TAMIU Department of Mathematics and Physics

Retirement Farewell - Mr. Peter S. Davis, Director of The TAMIU LBV Planetarium!



Mr. Peter S. Davis is the Director of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), a role he has held since 2014. He has decades of experience in astronomy education and multimedia production. He recently oversaw a major technological renovation of the facility, reintroducing it as an updated immersive theatre space, the Sonia and Memo Benavides Immersive Theatre. His STEM outreach specialist focuses heavily on inspiring K-12 students through interactive science, mathematics, and engineering programs.

Mr. Davis has decided to retire effective May 31, 2026, and we gathered at the TAMIU Planetarium on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, to bid farewell for our decade plus long association with this educator. We hope his retirement is filled with health, adventure, and complete fulfillment.

Dr. Wang so graciously put together a memory book containing highlights of his involvement that was presented to him at this special occasion.

Congratulations on reaching this amazing milestone, graduation – Spring 2026!

Your dedication and passion for learning have brought you to this moment, and you have earned every bit of your success. As you look toward the next chapter, always remember that you are capable of achieving anything you put your mind to. Stay curious, work hard, and never lose your spark. The Department of Mathematics and Physics is so proud of the person you have become and cannot wait to see the mark you make on the world. Best of luck on the exciting journey ahead!

Congratulations on Achievements - COAS Hooding and Honors Ceremony, Spring 2026!

Congratulations to all those who attended to receive recognition at the College of Arts and Sciences Hooding and Honors Ceremony held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts - Recital Hall of TAMIU.

- Master of Science in Mathematics: Arianna E. Ortiz, Maria F. Vasquez, and Victor Rodriguez
- Bachelor of Mathematics with Honors: Natalie B. Vargas (Magna Cum Laude)

The faculty and staff of the Department of Mathematics and Physics congratulate you all of you nothing but the best in all your endeavors! Wishing you an abundance of future successes and letting you know that we are always cheering you on in your future endeavors! You all deserve this recognition for all your hard work and dedication!

Congratulations, Arianna, and Rudy!

The Department of Mathematics and Physics celebrated Arianna and Rudy’s last day in their respective employment due to their graduation. Arianna E. Ortiz, Graduate Teaching Assistant (G*T), is graduating with an M.S. in Mathematics - Applied Statistics Track, and Rodolfo R. Solis, Student Research Assistant, is graduating with a B.S. in Computer Engineering from TAMIU this Spring 2026.

The Department of Mathematics and Physics wishes them success in their future endeavors. A Big Thank You! for the time and work they have dedicated to the department.

Astronomy Activities Provided at St. Augustine Elementary School, Laredo, Texas!

Mr. Peter S. Davis, Director of TAMIU Planetarium, and Mr. Juan Rafael Muñoz, Jr., TAMIU Physics Faculty member, were invited to deliver Astronomy activities for the students at St. Augustine Elementary School in Laredo, Texas. The students were enthusiastic and enjoyed the activities with telescopes and binoculars during the stargazing event held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the school.

Both Mr. Davis and Munoz were greatly appreciated for volunteering at St. Augustine Elementary School.

Certificate in Applied Statistics at your fingertips!

Some degree programs allow for 12 SCH or more of electives as a part of their curriculum. This can provide students with the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Applied Statistics as they complete their degree program(s).

The TAMIU Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Statistics is a 12-credit hour (12 SCH), 100% online program designed to equip students with practical, job-ready data analysis and modeling skills. Offered by the Department of Mathematics and Physics, it is a flexible, 2-semester program suitable for enhancing professional credentials in a data-driven world without requiring extensive mathematics prerequisites.

Staggs Academy Students Received Scholarship and Awards!

Five students from Julieta & Frank Staggs Academy of International & STEM Studies (https://www.facebook.com/txamiu.academy), Laredo, Texas received scholarships and awards from Laredo Masonic Lodge April 22, 2026, for their higher education.

The first photo is of Isaias Valadez who is ranked 1st in the class, Adrian Canalez Alvarez who is ranked 9th, and Vivianna Garcia who is ranked 3rd. They were all students of Mr. Charles A. Whitfield at some time during the program. The second photo is Monica Miranda who is ranked 10th and is receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend UT - Austin. Mr. Whitfield, who is the treasurer of the Lodge, presented her with the scholarship. The third photo is Alejandro Kladis who is ranked 5th and is receiving a $1,000 scholarship will be attending TAMIU.

Mr. Charles A. Whitfield and Laredo Masonic Lodge are thankful for showing this generosity for students to excel in higher education. Generous support from these donors profoundly impacts students, enabling them to excel in higher education by relieving financial burdens and fueling academic motivation.

Huge Shoutout to Our Admin Superstars!

Following a wonderful celebration on Administrative Professionals Day, held this year on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, we want to take another moment to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible administrative team!

From the front desk to behind-the-scenes, you are the backbone of our organization. Thank you for your dedication, patience, and tireless efforts in keeping everything running smoothly. We appreciate the professionalism and care you bring to your roles every single day!

Earth Day – 2026 was celebrated!

TAMIU’s Department of Mathematics and Physics participated in the Earth Day celebration, thus displaying two activities designed for Mathematics and Physics, respectively. These activities were featured on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm alongside STC Walkways. Both Dr. Hongwei Wang (Earth Day Puzzles!) and Mr. Juan R. Munoz, Jr. (Light Savings!) were working on the projects as a part of the Earth Day activities for the Mathematics and Physics disciplines. Full, proactive cooperation, incorporating the best practices from faculty and staff, was received throughout the projects to ensure the successful delivery of activities. Both Dr. Wang and Mr. Munoz are congratulated for the success in undertaking these efforts.

TAMIU Faculty & Students Presented at the 10th CBMSC, TAMIU-CC!

TAMIU’s participation at the 10th Coastal Bend Mathematics and Statistics Conference (10th CBMSC) held on Saturday April 18, 2026, at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, was great success. This contributed to the success of 10th CBMSC this year. The Department of Mathematics and Physics would like to express their appreciation to all of those presented at the conference. There were altogether 107 talks, including 53 student presentations, with over 130 total participants. This shows a lot of growth and interest in the conference within the region and beyond. This trend is expected to continue and CBMSC will continue to attract even more participants in future meetings by growing interest in Mathematics, Statistics, and related topics.

Four faculty: Drs. Hongwei Wang (Mathematics), Aaron L. Modic (Physics), Cesar Contreras (Mathematics) and Saqib Hussian (Mathematics), six graduate students: Arturo M. Villarreal, Jose A. Herrera, David A. Figueroa, Maria F. Vasquez, Arianna E. Ortiz, and Kristel R. Herrera, and an undergraduate student: Jasmin Ortiz from TAMIU are congratulated on their successes at the 10th CBMSC. Additional conference details are available at their Webpage:
https://www.tamucc.edu/science/departments/math-and-statistics/10thcbmsc/index.php.

Special thanks to Professor Juan B. Gutiérrez, as the 11th CBMSC is set to be at University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA) in 2027.