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Beloved people, exciting scholars, community events, and "the most interesting man in Central Texas" were all part of our most-read news stories of 2023, focusing on A&M-Central Texas' past, its present, and its exciting transition to the future.
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Dr. Marc Nigliazzo, president at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, announced today he will retire August 31.
The university’s inaugural president, Nigliazzo was appointed to lead A&M-Central Texas by The Texas A&M University Board of Regents in April 2010. Nigliazzo grew the state’s first and only upper-level university into a recognized leader as the 10th of the 11 regional universities in the Texas A&M University System.
Chancellor John Sharp praised Nigliazzo for his accomplishments, noting that educational opportunities have expanded significantly for residents in Central Texas, statewide and nationally because of the careful growth and nurturing of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs — many of which are offered both on campus and online.
Learn about Dr. Marc!
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One conversation with A&M–Central Texas employee, Shawn Kelley, 58, might just be enough to make any reasonable person wonder if – in addition to the title he has earned by virtue of his job – he might just deserve to be considered for another: The Most Interesting Man in the World – if only Central Texas had such a thing to give.
Kelley, a retired veteran of the U.S. Army and National Guard, Copperas Cove resident, and married father of three, has an easy way about him, and a self-effacing laugh, absent any trace of pretention. He doesn’t think of himself as a particularly interesting person – just someone doing a job he enjoys – but after just a few minutes of conversation, there is plenty of evidence to suggest he is quite, in fact, extraordinary...
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Killeen resident and Texas A&M-Central Texas University student Richard James Fletcher, 31, is much too humble to describe himself as exceptional, but his actions suggest that there is more to him than his mild-mannered temperament, his half hesitant smile, or his everyday life.
Fletcher uses the word “average” a few times when he is asked to describe himself, but even as he repeats the word, it sounds somehow inaccurate. He is soft-spoken, but deliberate, grounded, and purposeful, but still brave enough to avoid apathy. As his words attest, he is many things: a son, a brother, a student, a neighbor, and an advocate. And last but not least, he loves growing things in the dirt.
He was a curious child, he says, fascinated with science, mostly dinosaurs and rocks. Even then, he had the patience for understanding big concepts: the constant subtle movement of tectonic plates and the principles of geology, the role of evolution, and the interrelationships between those complex subjects.
Dig into his work!
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Texas A&M University–Central Texas’ inducted 11 charter members to the Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) honor society on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. The first members of the newly formed chapter are: Falon Summers, Amanda Mchugh, Jaykumar Bhakata, Antonio Sandoval, Robinette Phillips, Lindsey Jackson, Roshunda Reagans, Shiara Velo, Noemi SaDiablo, Cheryl Scott and honorary inductee Dr. Anthony Fulmore.
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Not all that long ago, Temple resident, Gaylene Nunn, 67, was immersed in the world of business. She was the vice president of finance and administration at A&M-Central Texas, a graduate of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, and had three decades of experience in a profession she loved, and over the years, had been promoted into increasingly responsible positions. In 2017, Nunn was named vice president emeritus upon her retirement, but she has remained as active in retirement as she was when she was working full time.
She rose up the ladder in her chosen profession at a time when women were scarcely represented in leadership, but she does not dwell on that. In fact, she credits her success to a solid work ethic, a long and loving marriage and a supportive husband, and a wry sense of humor as ever present as her keen business acumen.
Turn the page!
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Tickets for the event are $25. For more information
visit https://www.tamuct.edu/treasurewars
...The newest additions to the ever-growing list of auction items now includes an evening with Chip and Joanna Gaines at an upcoming Silobration in Waco sponsored by American Veterans Mission and two pairs of box seats sponsored by iHeartMedia to see Lainey Wilson in concert on Friday, September 22 at the Round Rock Amphitheater, and each includes an autographed CD of Wilson’s newest CD, “Bell Bottom Country.”
The Eagle Warrior Scholarship, a joint effort between A&M-Central Texas and Central Texas College more than 10 years ago, funds tuition, and fees for eligible full-time students demonstrating financial need and following an established transfer pathway between the two schools.
More on Storage Wars: Texas Event!
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Texas A&M University–Central Texas’ Division of Student Affairs has appointed Keisha Holman as the director of Career and Professional Development.
Holman’s familiarity with the community and higher education can be attributed to her time at Central Texas College in various capacities including student support and teaching roles. She ended her tenure at CTC as Director of Career Services.
Meet the new director.
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Texas A&M University–Central Texas has been selected to host a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence from Lagos, Nigeria, whose research in data analysis focuses on leveraging mathematical theory to solve real-world problems for businesses. He will remain with the university for the 2023-2024 academic year. Babatunde “Tunde” Sawyerr, Ph.D., an expert in mathematics and computer science at the University of Lagos, was selected for the Fulbright award by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Learn about Dr. Sawyerr.
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Austin Community College Chancellor Richard Rhodes has been selected to serve as interim president at Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
Rhodes — who led the unprecedented growth of ACC over the past 12 years — starts his new job Oct. 1, pending approval by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. He will be taking over for A&M-Central Texas’ longtime inaugural president, Marc Nigliazzo, who announced his retirement June 21.
Learn more.
