alpha , the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college and university students of political science in the United States. Its purpose is to recognize and promote high academic achievement in the field of political science...
(ΦΣΑ) – 1920; co-ed political science honor society - Psi ChiPsi ChiPsi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. With over 1,050 chapters, Psi Chi is one of the largest honor societies in the United States...
(ΨΧ) – 1929; co-ed psychology honor society - Sigma Gamma EpsilonSigma Gamma EpsilonThe Society of Sigma Gamma Epsilon is a national honor society to recognize scholarship in the earth sciences founded in 1915 at the University of Kansas. It has chartered more than 200 chapters at colleges and universities across the United States....
(ΣΓΕ) – 1915; co-ed earth sciences honor society
Athletics
Texas A&M–Kingsville is a member of the Lone Star Conference
Lone Star Conference
The Lone Star Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. Member institutions are located in the southwestern United States, with schools in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico...
(LSC). Athletes from Texas A&M University-Kingsville compete in the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
). As a member of the LSC
Lone Star Conference
The Lone Star Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. Member institutions are located in the southwestern United States, with schools in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico...
, teams from Texas A&M University-Kingsville compete with schools throughout Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. The university has seen much success in athletics, winning several conference titles, most recently in baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
.
Football
The perennial success in football led some to dub the school as a "football factory" with 7 National Championships: 1979, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1970, 1969, 1959 and 34 Conference Championships: 1931, 1932, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1952, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1967–70, 1974–77, 1979, 1985, 1987–89, 1992–97, 2001–04, 2009. The university holds the record as the Division II school with the most professional athletes signed by teams in the NFLNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
Because of its great success, attendance at football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
games in Javelina Stadium ranks amongst the highest in NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division II. Javelina Stadium is one of the largest Division II football stadiums in the nation with seating for more than 18,000 fans. Due to the superb facilities and temperate climate, Javelina Stadium has been chosen to host the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division II Cactus Bowl
Cactus Bowl
The Cactus Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played each January in Kingsville, Texas which showcases the best NFL draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility in NCAA Division II...
every year since 2001. The Cactus Bowl draws the best senior football players from Division II football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
for NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
scouting activities and culminates in a game pitting seniors from the East against seniors from the West.
Other sports
The university offers no less than ten NCAANational Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
sanctioned sports, including 5 men's sports and 5 women's sports. Facilities include Javelina Stadium
Javelina Stadium
Javelina Stadium is a stadium in Kingsville, Texas. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The stadium holds 15,000 people and opened in 1950....
for football, track and field; the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center for volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
and men's and women's basketball; Nolan Ryan Field for baseball; and Vernie & Blanche Hubert Field for softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
. In addition, the campus maintains facilities for tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, soccer, racketball, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, platform diving
Diving
Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...
and other various indoor sports.
The Department of Kinesiology
Kinesiology
Kinesiology, also known as human kinetics is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. Applications of kinesiology to human health include: biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational...
and the Office of Student Activities also provide competitive intramural sport activities for students at the university. Students can compete in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, flag football
Flag football
Flag football is a version of Canadian football or American football that is popular worldwide. The basic rules of the game are similar to those of the mainstream game , but instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier to end...
, bowling
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
, softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, soccer and other intramural sports hosted at the school. Many of these intramural sport leagues are hosted in the new Student Recreation Center that opened during the Spring 2010 semester.
Traditions
Texas A&M University-Kingsville is an institution rich in traditions. Many of the school’s traditions are as old as the school itself, while others are much more recent. Some traditions are official, while others have become traditions by default through years of recurrence.Current
- School colors: The school’s official colors are Blue and Gold. These colors are reflected around the campus. They are seen in the uniforms of athletes, coaches and band members. They are also found on flags, school apparel and are proudly worn during sporting events.
- Mascot: The JavelinaPeccaryA peccary is a medium-sized mammal of the family Tayassuidae, or New World Pigs. Peccaries are members of the artiodactyl suborder Suina, as are the pig family and possibly the hippopotamus family...
is the official mascot of Texas A&M University–Kingsville. The mascot is paraded during official school events and games. Over the years, various mascots named Henry, Henrietta, Little Henry, Scrappy and Porky have held the honor as official mascot. The current mascot is named Porky III. - Alma Mater: The official song of the university is Hail AMK.
- Bell chimes: Every quarter hour, the bell chimes can be heard from atop College Hall. At the top of the hour, additional strokes will indicate the time of day. At the close of the school day, the tower will play the Alma MaterAlma materAlma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. - School songs: The official fighting song for TAMUK is Jalisco and is played by the band following every touchdownTouchdownA touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. In addition, the Javelina Victory March is played after every field goal or extra pointConvertThe convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
. Other songs are played during the games, often followed by a chant of “Go Hogs Go!”
