By Kingsville Independent Staff
KINGSVILLE -Texas A&M University–Kingsville (TAMUK) dedicated its School of Music complex to former university president Dr. Steven H. Tallant during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Nov. 14.
Tallant, who served as TAMUK’s 19th president from 2008 to 2019, played a key role in securing approval for the $60 million Music Education complex from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The facility broke ground in 2017 and opened in January 2020, the same month the music department officially earned its School of Music designation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tallant said he was honored by the recognition and moved to return to a campus he still considers home.
“It’s wonderful being back in Kingsville and being on this campus that I love,” he said. “The naming of this building is surrealistic — I can’t believe this is happening. It’s the most meaningful award I’ve ever seen in my life. Nothing could be better than this, and I will forever be grateful.”
Tallant noted that while construction took less than three years, the idea for the project dates back nearly two decades.
“From the time I started working on this building to today, it’s 17 years,” he said. “I think this is the best undergraduate music department in the country and they deserve what we got them. The name of the building is about me, but this building isn’t about me. It’s about us and how we gave this gift to our students.”
The dedication ceremony featured remarks from several university and community leaders, including TAMUK School of Music Interim Director Dr. Elizabeth Janzen, Interim College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Scott Jones, former School of Music Director and Regents Professor Emeritus Dr. Paul Hageman, Caesar Kleberg Foundation trustee Stephen J. “Tio” Kleberg, Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate, and TAMUK President Dr. Robert Vela.
Student ensembles performed throughout the evening as part of the celebration.