Texas A&M University–Kingsville

Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a public research university in Kingsville, Texas. It is the southernmost campus of the Texas A&M University System. The university developed the nation's first doctoral degree in bilingual education. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is the oldest continuously operating public institution of higher learning in South Texas. The school was chartered as the "South Texas Normal School" in 1917; however, the opening of the school was delayed due to World War I. Founded in 1925 as "South Texas State Teachers College", the university's name changed in 1929 to "Texas College of Arts and Industries", or "Texas A&I" for short, signaled the broadening of its mission. A 1967 name change to "Texas A&I University" marked another transition. The university became a member of the Texas A&M University System in 1989 and changed its name to Texas A&M University–Kingsville in 1993.
Texas A&M University–Kingsville has a highly diverse student body with 6,357 students pursuing degrees from five academic colleges. The student body is represented by students from 40 U.S. states and more than 35 foreign countries. The student body is split almost evenly with 53% men and 47% women. Undergraduate students represent about 80% of the student population. The student body reflects the high Hispanic population of the South Texas area, with 69% of the students belonging to a Hispanic ethnicity, 15% white, and 4% African-American. Around 7% of students are international students.
As a Texas public university and a member of the Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M University–Kingsville participates in the Texas "top-10 law", which guarantees admission of the top 10% of Texas public high-school students into public colleges or universities in the state. Whereas certain Texas universities (such as the University of Texas at Austin) can limit these "top 10%" students to 75% of the incoming freshmen class via a tiered system, Texas A&M University–Kingsville offers admission to any student who graduated in the top 10%.
More than 75% of the faculty hold terminal degrees (such as PhDs or Ed.D.s.) and have come to the university from more than 41 U.S. states and foreign countries. The university maintains a student/faculty ratio of 16 to one. The Faculty Senate sets academic policy, maintains all faculty committees and the faculty constitution, and assists the university administration with the academic operations and calendar for the school.
Texas A&M–Kingsville has 56 undergraduate degree programs, 61 master's programs and six doctoral degrees in the Colleges of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education and Human Performance, Engineering, and Graduate Studies. The university features the region's only programs in engineering, social sciences and agriculture. A&M–Kingsville's bilingual education program, offering degrees at the master's and doctoral levels, was the first of its kind in the country and continues to be one of the strongest. Undergraduates in nearly all disciplines have an opportunity to participate in research projects.
In 2006, Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy opened as the first professional school of any kind at any university south of San Antonio. The Center for Urban Education at the University of Southern California recently identified Texas A&M University–Kingsville as one of the top 25 Hispanic-serving institutions in America. The school is recognized as being "potential exemplary, or model, of effective practices for increasing the number of Latina and Latino bachelor’s degree holders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – known by the acronym STEM." Texas A&M University–Kingsville ranks 43rd out of American colleges and universities in bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics according to the Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine. The magazine also determined that the school ranks seventh in the nation for agriculture degrees and fifth in multi/interdisciplinary studies.
The university's fashion and interiors merchandising program, part of the Department of Human Sciences, was ranked as a top-10 program among schools in the Southwest by Fashion Schools in 2013. The program ranked 10th among all schools with fashion programs in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada and number 72 among all schools nationally.
The National Natural Toxins Research Center at Texas A&M–Kingsville boasts a large collection of venomous snakes and attracts researchers from around the world to its one-of-a-kind serpentarium. For almost four decades, its mission has been to provide global research, training, and resources that will lead to the discovery of medically important toxins found in snake venoms. They also provide snake venoms, venom fractions, and tissue for biomedical research.
Texas A&M–Kingsville's Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute is internationally recognized for its research into the conservation and management of wildlife. As the leading wildlife research organization in Texas, it emphasizes research in such fields of study as habitat ecology and management, wildlife biology, ecology and management, wildlife diseases, parasitology, and toxicology, economic development of natural resources, and citizen science. Research scientists and biology and agriculture students conduct research in habitat, toxicology, genetics, and various animal programs, including deer, wild cats, and birds.
The Texas A&M University–Kingsville Citrus Center is known around the world for its work in citrus research and development. The center attracts scholars and research projects from around the world, incorporating undergraduate and graduate student training into its diverse research programs, such as biotechnology, entomology, pathology, and budwood certification. The center is also known for its research and development of several popular varieties of citrus, including the Ruby Red grapefruit.
The Wellhausen Water Resources Center, through its membership in the International Arid Lands Consortium, is playing a role in the Middle East with its expertise in water conservation and development. The newly founded South Texas Environmental Institute plans to bring regional entities together to solve environmental questions through research.
The James C. Jernigan Library is central to the university's goal of offering first-rate academic research. As one of the largest libraries in Texas, the collection boasts more than a half million volumes and over 700,000 microfiche documents. The facility also subscribes to more than 2,200 academic and general-interest periodicals and is designated as a depository for selected U.S. government documents. The library hosts a rare book room that includes precious and uncommon materials from throughout Texas, the Southwest, and the United States.
