Texas A & M University

Kingsville

Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s success earned the university several national accolades in 2006-07, reaffirming the university’s position as an institution that makes a real difference in the lives of its students, community and the nation. When Washington Monthly magazine featured its second annual national college rankings, Texas A&M-Kingsville, at 77th, was one of only four Texas universities in the top 100 on its National Universities list. Minority Access Inc. named A&M-Kingsville as one of just two National Role Model Institutions, along with The Ohio State University. Dr. Jamie Laurenz, Associate Vice President for academic affairs, and Liza Soliz, a two-time graduate of the university, also were honored by the group for their research that centers on the immune system and stress physiology in animals. A&M-Kingsville entire research presence is strong; the university is 12th in Texas in research expenditures with $12.6 million. One of the university’s premiere research centers, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, continuing its role as the leading wildlife research organization in Texas and one of the finest in the nation. A&M-Kingsville’s Natural Toxins Research Center is the only federally funded viper research center in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers in the world for discovering toxins that can be used in biomedical research. Serving traditionally under served populations continues to be integral to the A&M-Kingsville mission. Hispanic Outlook magazine annual rankings reaffirmed Texas A&M-University’s success in educating Hispanic students, particularly in agriculture, where the university ranks 4th nationally in degrees awarded, and in multi/interdisciplinary disciplines, where A&M-Kingsville ranks 5th nationally. The rankings also show Texas A&M-Kingsville to be among the top 50 institutions nationwide graduating the most Hispanic students overall at all three levels. Specific programs within the university are nationally known as well. In 2007, Texas A&;M-Kingsville’s College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences began offering the Master of Science degree in ranch management the first degree of its kind in the world – through its world renowned King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management. In the College of Arts and Sciences, approval was given to create the new bachelor of science in biomedical sciences degree program, one of only five such degrees in the nation which prepare undergraduates for further study leading to careers in the health professions. Dr. John C. Perez, director of the Natural Toxins Research Center, was named one of the 100 Most Important Hispanics by Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology magazine, and a two-part physics course developed by Dr. Dan Suson was named among the top physics courses in the nation by the College Board. The new architectural engineering bachelors program in the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering completed its first year, surpassing its goal for student enrollment by 25 percent, and the first cohort from the environmental engineering doctoral program graduated, producing new professionals in one of the fields identified by the state as most crucial. A dream became a reality in August 2006 when the 78-member inaugural class of the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy began classes. Located on the A&M-Kingsville campus and managed by the Texas A&M Health Science Center, the College of Pharmacy is the first professional school in South Texas. The philanthropic spirit of students, faculty and staff at A&M-Kingsville is as strong as its academic and research programs, leading to recognition by the first-ever President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.