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B’alam the Jaguar watches over University Ring Chest in SA Zoo enclosure.
SAN ANTONIO —
Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-San Antonio), in collaboration with the San Antonio Zoo, celebrated the success of the students who earned their University Ring on November 2 at the Neotropica habitat, sponsored by the University. Neotropica features a unique catwalk system that allows 120% more habitat space for the jaguars.
"This is a historic day for Texas A&M University-San Antonio to be here with a new tradition to the Ring Ceremony that includes the beautiful jaguar B'alam, our student partners from the ASPIRE Network at South San High School and our A&M- San Antonio team," said president of Texas A&M-San Antonio, Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson.
The Zoo Ring Day stems from the on-campus Ring Day tradition, where students ceremoniously receive their rings with their loved ones. The newly implemented tradition places the official University ring boxes in a large wooden chest, crafted by Practicum of Construction Management students from South San High School, which is part of the University's ASPIRE Network. The ASPIRE Network is an educational partnership to empower South Bexar County schools, districts, and their families to create a better life for themselves, while strengthening the community, by providingstudents with an affordable university degree close to home.
A&M-San Antonio hopes that by partnering with the San Antonio Zoo, the University can share the new tradition and success of the students with not only the students' friends and family but with the San Antonio community as well.
“What an exciting day to be a jaguar in San Antonio,” said the VP of Marketing, Salesand Communications at the San Antonio Zoo Hope Roth.
The University Ring Chest was placed in the Jaguar enclosure, where B'alam the Jaguar was released. B'alam was in great spirits as he paraded around the chest and seemingly posed for the cameras and attendees by placing his paws directly upon it.
“Education and conservation are some of the goals we share with Texas A&M University-San Antonio, and we are very honored to have been part of this exciting milestone for their graduating class. B’alam joins us in wishing them a bright future," said Roth.
B’alam will watch over the University ring boxes within the enclosure before they are presented to the students on their Ring Day.
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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 nearly 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 60 percent are the first in their family 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