A Message from the President

Dear Islanders,

It is with great sadness that I write to you with the news that Caleb Harris, an Islander student who went missing more than four months ago, has been confirmed deceased. Throughout his absence, we had hope for a different outcome.  We now mourn his loss.

Caleb was not just a student; he was a cherished son and beloved brother. He was a kind friend and a valued member of our campus community. His passion for adventure and his enthusiasm for life were just part of Caleb’s Islander impact.

I want to express my gratitude to everyone in our community who did what they could to find Caleb. From joining search parties to sharing social media posts, the outpouring of support was truly remarkable. These actions exemplified the very best of our Islander spirit.

As we navigate this difficult time, let us hold Caleb’s family, friends, and classmates in our thoughts and in our prayers. Throughout those challenging months, I had the privilege of meeting the people closest to Caleb and seeing the strength of their bond, the depth of their love, and the unwavering hope that they would find him.

Please remember that counseling and support services are available to anyone in our community struggling with this news, whether you knew Caleb personally or not.

• The University Counseling Center offers free counseling to all students. They can be reached at 361.825.2703. Press 2 to talk with a counselor after-hours.
• TAMU-CC offers an online student support app, called TELUS, that allows 24/7 access to professional counseling by phone or chat in multiple languages. Learn more at https://www.tamucc.edu/counseling/telus.php.
• Care & Assistance within the Dean of Students Office offers a variety of student support. Email deanofstudents@tamucc.edu or 361.825.6219 to learn more.
• Faculty and staff have access to our Employee Assistance Program which offers 24/7 support, resources, and information for employees and retirees.
• Nationwide, anyone can call the Mental Health Hotline, 988, to connect with resources and information.

Let us remember Caleb with gratitude for the time we were privileged to spend with him. His memory will forever remain a part of our university community and we will honor his legacy at a remembrance ceremony this fall.

With deepest sympathies,

Kelly M. Miller, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi