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TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU holds their 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremonies at the Sames Auto Arena. May 12, 2022.
TAMIU Spring 2022 Commencement Ceremony Speaker Susana Melendez-Valencia is the regional president and head of Commercial Banking of PNC Bank for the Texas Border markets.
Graduation season has started, and Laredo's youth is showing a promising future for the city with its latest graduates.
Texas A&M International University graduated a total of 870 students in 2022, out of which 500 were women.
With the oldest graduate being 64 years old and the youngest being 19, students from El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, the United States, and many more countries received their diplomas in one of two grand afternoon ceremonies at Sames Auto Arena on Thursday.
The commencement guest speaker for both graduation ceremonies was Susana Melendez-Valencia, regional president and head of Commercial Banking of PNC Bank for the Texas Border Markets. Melendez-Valencia was also joined by honorable guest Rep. Henry Cuellar, who showed great pride in the latest generation of Laredo professionals.
TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz greeted graduates and guests, as he reminded the community this was the last commencement exercise for Dr. Minita Ramirez. She has been selected as the final candidate for the position of president at Laredo College, where she is in talks to become the first female president in the school's 75-year history.
Martiza Y. Garcia was the official student respondent selected to speak during the afternoon graduation session.
“Since I was a little girl, I used to watch the news on TV before going to school. So when I went to school, I used to imitate the anchors, the reporters, and create movie trailers with my friends during class as a joke, but later I found out that it was not only a joke,” Garcia said. “Instead, I began to enjoy how to deliver news and get people informed of what is happening in the world.
"At first, I did it for fun, but then it got transformed into a passion. In the near future, I am getting a full-time job as well as applying to graduate school in Austin to continue with my education. I am also planning to try my own blog of news by using my experience on the field and focus on my professional profile.”
With a majority of students being first-generation graduates, TAMIU shows its commitment to ensuring the education of many wishing to start their professional journey.
“By being the first generation graduating in the U.S., I feel very proud. I feel that my success is a marking spot which will lead younger generations in my family to follow their dreams,” Garcia said. “All the sacrifices my family did for me inspired me to be the best in everything I do. And that every effort we do get rewarded, and my recognitions helped me get scholarships which allowed me to pay my tuition and scholarly expenses.”
With a round of applause, family members were asked to stand up for students and guests to recognize them for the part they played in helping the graduates achieve their diplomas and by supporting them through their studying years.
“I dedicate this degree to my mom who always provided me everything I needed and supported me in every goal I set to myself. She gave me motivation on the days I thought I was not making any improvement and told me to keep pushing until I get what I wanted,” Garcia said. “I would like to tell any students, especially the ones who live in Nuevo Laredo and come to school in Laredo, is that (you should) keep pushing.
"There might be days you will feel tired and feeling like you're stuck, but that time will pass. Just continue and you eventually will receive the reward. And congrats to all the class of 2022!”
Surrounded by sparklers and confetti, Mariachi Internacional closed the ceremony with a traditional ensemble to send off guests and graduates into their celebratory day with friends and family.
Cecilia Trevino reports on city and education for the Laredo Morning Times since September 2021.
She graduated from Tecnológico de Monterrey in México as a Journalism major with a minor in Film.