Martin Middle School Renames Library, Honors University Alumnus Octavio ‘O.B.’ Garcia

Posted December 13, 2013

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) Board of Trustees recently voted to rename the Martin Middle School Library in honor of Octavio “O.B.” Garcia, Teacher Recruitment Coordinator at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The official name of the library will be the O. B. Garcia Library.

During his 34-year career with CCISD, Garcia served in many administrative roles. He served as a math teacher at Cunningham Middle School; Assistant Principal at Northside/Coles Junior High School, Miller High School; and Principal at Martin Middle School and South Park Middle School. Under his guidance and direction, many prominent CCISD members developed and perfected their leadership skills. An active member of the Corpus Christi Education Foundation, he has also served as President of the Board of Directors.

“Education has always been my passion,” said Garcia. “I am honored to receive this recognition and am grateful for the support that I have received from the community for my commitment to a field that I love.”

Despite retiring in 1993, Garcia has remained involved in education and continues to work part-time in the College of Education at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. In addition, he has also served as a University Adjunct Professor, and as President of the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi National Alumni Association Board of Directors. Garcia is a 1954 graduate, who received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, from the University of Corpus Christi, now Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

This latest honor will be added to a long list of achievements including Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2008 Athletic Hall of Honor Inductee; San Diego, Texas, ISD 1995 Hall of Honor Inductee; 1992 and1987 Top Secondary Principal in Corpus Christi; and May 17, 1985 proclaimed “O.B. Garcia Day” by the City of Corpus Christi.

In addition, Garcia was named 2011 Educator of the Year by Alpha Delta Kappa District IV, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2008 Distinguished Alumnus, A&M-Corpus Christi 2005 Outstanding Alumnus, and Texas Outstanding Secondary School Principal of the Year for 1992.

Garcia, who is a native of San Diego, Texas, has held a number of leadership roles during his professional career including serving on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of School Principals, as President of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, and as Executive Director of the Corpus Christi Principals and Supervisors Association. Garcia has also given back to the South Texas community.

He has been a Red Cross Volunteer in the Disaster Services field for more than 40 years and served as Chairman of the local chapter of the Red Cross board on two separate terms. Garcia is also a founding member of the Corpus Christi Education Foundation.

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Russell Wagner

My name is Russell Wagner and I am the Executive Director of Alumni Relations for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. I am originally from the small town of Shiner, Texas and began attending Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Fall 2004. During my time as a student I was a volunteer tour guide and worked for the Island Waves Student Newspaper. I proudly earned my degree in Media Communication and received a minor in Public Relations in 2008 graduating Summa Cum Laude. I joined the University on a professional level immediately after graduation as an Admissions Counselor and Recruiter. I joined the Division of Institutional Advancement in Fall 2012 as an Alumni & Development Officer for the College of Liberal Arts. I was appointed to Director of Engagement in June 2015. As Director of Engagement, I oversee and implement the University’s alumni relations and engagement efforts with the community to create financial, personnel, and athletic support for the Island University. I also act as the Executive Director of the National Islander Alumni Association, Executive Director of the Young Business Professionals of the Coastal Bend, and oversee the Student Foundation Association, a student philanthropy group at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. I reside in Corpus Christi with my wife, Kelsey. She is an also an alumnae from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s outstanding College of Nursing & Health Sciences Nursing program. She currently works as a Registered Nurse at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. In our spare time we enjoy the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and taking in the unique events that the Coastal Bend has to offer.