- Pride of South Texas Marching Band: This is the award-winning marching band of the school. The band has participated in competitions throughout Texas and the United States. They routinely perform during half-time of home footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
games. In addition, the band plays the school’s alma materAlma materAlma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Hail AMK, at the end of football games.
- Bonfire: During homecoming week, a large bonfire is held in a field located adjacent to the soccer field and softballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
stadium. The bonfire is sponsored by the Aggie Club and is open to the student body, faculty, staff and alumniAlumnusAn alumnus , according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "a graduate of a school, college, or university." An alumnus can also be a former member, employee, contributor or inmate as well as a former student. In addition, an alumna is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college,...
of the university. - Homecoming King and Queen: In the weeks preceding the homecomingHomecomingHomecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
, members of various student organizations campaign for King and Queen. Students vote for the candidates of their choice, and the results are announced during half-time at the Homecoming GameHomecomingHomecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
. - Tailgate party: A tailgate partyTailgate partyIn the United States, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating often involves consuming alcoholic beverages and grilling food. Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games and...
is hosted in the northeastern parking lot of Javelina Stadium before each home footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
game. These gatherings have become a normal part of Javelina football games and attract thousands of fans. The tailgate partyTailgate partyIn the United States, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating often involves consuming alcoholic beverages and grilling food. Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games and...
is open to the public and many student organizations, clubs, and surrounding businesses around the area choose to participate with lots of food, drinks and music. - Hoggie Days: The official and mandatory freshmen orientationOrientation weekStudent orientation or new student orientation, is a period of time at the beginning of the academic year at a university or other tertiary institution during which a variety of events are held to orient and welcome new students. The name of the period varies by country...
of the university occurs prior to the beginning of each fall or spring semester. Events are designed to help students and parents become familiar with the traditions, procedures and experiences of life at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. - Fall Carnival/Spring Fling: Each fallAutumnAutumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....
and springSpring (season)Spring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and broadly to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and...
, a large festivalFestivalA festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
is held along University Blvd. in the center of campus. The Office of Student Activities hosts several bands and plenty of free activities. In addition, a majority of student organizations host booths, contests, games and food selections as well.
- Mesquite Groove: Every year, the KTAIKTAIKTAI is a radio station licensed to Kingsville, Texas, USA, the station serves the Kingsville-Alice-Falfurrias area. The station is currently owned by Texas A&M University-Kingsville.-History:...
radio station hosts a concert series at the stage in the Mesquite Grove located on the southern portion of the campus. - Miss TAMUK pageant: Each spring, the Office of Student Activities holds a themed scholarship pageantBeauty contestA beauty pageant or beauty contest, is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests often incorporate personality, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria...
. Female students compete for the title to become representatives of the university at community and school sponsored events. Past winners include Eva LongoriaEva LongoriaEva Jacqueline Longoria is an American actress, best known for portraying Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
. - Freshman night out: Each fall, the incoming freshmanFreshmanA freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
class is encouraged to attend dinner with the various faculty and staffEmploymentEmployment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
of the university at one of the university dining halls. The purpose of this event is to allow incoming freshmen to have an opportunity to become familiar with many of the professorProfessorA professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
s at the school. - Freshman convocation: Each fall, the incoming freshmen are encouraged to attend an official convocation ceremonyConvocationA Convocation is a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose.- University use :....
. The ceremony introduces freshmenFreshmanA freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
to many of the traditions of the school and aims to encourage students to persevere toward a degree. - Class ring: The school has an official class ring. Graduating seniors are encouraged to order their rings and attend a special ceremony shortly before graduation.
- Graduation: Graduation commencement ceremonies are held following the spring, fall and summer semesters.
- Study abroad: Students are encouraged to study abroad during their education at TAMUK. Educational exchange programs allow students to receive college credit from cultural study in Mexico, Spain, France, Germany, England, Australia, Italy, India, Canada, Botswana and Taiwan. The Office of International Studies and Programs has set up a scholarship fund to assist students in this endeavor.
- Army ROTC: The University is the proud home of Javelina Battalion, an official Army ROTC program. Cadets who complete the Army ROTC course at TAMUK become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army. In addition to coursework and sanctioned activities, the cadets of Javelina Battalion present colors during official school functions. Javelina Battalion upholds several internal traditions, including the firing of “Old Smokey” (prior to 1965, cadets fired a cannon known as "Little Jav") during home football games as well as sponsoring the Military Ball each year since 1975.
