A cloudy, gray sky with a cold breeze was the setting for Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s,
Jaguars Remembered, where students, alumni, faculty and staff who have died within the last year were commemorated and remembered.
Friends, family and members of the Jaguar community attended the ceremony April 19 in the President’s Rose Garden.
Jaguars Remembered was inaugurated in 2017 and has been an annual tradition ever since. Throughout the years, there has been cooperation between A&M San Antonio’s Student Government Association, Dean of Students Office, Alumni Association and the Human Resources Office.
“It is our way to pay tribute to those who are gone, but never forgotten,” Student Government Association President Deane Gumila said. “Once a Jaguar, always a Jaguar.”
Dr. Salvador Hector Ochoa, university president, attended the event after his meeting with board members. Ochoa couldn’t give a speech due to the loss of a family member a week before the ceremony, so Dr. Charles Fey, interim vice president for student affairs, spoke on his behalf.
Fey said Ochoa expressed his deepest condolences for not being there and highlighted the importance of remembering the Jaguars who have left the community.
“It’s important for us as a community to come together,” Fey said. “Remember their contributions and live lives as Jaguars would live in their honor.”
Jaguars Remembered commemorated six Jaguars: one student, two alumni and three employees. The ceremony was originally meant for students and alumni only, but faculty and staff have been included for three years now.
The ceremony recognized the following A&M-San Antonio community members:
- Lucifer Pescador, psychology freshman
- Geraldine “Tia” Gutierrez, graduate with a bachelor’s of science in criminal justice
- Deane Rapp, graduate with a bachelor’s of arts in history
- Valerie Montez Hernandez, campus Parking and Transportation employee
- Oakley, the University Police Department’s victim assistance dog
- Jesse Fuentes, graduate and communication lab manager
Each was given a brief description of who they were, along with the date of their passing.
“Oakley was the one I was the closest to,” Rayne Pollard, vice president of The Coalition and member of University Voices said of the dog who was a familiar sight on campus. “He made his rounds to each of the offices in Uvalde after the shooting. It was wonderful to have Oakley there.”
Two of the primary symbols used as part of the ceremony are the yellow rose and the presentation of the ceremonial challenge coin.
The yellow rose has significant ties to A&M San Antonio. It is presented in the official seal tiled at the center of campus, which is surrounded by yellow rose flower beds.
With its simple, warm beauty and symbol of friendship, the yellow rose “lifts our spirits and spreads well wishes to all who visit our campus,” senator of SGA Anneka King said.
The yellow rose originated with the 19th-century song, “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” popularized by musician Mitch Miller.
The ceremonial challenge coin represents an everlasting token that stands for each Jaguar’s remembrance and the interconnection among people.
After each name was called, family members or university representatives came to the front to accept a yellow rose and ceremonial challenge coin presented in “la memoria”, or remembrance of a loved one.
For 19 seconds, participants observed a moment of silence, symbolizing the 19 Jaguars lost and honored since 2017.
Everyone who attended the event received a pamphlet designed with yellow roses that included Lyman Hancock’s “When I’m Gone” poem. Guests also received a yellow rose pin and a black ribbon.
Dr. Martha A. Saywell, senior lecturer of music and director of University Voices performed a piano composition of “Tears in Heaven” by singer and songwriter Eric Clapton as a musical tribute ending the ceremony.
“It was very touching,” said University Police officer Karen Tucker-Engel, who trained and raised Oakley. “Very beautiful.”
