"There are less than two weeks of registration remaining," SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker said. "We still have a wide selection of classes available, but some sections are filling up fast so students planning to attend this fall need to get enrolled now."

Enrollment figures to date show 2,500 students have already registered for fall classes. Online, telephone and advisor-assisted registration options will all be available through Aug. 22.

Telephone and online registration are limited this year to students who are Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exempt or TSI complete. Students who have not met their TSI requirements must see an advisor when registering.

"We feel it is very important for students who haven’t met their TSI requirements, and will be taking developmental classes, to meet with an advisor to help them plan a schedule that will best meet their needs," Barker said.

Advisor-assisted registration is available upstairs in the administration building in Uvalde during regular office hours Monday through Friday. In Del Rio, Crystal City and Eagle Pass, students should register in the main office at the respective campus.

Students need to be ready to pay for all classes, or sign a payment plan agreement with FACTS Management, at the time of registration.

"Every semester we have to drop students who have registered but haven’t made payment arrangements," Barker said. "There are several payment options available and our business office will be glad to help students get signed up."

Students need to tell the business office of any scholarships or sponsorships they have received at the time of registration.

A late registration period will be held Aug. 27 and 28, but an additional fee will be assessed students who wait until the last minute to register.

This year’s schedule of fall classes is available online at www.swtjc.net. Hard copies of the schedule are available at all campuses in the main offices and libraries.

For more information on registration, contact the admissions office in Uvalde at 591-7255. The first day of fall classes is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 27.

More than 5,000 winners from state competitions held earlier in the year took part in the national championships held June 25-29 in Kansas City, MO.

Accompanying Galindo to the event were nail model Alicia Estrada and SWTJC cosmetology director Barbara Compton.

"Finishing seventh in nationals is quite an accomplishment and I congratulate Patricia on her performance," Compton said. According to Compton, this year marks the seventh time SWTJC has been represented at nationals.

Skills-USA Executive Director Timothy Lawrence thanked the more than 1,100 business, industry and labor partners who helped support this year’s championships through their investment of time, materials and dollars.

"The support of our business, industry and labor partners demonstrates a strong passion for our mission and a belief that the talent of Skills-USA students will be a key factor in the success of a highly skilled 21^st century workforce," Lawrence said.

Lawrence also congratulated all national qualifiers for their "skill, attitude and dedication to excellence."

The cosmetology department at SWTJC offers a one-year certificate program featuring state-of-the-art equipment including computer imaging.

All aspects of the cosmetology field are taught including hairstyling, hair cutting, hair coloring, permanent waving, nails, facials and salon management.

For more information on the program call 591-7249 or e-mail barbar.compton@swtjc.cc.tx.us

Basketball camp ends
A total of 23 area youth participated in the first ever Youth Basketball Camp hosted by the SWTJC men’s basketball program.

The event was held July 16 - 17 in the La Forge Hall Gymnasium on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

"We were pleased with the turnout in our first year and hope to make this an annual event," men’s basketball coach Charles Lee said.

SWTJC Cowboys player Rashad Johnson helped Lee conduct this year’s camp which was open to boys and girls ages eight to 13.

The SWTJC basketball program will host a 3-on-3 men’s basketball tournament on July 21-22. Players must be 18 years of age or older to compete.

For more information on the upcoming tournament contact coach Lee at 591-7240.

Online, telephone and advisor-assisted registration will all begin tomorrow at SWTJC sites across the region.

"Early registration has a number of benefits for students and the college," SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker said. "I encourage everyone planning to attend fall classes to begin registering as soon as possible."

For students, Barker said early registration offers the best class availability and selection of instructors. Students who wait to register may find classes they need already filled and the availability of instructors limited, Barker said.

"Registering early also helps the college because it gives us the opportunity to consider adding sections of classes that fill up early," Barker said.

Online and telephone registration will be limited this year to students who are Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exempt or TSI complete. Students who have not met their TSI requirements must see an advisor when registering.

"We feel it is very important for students who haven’t met their TSI requirements, and will be taking developmental classes, to meet with an advisor to help them plan a schedule that will best meet their needs," Barker said.

Advisor-assisted registration is available upstairs in the administration building in Uvalde during regular office hours Monday through Friday.

Barker also encourages students to pay for all classes, or sign a payment plan agreement with FACTS Management, at the time of registration.

"Every semester we have to drop students who have registered but haven’t made payment arrangements," Barker said. "There are several payment options available and our business office will be glad to help students get signed up."

Students need to tell the business office of any scholarships or sponsorships they have received at the time of registration.

A variety of financial aid is also available to qualifying students, but time is running out.

"Financial aid applications need to be in yesterday," Barker said. "Anyone who thinks they may qualify for financial aid needs to talk to our financial aid office as soon as possible."

Early registration will run from July 23 through Aug. 2. Regular registration will be Aug. 7 - 22 and late registration will be Aug. 27 - 28.

The first day of fall classes is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 27.

Rodeo team member dies

Rodeo team member Zane Coates shown here greeting

According to SWTJC rodeo coach Roy Angermiller, the fatal accident occurred at the intersection of FM 8 and U.S. Highway 281 in Stephenville as Coates was en route to a rodeo in Jacksonville.

"I know that intersection and it’s a bad one. Apparently he drove right through a stop sign and into the path of the 18-wheeler," Angermiller said. "He wasn’t wearing his seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene."

Coates, 19, was a freshman at SWTJC this past year and finished second in saddle bronc riding in the Southern Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).

"He was a good athlete and a good kid," Angermiller said. "He had lots of heart and there was absolutely no quit in him."

Coates had been competing in pro rodeos throughout the summer and had recently won saddle bronc riding events in three consecutive events in Bandera, Helotes and Belton.

In addition to saddle bronc riding, Coates also competed last season for SWTJC in bareback bronc riding, bull riding and roping.

SWTJC Dean of Business Hector Gonzales outlined three budget options to board members during a budget workshop held July 12 prior to the board’s regular monthly meeting.

Board members selected option two of the administration proposals which includes tuition and fees increases, but no increase in the property tax rate.

The board also voted against a 2% across the board pay increase and proposed additional raises for specific groups of employees.

Included in the new budget is a 4% pay increase for maintenance, cafeteria and child care employees; a 3 % pay increase for clerical and security employees; and a 2% increase for all other faculty and staff. Funding for salary steps and increments is also included in the new budget.

The new budget does not deal with any of the recently announced $1.6 million cut in insurance benefits that are scheduled for fiscal year 2008-2009 after a line item veto exercised earlier this summer by Governor Rick Perry.

Increases in tuition and fees are included in the new budget. Technical fees will increase $2, out-of-district fees will be raised $4.75, out-of-state fees will go up $20 and tuition will be hiked $4.

Several personnel vacancies brought about by retirement will not be filled over the next fiscal year in an effort to keep down costs.

Board members also moved to seek recommendations from the administration and faculty association for the filling of spots on an advisory committee to consider establishing new hiring guidelines for upper level administrative positions at the college.

The committee will be made up of two board members, two administration and two faculty representatives. Committee members will be selected by the board during a future board meeting.

Summer II classes begin
Classes began Tuesday, July 10, for the second summer session at SWTJC.

According to Dean of Admissions Joe Barker, enrollment should be just over 700 students when class rolls become official on Monday.

