Islander Alumnus, Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Larry Wyche '83, returns as Fall 2023 Commencement Speaker

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – One of the Island University's most decorated alumnus, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Larry Wyche '83, will give the commencement address at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16. Wyche, a three-star general, was recognized as TAMU-CC Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2018 and was the commencement speaker in spring 2011. Wyche expressed a deep sense of honor for being chosen for this role for a second time.

"I have always been extremely close to the university,” Wyche said. "When I was asked to speak in 2011, it was an honor, and the feeling remains. I love TAMU-CC. This university was there for my wife, Denise, and me when we were working our way through college as first-generation college students; when we were struggling, this university was there for us."

Wyche began his military career as a private cavalry scout in 1975, rising to the rank of sergeant before joining the U.S. Army ROTC program at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, then known as the University of Corpus Christi. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in 1983. He met his wife, Denise, who is a native of Corpus Christi, during this time.

"When I started in the ROTC here, there were only four of us," he said. "Now, that program has grown tremendously, and my wife and I are happy to give back."

Wyche's ongoing efforts to stay connected to the university include the establishment of the Lieutenant General Larry Wyche and Denise M. Wyche Endowed Scholarship for ROTC Students.

As a commissioned officer in the Army, Wyche garnered numerous awards and medals over his 42 years of service. Advancing to three-star lieutenant general, Wyche wore his sergeant pin under the collar of his uniform as a reminder of the challenges the enlisted men and women serving under his command faced. Wyche was the second highest ranked logistician and supply chain leader and Deputy Commanding General of Army Materiel Command; he oversaw the operations of a $58 billion enterprise with a global workforce of over 120,000 soldiers and Department of Defense civilians and contractors in all 50 states and 152 countries. Today, Wyche is the President and CEO of Wyche Leadership and Federal Contract Consulting, where he and his team train corporate executives, business owners, and entrepreneurs in leadership and federal government contracting strategies and best practices.

In his commencement address, Wyche is eager to inspire graduating students by encouraging them to ask themselves five essential questions as they go through their life journeys.

"I don't have all the answers to the questions, and no one ever will," Wyche said. "If Islander graduates take away one thing from my speech, I hope they learn that excellence is not by accident. To be excellent, you have to work very hard."

The couple have been married for nearly 43 years and retired to Katy, Texas. Their three children are college graduates, including their son, Major David Wyche, who also serves in the Army. They have five grandchildren.

The Fall 2023 Commencement Ceremony will honor graduates from the Island University’s seven academic areas. The 10 a.m. ceremony includes the Colleges of Education and Human Development; Engineering and Computer Science; Liberal Arts; and the School of Arts, Media, & Communication. The 2 p.m. ceremony includes the Colleges of Business; Nursing and Health Sciences; and Science.

The ceremony will also highlight Outstanding Islander Graduates who have been selected by the TAMU-CC Office of the Provost for their individual achievements. These graduates include:

• Linnea Balderson – College of Business
• Iliana Beltran – College of Liberal Arts
• Daisy Lopez – College of Science
• Dr. Renita Newton – College of Education and Human Development
• Ila Pridgeon – School of Arts, Media, & Communication
• Julie Romano – College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Sarah Vasquez – College of Nursing and Health Sciences

This ceremony is free and open to the public and does not require tickets upon entrance. Seating for guests is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and arena doors will open one hour before the ceremony.

For those who are unable to attend, the ceremony will be live-streamed at tamucc.edu. For more information, visit tamucc.edu/commencement.