Islanders Connect with Fellow Graduates during Alumni ‘Tacky Sweater’ Mixer

Posted December 13, 2013

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Alumni Association held a “Tacky Sweater” Alumni Mixer on Thursday, Dec. 12, at Brewster Street Ice House in downtown Corpus Christi.

Around 75 alumni showed off their holiday spirit and came dressed in their tackiest Christmas sweater. The mixer gave new alumni association members the opportunity to enjoy food, fun, and meet other members of the Islander Network. Guests also enjoyed holiday games, prizes, and a visit from “Izzy the Islander” during the mixer.

“This mixer is a great event,” said Rosie Reyna (BS ’76, MS ’85). “It gives us a good opportunity to network with other alumni and share the wonderful experiences we have had in our careers.”

The event was free and open to alumni of all majors who graduated from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi State University, Texas A&I University at Corpus Christi, and the University of Corpus Christi.

“Graduates normally do not realize that they are automatic members of the association as soon as they walk across the stage at commencement,” said Russell Wagner, Alumni and Development Officer for the College of Liberal Arts. “They can start taking advantage of the association benefits right away and get connected with their alumni officer.”

For more information on the association, go to http://ia.tamucc.edu/alumni/index.html.

izzy, mixer, tacky sweater

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.