"We had a total of 776 students register, but we always lose some of those because of payment difficulties and other problems," Barker said. "I think our official enrollment will end up right at 700 students."

Barker said that while this year’s summer two registration is slightly below last year, overall summer enrollment is up over a year ago.

"We had right at a 10% increase the first summer session, so overall our enrollment is up this summer," Barker said.

According to SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards, the surgery lasted approximately three hours from 3 to 6 a.m.

"The surgery went well and President Sosa will now be in the intensive care unit for a good while," Edwards said. "I would ask that you please keep the president and his family in your prayers."

Edwards also said that the president’s family has requested no visitors, flowers or cards during his stay in intensive care.

Sosa learned a donor heart was available and traveled to San Antonio’s Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital late Wednesday afternoon.

"This is great news and testifies to the outstanding work our administration, faculty and staff have done over the past year to put in place a variety of planning, documentation and program initiatives that will serve us well for many years to come," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa said Tuesday, June 26.

The SACS announcement came during the June 21 annual business session of the Commission on Colleges at its headquarters in Decatur, GA.

The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is the recognized regional accrediting body in the 11 U.S. Southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia).

Once accredited, colleges are reviewed every 10 years and considered for reaffirmation of accreditation. To gain or maintain accreditation with the Commission on Colleges, an institution must comply with the standards contained in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement and with the policies and procedures of the Commission on Colleges.

The Commission on Colleges applies the requirements of its Principles to all applicant, candidate and member institutions, regardless of the type of institution (public, private for-profit, private not-for-profit).

"We just wanted to meet to officially advise the board of the situation and to get their direction on emergency expenditures we anticipate in repairing the damage," SWTJC Dean of Business and Instructional Services Hector Gonzales said.

According to Gonzales, SERVPRO representatives from Comfort were on campus Monday afternoon to begin work drying out and de-humidifying the building.

"This company specializes in drying out buildings where there has been water damage," Gonzales explained. "They won’t know the full-extent of the damage for several days, but after their initial inspection the SERVPRO people said they were optimistic they will be able to dry out the interior walls and that is a good sign."

The broken water pipe responsible for the damage was located upstairs in the small kitchen area of the building which houses the college’s admissions office, registrar, financial aid office and various administrative offices.

Standing water upstairs caused some problems, primarily to the flooring, but the most extensive damage was caused when the water found its way downstairs and destroyed ceiling tiles, computers, other electrical equipment, furniture and flooring.

"Our permanent records upstairs and personnel files downstairs were not damaged," Gonzales said, "but we did lose numerous computers and electrical equipment downstairs."

Insurance representatives are expected to tour the building this week, after the SERVPRO specialists complete their work, to assess the damage.

Though there are still many "unknowns," Gonzales said he is hopeful the building can be back in full use within the next 30 days.

"The best case scenario would be that we could get back in upstairs within two weeks and back in our downstairs offices within a month," Gonzales said. "We will know a lot more about a timetable for repairs by next week."

In the meantime, offices in the building have been moved to various facilities across campus. The registrar, admissions office and administrative offices have set up temporary work stations in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom, while the financial aid office has moved in to the Business Office.

Phone service was also disrupted because of the leak, but college communication workers had most of the system up an running again by Tuesday afternoon.

According to maintenance director Oscar Garcia, water was already running out of the downstairs portion of the building when his crews discovered the situation at 5 a.m. Monday.

"A water line to the kitchen area upstairs apparently broke sometime during the weekend and that caused all the problems," Garcia said. "There is extensive damage both upstairs and downstairs."

Maintenance crews and administration building staff were busy Monday morning pulling up soaked carpet, moving equipment and setting up temporary offices in the Matthews Student Center ballroom and business office.

Registrar, admissions and administrative offices will be housed in the student center and financial aid offices will be relocated to the business office.

"Right now, it’s anybody’s guess how long it will be before we can get back in the building," SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Blaine Bennett said. "I’d say we may be looking at as long as two months."

Dean of Business Hector Gonzales, used the term "perfect storm" to describe the series of events that have evolved over the last month as administration officials wrestle with a budget for fiscal year 2007-2008.

"Due to stagnant enrollment and stagnant state funding we were already looking at a $715,000 deficit when we started the week," Gonzales said. "Then the governor pulled another $1.6 million off the table and, well, it’s the perfect storm."

Gonzales said it was a "complete shock" when SWTJC officials learned Monday of Governor Rick Perry’s veto of $154 million in health insurance benefits for community college faculty and staff across the state.

In response to the governor’s action, SWTJC President Ismael Sosa and board president Rodolfo R. Flores drafted a letter to Governor Perry taking exception to the cuts and Perry’s claim that community colleges across the state committed "fraud" in their reporting. LETTER

The governor’s cuts are not scheduled until 2009, but Gonzales told the board it was the administration’s proposal not to wait to deal with the shortfall. Gonzales outlined an administration proposal to handle half of the governor’s cut during the next fiscal year. 

"You are going to have to make some hard decisions," Gonzales said, "but the administration strongly believes we need to spread out the governor’s cuts over two years and not wait until next year and try to take it all on at one time."

The administration budget balancing recommendations Gonzales outlined include total budget cuts over original requests of $616,333. In addition, $169,871 in savings would come from not replacing personnel and $500,000 in savings would be realized by subbing out bookstore operations.

Additional revenues would be realized through tuition and fee increases ($865,000), along with a proposed three cent increase in ad valorem taxes ($420,000).

Also included in the administration proposal is a 2% across the board salary increase for all college employees, which would cost $252,620.

The administration proposal would result in an estimated $313,501 surplus which would be targeted to pay for part of the second year budget deficit from the governor’s veto of $833,368.

Board members thanked Gonzales and the administration staff for their work in preparing the budget and providing detailed information for their consideration. A second budget workshop has been scheduled on July 19 prior to the board’s regular meeting.

Letter to Governor Perry

June 19, 2009

The Honorable Rick Perry
Governor State of Texas
Austin, TX

Dear Governor Perry:

It was with great disillusionment that we read the news of your veto of community college funding for group health insurance. In your veto proclamation, you state that "community colleges falsified their appropriations requests." In essence Governor Perry, you have accused the staff, administration and ultimately the Board of Trustees of Southwest Texas Junior College of lying. Your accusation is a slap in the face to each individual who calls our institution "home" and it degrades the good name and good work that all community colleges in the State of Texas perform day-in and day-out. To your accusation of fraud Governor Perry, Southwest Texas Junior College says, categorically, NOT TRUE!

In your own budget proposal to the 80^th Legislature, full group health insurance was included. In the fervor of the past session, proportionality was intensely debated and agreement to fund health insurance at 90% ensued. Ninety percent is below state agencies at 100%, some universities at 97%, and the UT and A&M system universities at 95%. Our questions are:

1. What changed between your proposal, the legislative appropriations process and now?
2. If there were questions about the legitimacy of our funding requests, why were we not notified before this draconian action took place, and at a minimum, given an opportunity to defend ourselves?
3. If your defense for the veto is fraud, shouldn’t we at least be given our day in court?