The facility also houses a Bilingual Center containing many multicultural materials. As the nucleus for research, it contains large computer labs, a dedicated Media Services Center, a special collection containing juvenile literature and a series of ongoing Continuing Education and research development programs. The library also participates in the Interlibrary Loan program, allowing students to access materials from other libraries throughout Texas.
The South Texas Archives and Special Collections, a division of the James C. Jernigan Library hosts one of the largest archival collections in Texas, devoted almost exclusively to the history of South Texas. The South Texas Archives are a state depository that contains the official records from many local towns, cities, special districts, courts, and other regional agencies. In addition, the archive hosts large photograph collections, thousands of written and oral histories of the region, and the collections of many local and state legislators, such as Carlos Truan, Irma Rangel, and J.T. Canales.
Texas A&M–Kingsville is located in Kingsville, Texas, just 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas and 120 miles (190 km) north of Mexico. Kingsville, with a population of 25,000, is home to the headquarters of the famed King Ranch and Naval Air Station Kingsville. The Kingsville campus of Texas A&M–Kingsville encompasses 1,601 acres (648 ha) of land, with the bulk of activities occurring within a 250-acre (100 ha) main campus that consists of more than 85 buildings.
The architecture of the main campus reflects a Spanish Mission Revival style. The school's first president, R. B. Cousins, decided that the campus should reflect the people and culture of the area. He established the tradition of having each of the buildings on campus reflect a Spanish Mission Revival style of architecture. Nearly every building on the campus has the red tile roofs, towers, and a curved-gable parapet.
The first building constructed, Manning Hall, contains an eastern tower that is a stylized version of the tower at Mission San José. The tower on the west is a replica of the tower at Mission Concepcion. The curved-gable parapet represents the Alamo, the famous former mission located in San Antonio.
In addition to the main campus, the university operates several satellite campuses around the main campus. This includes the agricultural research area to the west of campus, the TAMUK Rodeo Arena and livestock area to the north of campus, and the Tio and Janell Kleberg Wildlife Research Park adjacent to the northwestern entrance of the main campus on Corral Avenue.
The university recently developed a new master plan for the campus. In May 2010, details of the plan were released to the public. This plan calls for a multimillion-dollar improvement of the current campus infrastructure along with the development of several new buildings, walkways, green spaces, and parking additions. In addition to new and improved structures, the campus will undergo a campus beautification project that will include new signs, lighting, landscaping, and remodeling of existing outdoor facilities.
In addition, Texas A&M–Kingsville maintains two large research farms known as the Texas A&M University–Kingsville Citrus Center in Weslaco. Scientists and researchers at the center seek to find innovative solutions for the global citrus industry while developing variations in citrus (such as the 'Ruby Red', 'Star Ruby', and 'Rio Red' grapefruit varieties) through cutting-edge scientific techniques.
Poteet Hall houses the Santa Gertrudis Independent School District's comprehensive high school, Santa Gertrudis Academy High School.
The majority of undergraduate students at Texas A&M–Kingsville live on campus in one of several major dormitory buildings. Martin Hall, Lynch Hall, Lucio Hall (Formerly University Village), and Mesquite Village West house approximately 2,300 students in a shared or private dormitory environment. In addition to traditional male and female dorms, Texas A&M University–Kingsville provides many apartment style residence halls and suites that house approximately 1,200 students. Many of the residence halls on campus provide distinct "Living Learning Communities" for students. This optional housing arrangement helps provide a fraternal residential atmosphere for students from diverse backgrounds, academic fields and interests. These communities currently include Fitness and Wellness, Music, Engineering, Agriculture and Wildlife, Fashionista, Leadership, Technology and Honors.
The university recently completed a new residence hall with 600 beds in a suite-style environment. The university recently broke ground on a new residence hall that will also house students in the Honors College.
During the fall of 2010, the university received state authorization to begin planning and construction for a third new residence hall, to be completed in 2012.
Another student dormitory, Mesquite Village West, opened in time for the Fall 2011 school year. At a cost of more than $18 Million, this 98,000 square foot building provides suite-style two and four bedroom apartments with a kitchenette, living room and one or two bathrooms per unit. It also provides three separated housing wings, including Fashionista, Technology and Honors themed communities.
Many students choose to obtain meals at various university dining halls and restaurants. In addition to the restaurants located on campus, the university operates several large dining halls in the dormitories and Student Union Building. The university is also building a new dining hall that will be able to accommodate 378 students at one time. Along with this new dining hall, resident students can also use the cafeteria located in Turner-Bishop Hall, Martin Hall or at the various restaurants located in the Memorial Student Union Building. There is also a new cafe located in the James C. Jernigan Library.
