Nursing Alumna's Passion for Education Inspires Future Generation of Students
满足博士. 埃洛伊萨·塔姆萨，1968年
“Education is a legacy that nourishes one to be a whole person who is objective, 充满激情的, 富有成效和给予. It is this latter characteristic that is pivotal in the transformation of knowledge to others.”
These are the words of 87-year-old nursing professor, 1968 Nursing graduate of the 道成肉身的大学 and 2003 校友 of Distinction recipient Dr. Eloisa Tamez. Taméz is a lifelong learner whose constant commitment to education has proven the only barriers that exist in the pursuit of learning are those created by oneself.
塔姆扎兹是一名在美国空军服役27年的老兵.S. 退伍军人事务部, walked the stage in May to receive her fifth degree, a Master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of 德州 at Rio Grande Valley.
出生在el Calaboz, 德州, a small South 德州 town half-a-mile from the Rio Grande River, Taméz started to demonstrate her love for school early in life. The former San Benito High School student graduated in the top ten percent of her class in the early 1950’s.
“Both of my parents garnered a sixth-grade education at a time when the average years of education among Mexican-Americans was one year,”她说。. “Both always emphasized the value of an educated family.”
Influenced by her parents’ persistent advocacy for education and her own love of caring for people, Taméz had her mind set on her future early in life.
作为一名高二学生, I decided that the nursing profession was what I would pursue,她回忆道。. “I went to the counselor’s office and found a brochure for St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Galveston, 德州. So, by the time I was a senior, I had applied and been accepted.”
A few years after completing her first degree as a registered nurse in Galveston, 塔姆扎兹设定了下一个目标. The South 德州 native had intentions of completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
In the mid-1960’s, Taméz’s husband was relocated to San Antonio for work. 一次是在阿拉莫市, she capitalized on the opportunity and wasted no time in applying to Incarnate Word College, now the 道成肉身的大学.
塔姆扎兹参加了RN-BSN项目. 在这个节目中, registered nurses had the opportunity to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing through a collaborative effort with the Santa Rosa Medical Center (SRMC).
“My experience at IWC was my first real college experience,” remembers Taméz. “The faculty was interactive and supportive. I enrolled in nursing courses as well as prerequisites. It was a very full schedule, and when I think back, I wonder how I was able to accomplish that.”
In the mid-1960’s, Incarnate Word’s BSN program was one of the first of its kind in 德州. 通过逻辑等课程, 研究, 儿童发展, advanced English and introductory statistics, Taméz developed necessary critical thinking skills, which gradually prepared her for further education.
跟随她在道成肉身的时间, Taméz went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing from The University of 德州 System School of Nursing at San Antonio, 现在是ut健康圣安东尼奥分校, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Physical and Health Education from the University of 德州 at Austin.
However, for Taméz, attending a faith-based institution was key early on in her career. Her experience at Incarnate Word propelled her desire to serve others.
“The environment of a faith-based university strengthened my commitment to service and innovation,她说。. “It has been central to my passion to develop academic programs to serve our communities.”
Keeping the University’s core values alive in her professional career, Taméz commenced a long and successful career working for the nation’s military and government.
Taméz’s career accomplishments include serving as Chief Nurse for the Department of Veteran Affairs as well as ascending from First Lieutenant to Colonel in the United States Army Reserve, United States Army and 德州 State Guard.
Today, Taméz continues to share her passion for education through teaching. As a nursing professor and former associate dean for student affairs at the University of 德州 at Rio Grande Valley, she is able to embody the importance of learning for future generations of nurses.
她自己也经历过逆境, Taméz understands how challenging it can be to pursue an educational journey. However, as part of her mission, she continues to support and advocate for student success.
“Education is forever,” she 充满激情的ly said. “去上大学. A college degree will open doors for you. Do not let the barriers stand in your way. When people try to hold you back, it’s because they see potential you may not see. 不要让这些障碍把你打倒. 将障碍转化为主动行动. 这就是我一生所做的.”