In your veto, you reference a budget rider that states that "the funds appropriated by this Act out of the General Revenue Fund may not be expended for employee benefit costs, or other indirect costs, associated with the payment of salaries or wages if the salaries or wages are paid from a source other than the General Revenue Fund." You go on to state that: "Community colleges have violated this provision, using millions of state dollars annually to pay the benefits of non-state paid employees." It is paradoxical Governor that you accuse community colleges of falsifying appropriations requests when we simply follow your order and submit our request according to the Policy Letter issued by the Governor's Office of Budget and Planning. Your office even provides examples and definitions on how to submit this request. With due respect Governor: Southwest Texas Junior College would suggest that if any falsification occurred, it was at the behest of the Governor’s office.

During the past eight years, SWTJC has unwaveringly embraced the state’s mantra of "Closing the Gaps." Access to quality higher education has never been as convenient and available in rural southwest Texas as today. We’ve grown by over 50% in the recent past, and today our institution is working diligently to help all students achieve their goal of acquiring a degree or certificate in the most efficient and expedient manner possible. We’ve accomplished all of this with consistently diminishing State support.

Your veto, Governor Perry, cuts $1,666,736 from a budget that has already undergone significant reductions from the previous biennium. With this kind of loss, our options are limited to increasing tuition, fees and taxes or eliminating programs. As SWTJC stands today, we would need to increase tuition by $16 per credit hour to recover the loss in funding. This would be a 41% increase in the current rate of $39 – making the cost of tuition $55 per credit hour. An increase of that degree would eliminate college as an option for many of our students. To cover the loss via taxes, we would need to more than double our current rate. Spreading the cost out over these options still leaves us with an unprecedented increase in each and, most probably, the elimination of programs.

In conclusion, we emphatically ask that you reconsider your accusation of falsifying our records and that you apologize for the extensive offense that has resulted from your inflammatory statement. We are left only with a plea to you to reconsider your action and work with the Legislature to find a way to restore the funds. Finally, Governor Perry, we commit to work with you to continue expanding educational and economic opportunities for rural southwest Texas.

Sincerely,

Ismael Sosa, Jr., Ph.D. 
President, Southwest Texas Junior College

Rodolfo R. Flores
President, Board of Trustees SWTJC

Cc:
Representative Pete Gallego
Representative Harvey Hilderbran
Representative Tracy King
Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Judith Zaffirini

The organization seeks to support the college by providing funds for scholarships and other projects at SWTJC campuses in Uvalde, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Crystal City and Pearsall.

According to SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards, the FAN advisory committee adopted bylaws and held elections last fall.

Current officers are Hector Garcia of Uvalde, president; Nick Fohn of Uvalde, vice president; Irene Rodriguez Dubberly of Yancey, secretary; and Barrett Miller of Uvalde, treasurer.

"The letter and application for membership we mailed out this week represent our first major recruitment drive," FAN president Hector Garcia said. "I hope everyone will give their serious consideration to joining our team."

Membership applications are also available online. Visit the college web site at www.swtjc.net and click on the Friends and Alumni Network link in the left navigation bar.

A variety of membership levels are available in the FAN starting at $20. Garcia also noted that a business membership drive will be conducted later in the summer to recruit additional members.

"We have a committee working on a business membership drive and will be contacting local businesses in August to ask for their support," Garcia said.

A fund-raising committee is also planning a President’s Gala, sponsored by the Friends and Alumni Network, on November 16 at the Uvalde Civic Center. The event will feature a dinner and dance, as well as live and silent auctions.

"This promises to be a great event and we hope everyone will start making plans now to attend on Nov. 16," Garcia said.

For more information on the SWTJC FAN contact Wade Carpenter at (830) 591-7351.

According to SWTJC Dean of Admissions and Student Services Joe Barker, summer registration is up just over 10% from last year.

"We are very pleased with our enrollment this summer," Barker said. "This breaks a trend of declining enrollment we’ve experienced for the past year and we hope the trend continues in the long semesters this upcoming fall and spring."

Classes for the first summer session will end July 6. The second summer session will run from July 10 through August 17.

Barker reminds prospective students for the 2007 fall semester to finish up their financial aid applications as soon as possible to see if they qualify for assistance.

"Anyone who is interested in qualifying for financial aid needs to get their application finished within the next couple of weeks or they might miss out on fall funding," Barker said.

For more information on financial aid, call (830) 591-7343.

Sponsored by SWTJC, the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, and the Middle Rio Grande Workforce Board, the program gives at-risk students the opportunity to experience college life first hand the summer after their senior year in high school.

SWTJC Technical Programs Director Johnny Guzman is program coordinator in Uvalde.

"This is a great program for the students and the college," Guzman said. "The idea is to give students a little boost in getting them to attend college and our experience is that it works."

According to Guzman, all of last year’s College Bound participants enrolled in college in the fall, with 95 % continuing their studies at SWTJC.

Guzman also points out how the program helps first-time college students gain the knowledge they need to overcome the obstacles of college life.

"This program teaches them basic college survival skills, such as how to register for classes and how to apply for financial aid," Guzman said.

The program promotes time management with a daily mandatory study period from 7 to 9 p.m. According to Guzman, this helps students realize the need to "find the time to study and organize their priorities."

SWTJC annually tries to hire former College Bound students to work with the program. Former program participants helping this summer are Sarah Soto of Eagle Pass, April Valdez of Carrizo Springs, and Mary Hernandez and Art Castañeda, both from Del Rio. Philip Botello of Uvalde is also a student assistant this summer.

Participants in this program come from across SWTJC’s 11-county service area.

Uvalde participants this summer are Pedro Gonzales, Steve Lira, Christopher Luna and Edie Salas, while George Dominguez and Joanna Puente represent Batesville in the 2007 class.

Representing Crystal City are Elida Lopez, Alyssa Flores, Amanda Cervantez, Francisco Alvarez, Natasha Villarreal, Monica Ramon and Eduardo Gonzalez.

Carrizo Springs participants are Veronica Guevara and Antonio Lozano.

Participants from Del Rio are Nancy Avila, Priscilla Hernandez, Cynthia Perez, Flor Romo, Lizeth Saluda, Carlos Sanchez, Raul Villanueva, Nannette Barrera, Erika Barrera, Daniel Mendiola, Jaime Luna, Karina Gaytan, Diana Davis, Lazaro Castilla, Rolando Carillo, Sorayda Barrios and Juana Urbina.

Eagle Pass participants are Sergio Esquivel, Maria Lomas, Eduardo Perez, Argenis Villamil, Rubi Torres, Kimberly Ruiz, Christian Lozano, Luis Garza, Arnold Martinez, Jose De Luna, Jennifer Cruz, Joel Cantu, Rebeca Arguello, Grizzly Morales, Edna Villarreal and Mayra Rodriguez.

Other College Bound students this summer are Amy Sanchez of Asherton and Julia Flores of Leakey.

The students will live on campus in SWTJC dormitories during both summer sessions and will also be provided with three meals a day, tuition, books and supplies. Students will earn as many as 11 credit hours over the summer.

All students will also be placed in a work-study position on campus where they work 16 hours a week. Students will be paid at the end of every week.

The program runs Monday through Thursday with various cultural events and activities scheduled on weekends throughout the summer. Events scheduled this summer include a trip to Schliterbahn in New Braunfels, an evening at a San Antonio theater production and a camping trip on the Nueces River.

