Oral History Project

Alumni Affairs

The Project

Every Jaguar has a story, and the Texas A&M-San Antonio Alumni Association wants to hear yours. However, with over 15,000 living alumni, it would take many years to meet with each of you individually. That’s why we’ve decided to embark on a new project called Jaguar Memories to collect the stories of alumni like you in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact Texas A&M University-San Antonio has had on your lives and who you are today. Every year we don’t capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started today!

PCI Partnership

With our limited resources, we’d never be able to tackle a project like this. By partnering with PCI , we’re able to access their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the Jaguar Memories book that we can share with all Jaguars. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

Have You Moved?

As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Texas A&M-San Antonio. PCI will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved and inadvertently lost touch with your alma mater.

Your Story

So what Jaguar Memory will you tell?

Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
Did you find your Jaguar sweetheart at Texas A&M-San Antonio?
Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at your alma mater?
Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
Were you on campus during a historical moment?
Are you a Jaguar legacy?

Do I Have to Buy Something?

No. This project is being done at NO COST to the alumni association. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the Jaguar Memories book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other A&M-SA branded merchandise. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the Jaguar Memories book. Again, we’d never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book.

What’s Next?

Soon you will be receiving email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We’d like to invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this first-of-its-kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories through the first half of 2022. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in late 2022. We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you regarding your memories.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding the project, please reach out to Mary Kay Cooper, Director of Alumni Engagement, at MCooper@tamusa.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about A&M-SA. Is this a legitimate project or is it a scam?

It’s legit! The alumni office has partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for the University. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for almost 100 years. This project allows A&M-SA to hear about your personal experiences and explain how A&M-SA has helped shape your lives.
2. Does A&M-SA benefit from this at all?

Yes, in the following ways: 1) Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni; 2) Legacy – preserves the history of our school; 3) Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school.
3. How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?

PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. Upon completion of the project, PCI will redact PII (Personal Identifiable information) from any and all electronic files that we have supplied or were produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Oral History Project.
4. I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?

If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, then ask you to share your story about your time at A&M-SA. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to the alumni office at the conclusion of the project. If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
5. Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

When you call to update your information, you can tell the representative if you prefer any of your information be excluded. You can also communicate your preferences to PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.
6. I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.

You can call back at any time to share your story.
7. I shared a story and the representative said I could send some photos. How do I do this?

You will receive an email with a link to upload up to two photos (black and white or color) plus captions. If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send physical photos in to be printed (note: photos will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).
8. Can anyone purchase a book?

The A&M-SA Oral History Publication is available for sale only to Jaguar alumni.
9. When will I receive my book?

The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in December 2021, the books will be distributed in December 2022.
10. I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?

Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.

Alumni Affairs