- Honor Code: In the effort to encourage academic and scholastic purity, students at Texas A&M University–Kingsville are expected to abide by the Javelina Honor CodeHonor codeAn honour code or honour system is a set of rules or principles governing a community based on a set of rules or ideals that define what constitutes honorable behavior within that community. The use of an honor code depends on the idea that people can be trusted to act honorably...
. The Principles of the Javelina Honor Code include five fundamental values that must be adhered by students, including honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.
- Honor Pledge: The accompanying Javelina Honor Pledge states, "As a student of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, I pledge to conduct myself honorably and to uphold high standards in all academic work, and to adhere to all of the values set forth in the Javelina Honor Code."
- Business Etiquette Dinner: During the fall and spring semesters, students are expected to attend a special dinner that provides training in formal dinner manners and protocol. This entertaining black tie event has become a staple of the TAMUK experience.
- Movie nights: The Campus Activity Board hosts special movie nights throughout the year. Movies are typically recent releases and are shown in the Peacock Auditorium of the Biology-Earth Sciences Building, on the lawn in the center of campus or as special drive-inDrive-in theaterA drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
films in the western parking lot of Javelina Stadium. - Midnight breakfast: During final examinations, the cafeterias around the university offer free late night meals (including breakfast) to assist with late night study.
- Rush Week: This is the official recruiting method of the various Greek societies found at the university. During Rush, the fraternities and sororities set up recruitment stations around campus in order to promote their organizations.
- Moon Festival: This annual celebration in the courtyard of the Memorial Student Union Building kicks off the various Asian Pacific Heritage events around the campus. Visitors are treated to Asian food, visuals and entertainment that celebrates the cultures of Asia.
- See You at the Pole: During an early morning each September, students from the various religious student organizations meet around the flag pole at College Hall in order to pray for the school year.
- Holiday decorations: Prior to the November ThanksgivingThanksgivingThanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
holiday, students, faculty and staff are invited to assist in decorating the campus for the winter holidays.
Football games
In addition to the traditions mentioned above, there are many other traditions that are displayed during football games.- Pep rallies: Enthusiastic rallies are held before each game.
- Tailgate Party: The tailgate party is held before each home game in the northeastern parking lot of Javelina Stadium.
- Blue Out: During home games, students are encouraged to participate in a “Blue Out” – where students wear their school colors in a sign of school spirit.
- Porky's Pack & Train: Children who become members of Porky’s Pack accompany Porky the Javelina mascot on a train ride around the stadium throughout the game.
- Blue Thunder: Prior to kickoff, students sitting on the west side of the stadium repeatedly kick the metal rails beneath their seat in a sign of school solidarity, resulting in a very loud and thunderous clamor.
- Flag Run: Following each touchdown scored by the Javelinas, two separate school flags are run around the stadium by members of the Aggie Club.
- "Old Smokey:" In addition, cadets of the TAMUK Army ROTC the “Old Smokey” cannon during every home game.
- Tortilla toss: During the 1980s, students began to throw tortillas following every touchdown as a show of support for the football team. This tradition has halted in 1999 after some students complained of possible racial undertones. School officials subsequently banned tortillas from the stadium; however, tortillas continue to be thrown during the game.
- College Hall black lights: Following each football victory, the bell tower atop College Hall is lit up with black lights. These lights provide an ethereal reminder to the campus community of each victory.
Notable alumni
- Mike Adams, MLB pitcher, Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
- Johnny BaileyJohnny BaileyJohnny Lee Bailey , born in Houston, Texas, was an American football running back. He was a part of Houston's Yates High School football team when it won the 1985 5A state championship....
, former NFL running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... - Sid BlanksSid BlanksSid Blanks is a retired American college and professional football player. A halfback, he played college football at Texas A&I University, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Houston Oilers from 1964 through 1968. He also played for the Boston Patriots on the AFL in...
, retired NFL running back, Houston Oilers and the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. First African American player in the Lone Star ConferenceLone Star ConferenceThe Lone Star Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. Member institutions are located in the southwestern United States, with schools in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico... - Michael T. BoydMichael T. BoydMichael T. Boyd is an Emmy Award winning costume designer from Texas. A graduate of Texas A&I University, Boyd specializes in historical military uniforms, and has provided costumes for a number of films, TV miniseries, and other productions, including:...
, Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-winning costume designer for film and television - J. E. "Buster" BrownJ. E. "Buster" BrownJames Edward Brown, known as J. E. "Buster" Brown , is an attorney and lobbyist in Austin, Texas, who served from 1981 to 2002 as a Republican member of the Texas State Senate from District 17, based in Brazoria, Fort Bend, and part of Harris counties, south and west of Houston...