New board member

Board president Rodolfo R. Flores congratulates Nita Shackelford following her appointment to the SWTJC Board of Trustees on May 17. Shackelford will fill the term of her late husband Kenny until an election for the post is held in May of 2008.
Nita Shackelford appointed 
to SWTJC board of trustees
SWTJC board members have unanimously approved the appointment of Nita Shackelford to the place 3 trustee position held by her late husband Kenny Shackelford.

Shackelford’s appointment is until May 2008 when a special election for place 3 will be held in conjunction with regular elections for places 4 and 5. Place 4 is currently held by trustee Tony Moreno, while board president Rodolfo R. Flores is the elected trustee for place 5.

Board presentation

Technical programs director Johnny Guzman (standing)

Following a presentation by technical programs director Johnny Guzman and AASN program director Dr. Geraldine Goosen, R.N., Ph.D., C.C.R.N., the board approved an application for the program to be submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Plans call for the program to be in place by the spring 2008 semester. The program will require students to accumulate a total of 68 semester credit hours, 31 in academic courses and 37 in technical courses from the Workforce Education Course Manual.

Students who successfully complete the program will earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree and qualify as a candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN state licensing exam.

"We hope to have the application submitted by next month and get final state approval in time to begin our first class by the spring 2008 semester," Dr. Goosen told the board. "There has already been substantial interest in the program and I feel confident we will have no problem filling the class."

Expected enrollment for the first year will be 20 students. Candidates for the program will be selected using a point system based on grades in prerequisite academic classes and other factors. Applicants must hold a valid, current license to practice vocational nursing in the State of Texas, in order to be considered for admission.

In other action at its May 17 meeting board president Rodolfo R. Flores presented a five-year service pin to trustee Tony Moreno and the board approved changes to the 2007-2009 college catalog and 2007-2008 faculty handbook.

The board also approved the establishment of a committee to advise the board on qualifications to be considered when the president or a dean of the college is employed.

A budget workshop for the board was set for June 21, prior to the regular monthly board meeting on the same day.

According to SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Dr. Blaine Bennett, the grant will be used to help prepare low income/first generation college students for entry into higher education.

"This program has been very successful for our students in the past and we are very excited to learn it will be funded again," Bennett said. "Much of the credit for our securing this grant goes to institutional development coordinator Suzanne McCormack and I thank her."

Beginning in the fall, qualifying eighth and ninth grade students selected for the program will attend weekend math and study camps throughout the school year on the SWTJC Uvalde campus. The program will also include a summer camp in Uvalde.

"The idea is to target students when they are young and build up their academic capacities so they will be better prepared to enter college when they finish high school," Bennett said. Approximately 60 students will be selected for the program each year.

A total of 49 Texas community colleges, universities and technical colleges will receive $19.9 million in Upward Bound grants over the next fiscal year.

Over 300 graduates are expected to take part in the graduation ceremony scheduled in the La Forge Hall gymnasium starting at 9:30 a.m.

"Commencement is always the highlight of our year," SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa said. "We are honored that Congressman Rodriguez will be here to share this milestone with our graduates and their families."

To accommodate the overflow crowd expected Saturday, a live feed of the ceremony will be broadcast in the Tate Auditorium and Matthews Student Center Ballroom. The event will also be broadcast live on KVOU-FM (104.9) in Uvalde.

SWTJC student Andres Peinado, Jr., of Uvalde will deliver the invocation and SWTJC Director of Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Julie Thomas will sing The National Anthem.

President Sosa will introduce honored guests, and SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Blaine Bennett, Ph.D., will introduce Congressman Rodriguez.

Joe Barker, SWTJC dean of admissions and student services, will present the graduating class and Harry O. Watkins, M.D., a member of the SWTJC board of trustees, will award diplomas and certificates.

SWTJC Dean of Instructional Services Hector E. Gonzales will recognize honor graduates.

The ceremony will conclude with the singing of America the Beautiful by Dr. Julie Thomas. Warren Seymour Jr. will be the organist for the 2007 commencement.

Immediately following the ceremony, the college will host a reception for graduates and their families in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom.

Coe will be recognized at EACC’s Honor’s Breakfast Ceremony on Friday, May 11, at the Forrest City Civic Center. She will also represent EACC at the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) conference slated Oct. 14-16 in Hot Springs.

"I am truly honored to receive this award," Coe said. "I started my college education at EACC and people there, like English instructor Jim McInturff and Dr. Ken Mott, were influential in my choosing education as a career."

After earning her Associate of Arts degree at EACC in 1985, Coe went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Science in Education and a Specialist Degree in Community College Teaching from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

In 1990 she accepted a position as English instructor at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde. Coe continues to teach English and leadership classes at SWTJC while serving as director of professional development.

During her time at SWTJC, Coe has also served as chair of the Humanities and Fine Arts Division. In 1996 she received the administration’s Outstanding Faculty Member Award and in 1997 received the SWTJC Faculty Association’s Teaching Excellence Award.

Coe maintains, "Because of my EACC mentors, I found my career niche and for that I will always be grateful."

SWTJC Professional Development Director Jill Coe

"Everyone was talking about what we could do to help," student life coordinator Joel Vela said. "By 9:30 a.m., we were loading up the barbecue grill and heading to Rosita Valley."

Vela said the group of SWTJC faculty, staff and students, originally went to the multi-purpose building in the area which had been set up to help victims of the devastating storm that hit Tuesday around 7 p.m.

"When we got there, several groups were already on hand helping at the multi-purpose building," Vela said. "Someone told us that the first responders hadn’t had anything to eat all night, so we loaded back up and headed to ‘ground zero.’"

According to Vela, the SWTJC group eventually ended up across the street from the Rosita Valley Elementary School which sustained major damage in the storm.

"There was a concrete slab with a tin roof that was somehow still standing, and that’s where we set up our grill," Vela said.

Eagle Pass police, Maverick County Sheriff’s Department deputies, U.S. Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety and National Guard soldiers were among those served by the college group.

"We cooked hot dogs and chili, nothing fancy, but everyone was very thankful and I think we helped brighten up their morning," Vela said. The group also provided chips and drinks to the

Members of the college’s student government association and the Beta Lambda Gamma Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society joined college officials in helping serve more than 50 first responders who had spent the night looking for survivors.

"It was a great experience for our students," Vela said. "I think we all felt better knowing we had helped."

Vela said a fund has been set up by Phi Theta Kappa to accept donations for victims of the storm.

For more information about making a donation, contact Vela at 758-4142.

"We are very pleased that Congressman Rodriguez has taken time out of his busy schedule and accepted our invitation to address our graduating class," SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa, Jr., said. "We are honored to have him as our keynote speaker."

A native of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, Rodriguez was raised and educated in San Antonio. He graduated from Harlandale High School, received his B.A. at St. Mary’s University and earned his Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Rodriguez was a social worker with the Bexar County Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation when he first entered public service, winning election to the Harlandale ISD Board of Trustees in 1974.

In 1987, while working as an instructor at Our Lady of the Lake University, Rodriguez was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. Drawing on his experience as a social worker and educator, Rodriguez served with distinction on the higher education and health committees.

He drafted the landmark Texas law guaranteeing acceptance of the top ten percent of Texas high school graduates to any public four-year Texas university. He was also responsible for the development of the "dual credit" program which allows high school students the ability to simultaneously earn high school and college credit for selected courses.

