Island University Celebrates more than 550 Graduates during Summer 2024 Commencement

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As the summer season winds down, a new chapter is just beginning for more than 550 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi students. On Aug. 10, TAMU-CC hosted its Summer 2024 Commencement Ceremony at the American Bank Center. Among those students receiving a diploma was Rebekah George ’24, an Oklahoma City native who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“I choose TAMU-CC for a number of reasons, but foremost I could tell the school was filled with truly good and genuine people,” George said. “Many of the relationships I made during my time here are relationships that will last for the rest of my life.”

George also made long-lasting bonds on the soccer pitch. During her junior year, she started in 15 games for Islanders Women’s Soccer and made an appearance in every match. Balancing the demands of the nursing program with her commitment to the soccer team proved to be George’s biggest challenge.

“Throughout my time as a student-athlete at TAMU-CC, I was given immense support by the nursing faculty and soccer staff,” George said. “They worked with me to rearrange my class or clinical schedules when I had away games to ensure that any conflicts I had were minimal. I would not have achieved my dream of being a nurse without them.”

Sharon Mata ’24, a Laredo native, earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education from the Island University.

“I came into this program as a counselor who had a lot of dreams and ideas, and I am leaving with not only a degree of counselor education but also with many tools and resources to continue bringing my ideas and goals to reality,” Mata said.

A first-generation college student and a Hispanic immigrant, Mata credits her campus mentors with getting her through the tough times that can come with pursuing a Ph.D.

“One of the things I love most about my program was the approachability and availability of my professors and peers,” Mata said. “Being open to asking for help paved my way to where I am today and allowed me to form mentorship and collegiate relationships that changed my life. Persistence and hope kept me from giving up, and thanks to that, I am today, Dr. Mata.”

The Island University has held a special place in the heart of Jullian Hill ’24 since she first stepped foot on campus while in high school.

“I was in the AVID program my junior year of high school and we toured several colleges,” Hill, a San Antonio native, recounted. “TAMU-CC was by far my favorite. No other campus could compare.”

Hill took her love for the beach into the classroom and earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. During her time on campus, she took part in a number of studies including a beach nourishment project and a project related to hermit crabs. She said her favorite memories involve taking her studies out into the open water.

“Driving a boat during my oil spill response lab or seeing sea turtles being released on the beach are just some of the memories that stick out,” Hill said. “So many of these experiences are what I think about when I think of being an Islander.”

The summer commencement speaker was Dr. Kesley Banks ’19, who earned her doctorate in marine biology from the Island University. Banks is now an Associate Research Scientist in the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at TAMU-CC. Her expertise on all things sharks has garnered national attention thanks to multiple appearances on programming during Discovery’s Shark Week.

In her speech to the graduates, Banks imparted a lesson on the importance of blazing their own trail as they embark on their careers.

“I encourage you to dream big, test boundaries, and move through life with an open mind,” Banks said. “It is your choice how you look at failures and detours. Obstacles may take us in a different direction than we planned, but they also teach us that we decide how we view the world. I encourage you to look at failures as not the end-all, but rather a starting place. It’s a chance to start fresh, go back to the basics, and explore new methods and solutions.”

To view a recording of the Summer 2024 Commencement Ceremony, click here.