San Antonio, October 19, 2025
News Summary
Fifty students from Texas A&M International University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business and the TAMIU Banking Academy participated in a unique learning event at Opera San Antonio’s recent production of Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute.’ The program included a professional career panel featuring industry experts, a faculty-led luncheon, and an evening performance that aimed to bridge classroom learning and real-world experiences in the banking sector and the arts.
San Antonio — Fifty students from Texas A&M International University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business and the TAMIU Banking Academy participated in a learning event at Opera San Antonio’s recent October production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” The program combined a professional career panel, a faculty-led luncheon, and an evening performance to connect classroom learning with industry perspectives and performing arts.
Top-line details
Fifty students from Texas A&M International University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business and the TAMIU Banking Academy participated in a learning event. Students from the College of Arts and Sciences, department of Fine and Performing Arts also joined the event. The day began with a luncheon designed to foster camaraderie among students and faculty.
Career panel and speakers
Following the luncheon, a Banking & Finance Career Panel was held at the Tobin Center’s Feik Family Rotunda. The panel featured four distinguished industry professionals: Brent Cox from the Texas Bankers Association; Austin MartÃnez from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas – San Antonio Branch; Antonio Moreno from Rio Bank; and George Saucedo from Texas Community Bank. The panel was moderated by Dr. Luis A. Perez-Batres, dean and Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professor of the Sanchez School.
The panel lasted 90 minutes and covered topics on professional growth, leadership, and purpose in the banking industry. The panel’s Q&A session extended beyond its scheduled time with continued student engagement.
Faculty and performance integration
Dr. Suzanne Ramo, a soprano and associate professor at Texas State University, spoke about the parallels between opera performance and professional excellence. Dr. Luis A. Perez-Batres highlighted the event as a representation of academic and industry collaboration for student success and community impact. Dr. Fritz Gechter, interim chair of the TAMIU department of Fine and Performing Arts, praised the collaboration between business and music students.
Students enjoyed the evening performance of “The Magic Flute,” reflecting on the connection between art and business excellence.
Acknowledgments and attendees
Special acknowledgments were made to several individuals for their contributions, including Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, and Madeline Elizondo from Opera San Antonio for donating student tickets and facilitating the venue. Attendees included Rosalinda GarcÃa, vice president for Student Engagement; Dr. Fritz Gechter; Dr. Jacqueline Kelly; Leonela Preciado, Banking Academy manager; and adjunct faculty member Cristina Sepúlveda.
Contact information
For inquiries about the TAMIU Banking Academy, contact Leonela Preciado at 956-326-2502 or via email. For more information about the TAMIU Department of Fine and Performing Arts, contact Dr. Fritz Gechter at 956-326-2639 or via email.
Why this matters
The event paired practical career guidance from banking and financial industry representatives with exposure to a major cultural performance. The format aimed to broaden student perspectives on leadership and professional purpose while highlighting collaboration across academic departments and community arts organizations.
Additional context
The program is an example of university-level initiatives to link academic instruction, career readiness, and community partnerships. By arranging a luncheon, an industry panel, and an arts performance in a single day, organizers created multiple touchpoints for student learning and professional development.
FAQ
How many students participated in the learning event?
Fifty students from Texas A&M International University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business and the TAMIU Banking Academy participated in a learning event.
Which other students joined the event?
Students from the College of Arts and Sciences, department of Fine and Performing Arts also joined the event.
Where did the event take place?
The event took place at Opera San Antonio’s recent October production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”
What began the day of activities?
The day began with a luncheon designed to foster camaraderie among students and faculty.
What panel was held and where?
Following the luncheon, a Banking & Finance Career Panel was held at the Tobin Center’s Feik Family Rotunda.
Who were the panelists?
The panel featured four distinguished industry professionals: Brent Cox from the Texas Bankers Association; Austin MartÃnez from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas – San Antonio Branch; Antonio Moreno from Rio Bank; and George Saucedo from Texas Community Bank.
Who moderated the panel?
The panel was moderated by Dr. Luis A. Perez-Batres, dean and Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professor of the Sanchez School.
How long did the panel last and what topics were covered?
The panel lasted 90 minutes and covered topics on professional growth, leadership, and purpose in the banking industry.
Did the Q&A session continue?
The panel’s Q&A session extended beyond its scheduled time with continued student engagement.
Who spoke about parallels between opera and professional excellence?
Dr. Suzanne Ramo, a soprano and associate professor at Texas State University, spoke about the parallels between opera performance and professional excellence.
What did university leaders note about the event?
Dr. Luis A. Perez-Batres highlighted the event as a representation of academic and industry collaboration for student success and community impact.
Who praised the collaboration between business and music students?
Dr. Fritz Gechter, interim chair of the TAMIU department of Fine and Performing Arts, praised the collaboration between business and music students.
What did students do in the evening?
Students enjoyed the evening performance of “The Magic Flute,” reflecting on the connection between art and business excellence.
Who received special acknowledgments?
Special acknowledgments were made to several individuals for their contributions, including Dr. Claudia San Miguel, TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, and Madeline Elizondo from Opera San Antonio for donating student tickets and facilitating the venue.
Who were some attendees listed?
Attendees included Rosalinda GarcÃa, vice president for Student Engagement; Dr. Fritz Gechter; Dr. Jacqueline Kelly; Leonela Preciado, Banking Academy manager; and adjunct faculty member Cristina Sepúlveda.
How can someone contact the Banking Academy or Fine and Performing Arts?
For inquiries about the TAMIU Banking Academy, contact Leonela Preciado at 956-326-2502 or via email. For more information about the TAMIU Department of Fine and Performing Arts, contact Dr. Fritz Gechter at 956-326-2639 or via email.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of students | Fifty students from Texas A&M International University’s A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business and the TAMIU Banking Academy participated in a learning event. |
| Additional participants | Students from the College of Arts and Sciences, department of Fine and Performing Arts also joined the event. |
| Event | Opera San Antonio’s recent October production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” |
| Panel location | Tobin Center’s Feik Family Rotunda |
| Panel length | 90 minutes |
| Primary contacts | Leonela Preciado: 956-326-2502; Dr. Fritz Gechter: 956-326-2639 |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| October (recent production) | The event took place at Opera San Antonio’s recent October production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” | Completed / Opera San Antonio production |
| Daytime (same day) | The day began with a luncheon designed to foster camaraderie among students and faculty. | Completed / TAMIU event |
| Daytime (same day) | Following the luncheon, a Banking & Finance Career Panel was held at the Tobin Center’s Feik Family Rotunda. | Completed / Tobin Center |
| Evening (same day) | Students enjoyed the evening performance of “The Magic Flute.” | Completed / Opera San Antonio |
Simple visual statistics
Participation: Number of students
Panel engagement: Duration
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
University of Texas at San Antonio Supports Future Teachers
Additional Resources
- Laredo Morning Times
- Wikipedia: The Magic Flute
- Laredo Morning Times: Brent Cox
- Google Search: Texas Bankers Association
- Laredo Morning Times: Austin Martinez
- Google Scholar: Federal Reserve Bank
- Laredo Morning Times: Antonio Moreno
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Banking Industry
- Laredo Morning Times: George Saucedo
- Google News: Opera San Antonio
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