Rodriguez was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a 1997 special election. He received nearly 70% of the vote in 1997 in gaining election as congressman for the 28^th Congressional District of Texas.

Once in office, Congressman Rodriguez focused his efforts on fighting unemployment along the Mexican border, providing access and opportunity to small businesses, investing in programs for high-skill job training and improving the health of minority communities. During the 108^th Congress, Rodriguez was elected by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Following a redistricting scheme later declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, Rodriguez lost his seat in 2004. In 2006, he mounted a campaign and was elected to the newly formed 23^rd Congressional District.

His new district is the largest in the state, covering most of Southwest Texas, including portions of Bexar, El Paso and Sutton counties, as well as Brewster, Dimmit, Maverick, Presidio, Zavala, Crockett, Culberson, Edwards, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Medina, Pecos, Reeves, Terrell, Uvalde and Val Verde counties.

Congressman Rodriguez currently serves on the powerful House Committee on Appropriations where he sits on the Homeland Security, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies subcommittees. He also serves on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and chairs the task force on veteran affairs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Rodriguez and his wife of 31 years, Carolina Peña, have one daughter, Xochil, who is currently in law school.

          U.S. Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez

The ceremony will be held in the Bluebonnet Room of the Matthew’s Student Center starting a 8 p.m.

Students are selected for Who’s Who honors by the faculty and staff based on academics, leadership and service.

SWTJC Uvalde students selected are Kimberley Alspaugh, Sarah Bordovsky, Antoinette Briones, Regina Contreras, Kim Gian David, James Garza, Sheena Holguin, Paul Kerbow, David Lane, Lacey Lesosky, Brendita Luciano, Ismael Martinez, Valerie O’Quinn, Ruby Ortiz and Tony Raines.

Students earning recognition from SWTJC Del Rio are Juan Calvillo, Reynaldo De Los Santos, Keren Flores, Julian Hernandez, Mary Hernandez, Sea Hernandez, Christopher Perez, Klarisa Perry, Derrick Rutland and Sarah Scheller.

Who’s Who honorees from SWTJC Eagle Pass include Erika Alanis, Brianna Barrow, Martin Diaz, Cristian Esparza, Melanie Garcia, Reymund Lastierre, Alicia Ludke, Felicia Macias and Laura Rivera.

HEB recruiter will visit in 
Eagle Pass and Del Rio
Anita Benavides, HEB human resources coordinator, will visit SWTJC campuses in Eagle Pass and Del Rio this week.

According to SWTJC job placement coordinator Ronnie Garza, Benavides  will be in Eagle Pass on April 24 for two presentations in the GO Center from 11 a.m. to noon and from 5 to 6 p.m. Interviews will be scheduled on April 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.

On April 25, Benavides will be on the Del Rio campus in the middle hallway for two presentations starting at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Interview times will be scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information on Benavides’ upcoming visits contact Ronnie Garza at 591-2940.

SWTJC Uvalde candidates for Mr. and Miss SWTJC include:

Nominees, chosen from various student organizations on campus, include: Paulo David Criel and Mellisa Tristan, Catholic Club; Mario Bernal and Reyna Gomez, HASHE; James "Malik" Rodriguez and Mayra Arellano, G-Force; Onesimo "O.J." Martinez II and Leticia Pichardo, Phi Theta Kappa; Andrew Gonzales and Sarah M. Bordovsky, Business Administration Club; and Travis Garcia and Ambar Salazar, Student Government Association.

Winners and runners-up will be announced during the annual Palm’s Festival slated April 26 in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom. The annual festival will begin at 7 p.m.

Who’s Who award winners for the 2006-2007 school year will also be announced at this year’s Palm’s Festival.

Festival activities will also include a dance from 9 p.m. until midnight. Students are encouraged to wear semi-formal attire.

Funeral services are pending.

Registration for the second summer session will be July 2-9, with the first day of classes on July 10.

For more information about summer classes, contact the admissions office at 591-7255.

According to technical programs director Johnny Guzman, the college received word this week that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has given its final approval for an Associate of Applied Science Degree program in Radiologic Technology at SWTJC.

"This is great news for the college and our students," Guzman said. "Now we can begin training area residents for careers in this very in-demand field."

Funding for the start up of the program will come from a $1.9 million U.S. Department of Labor grant the college received in the spring of 2006 to develop its health care curriculum. Grant monies will also be used to start an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at SWTJC.

"Getting health care-related programs started is a tedious process," Guzman said. "We’ve been working on getting state approval for this rad tech program for over a year."

Guzman thanked area health care professionals for their support and service on the radiologic technology advisory committee. Ralph Gonzalez, head of radiology at Uvalde Memorial Hospital, serves as committee chair.

"Health care officials across the region have been very supportive of our efforts and their input has been invaluable," Guzman said.

Roy Luevano, who has over 35 years experience in the radiologic technology field, will direct the new program at SWTJC. Luevano, a 1960 graduate of Uvalde High School, received his initial training as a radiologic technologist in the U.S. Air Force.

He went on to receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in radiologic technology from St. Philip’s College in San Antonio and his Bachelor’s Degree in health administration from Texas State University in San Marcos.

"I’m very excited to be involved with getting this program started at SWTJC," Luevano said. "I’m glad we have the application process behind us and am looking forward to getting started in the classroom."

Luevano worked closely with the advisory committee and consultant Gaynell Gainer of San Antonio in preparing the application to the state coordinating board.

"Mrs. Gainer was the director of the St. Philip’s College radiologic technology program for many years and was a tremendous help throughout the application process," Luevano said.

According to Luevano, a total of 20 students will be accepted into the program for the fall semester. Students will be selected for the program using a point system based on grades earned on prerequisite courses and other core academic courses included in the two-year degree program.

Prerequisite courses include Biology 2401 and 2402 (Anatomy and Physiology), Psychology 2301 (General Psychology) and 2314 (Lifespan Growth and Development). Additional core academic classes required for the program are college algebra, English composition and rhetoric, and one elective from the humanities and fine arts.

Core radiology classes and clinicals will account for an additional 51 hours toward the 72 total hours needed for graduation. Program graduates will receive an A.A.S. Degree in radiologic technology and a temporary Medical Radiologic Technologist license from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). Graduating students will also be qualified to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam to receive their permanent license.

According to Luevano, all prerequisite courses for the program will be offered during the summer sessions at SWTJC. "I encourage anyone who is interested in the program, or who has questions about it, to give me a call at 591-7290," Luevano said.


Roy Luevano of Uvalde is the director of the radiologic technology program at Southwest Texas Junior College. Luevano has over 35 years experience in the field.

Galindo earned her spot in the national championship by placing first in nail skills at the SkillsUSA Texas competition held last month in San Antonio.

"I’m very proud of Patty’s success at the state competition and look forward to accompanying her when she competes in Kansas City this summer," SWTJC cosmetology director Barbara Compton said.

According to Compton, other SWTJC students who placed at the state championship were: Michelle Castillo, second place, hair skills; and Rafael Narvaez, third place, hair skills. Betty Zapata and Alicia Estrada also attended the state competiton.

SWTJC cosmetology students who submitted state projects were J. Aurora Ybarra, Alma Martinez, Janice Mireles, Alicia Estrada, Josie Rodriguez, Tiffany Garcia, Isabelle Barrientes and Dana Kelsey.

