Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Elena Crawford South Texas Stories

This is an oral history interview of Elena Crawford interviewed by Justin Bucholtz. Elena discusses her experience with Hurricane Harvey in 2017; the harrowing return to her home after evacuation; the struggle of recovery after disaster; and the recovery of the town and people of Port Aransas, Texas.

Justin Bucholtz Port Aransas, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Joel Garcia South Texas Stories

This is an oral history recording of Mr. Joel Garcia, a pastor in Refugio, Texas, interviewed by Richard Quiroz. Mr. Garcia talks about his role as a pastor at Joy Ministries; his experiences with hurricanes; his role in providing shelter and resources to the community after Hurricane Harvey; and his reflection on these events.

Richard Andrew Quiroz Refugio, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Martin Sanchez South Texas Stories

This is an oral history recording of Martin Sanchez interviewed by Rene Ruiz. Martin Sanchez talks about his personal experiences of being in Hurricane Celia in 1970, when he had just turned ten years old.

Rene Ruiz Corpus Christi, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Pat and Hal Suter South Texas Stories

This is an oral history recording of Pat Suter and her son Hal Suter interviewed by Jen Brown. Pat Suter discusses her work locally as an environmentalist, her role in local conservation organizations, and teaching chemistry at Del Mar College. They both discuss local and state politics; their experiences in Hurricane Celia; family camping trips; the creation of Padre Island National Seashore; the protection of Oso Bay; and OPUS, Organization for the Preservation of an Unblemished Shoreline.

Jen Brown Corpus Christi, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Carole Allen South Texas Stories

Carole Allen grew up in Illinois and developed a fascination with turtles at a young age. She collected turtle items and married a geologist, moving to Houston. In the early 1980s, she became involved with sea turtle conservation after learning about the National Marine Fisheries Service's hatchling program in Galveston. She joined the HEART (Hatchling Emergency Assurance and Release Team) project, which aimed to raise awareness and funds for sea turtle conservation.

Jen Brown Corpus Christi, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Nick Jimenez South Texas Stories

This is an oral history recording of Nick Jimenez interviewed by David Blanke. Mr. Jimenez shared an overview of his early life in San Antonio, Texas; his professional education and development in college and as a young reporter; brief comments about his time serving in the Army in Vietnam; his arrival in Corpus Christi in the 1970s; and key issues surrounding its social and economic development such as Cisneros v. Corpus Christi Independent School District, Dr. Hector P. García, Selena, the Port of Corpus Christi, and environmentalism.

David Blanke Corpus Christi, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
John "Wes" Tunnell, Jr. The Gulf Podcast and Oral History Project

Dr. John W. ("Wes") Tunnell, Jr. is a third-generation Texan, born in Biloxi, Mississippi, where his father was stationed during World War II. His parents, both physicians, practiced in Texas from the mid-forties to the mid-eighties. Dr. Tunnell credits his father for encouraging him to pursue a career that he would enjoy and excel in. Dr. Tunnell began his higher education at Adams State College in Colorado, initially pursuing pre-dentistry with the aim of earning a high income that would allow him to enjoy his hobbies of hunting and fishing.

Jen Brown Corpus Christi, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Ken Kramer The Gulf Podcast and Oral History Project

Dr. Ken Kramer is a native Texan, born in Brenham, a small city about seventy miles from Houston. He grew up in Houston, but his parents were from Austin and Washington Counties in Central East Texas, and they both grew up on farms. This gave him the unique experience of both urban and rural environments from an early age. Dr. Kramer's interest in environmental issues began to take shape during his time in the Army and later in graduate school at Rice University.

Jen Brown Chappell Hill, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Dennis Burk The Gulf Podcast and Oral History Project

Dennis Burk is a former volunteer at the Texas State Aquarium and a passionate environmentalist with a diverse background. Born and raised in the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, Burk developed an early interest in water sports due to the abundance of lakes in his home state. His love for water led him to move to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1979, where he worked as a service advisor at Tradewinds Ford. Burk's adventurous spirit led him to sell all his possessions and embark on a six-and-a-half-month cycling trip around Europe with a Canadian nurse he met in Corpus Christi.

Jen Brown Corpus Christi, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Joe Trungale The Gulf Podcast and Oral History Project

Joe Trungale is an environmental engineer with a focus on water issues. Born in Chicago, Trungale moved around the Midwest and East Coast before settling in Dallas for high school. After high school, he attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he earned an English degree. Following his undergraduate studies, Trungale spent time traveling and volunteering in Latin America, specifically in Nicaragua, where he worked on water issues.

Jen Brown Austin, TX Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi