Annual Alumni Awards Honor Outstanding Achievements
Monday, 10 16 2023
U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist, CEO and partner at Vanyel Investments and Edgewood ISD Educator awarded.
SAN ANTONIO —Texas A&M University-San Antonio celebrated the accomplishments of distinguished alumni at the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony on Oct. 14, 2023. The ceremony recognizes outstanding individuals and fosters a sense of connection and inspiration for current and future generations of A&M-San Antonio graduates.
The Alumni Awards Ceremony is a testament to alumni's remarkable achievements and contributions across diverse fields. This year, the ceremony bestowed three prestigious awards, each highlighting a distinct aspect of alumni excellence.
The first of these awards, the Distinguished Alumni Award, was presented to Brian Harrin. A graduate of the class of 2016, Harrin is an intelligence specialist for the U.S. Air Force and a founding partner and licensed insurance agent with The Harrin Group. This award recognizes his outstanding achievements and serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals within the A&M-SA community.
The second accolade, the Spirit of the Jaguar Award, was given to Juanita Sepulveda, Class of 2011, 2015 and 2016. Sepulveda is CEO and partner at Vanyel Investments and sits on the board of several notable organizations, including serving as chair of the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy Committee. This award recognizes Sepulveda’s service and volunteerism and is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.
The third and final award, the Recent Graduate Award, was presented to Clayton Jaskinia, now in his fourth year of teaching history at Edgewood ISD. Jaskinia is a graduate of the class of 2020, and this award recognizes his exceptional achievements over the past several years. Looking forward, Clayton is pursuing a master’s in curriculum and instruction and aspires to become a district social studies specialist.
"The truest measure of a university's impact is the work, outcomes, and influence of our alumni. It is quite a hard thing to measure but it's true,” said Mary Kay Cooper, director of alumni relations.
Launched in 2018, the selection process for the Alumni Awards begins with nominations solicited from various segments of the A&M-SA community, including staff, students, faculty and alumni. The call for nominations takes place each August. As alumni continue to excel in their respective fields, the ceremony serves as an annual reminder of the University's impact on shaping leaders and contributors to society.
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About Texas A&M University-San Antonio Established as a stand-alone university in 2009, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a comprehensive four-year public university that reflects the culturally diverse, heritage-rich community it serves. Situated on nearly 700 acres in South San Antonio, the University offers 37 undergraduate degrees and 19 graduate degrees to more than 7,300 students. A&M-San Antonio is home to the Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders and the Cyber Engineering Technology/Cyber Security Research Center. The University holds the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation and is one of only 30 higher education institutions in the U.S. to have received the Seal of Excelencia certification from Excelencia in Education for its support of Latino student success. More than 77 percent of A&M-SA students identify as Hispanic, and approximately 72 percent are the first in their families to attend college. A&M-San Antonio is a military-embracing institution; in 2020, Military Times ranked the University No. 35 in the nation for “Best for Vets: Colleges.” Visit tamusa.edu for more information. #onamission |