As the association’s most prestigious honor, Distinguished Alumni is awarded only to alumni of the university who have had abundant success professionally and personally, through which they have positively represented and brought honor to Texas A&M University-Kingsville. This year’s recipients are Carmen Lomas Garza ’72, the late David Allex ’58, Donna Shaver ’84, Jose Luis Cortez ’60 ’61, Angelica Barrera ’00 ‘01 and Roberto Montoya ‘70. Robert Ray Molina, Jr. '17 is recipient of the Rising Star Award.
To learn about each of our honorees, please click their name to access their full biography.
This year's Distinguished Alumni honorees are:
Carmen Lomas Garza, Class of 1972, San Francisco, CA
David Allex, Class of 1958, Harlingen, TX
Donna Shaver, Class of 1984, Corpus Christi, TX
Jose Luis Cortez, Class of 1960, 1961, Weslaco, TX
Angelica Barrera, Class of 2000, 2001, San Antonio, TX
Roberto Montoya, Class of 1970, Garden Ridge, TX
Rising Star:
Robert "Ray" Molina, Jr., Class of 2017, Alice, TX
ABOUT the Alumni Awards
Javelina Alumni and faculty make amazing things happen in the world. Their accomplishments significantly benefit both society and our campus, by inspiring others and providing insight and creativity. Their actions communicate the dynamic excellence of being a Javelina and the importance of service as a component of our philosophy. To celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni and faculty, the Javelina Alumni Association sponsors awards for distinguished alumni, research and teaching.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni who have demonstrated long-time and successful commitment to their careers and communities and have brought special honor to the university because of their accomplishments. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest university award presented by the Javelina Alumni Association.
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Rising Star Award
Rising Star Award recognizes alumni of Texas A&M University-Kingsville who have experienced professional success and who are within 15 years of their graduation.
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FACULTY AWARDS
Every Fall Semester, the Javelina Alumni Association honors faculty who excel in the classroom and in the field. Only two faculty members receive recognition during the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony dedicated to celebrate faculty dedication to the university's core values—teaching and research.
Distinguished Teaching Award
Distinguished Teaching Award is presented to a deserving faculty member who has shown excellence, intellectual insight and the ability to engage student learning that has life-long impact.
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Distinguished Research Award
Distinguished Research Award is presented to a deserving faculty member who has shown superior scholarship through publication, continued creativity, the research impact on the field, and/or other academic or professional awards.
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Distinguished Service Award
Distinguished Service Award is a new award to be presented to a faculty member for his/her outstanding service to the University and the academic profession. The purpose of this award is to annually acknowledge a faculty member who has made a significant and sustained contributions to Texas A&M University-Kingsville in the area of service.
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Blue & Gold Service Award
Blue & Gold Service Award is presented to a deserving individual who embodies the four pillars of the Javelina Alumni Association. They are connected with the University and the community, participates in events, has Javelina Spirit, and supports the values and mission of the institution. This award may be awarded to an individual who did not graduate from the University.
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