CASANDRA ’09, ’16 & BRIAN ’09

It all began in 2005 when Casandra noticed a cute boy sitting across the large lecture hall during freshman biology class. It turned out that Brian and Casandra were in the same learning community and had all of the same classes! They became friends soon after meeting in freshman seminar and have been inseparable ever since. Casandra and Brian have fond memories of going camping with the Field Science Club and volunteering at the Animal Rehabilitation Keep with the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society. They both graduated in 2009 with their bachelor’s of science degrees. Two years later, Brian surprised Casandra with a sunset walk on the University Beach, even though she was tired and reluctant to go. As the sun set, Brian got down on his knee and proposed. They were married in San Antonio in 2012 among their friends and family. Brian and Casandra are now both employed by the University and are the proud parents of a yellow lab named Amber and a perky pug named Sir Alex. They think fondly on all of the great memories they built at the Island University and are happy that it helped bring them together.

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.