MAY 2022 EDITION
NEWS
New President Robert Vela '94, '98, '03, Visits Campus
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents confirmed Dr. Robert Vela on May 19. Vela will begin his new role as president of Texas A&M University-Kingsville on June 15.
On May 3, Vela visited with staff, faculty, and students on campus. That evening, he and Chancellor John Sharp hosted friends & supporters of Javelina Nation at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center.
Javelina Family Grows with 800+ New Alumni
Over 800 graduates walked the stage Friday, May 13 in two ceremonies at Javelina Stadium and officially became Javelina Alumni. Congrats, Grads!
Julian Cavazos '98, '02 Joins University as Police Chief
On May 1, Julian Cavazos started his new position as Police Chief. Cavazos was a part of the Kingsville Police Department for 36 years, most recently as Commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Training Community Services Bureau.
Chief Cavazos is a proud Javelina, having earned two bachelor’s degrees, in Applied Arts & Sciences and in Business Administration. He also earned his Master of Justice Administration from Norwich University.
Broadcaster Jim Hill '68 Earns Lifetime Achievement Award
On May 21, Distinguished Alum Jim Hill was recognized at the 72nd Golden Mike Awards©in Los Angeles hosted by the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California. Texas A&M-Kingsville Foundation CEO, Bradley Walker, was there in support.
Hill, a defensive back for the Javelinas, played in the NFL from 1969-1975 for the San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns.
Hill is currently a Los Angeles-based sportscaster, and sports director at KCBS-TV. He has been with CBS Los Angeles since 1992 and also worked there from 1976-1987.
EVENTS
Celebrate With Us: Javelina Nation's 97th Birthday
June 8, 1925 was the first day classes were held here on campus. That makes Javelina Nation 97 years old this year!
You're invited! Celebrate, June 8th in Downtown Kingsville at Kleberg Bank, alongside our Javelina Athletic coaches.
Show your Javelina Pride with fellow alumni & supporters as we get pumped for the upcoming 2022-2023 seasons.
In the RGV? Catch the Coaches on June 10th!
ATHLETICS SPOTLIGHT
Athletes Shine at Outdoor Track & Field NCAA Nationals
Gertrudis Balli (Matamoros Tamaulipas, Mexico) placed seventh in the discus at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Allendale, Michigan.
Johnathon Harper (Lorena, Texas) collected silver at the national meet in the decathlon, recording 7,360 points en route to the podium.
Another Javelina thrower, D.J. Delancy (Bethel Town, Jamaica) competed in the shot put on May 28. After entering as the 19th-seeded athlete, Delancy launched himself to the 13th spot overall.
The redshirt senior, with a 4.00 GPA in his biomedical sciences master's program, was named Lone Star Conference Outdoor Track & Field Academic Athlete of the Year.
Softball & Baseball Both Show Strong Postseason Efforts
The Texas A&M-Kingsville softball team came within one game of advancing into the NCAA Division II Softball World Series after reaching the championship of the NCAA Division II South Central Super Regionals last week.
The Javelinas and Texas-Tyler met in the championship series and split the first two games. Tyler, playing on its home field, won the third game, 6-4.
Tyler and the Javelinas have been the top two teams in Division II the past several weeks. The Javelinas ended the season with a 50-12 record.
The Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball team’s season ended at the NCAA Division II South Central Region 1 tournament last weekend in San Angelo. The Javelinas had a 33-20 record this spring.
CAREER SERVICES
Handshake: A Platform to Hire Javelinas
Employers: post jobs on Javelina Careers powered by Handshake to hire Javelinas!
If you’re looking for an intern or to build a strong and lasting recruiting presence on campus, the Career Services team wants to help. Send your questions to careerservices@tamuk.edu.
SPECIAL FEATURE: JAVELINA EDUCATORS
Lydia Ana Martinez ‘08, McAllen ISD's "Teacher of the Valley"
On May 5, McAllen ISD recognized a Teacher of the Year for each of their campuses. Alumna Lydia Ana Martinez of the Instruction and Guidance Center was an honoree. She was further honored as one of two district-wide Teachers of the Year, for her excellence in Secondary Education.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Alan Harwell '83 to Join Javelina Nation
Coastal Bend sportscasting veteran Alan Harwell will join the Athletics and Institutional Advancement teams as the new Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations.
Harwell received his B.S. in Secondary Education from Texas A&I University in 1983, with teaching fields in Journalism and Speech. He is scheduled to start at A&M-Kingsville on August 1, 2022.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Engineering Students Present at 2022 Senior Design Conference
The Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering held its annual Senior Design Conference on Friday, April 29 at A&M-Kingsville. 180 students worked for an entire year to complete the 44 projects presented during the event.
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
College of Ag Students Visit Costa Rica with GoStartNow
Covid-19 University Response
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Coronavirus Updates
For all official updates on COVID-19, please visit the University's website at the link below.