(B.S. in secondary education), Texas politician - Laura CanalesLaura CanalesLaura Canales was an American Tejano musician and an original inductee in the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame. Canales was born in Kingsville, Texas.-Early years:...
, Tejano singer, known as the "Queen of Tejana music" - Juan CastilloJuan Castillo (American football)Juan Castillo is an American football defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He played college football at Texas A&I as a linebacker. He played for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the United States Football League from 1984–1985. He joined the Eagles in...
NFL Coach, Defensive Coordinator Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - James CrumleyJames CrumleyJames Arthur Crumley was the author of violent hardboiled crime novels and several volumes of short stories and essays, as well as published and unpublished screenplays...
, crime novelist, author of The Last Great Kiss and other works - Earl DotsonEarl DotsonEarl Christopher Dotson was an offensive tackle in the NFL. He played for the Green Bay Packers for 10 seasons. He started in Super Bowl XXXI and XXXII.He played college football at Texas A&M–Kingsville....
, retired NFL offensive tackle, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Ramon H. Dovalina, president of Laredo Community CollegeLaredo Community CollegeThe Laredo Community College, or LCC, was established as Laredo Junior College on September 28, 1947, by the Laredo Independent School District in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in south Texas...
in LaredoLaredo, TexasLaredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
from 1995 to 2007 - Joe Ernst, United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... - Carmen Lomas GarzaCarmen Lomas Garza-Biography:Carmen Lomas Garza had been born on September 12, 1948 in Kingsville, Texas. The initial roots of her artwork lay in her family, to whom she is close, and in the Chicano Movement. Garza's parents had been involved in political organizing through the American GI Forum, and Garza followed...
, Artist - Roberto GarzaRoberto GarzaRoberto Garza is an American football center and guard for the Chicago Bears of the NFL.-High School Years:Garza attended Rio Hondo High School in Rio Hondo, Texas and was a Letterman in football and track and field...
, NFL lineman for the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Darrell GreenDarrell GreenDarrell Ray Green is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play football...
, NFL Hall of Famer, retired cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... - Ram Guzman, Emmy award winning news writer for KTVT-TVKTVTKTVT, virtual channel 11, is a CBS owned-and-operated television station licensed to Fort Worth, Texas, and serving the Dallas-Fort Worth designated market area. The station is co-owned with independent station KTXA , and the two stations share facilities in Dallas and Fort Worth...
, the CBSCBS CorporationCBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
affiliate in Dallas - Don HardemanDon HardemanDonald Ray "Don" Hardeman is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League....
, retired NFL running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, Houston Oilers and Baltimore Colts - Al Harris, NFL Cornerback for the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
- Dwight HarrisonDwight HarrisonDwight Webster Harrison is a retired American football defensive back who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Colts and the Oakland Raiders. He played college football at Texas A&I University ....
, retired NFL cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - David HillDavid Hill (tight end)David Earl Hill is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League. He played for twelve seasons for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. He was selected to two Pro Bowls while playing for the Lions...
, retired NFL tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and Los Angeles Rams - Jim Hill, former NFL player for the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
and San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Sports anchor at KCBS-TVKCBS-TVKCBS-TV, channel 2, is an owned-and-operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Los Angeles, California. KCBS-TV shares its offices and studio facilities with sister station KCAL-TV inside CBS Studio Center in the Studio City section of Los Angeles, and its transmitter...
in Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants... - Rubén HinojosaRubén HinojosaRubén E. Hinojosa is the U.S. House of Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district stretches from the Rio Grande Valley to historic Goliad County and the Coastal Bend region...
, Member of the U.S. House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Texas's 15th DistrictTexas's 15th congressional districtTexas District 15 of the United States House of Representatives is a Congressional district that serves a thin section of the far south of the state of Texas... - Tom JanikTom JanikThomas Alvin Janik was a former American college and Professional Football player who was born in Poth, Texas. He attended the Texas College of Arts and Industries , where he was an all-conference running back and punter. He was inducted to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982...
, retired American Football LeagueAmerican Football LeagueThe American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
safety and punter, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Boston Patriots - Levi JohnsonLevi JohnsonLevi Johnson was a cornerback who played five seasons for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League....
, retired NFL cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... - Randy Johnson (American football)Randy Johnson (American football)Randolph Klaus "Randy" Johnson was an American football player. He was the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in their inaugural season of 1966. In 1974 he played with The Hawaiians of the World Football League.Johnson graduated from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, Texas in 1962...
