HOMECOMING 2025 -  Distinguished Alumni Awards 

As part of our Homecoming celebration, we will honor and induct the newest class of Distinguished Alumni and Rising Star honorees on Friday, October 24, 2025.

2025 Distinguished Alumni Honorees:

Dinah Bowman, Class of 1978

Major General Joe M. Ernst, Class of 1965

John Michael "Mike" Howard, Class of 1995

Dr. Juan E. Mejia, Class of 2000, 2012

Rising Star Honorees:

Kenneth Nelson, Class of 2010

Dr. Rachel Sims, Class of 2012, 2015

 

About the distinguised alumni Award Recipients:

Dinah Bowman, a 1978 graduate of Texas A&M University–Kingsville with a master’s degree in Terrestrial Biology and Art, is an internationally recognized artist, scientific illustrator, and environmental educator. Her work has been featured in leading institutions such as the Smithsonian Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Dallas Museum of Natural History, and natural history museums across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

Bowman is best known for her pioneering work in gyotaku (the Japanese art of fish printing) and her detailed scientific illustrations, including more than 130 watercolor plates for Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, published by Texas A&M Press. Her art has been commissioned by organizations such as the U.S. Navy, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and Texas Parks and Wildlife, and is included in collections ranging from the Pentagon to the International Crane Foundation.

In addition to her international reputation as an artist, Bowman has been deeply involved in education and community leadership. She designed the first visitor’s center exhibits for the UT Marine Science Institute, taught biological illustration at Corpus Christi State University, and has served as an art consultant for the Texas State Aquarium. Her accolades include recognition as the first Outstanding Alumni honoree at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, Artist of the Year in Corpus Christi, and recipient of the Texas General Land Office’s Texas Treasure Award for Excellence in Environmental Education. A proud Javelina Bowman has dedicated her career to blending science, art, and education to inspire conservation and community engagement.

Major General Joe M. Ernst, a 1965 graduate of Texas A&M University–Kingsville with a degree in Agriculture, built a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades of military, business, and civic leadership. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Horticulture from Texas A&M University–College Station and completed advanced executive and military education at Harvard University, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Air Force War College, and the Army War College.

From 1965 to 2003, General Ernst served with honor in the U.S. Army, culminating as Assistant Deputy Commanding General of the Army Materiel Command. His decorated service included commands at multiple levels, among them the 377th Theater Support Command, the 125th Army Reserve Command, and the 90th ARCOM. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and numerous other commendations recognizing his leadership and service in Vietnam and beyond.

In addition to his military career, General Ernst has been a successful business leader, serving as President and Owner of Two Star Holdings, Ltd., Partner in Ernst Enterprises, and Principal of Ernst Consulting. He also held a long tenure with H-E-B Grocery Company as Marketing Director. A proud Javelina, he has remained connected to the university through years of support and participation in major campus events.

John Michael “Mike” Howard, a 1995 graduate of Texas A&M University–Kingsville with a degree in Chemical Engineering, is Chairman and CEO of Howard Energy Partners, a company he co-founded in 2011. With more than 30 years of experience in the midstream energy sector, he is recognized for his leadership as the former President of Midstream for one of the nation’s largest Fortune 100 energy companies.

Under his leadership, Howard Energy Partners has grown to more than 400 employees with operations across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Mexico, making it one of the largest privately held midstream energy companies in North America. The company has developed a diversified portfolio of assets, including more than $800 million in growth projects in 2023.

Howard has been honored with numerous leadership awards, including the Javelina Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award, San Antonio Top Workplaces recognition, and industry accolades as a sought-after speaker and energy leader. Beyond his professional success, he serves as a dedicated member of the Texas A&M–Kingsville Foundation Board of Trustees and contributes his time to several boards, including Atlas Energy, Jonah Energy, United Way of Bexar County, the Witte Museum, and San Antonio Academy.

Dr. Juan E. Mejia, a proud two-time graduate of Texas A&M University–Kingsville with a master’s degree in education (2000) and an Educational Doctorate (2012), has built a career dedicated to advancing higher education and student success. A native of McAllen, Texas, he currently serves as President and CEO of Tyler Junior College, a role he has held since 2019.

Dr. Mejia has devoted more than three decades to higher education leadership, beginning as a faculty member and department chair at Texas State Technical College before becoming a founding member of South Texas College in 1993. He went on to serve as Vice President for Academic Affairs at South Texas College for nearly a decade, followed by key leadership roles at Tyler Junior College as Provost, Vice President, and President for Branch Locations before assuming the presidency.

His leadership has been recognized across the state and nation with honors including CEO of the Year for the Western Region by the Association of Community College Trustees (2021), the Paragon Award by Phi Theta Kappa International (2021), and multiple recognitions by the Texas Legislature. Deeply engaged in his community, Dr. Mejia serves on numerous boards and councils including the Association of Community College Trustees President’s Advisory Council, the Texas Association of Community Colleges Executive Committee, and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

about The Rising Star Award recipients:

Kenneth Nelson, 2010 magna cum laude graduate of Texas A&M University–Kingsville with a degree in Chemical Engineering, is Vice President of Engineering at Cardinal Midstream Partners. His career has included key leadership and engineering roles with Cogent Midstream, Apache Corporation, Howard Energy Partners, Marathon Oil Company, and Targa Resources, where he has consistently advanced through positions of increasing responsibility.

While at TAMUK, Nelson distinguished himself as Student Body President and President of the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board for the Texas A&M University System, demonstrating the leadership qualities that continue to define his career. Recognized for his commitment to innovation and mentorship, he is dedicated to guiding emerging talent and fostering collaboration within the energy industry.

Beyond his professional achievements, Nelson continues to champion education and leadership development, frequently engaging with students and young professionals to share his experiences. His dedication to building relationships and empowering the next generation of leaders reflects the values instilled during his time at Texas A&M–Kingsville.

Dr. Rachel Sims, a two-time graduate of Texas A&M University–Kingsville with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science (2012) and a master’s degree in counseling (2015), has built a career dedicated to education, mental health, and holistic healing. She later earned her doctorate from Liberty University in 2022.

Her professional journey began as a teacher and cheer coach in the Rio Grande Valley, where she led teams at La Grulla High School and Port Isabel High School to the National Finals over

seven years. Transitioning into counseling, Dr. Sims served as a school counselor in Dallas before founding her private practice, Uncomplicated Therapy, as a licensed professional counselor. In addition to her clinical work, she became an author, publishing her debut book Are You Love Smart or Love Stupid, which reached #1 on Amazon in the UK and Australia and ranked among the top 100 in the U.S.

Expanding her impact, Dr. Sims is now a Certified Breathwork and 9D Facilitator and co-founded Breath by Design, a holistic wellness company, with her mother. Through her diverse career, she continues to demonstrate leadership, entrepreneurship, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of others. A proud Javelina, she credits her foundation at TAMUK with shaping her passion for helping people thrive and carries those values into every chapter of her work.

 

ABOUT the Alumni Awards