A staff member at Texas A&M University-Kingsville has been recognized for their support of the Military and Veteran Resource Center by the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS).
Dorine Gonzalez, Veteran Coordinator for the Military and Veteran Resource Center, was announced the winner of the Texas A&M System Faculty/Staff Veteran Support Excellence Award in May 2022.
The award is given annually to one full-time faculty or staff member at any TAMUS campus. The recipient must be nominated through the veteran services office with one letter of support.
The Director of Military and Veterans Relations, Eloy Gamez, nominated Gonzalez for the award.
“I really appreciate that the Texas A&M University System includes faculty and staff to be recognized,” Gamez said. “When our students visit our office we get to sit down and assist them. It’s rare that one will see the late hours some faculty and staff put in to ensure our student's accounts are well-tended to. That's what I wanted to share about Dorine. That she cares about our students.”
The Military and Veteran Resource Center, along with other staff members, surprised Gonzalez with the award during a staged Zoom meeting. Texas A&M-Kingsville Interim President Dr. James Hallmark gave a speech about Gonzalez receiving the award and Gonzalez spoke about being nominated.
This is not Gonzalez’s first role at A&M-Kingsville. She was previously employed with the business office for 15 years and she is the daughter of a decorated Vietnam Veteran.
“She joined the department in August 2020, during one of the most globally impacted times for education,” Gamez said. “This was no easy task … Her support to our students and their families is what made that semester possible without compromising any certification efforts. Dorine constantly reminds me of how interesting she finds her duties and makes our students feel welcome and confident of their interactions.”
Gonzalez will receive a certificate and plaque from the Office of Veteran Services. A donation of $250 will be awarded to the campus veteran services office to support a student veteran function.
