EVAN ’15 ’18 & CANDACE ’16

Evan and Candace met his junior year, her freshman, through a mutual friend. He majored in Biology while she majored in Nursing. They spent a number of evenings walking around campus disclosing every trivial and intimate detail of their lives to that point. Their first kiss was at a gazebo along the trails past all of the apartments on campus. After two years of dating, they got their first dog and moved into their own apartment together. Both would go on to change their majors to Psychology, in which they shared many classes. They both worked at the Dugan Wellness Center as attendants, camp counselors, and supervisors. Each would work in the Psychology department as well, Candace as a grader and Evan as a research assistant. After finishing their respective Bachelor’s degrees, they were each accepted into Master’s programs at TAMU-CC, Evan in Clinical Psychology and Candace in Counseling. After his first semester, Evan took Candace back to the gazebo where they first kissed and asked for her hand in marriage. She said “Of course”. Now, as they continue pursuing their Master’s degrees, with over five years of challenges and adoration preceding them, the future is full of promise.

Russell Wagner

My name is Russell Wagner and I am the Executive Director of Alumni Relations for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. I am originally from the small town of Shiner, Texas and began attending Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Fall 2004. During my time as a student I was a volunteer tour guide and worked for the Island Waves Student Newspaper. I proudly earned my degree in Media Communication and received a minor in Public Relations in 2008 graduating Summa Cum Laude. I joined the University on a professional level immediately after graduation as an Admissions Counselor and Recruiter. I joined the Division of Institutional Advancement in Fall 2012 as an Alumni & Development Officer for the College of Liberal Arts. I was appointed to Director of Engagement in June 2015. As Director of Engagement, I oversee and implement the University’s alumni relations and engagement efforts with the community to create financial, personnel, and athletic support for the Island University. I also act as the Executive Director of the National Islander Alumni Association, Executive Director of the Young Business Professionals of the Coastal Bend, and oversee the Student Foundation Association, a student philanthropy group at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. I reside in Corpus Christi with my wife, Kelsey. She is an also an alumnae from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s outstanding College of Nursing & Health Sciences Nursing program. She currently works as a Registered Nurse at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. In our spare time we enjoy the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and taking in the unique events that the Coastal Bend has to offer.