, (June 17, 1944 – September 17, 2009) was an American football player. He was the starting quarterback for the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in their inaugural season of 1966. In 1974 he played with The HawaiiansThe HawaiiansThe Hawaiians were a professional American football team based out of Honolulu that played in the World Football League. They played two seasons, 1974 and 1975. Their records were 9-11 in 1974 and 4-7-1 in 1975. Their home stadium was Honolulu Stadium in 1974 and Aloha Stadium in 1975...
of the World Football LeagueWorld Football LeagueThe World Football League was a short-lived gridiron football league that played in 1974 and part of 1975. Although the league's proclaimed ambition was to bring American football onto a worldwide stage, the farthest the WFL reached was placing a team – the Hawaiians – in Honolulu, Hawaii. The...
. - John Lauer, former CEO of B.F. GoodrichGoodrich CorporationThe Goodrich Corporation , formerly the B.F. Goodrich Company, is an American aerospace manufacturing company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in Akron, Ohio in 1870 as Goodrich, Tew & Co. by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich. The company name was changed to the "B.F...
- Eva LongoriaEva LongoriaEva Jacqueline Longoria is an American actress, best known for portraying Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
, actress and model - Alvin MatthewsAl Matthews (American football)Alvin Leon Matthews is a former professional American football defensive back who played in eight National Football League seasons from 1970-1977 for the Green Bay Packers, the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers.-External links:*...
, retired NFL cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... - Jermane MayberryJermane MayberryJermane Timothy Mayberry is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. During the beginning of his career, Mayberry played several positions along the offensive line before...
, NFL Guard for the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - Dwayne NixDwayne NixDwayne Nix was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003....
, College Football Hall of Famer - Amado Pena, Artist
- Ernest PriceErnie PriceErnest Price is a former professional American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for seven seasons for the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks....
, retired NFL defensive lineman, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... - John RandleJohn RandleJohn Anthony Randle played defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. On February 6, 2010 he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Born in Mumford, Texas, Randle was raised poor, and worked odd jobs when he was young. His brother Ervin Randle played as...
, retired NFL Hall of fame defensive tackle - Richard RitchieRichard RitchieRichard Ritchie is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Texas A&I from 1973 to 1976. During his career, Ritchie had an undefeated record of 39–0...
, College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
r, Quarterback. Attorney at Law. - Ricardo SanchezRicardo SanchezRicardo Sanchez is a retired United States Army Lieutenant General and a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for the Senate election in 2012 for the seat of retiring Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.-Early life and education:...
, U.S. Army Lt. GeneralLieutenant General (United States)In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... - Jose S. MayorgaTexas National GuardThe Texas National Guard consists of the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. The Guard is administered by the adjutant general, an appointee of the governor of Texas. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state...
, Current Adjutant General of Texas National Guard - Kimberly A. ScottKimberly ScottKimberly Aileen Scott is an American actress.-Life and career:Scott was born in Texas. She attended school at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the University of Texas before earning a post-graduate degree from the Yale School of Drama.She has appeared in films such as The Abyss, Gross Anatomy,...
, actress - Heath ShermanHeath ShermanHeath B. Sherman is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for five seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Texas A&I University and was drafted in the six round of the 1989 NFL Draft....
, retired NFL running back Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Gil SteinkeGil SteinkeGilbert Erwin Steinke was a head coach of the Texas A&I University football team after having played at Texas A&I then professionally in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles.-Playing and coaching career:...
, NFL defensive back Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Longtime coach of the Javelinas. Texas Sports Hall of FameTexas Sports Hall of FameThe Texas Sports Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made "lasting fame and honor to Texas sports". It was established in 1951 by the Texas Sports Writers Association. Once it made its first induction in 1951, Texas became the first U.S...
, deceased - Jackie Stephenson, U.S. Army Brigadier General
- Bill Stevens, retired ExxonExxonExxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
USA CEO - Gene UpshawGene UpshawEugene Thurman Upshaw, Jr. was an American football player for the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League and later the NFL, later the executive director of the National Football League Players' Association...
, NFL Hall of Famer, former Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association, deceased - Bill Vessey, Chief Meteorologist at KIII-TVKIIIKIII, is an ABC affiliate television station broadcasting on digital channel 8 in Corpus Christi, Texas. It is owned by the London Broadcasting Company, though licensed under "KIII License Company, LLC" in the FCC database...
, ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
Corpus Christi
External links
- Texas A&M University–Kingsville Home Page
- Admissions to Texas A&M University-Kingsville
- Texas A&M University System
- Javelina Athletics
- Javelina Alumni Association
- Texas A&M University–Kingsville Book
- History of the University