On Campus – Page 28 – The Bridge News

13Apr

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Features, Humans of TAMIU, Life & Arts, On Campus

DustyCup event canceled

DustyCup event canceled By Joel CaballeroBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 Considered by some to be the most competitive event, both mentally and physically, between student organizations, DustyCup was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Student Government Association at Texas A&M International University, which sponsors the annual event, planned to host it this semester on April 4. The event normally brings student organizations together for the opportunity to compete for bragging rights and for the winner to take home a trophy and a grant. DustyCup is typically hosted after the Big Event, a Universitywide community service event for the local community. The event was expected to not only have a physical portion but also one for academics wi...

13Apr

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Features, Humans of TAMIU, On Campus

Inside the race for Mr., Ms. TAMIU

Inside the race for Mr., Ms. TAMIU By Cesar NeiraBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 Reaching out to the student body is the most important part of their campaign strategy, a sentiment expressed by Mr. and Ms. TAMIU. Jose Alvarez and Abigail Zuniga received their crowns, an event that caps off the annual tradition of Texas A&M International University Spirit Week. “It all starts with the urge to become more involved with the student body,” the 2020 candidates said of their campaign. From Jan. 30 to Feb. 8, they utilized an interactive campaign strategy on the TAMIU campus to have a greater impact on the student body. Being able to meet and communicate with the student body was of the utmost importance in their campaign process, they said. “We want...

13Apr

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On Campus

Residence halls‌ ‌prepare‌ ‌for‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌

Residence halls‌ ‌prepare‌ ‌for‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌ By Jorge‌ ‌Padilla‌Bridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 ‌As the coronavirus spread at an exponential rate in March, the administration began taking precautionary measures to make sure campus residential students could self-isolate. The school asked students and faculty to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus, if traveling from other countries. The Texas A&M International University residence halls received new hand-sanitizer dispensers on each floor to disinfect and help prevent the virus’ spread. Other upgrades‌ ‌occurred over the‌ ‌past‌ ‌three‌ ‌years. As of March 30, faculty and staff converted the rest of the semester courses to online virtual environments to aid in social dis...

13Apr

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Entertainment, Features, Humans of TAMIU, On Campus

Rise of esports at TAMIU

Rise of esports at TAMIU By Ruben ReyesBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 The TAMIU Smash Club is composed of students who play “Super Smash Bros.” for relaxation and competition. Over the course of the semester, students formed bonds, thus enhancing the college experience for most. Management information systems major Luis Arriaga said his studies of networking exceeded his expectations in the TAMIU Smash Club. “I want to have events that bring competitors from around the United States to [Texas A&M International University] and compete with our local Smash players,” Arriaga said. Arriaga hopes to persuade TAMIU into looking at programs or scholarships for esports. “TAMIU lags a little behind, but recently, the TAMIU [Recreational Sports Cente...

13Apr

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On Campus

Pride events canceled for social distancing

Pride events canceled for social distancing By Annabelle ArambulaBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 Despite Pride Week’s existence in June, TAMIU holds pride week in April since summer is not part of the spring or fall semesters. The Campus Ally Network organization, created in 2016, is the only LGBTQ organization at the University and helps organize the campus Pride Week. CAN President Michael Najar said the organization is small but eager to grow. As of now, the organization has 20-35 members but Najar hopes for more to join. “We are a group that accepts people when they’re different,” Najar said. “We try our best as possible to make the school environment more friendly with us.” He said maintaining an organization that is welcoming and accepting of...

10Apr

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Academia, Education, International Affairs, International Studies, On Campus

‘Invisible Graves’ focus of speech

‘Invisible Graves’ focus of speech By Andrea MartinezBridge contributing writerPublished March 30, 2020 Near the U.S.-Mexico border, there are high numbers of unknown dead migrants. These migrants are buried in trash bags in forgotten unmarked graves. Professor Kate Spradley, a forensic anthropologist at Texas State University, presented “Invisible Graves: Migrant Deaths in the Texas Desert” at TAMIU. She quoted Sheriff Martinez of Brooks County, Texas, “For every person found, there are at least five that are not found.” Spradley said Brooks County is recognized as “Death Valley” for all the migrants passing through. It is a little further from the border; however, it bears the highest migrant death toll for Texas border towns since 2009. They bury the unknown migrants in the ...

7Apr

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Academia, Features, Humans of TAMIU, On Campus, Professor Profile

Thompson discovers treasure trove

Author discovers treasure trove By Allan RodriguezSports EditorPublished March 30, 2020 From secrets kept hidden in a shoe box, an award-winning history professor used letters and photographs to create his newest book. Growing up in the mountains of western New Mexico, Regents Professor Jerry Thompson often wondered why there were no visits from his grandparents and why his mother never spoke about the other side of the family. “It seemed like they did not exist,” Thompson recalled. The truth came out right after his discovery of a shoe box hidden by his mother. He discovered letters and photographs that revealed secrets about his family line and about his grandfather—a Cherokee cowboy by the name of Joe Lynch Davis. “In the early 20th century, Davis was at the center of...

7Apr

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Entertainment, Features, On Campus

Esports on campus gets life of its own

Esports on campus gets life of its own By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished March 30, 2020 One campus group of student gamers, TAMIU Smash, is making more than a name for itself, as its members bring change to the campus. Club President Luis Arriaga plays and practices "Super Smash Bros." at Texas A&M International University; this is one type of esports fighting games he plays both competitively and non-competitively. TAMIU Smash hosted two huge tournaments in the past which brought in people from the surrounding area to Texas. “We were able to draw the attention of gamers from Arkansas and even Honduras to come to our tournaments,” Arriaga said. “The max[imum number] of people we have held was around 153 players from all over.” Leonard Gonzalez | BridgeStuden...

Coronavirus: ‘It’s a new one and we’ve never seen it’

7Apr

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Health, News, On Campus

Coronavirus: ‘It’s a new one and we’ve never seen it’

Coronavirus ‘It’s a new one and we’ve never seen it’ By Jessica RodriguezDirector of PhotographyPublished March 30, 2020 New-year goal setting and good cheer quickly disappeared as the latest health scare puts the world on notice—the coronavirus. On the last day of December 2019, the Chinese government informed the World Health Organization of an epidemic of flu-like cases in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, home to more than 11 million residents. People became ill and it began to spread, increasing the number infected. Officials believed the disease to be part of the coronavirus family. According to WHO, coronavirus is a “family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe dis-eases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acu...

11Dec

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Education, Humans of TAMIU, News, On Campus

Student staff of The Bridge receives honors

During its end-of-semester dinner and awards, several members of The Bridge Independent Student Newspaper Fall 2019 staff were honored for their journalistic work on the paper. The event was held Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 11, at Cheddar's restaurant in Laredo, Texas. In addition, promotions were announced: Current Editor-in-chief Matthew Balderas graduates tomorrow, Dec. 12, and current Staff Writer David Gomez Jr. was promoted tonight to become the new editor-in-chief. Current Staff Writer Erick Barrientos was also promoted to the rank of Managing Editor. While both are fairly new to college journalism, they have stepped up to the plate and worked well as a team. In addition to her continuing duties, Director of Photography Jessica Rodriguez will also be picking up the mantle of Direct...

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