Four years after assuming his current position of associated vice president for Student Affairs at Sacramento State, David Braverman has taken a new job with Texas A&M University, Kingsville, home of the Javelinas.

Despite the university’s mascot nickname, “the Hoggies,” a Javelina is not a pig, but a wild boar.

As many as four people will take over Braverman’s duties at Sac State, according to Lou Camera, who, as director of Student Activities, reported directly to Braverman.

“We had a close friendship, and he will definitely be missed,” Camera said.

On a campus of 27,000 students, it may seem impossible for an administrator to get to know the students on an individual basis.

For Braverman, that was not an obstacle that intimidated him. On one recent walk from his office on the third floor of Lassen Hall to the University Union, Braverman smiled and acknowledged several people, and that was during winter break, when the campus was nearly empty of students.

In addition to supervising Student Activities, Braverman also oversees Residence Life and sits on several boards, including the Associated Students, Inc. board, and handles much of the student discipline.

“He has been a big asset to us,” said Artemio Pimentel, ASI president. “He gave me a sense of security ? that not all administrators are bad.”

Braverman takes the position of the Dean of Students on Feb. 11, but he hopes he has made a difference at Sac State.

“I hope I helped foster the vision that these are our students, that it’s our job to challenge them,” Braverman said. “The reason for the university is to educate students. It should not simply be based on a consumer model.”

Braverman implemented this philosophy by creating and teaching a student leadership class designed to train students to become successful leaders. The class was filled to capacity during its first semester, and Camera will take over the class next fall.

Although Braverman came to Sac State with experience from other universities, this was the largest university where he held a full-time position.

“This has enhanced my experience with diversity,” he said. “I came here with a lot of background from private Liberal Arts schools that are more hands-on.”

Sac State taught him that, left on their own, students will guide one another and find ways to work through problems on their own, he said.

Braverman and his wife, Mindy Chang, will both work at Texas A&M, Kingsville, which is approximately 30 miles from Corpus Christy, Tex.”We’ll miss the University and the people,” Braverman said.

Other lasting memories include the Causeway Classics — the annual football match between Sac State and the University of California, Davis — and last year’s ASI election.

“The level of energy and participation was incredible,” he said. “It’s amazing when students get involved and really care ? when they take steps to make a difference.”