Community Band Concert Set for June 16
The San Angelo Community Band, under the direction of Dr. Constance Kelley of the Angelo State University music faculty, will present the second concert of its 2025 Summer Series on Monday, June 16, at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church, 4522 College Hills Blvd.
Titled “Serenades, Syncopation and Sousa,” the concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the church’s Life Center and is free and open to the public.
The musical program will include:
- “American Salute” by Morton Gould
- “Bullets & Bayonets” by John Philip Sousa
- “Serenata” by Leroy Anderson
- “Syncopated Clock” by Leroy Anderson
- “Americans We” by Henry Fillmore
- “Canterbury Chorale” by Jan van der Roost
- “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa
Celebrating its 36th year, the SACB features more than 50 local and area musicians, including ASU students, faculty and staff, local and area public school music teachers, and community members. For more details or to join the SACB, visit sanangelocommunityband.org.
The next performance in the SACB Summer Series will take place July 3 as part of the Star Spangled Banner Concert at the San Angelo RiverStage.
ASU Announces Artificial Intelligence Degrees
Angelo State University students can now be part of the ongoing evolution and progression of artificial intelligence (AI) as ASU has added two new online AI degrees, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in AI and a Master of Science (M.S.) in AI, that are both already enrolling students for the upcoming fall semester.
The new degree programs have been implemented in response to the exponential growth in demand for professionals skilled in AI across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, finance, education and cybersecurity. They are being offered 100% online to provide flexibility for varied student populations, including working professionals, military personnel, and students from rural or underserved areas.
Both the B.S. and M.S. degree programs will leverage the expertise of faculty in the Department of Computer Science and build on ASU’s strong foundation in AI research and education to address the critical need for AI professionals in Texas and beyond.
“These new AI degree programs reflect Angelo State’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education that meets the evolving needs of today’s workforce,” said Dr. Erdogan Dogdu, chair of the Department of Computer Science. “By equipping students with cutting-edge skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning, we are not only preparing them for high-demand careers, but also helping to drive innovation and economic growth across Texas and the nation. ASU is proud to be at the forefront of advancing technology education and empowering the next generation of AI leaders.”
The B.S. in AI degree program consists of 120 credit hours, with a curriculum that includes courses in foundational topics, such as:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Knowledge Engineering in AI
- Natural Language Processing
- Robotics
It also includes a required course in AI ethics, as well as a capstone project for seniors, where they apply AI techniques to solve real-world problems. The degree will prepare graduates for career opportunities as AI developers, data scientists, machine learning engineers and AI policy analysts, and in related fields.
The M.S. in AI degree program consists of 30 credit hours and is designed to cater to both recent graduates and working professionals seeking advanced knowledge in AI. It includes a capstone/thesis option, as well as newly-developed courses, such as:
- Adversarial AI
- Reinforcement Learning
- AI Systems and Applications
Unlike many traditional programs, it emphasizes practical applications of AI by integrating industry-level skills, tools and technologies. Graduates will be prepared to start or advance careers as data scientists, AI engineers, machine learning specialists and AI consultants across a variety of industry sectors.
A new online Certificate in AI Policy and Ethics is also now available and enrolling students for the upcoming fall semester. Its program consists of four courses, and students can earn the certificate concurrently with their B.S. or M.S. degree, or as a separate credential independent of a degree.
To support all the new AI programs, ASU is establishing partnerships with leading AI companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide internship opportunities, offer industry-relevant capstone projects, and ensure curriculum alignment with workforce demands. Additionally, students in both programs will engage in K-12 outreach programs to promote AI education among underserved communities and inspire the subsequent generation of AI professionals.
— From Tom Nurre Jr., ASU Office of Marketing and Communications
