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TAMIU partially delays semester start due to coronavirus variant
Health, News, On Campus

TAMIU partially delays semester start due to coronavirus variant

By Mireilly GonzalezBridge Contributing WriterPublished Wednesday, March 2, 2022(Originally published in the February print edition, 2022) After a planned start date of Jan. 18, TAMIU chose to delay the start of face-to-face classes until Jan. 24. Online classes remained on schedule. The delay happened because of the “ramifications due to [SARS-CoV-2] and its Omicron version,” Texas A&M International University President Pablo Arenaz said. Leonard Gonzalez | BridgeTAMIU's partial delay came after an increase of cases due to the pandemic. A TAMIU health services employee gives a rapid COVID-19 test on Feb. 9 at the TAMIU Student Center, Room 216. By the end of the TAMIU announcement he concluded, “The best defense continues to be vaccination and boosters.” Research by th...
TAMIU study abroad returns
International Studies, News, On Campus

TAMIU study abroad returns

TAMIU study abroad returns By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 Study abroad is back and slated for this summer at TAMIU after barely more than a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic. While the deadline for most summer programs passed on Feb. 15, some programs received an additional two-week extension from the Office of International Engagement. David Gomez Jr. | BridgeAssociate Professional of language studies Julien F. Carriere, next to left, speaks with a student about the Carrieres' program to Italy and Psychology and Communication Department Chair José Carlos Lozano speaks to another student about his program to Germany. “The encouragement for study abroad is to provide students with a different viewpoint than they would traditionall...
TAMIU remembers first president
Humans of TAMIU, News

TAMIU remembers first president

TAMIU remembers first president By Gabrielle PratherAssistant EditorPublished on Feb. 13, 2022 With the passing of former University President Billy F. Cowart, the institution’s first president, a saddened community reflects on his contributions.  Cowart passed away on Dec. 25, 2021, at the age of 89. Cowart, who guided the University’s early development, passed due to illness and remained living with his family in his final days. submitted photoFile photo from The Laredo News of former University President Billy F. Cowart playing the guitar. Current TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz expressed the influence Cowart made across the Texas A&M International University. “We will be forever indebted to his leadership and vision that helped create the remarkable campus real...
$7.5 million TAMIU CARES funds available this spring
Finance, Health, News, On Campus

$7.5 million TAMIU CARES funds available this spring

$7.5 million TAMIU CARES funds available this spring By Carolina CruzBridge Staff WriterPublished Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 As the semester continues through the COVID-19 pandemic, TAMIU CARES keeps providing students with aid during the Spring 2022 semester. The application deadline occurs Feb. 21. TAMIU CARES provides Texas A&M International University students impacted by the pandemic with student emergency aid grants. This semester, the program is expected to offer more than $7.5 million in student support funding. According to the TAMIU CARES website, “These allocations are designed to provide grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. The CARES/ARP funds will be used to address financial hardship, including housing a...
Temperatures drop as cold front moves through Texas
News, On Campus

Temperatures drop as cold front moves through Texas

Temperatures drop as cold front moves through Texas By David PeraltaBridge Staff InternPublished Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 As a winter storm surges across Texas, many students prepare to keep warm on campus. As it began to plunge into South Texas, TAMIU took precautions to avoid any damages such as a wintery mix. Since Laredo doesn’t get much inclement weather, it is uncommon to see students in long-sleeve clothes, knowing the city is typically arid.  A Universitywide email went out Friday to all students and faculty: “The University will continue to monitor weather and road conditions and announce any appropriate changes here and on the University’s website and social media.” According to the National Weather Service, weather predictions show forecasts in the low 20s to a ...
TAMIU esports takes competitive gaming to next level
Entertainment, Features, News, On Campus, Science and Tech, Sports

TAMIU esports takes competitive gaming to next level

TAMIU esports takes competitive gaming to next level  By Dulce CastellanosBridge contributing writerOriginally published in the print edition on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 Several of the esports teams on campus are taking it to the next level—not Level 2, but the national level. Call of Duty Esports team member Ivan Larumbe said, “It is a big deal.” Leonard Gonzalez | BridgeAn unidentified esports player live streams on Nov. 2 at the Dusty’s Den Game Room near the Student Center. The National Association of Collegiate Esports, the largest membership association of varsity esports programs at colleges and universities across the U.S., added Texas A&M International University organizations to its ranks. Competing at a varsity level in competitive gaming comes with perks, be...
Campus tennis courts construction continues
News, On Campus, Sports

Campus tennis courts construction continues

Campus tennis courts construction continues By Cristian AlardinBridge contributing writerOriginally published in the print edition on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 City of Laredo officials say the TAMIU Tennis Complex should be completed in early 2022. Laredo Communications Administrator Noraida Negron wrote in an email that the project, formally introduced on June 8,  nears completion. Though the initial discussion on campus occurred earlier on Sept. 9, 2019, when Texas A&M International University administration held a referendum regarding the complex’s creation. Rosalinda Puentes | Special to The BridgeCampus tennis courts under construction in October. The tennis court is a joint effort developed from the City, its recreation department, the TAMIU Athletics Department,...
Students help clean up Las Palmas Nature Trail for Make a Difference Day
Civil Affairs, Features, Humans of TAMIU, News

Students help clean up Las Palmas Nature Trail for Make a Difference Day

Students help clean up Las Palmas Nature Trail for Make a Difference Day By Carolina CruzBridge Staff WriterPublished Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 TAMIU students came together in late October to help out the Rio Grande International Study Center as part of Make a Difference Day. Held nationally every fourth Saturday of October, this event became the largest single-day of volunteering in the country; it encourages people to become more active in their communities. For National Make a Difference Day this year, Texas A&M International University students came together to help out the Rio Grande International Study Center in its Día del Rio Cleanup at Las Palmas Nature Trail on Saturday, Oct. 23. Carolina Cruz | BridgeA crowd gathers to get information for Make a Difference Day...
Late professor honored with named library collection
Features, Humans of TAMIU, News, On Campus, Professor Profile

Late professor honored with named library collection

Late professor honored with named library collection By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 Late faculty member, retired Associate Professor of English Frances “Panchita” Gates Rhodes, was honored at TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library with her own literature collection. Texas A&M International University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Mitchell spoke about her legacy at an event on Oct. 15 held in her honor. David Gomez Jr. | BridgeVice President and Provost Thomas Mitchell speaks during the Frances “Panchita” Gates Rhodes memorial event on Oct. 15 in the TAMIU library. “Dr. Rhodes was a passionate advocate for her discipline, for her students, for her colleagues and for TAMIU,” Mitchell said. “The students, grad...
Faculty awards presented at Convocation
Academia, Education, Humans of TAMIU, News, On Campus, Professor Profile

Faculty awards presented at Convocation

Faculty awards presented at Convocation By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 Each year, TAMIU names an elite list of faculty recognized for excellence in teaching and research. This year’s announcement came as part of the University’s Fall Convocation. One assistant professional, plus two assistant and two associate professors received the fall semester’s coveted awards. These honors spotlight Texas A&M International University faculty who hone their field of expertise and create a unique way of learning in their classroom and community. Phoebe Chavez | Special to The BridgeDistinguished Teacher of the Year Fei Lou and Outstanding Teacher of the Year Hailey Kazen Among the winners were Assistant Professor Jared R. Dmello for the Instructio...
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