Texas A&M-Kingsville holds spring commencement May 18
KINGSVILLE (May 18, 2018) — More than 1,150 prospective graduates crossed the stage to receive their degrees during three commencement ceremonies held at the Steinke Physical Education Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville Friday, May 18.
The graduates from the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences received their degrees at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Students from the Colleges of Business Administration and Education and Human Performance walked the stage at 1 p.m. Graduates from the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering received their degrees at 4 p.m.
There were two commencement speakers over the three ceremonies. Dr. Arnold Gonzales, alumnus and former state representative, spoke at the first two ceremonies. Dr. Sung-won Park, electrical engineering professor, spoke at the 4 p.m. ceremony.
Ruben A. Martinez, president of the Student Government Association, presented the Distinguished Student Awards.
Rick Garza, president of the Javelina Alumni Association, brought a welcome on behalf of the association.
Charles R “Charlie” Hrncir, Chief Auditor for The Texas A&M University System Internal Audit Department, brought greetings from The Texas A&M System.
About Dr. Arnold Gonzales (commencement speaker, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
Dr. Arnold Gonzales was born and raised in Corpus Christi and graduated from W.B. Ray High School and Del Mar College. He is an alumnus of Texas A&I University, earning his bachelor’s degree in art, history and secondary education. He received his master’s degree in education administration from Eastern Michigan University and his doctorate, also in education administration, from University of Michigan.
He taught art in the local Corpus Christi Schools and upon completing his education he entered public service and was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1976. He served three terms.
Gonzales then worked as Deputy Land Commissioner for seven years. In 1996, he became the first Mexican American elected to an at-large seat on the Corpus Christi City Council where he served for five years.
He also is an accomplished and respected artist. His mural, Mujeres a Traves del Teimpo, depicts the women who helped shape South Texas and is on display the Grand Ballrooms of the Memorial Student Union Building. He also created the Fallen Heroes Memorial which includes portraits of the 22 men and women from this region who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
About Dr. Sung-won Park (commencement speaker, 4 p.m.)
Dr. Sung-won Park came to the university in 1989 as an assistant professor in the electrical engineering and computer science department. He served as department chair from 1998 to 2012 receiving his promotion to professor in 1999. Prior to working in Kingsville, Park was assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering at Auburn University.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from University of New Mexico.
Park received the 2005 Faculty Teaching Award from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and he has been a technical consultant for BDM Corporation in Albuquerque since 1988.
He received the Texas A&M University System Student Recognition Award for Teaching Excellence in Spring 2010 and Spring 2011. Park is the author of a textbook, Essence of Digital Signal Processing and primary author of more than 30 technical papers on signal processing.
Park is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas and a senior member of Institute of Electrical and Electronical Engineers. Park has been principal investigator on several research grants including one from the National Science Foundation and one from NASA. His research interests include spectral analysis, data compression, speech processing and image processing.
About Charles R. “Charlie” Hrncir
Charles R “Charlie” Hrncir is the Chief Auditor for The Texas A&M University System Internal Audit Department. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University in 1980.
Prior to joining the System Internal Audit Department in April of 2000, Hrncir worked for the Texas State Auditor’s Office for 19 years. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program.
As Chief Auditor, Hrncir was appointed by the Board of Regents and reports to the Board with access to the Chancellor. He oversees the internal audit activities for the A&M System, and through the Internal Audit staff, provides all internal audit and investigative audit services to the A&M System Members.
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TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY – KINGSVILLE
PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE LIST
SPRING COMMENCEMENT 2018
EAGLE PASS GRADUATES
SPRING 2018
Bachelor of Music
Maximiliano Arturo Juarez
Selena Zarate
Bachelor of Science
Diego Flores
Brandon I. Menchaca
Adrian Zacarias Jr.
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Kassandra Lynn Escamilla
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Lizeth K. Vazquez
Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences
Alejandra Vazquez
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Jaime Vargas
Bachelor of Science in Natural Gas Engineering
George Andrade
Master of Science
Rodolfo Herrera
Doctor of Education
Xalixa Jazmin Perez