More than 300 community and technical college students competed in 37 different categories during the three-day state championship and conference held March 22-24 at St. Philip’s College – Southwest Campus.

First place winners at state competitions held across the nation qualify for the annual national championship. In 2006, over 4,600 contestants competed in 80 separate events at nationals.

SWTJC cosmetology students who entered projects in the state SkillsUSA competition include (l-r) Alma Martinez, Janice Mireles, Alicia Estrada, Josie Rodriguez, Tiffany Garcia, J. Aurora Ybarra and Isabelle Barrientes. Not pictured is Dana Kelsey. 

Second annual open car show
slated in Uvalde on May 5
The SWTJC Auto Body and Automotive Technology clubs will host their second annual open car show on May 5 on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

Showtime will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with set up from 8 to 11 a.m. Entry fee is a $20 donation.

Trophies for the top three places in a variety of divisions will be presented during an awards ceremony at 4 p.m.

Door prizes, live DJ music, food and drinks will also be included in the day’s activities.

For more information contact autobody technology instructor Juan Zamarripa at 279-4025 or 591-7218. FLYER

According to workshop coordinator Derek Sandoval, chair of the physical education department at SWTJC, the daylong event will feature a variety of activities for both educators and students.

"We will be offering sessions on cycling, firearms, archery and a variety of leadership games, in keeping with the workshop theme of ‘Learning by Doing,’" Sandoval said. "We are expecting up to 100 participants so it should be a busy and fun day."

Workshop participants will also have the opportunity to experience the challenges of the college’s high elements ropes course during the afternoon sessions.

Educators from SWTJC, Texas A&M Commerce, Mary Hardin Baylor University, Weatherford Community College, Tarleton State University, the Edinburg ISD, the Abilene ISD and San Antonio’s Northeast ISD, will be presenters during the workshop.

SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa will welcome the group to Uvalde during an opening session in La Forge Hall at 8:30 a.m.

Registration fees for the event are $25 for professionals and $15 for students. For more information contact Sandoval at 591-7241.

For more information on applying for a STEM scholarship contact Kone at 591-7277 or SWTJC Institutional Advancement Coordinator Suzanne McCormack at 591-7229.

According to conference co-chair Jill Coe, SWTJC professional development director, the conference will be held Oct. 25-27 at the Omni Hotel in San Antonio.

Theme for this year’s conference will be: "The Autonomous Classroom in the Culture of Evidence."

"We have had numerous presenters at this conference over the years, but this is the first time SWTJC has been one of the hosts," Coe said.

Irma Luna of San Antonio College is Coe’s co-chair for the conference.

For more information on the event contact Coe at 591-7334.

Primary focus of the program is delivery of ESL, GED and citizenship classes. For more information on classes offered, call 591-7385 or 591-7235.

SWTJC has offered an intercollegiate rodeo program for men and women since 1950. SWTJC teams compete in the Southern Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

SWTNet meeting

Dean of Instruction Hector Gonzales outlines ideas for expanding dual credit classes to representatives of 21 area school districts in attendance at a Feb. 14 meeting of the Southwest Texas Network Consortium (SWTNet). The meeting was held in Uvalde.

SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Dr. Blaine Bennett led the meeting of the Southwest Texas Network Consortium (SWTNet) held Feb. 13 on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

After a short welcome from SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa, Bennett gave a brief history of SWTNet.to the area superintendents, principals, counselors, curriculum directors, instructors and technology personnel in attendance.

"A little over 10 years ago we began working to build a telecommunications network to make the internet available and to improve access to college level courses in the 11 counties and 21 school districts in the college’s service area," Bennett said.

According to Bennett, the college has written in excess of 21 grants since SWTNet’s formation to fund a telecommunications infrastructure which now provides internet access and interactive video classroom capabilities across the largest service area in the state.

"From our standpoint this has been a very successful initiative and I believe our steady increase in dual enrollment students testifies to that success," Bennett said. "We are here today to talk about ways we can work together to do more."

SWTJC Dean of Instruction Hector Gonzales addressed the group about possible courses the college could add to current dual enrollment offerings. Dual enrollment classes are classes in which students receive high school and college credit, simultaneously.

"The state requires us to offer at least 12 hours of dual credit, which we do, but we have come up with a tentative plan where a student could have as many as 44 hours of college credit by the time they finish high school, " Gonzales said. "Ultimately, however, it is up to you, because each district controls what classes they will offer as dual credit."

Currently, most school districts offer American history, U.S. government, economics and English composition classes as their core dual credit classes.

Gonzales outlined a variety of math, science, English and other humanities classes the college would like to work with local districts to offer as dual credit classes.

"These are just some of the options we believe we could help you offer," Gonzales said. "We need your input on all of this, but our bottom line is that we want to work with you to help your students, who will hopefully one day be our students, have more options."

Dean Bennett also outlined a variety of science/math initiatives the college currently has in place including a NASA math program for at-risk eighth graders, the National Science Foundation STEM Scholarship Program for math, science, computer and engineering majors, a Title V collaborative with Rio Grande College to increase the area pool of secondary math and science instructors, and a collaborative engineering program between SWTJC and Texas A&M Kingsville.

Doug Ratcliff, associate director of the UT Austin Jackson School of Geosciences, also spoke to the group briefly about the GeoFORCE Texas Program which recruits top area math and science students from the 11 counties served by SWTJC.

At the meeting’s conclusion, school officials in attendance were asked to volunteer to serve on an advisory committee to help develop curriculum and program offerings which would ultimately enhance higher education opportunities throughout the region.

Movie production workshop 
slated Tuesday, Feb. 27
The SWTJC Theatre Department will sponsor a workshop on movie production and independent distribution on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. in the Tate Auditorium. The workshop will be repeated later in the day at 6 p.m.

Shiloh Richter and Debbie French, in conjunction with The Uvalde Film Society and producers of "Road to El Paso," will be presenters.

Topics to be discussed include developing story ideas into scripts, storyboarding and editing. A special presentation will also be made by an on-line independent film distributing company.

The program is free of charge and open to anyone interested in film production.

Successful class

Cosmetology director Barbara Compton (back) poses

According to Compton, all five December graduates passed both written and practical portions of the state exams.

"We always have a high passing rate," Compton said, "but December’s class was perfect and I want to congratulate them on their accomplishment."

Members of the class include Tom Capuchin, Erica Castillo, Lizzette Ferreira, Jesusita Garcia and Ada Miranda.

The students all passed their written state board exam in January, a prerequisite for taking the practical portion. On Feb. 5, the group traveled to San Antonio where they successfully completed their practical exams.

"This group of students worked hard during our year long course and their success reflects their dedication and professional growth," Compton said. "I am extremely proud of them."

Compton also noted that Lizzete Ferreira received a perfect score on the practical exam.

The SWTJC Cosmetology Program will be accepting new students in the fall. For more information on the program call 591-7249.

Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Blaine Bennett, Dean of Instructional Services Hector Gonzales and Dean of Admissions and Student Services Joe Barker all received contract extensions through Aug. 31, 2010.

The board voted individually on each dean and was unanimous in its vote on all three contract extensions.