The Memorial Student Union Building (commonly called the MSUB or SUB) is often referred to as the "living room of campus." It is home to the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Student Activities, the Dean of Students, several ballrooms and meeting rooms. The building also houses a Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and a Subway. Dining services throughout the campus are provided by Aramark, operating as Javelina Dining. The building also hosts a large university bookstore, operated by Barnes & Noble. The Memorial Student Union Building also accommodates a large game room with a dozen pool tables, ping pong tables, a computer and study hall section, several large flat screen televisions, and a video arcade room.
The university recently opened a new Student Recreation Center. The new 24-hour center is approximately 36,000 sq ft (3,300 m) and contains two indoor multi-purpose gymnasiums that can be used for basketball, soccer, and volleyball. It also contains 5,600 sq ft (520 m) square feet for a new cardio fitness and weight room with an elevated track. It was officially opened in April 2010.
The Steinke Physical Education Center (SPEC) is home to the university's Department of Kinesiology. The multistory complex also houses various recreational concourses that provide many activities for students, faculty, and staff throughout the semester. Among these are a bowling alley, racquetball courts, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a fitness center, and large locker rooms.
The school has many activities available to students and residents throughout the year. The Office of University Housing and Residence Life and the Office of Student Activities sponsor many activities throughout the year, including Hoggie Days (a student orientation program), fall and spring festivals, picnics, dorm activities. The Office of Student Activities also hosts free weekend movie events in the Peacock Auditorium, lawn and drive-in movie events, recreational sports, Family Weekend events, the Homecoming Bonfire, and several other traditional school spirit or entertainment activities throughout the year.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville is home to several prestigious media outlets. The South Texan is the school's official newspaper. It is a newspaper produced by students and has been in continuous publication since 1925. The South Texan has produced a distinguished list of journalists who now work in media outlets across the nation. The university offers broadcast media outlets as well. KTAI 91.1 FM, the school's official radio station, has been in operation for over 40 years. As Kingsville's only radio station, KTAI is a student-operated radio station that provides a mix of music, news, and live sports programming. The school also offers a campus television station, TAMUK TV-2, which is aired throughout the campus and via local cable television. Like KTAI, TAMUK TV-2 offers students the opportunity to work in various aspects and roles of broadcast media while earning college credit. Many students have moved on to work in radio and television throughout Texas. Both KTAI and TAMUK TV-2 are operated under the auspices of the Radio and Television division of the Communications and Theater Arts Department.
The university hosts a number of student organizations, including a number of Greek-letter academic honor societies, academic and professional societies, political clubs, religious student organizations, and many others. There are approximately 105 student organizations at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. They are divided into categories: academic, community service, honor societies, faith-based, spirit & tradition, cultural/international, military, sports, Greek, performing & visual arts, social & political issues, student government, student media, health & recreation, programming, and special interest.
College of Education and Human Performance
The university is home to chapters or colonies of several Greek fraternities and sororities, including:
Fraternities:
Sororities:
Texas A&M–Kingsville (TAMUK) athletic teams are the Javelinas. The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) since the 1954–55 academic year.
Texas A&M–Kingsville (TAMUK) competes in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
The Javelinas has seen much success in athletics, winning several conference titles, most recently in baseball and football.
The perennial success in football led some to dub the school as a "football factory" with 7 National Championships: 1979, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1970, 1969, 1959 and 34 Conference Championships: 1931, 1932, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1951, 1952, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1967–70, 1974–77, 1979, 1985, 1987–89, 1992–97, 2001–04, 2009. The university holds the record as the Division II school with the most professional athletes signed by teams in the NFL, including Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Gene Upshaw, Darrell Green, and John Randle.
Because of its great success, attendance at football games in Javelina Stadium ranks amongst the highest in NCAA Division II. Javelina Stadium has more than 18,000 seats, which is one of the largest Division II football stadiums in the nation. Javelina Stadium has been chosen to host the NCAA Division II Cactus Bowl every year since 2001. The Cactus Bowl draws the best senior football players from Division II football for NFL scouting activities and culminates in a game pitting seniors from the East against seniors from the West.
The university offers no less than ten NCAA sanctioned sports, including five men's sports and 5 women's sports. Facilities include Javelina Stadium for football, track, and field; the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center for volleyball and men's and women's basketball; Nolan Ryan Field for baseball; and Vernie & Blanche Hubert Field for softball. In addition, the campus maintains facilities for tennis, soccer, racketball, swimming, platform diving and other various indoor sports.
The Department of Kinesiology and the Office of Student Activities also provide competitive intramural sports activities for students at the university. Students can compete in basketball, flag football, bowling, softball, soccer and other intramural sports hosted at the school. Many of these intramural sports leagues are hosted in the new Student Recreation Center that opened during the Spring 2010 semester.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville is an institution rich in traditions. Many of the school's traditions are as old as the school itself, while others are much more recent. Some traditions are official, while others have become traditions by default through years of recurrence.
In addition to the traditions mentioned above, there are many other traditions that are displayed during football games.