In other action, the board voted to write the state attorney general’s office and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for clarification as to whether two board members can serve on a committee and not be in violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Dean of Admissions Joe Barker reported to the board on spring enrollment at the college, telling the board that this year’s spring enrollment of 4,637 represents a 1.4% decrease over a year ago.

"We don’t have statewide enrollment figures yet for the spring," Barker told the board, "but from conversations I’ve had with other admissions offices across the state a decline in enrollment seems to be the trend."

Barker said that a stronger than normal economy and students’ inability to pay seem to be two of the biggest factors influencing the dip in enrollment locally.

In other action, the board voted to add a minimum master’s degree requirement to current school policy concerning the hiring of top administrative personnel.

At the end of the meeting, board president Rodolfo R. Flores noted that the board had adopted resolutions praising the late Ismael Talavera for his faithful and dedicated service to SWTJC, as well as a resolution extending the board’s sympathies to Dean Blaine Bennett on the recent death of his mother.

Organized by leaders of the Texas Junior College Student Government Association (TJCSGA), community college student day will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the steps of the state capitol. TJCSGA officers will be joined by other state officials in urging the legislature to increase support for the state’s 50 community college districts.

Wearing ribbons with a slogan saying "Community Colleges are Essential," leaders of the event will stress that it is time for the state legislature to enter into a new compact with community colleges.

"With the legislature in session, this is a great time for our students to let their representatives know important SWTJC is to them," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa, Jr. said. "The legislature will be making some critical funding decisions this year and our students are the best proof we have of how important community colleges are in our state’s future."

Figures from the Texas Association of Community Colleges show that community colleges in Texas provide accessible, affordable, quality higher education to more than 70% of all first-time college students.

TJCSGA president Damian Tovar of El Paso Community College will be one of the speakers during the event.

"The support of our elected officials is essential for the 548,000 Texans now attending our community colleges," Tovar said. "By gathering together in Austin on Feb. 22 we can remind our representatives and senators that an investment in community college students is an investment for Texas’ future."

Keeping community colleges affordable will be the emphasis of remarks from Navarro College student Sara Russell, TJCSGA secretary.

"Many community college students live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to balance school and jobs," Russell said. "It is important to keep higher education affordable and we need state support so students have a better chance of graduating and preparing themselves to enter the workforce."

SWTJC student government representatives from Uvalde, Eagle Pass and Del Rio campuses will attend the upcoming event along with sponsors Luiz Ruiz, Ana Almaraz, Jose Perez and Cody Barker.

The SWTJC delegation plans to visit with area state representatives Tracy King and Pete Gallego, as well as state senator Carlos Uresti.

Getting started event planned
on February 15 in Uvalde
Southwest Texas Junior College will host a "Getting Started Night" Thursday, Feb. 15, from 5to 7 p.m. to help area students begin the process of applying for financial aid to attend college.

According to acting SWTJC Financial Aid Director Melissa Faglie, SWTJC staff will be on hand to assist students in filling out their Free Application For Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA).

The event will be held one of the college’s computer labs located in the Matthews Student Center, across from the college library.

According to Faglie, Texas residents receive more than $4 billion annually in financial aid from a variety of local, state and federal sources, in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study positions and long-term, low-interest student loans.

"The first step in the process is filing the FAFSA to determine what types of financial aid a student is eligible to receive," Faglie said. "Now is the time to get started for students seeking financial assistance for the fall 2007 and spring 2008 school year, as well as classes this summer."

Students and parents who attend Monday’s event should bring the following with them to file their application online: 1) student’s driver’s license and social security card; 2) W-2 forms of students and parents, and other records of money earned in 2006; 3) records of any untaxed income received by students or parents in the form of welfare, social security or veteran’s benefits; 4) the student’s and parent’s 2006 tax return, if completed.

"Even if student’s don’t have all the needed information we encourage them to come and we can at least get started on the application," Faglie said.

The college will provide computer’s and staff to actually begin filling out the FAFSA online.

"If parents and students will just report to the Matthews Student Center we will direct them to the computer lab," Faglie said.

In addition to help with their FAFSA, college staff will also provide additional information on the college application process and programs available at SWTJC.

For more information on "Getting Started Night" or other financial aid questions call (830) 591-7343.

Recital performers

Pianist Dr. Danny Kelley and tenor Dr. Kevin Lambert were well received at SWTJC Uvalde on Feb. 7 when they performed classical music at the Tate Auditorium.

Following the event, SWTJC President Ismael Sosa and his wife Eunice hosted a reception for the performers and guests attending the recital at their home on Garner Field Road.

Mariachi festival slated Feb. 13 at SWTJC Uvalde

Mariachi Los Dorados will be the featured group at the performance scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Tate Auditorium on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

The featured group is based in Eagle Pass and includes high school students and area mariachi music instructors including former Uvalde High School mariachi director Jorge Vargas.

Mariachi Vaqueros de SWTJC will also perform at the concert and Ballet Folklorico de SWTJC is scheduled to dance between mariachi sets.

Ramon Botello Jr. and Martin Botello, both of Carrizo Springs, will also be on the program accompanied by Tin Cisneros from Eagle Pass.

Also performing will be the Gabriel Tafolla Charter School strings ensemble, Los Pumas, which is made up of music students from the school’s high school campus, as well as other local talent.

Community Council Executive Director Jorge Botello invites the community to join in the Valentine’s spirit and attend Tuesday’s musical romantic event.

Tickets are $8 per person pre-sale at 713 E. Main in Uvalde, while $10 will be charged at the door. Tickets are also available at R&D Beverage Barn at 730 W. Main or by contacting SWTJC music instructor Ann McKinney at 591-7247 or 279-3397.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Gabriel Tafolla Charter School music program and the mariachi program at SWTJC.

Enrollment down 
from spring 2006
Total enrollment is down 82 students this spring compared to a year ago.

According to official numbers released last week, a total of 4,620 students are registered for classes this spring. In 2006, spring enrollment was 4,702.

A breakdown of this spring’s numbers shows Uvalde with 1,616 students, Eagle Pass with 1,348, Del Rio with 1,056, Crystal City with 201 and Pearsall with 80.

The remainder of the college’s enrollment is primarily dual enrollment students at high schools across the college’s 11-county service area.

"We hate to see our numbers drop, especially in a base year," SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker said. "But it seems to be a statewide trend and we feel lucky our decrease was relatively small."

Kevin Lambert, dean of the college of liberal and fine arts at Angelo State University, will present the guest recital at 7 p.m. in the Tate Auditorium. He will be accompanied by pianist Danny Kelley, dean of arts and sciences at Prairie View A&M University.

"It is a great honor for SWTJC to be able to feature these outstanding musicians," SWTJC music instructor Ann McKinney said. "In addition to performing, Dr. Lambert will also give some history and background on each of his selections. It will be an entertaining and educational evening for us all."

Lambert, who received his doctor of musical arts degree in choral literature and performance from the University of Colorado, is active as a choral clinician and tenor soloist. He has conducted such major works as the Brahms Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and the Mozart Requiem.

He was a regional finalist in the Upper Midwest Division of the Metropolitan Opera auditions and in 2004 he sang at the International Music Festival in Hirosaki, Japan.

Kelley, who began his piano studies at the age of five, received his doctor of musical arts degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the John Hopkins University.

While a student a the Peabody, Kelley won the Baltimore Music Club’s prestigious professional debut recital award and, subsequent to this, he was presented in a solo recital at the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City.

Dr. Kelley has performed in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and as a soloist with orchestras in Baltimore, San Antonio and Houston.

Tucker, who has been coordinator of the contest for the past four years, says her first memories of the event date to her time as a student at SWTJC.

"In the 1983 contest I won first place in the college short story category and second place in poetry," Tucker said. "Winning was great, but actually seeing my work published was what really sticks out in my mind."

Her winning entries, along with other top work from the various age groups and categories in the 1983 contest, were published in The Palm’s Leaf, a compilation of winning entries produced each year by the college.

"I still have my copy of that 1983 magazine, it represents the first time I ever had anything published and it’s one of my prized possessions," Tucker said.

In 1984, Tucker served as an editor of The Palm’s Leaf. After graduating from SWTJC in 1983, she continued to submit writing entries, winning first place again in 1987 in the community division for her short story "Stone Lady."

While a student at SWTJC Tucker also submitted stories and was an editor for Departure, a magazine produced by the journalism department in the 1980s.

After earning her associate’s degree from SWTJC, Tucker went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in English from Sul Ross State University (1985) and a master’s in English from Angelo State University (1993).

She taught English at Uvalde Junior High and Uvalde High School for 11 years before becoming an SWTJC English instructor in 1995.

In addition to her teaching duties, Tucker continues to pursue a writing career submitting articles and short stories to various publications across the state.

This past summer her poem "Chenille" was published in the Culturas section of the San Antonio Express News and a featured article she submitted on the history of Uvalde appeared in the December issue of Scene In SA Monthly Magazine.

Tucker has also been selected as a presenter three times at the annual Angelo State University Writers Conference held in honor of Texas writing legend Elmer Kelton, and in 2005 her memoir "Single Defiance," won first place in the Frontiers in Writing Conference sponsored by the Panhandle Professional Writers Organization.

"I still have a passion for writing and I try to instill some of that passion in my students," Tucker said. "I encourage them to enter our creative arts contest and use it as a starting point in their writing careers."

For Tucker, the contest was indeed a starting point and the end – who knows?

"I still plan on having a novel published before I die," Tucker said.

In the meantime, Tucker will continue her teaching, her free lance writing and her promotion of a writing contest that will always have a special place in her heart.

Talavera began working for the college in the financial aid office in 1975. He retired, due to health issues, on Aug. 31, 2006.

"I am extremely saddened by the news of Tal’s death," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa said. "Tal was a faithful and dedicated member of the SWTJC family for over 30 years and during that time we became best friends. My prayers go out to his wife Olivia, and their entire family."

Talavera was born on Aug. 22, 1943 and died Jan. 26, 2007, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.

                 Ismael Talavera  (1943-2007)

Entry deadline near for annual
SWTJC Creative Arts Contest  
"Entry deadlines are rapidly approaching, so it's time to get your work finished and ready to submit," SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards said.
Deadline for writing entries in the 2007 SWTJC Creative Arts Contest is Feb. 16.

In the literary portion of the contest, categories include: poetry and short story (open to all age groups), and essay (open to grades seven and up). The length of short story entries is 2,000 words.

An additional literary category will be the Phi Theta Kappa essay open to high school (grades 9-12), college, community and seasoned divisions. This year’s PTK essay topic is "Gold, God and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power."

Age groups for the contest will be: kindergarten and first grade, grades 2-3, grades 4-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-10, grades 11-12, college, community and seasoned (age 60 and over).

Cash prizes, trophies and medals will be awarded in the annual event which attracts thousands of art, photography and writing entries from across the region.

A $25 cash prize will be awarded overall winners in both literary and visual arts categories for all age divisions.

Visual art categories, for all age groups, include: charcoal, drawing with color, painting, pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard and computer-generated graphics. Photography and video production are also included in the contest for grades seven and up.

APPLICATION/RULES

Deadline for visual arts entries is March 9. The SWTJC Humanities and Fine Arts Division and the SWTJC Public Information Office coordinate the annual event.

Applications/entry forms will be available at all SWTJC main offices, the El Progreso Library and all college libraries.

Entrants may also download entry applications and contest rules by visiting the college’s News and Events web site. Go to swtjc.net, click on the News and Events Icon and look for a link to contest rules/application.

Contestants may also request entry forms by e-mailing SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards at public.info@swtjc.cc.tx.us or by calling 830-591-7222.

According to Edwards, all winning entries in the contest will be recognized and presented trophies/medals during the SWTJC Creative Arts Awards’ Ceremony on April 19, 2007, in Uvalde.

Winning entries will also be included in the 2007 edition of The Palm’s Leaf magazine. Copies of the 2006 Palm’s Leaf will be on sale for the first time at the 2007 awards ceremony.

All visual arts entries in the contest will also be displayed in the Matthew’s Student Center Ballroom from April 11 through the night of the awards ceremony.

A total of 83 graduates from Uvalde and surrounding communities were awarded diplomas. In addition, eight students from Uvalde were recognized with certificates of completion in the Equipped for the Future program in retail sales.

The General Equivalency Diploma (GED) graduates recognized represented six communities from across the region including: Carrizo Springs, Crystal City, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Hondo and Uvalde.

A large crowd of family members and friends attended the cap-and-gown ceremony which was followed by a reception in the ballroom of the Matthews Student Center.

Keynote speaker for the event was Norma Perez, U.S. probation officer and pre-sentence investigator for the Southern District of Texas, McAllen Division.

Perez, a 1987 graduate of Carrizo Springs High School, earned an associate of arts degree from SWTJC in 1989 where she was elected Miss SWTJC. She was awarded a bachelor of science degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1991.

Prior to her current job, Perez served as a juvenile probation officer in Comal, Dimmit, Hidalgo and Zavala counties and was an SWTJC GED instructor in the Crystal City Detention Center.

"You set a goal and made a choice to pursue your goal and here you are achieving your goal," she told the graduates.

Perez also empathized with graduates concerning all the obstacles and struggles they had to overcome to obtain their GED.

"I remember how hard it was for my students when I was a GED instructor," said Perez. "You have every right to be proud of yourselves, today."

SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa introduced Perez and also congratulated the graduates on their achievements.

"In our great country, the equalizer is a good education," Sosa said. "Education does pay off."

Josue (George) Garza Jr, director of the SWTJC Adult Basic Education Co-op served as master of ceremonies. "Education is the key to success and excellency in the U.S.," said Garza. "I’m really proud of these graduates."

Also participating in the ceremony were Dr. Blaine Bennett, dean of institutional advancement and technology at SWTJC; deacon Freddy Flores of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde, who gave the invocation and benediction; and Diana Perez Garcia, curriculum and instructional coordinator for the SWTJC ABE Co-op.

After diplomas were awarded, several students addressed the audience thanking administrators and instructors for their hard work, encouragement and support.

Earning diplomas from Uvalde Learning Center were Stephen Garces, Vallynn Hill, Victor Huerta, Alissa Martinez, Bertha Moses, Dora Oropeza, Benjamin Petrini, Yisenia Ramirez, Amanda Renger, Christopher Rodriguez, Melissa Roman and Rosalinda Silva.

Graduates from the Uvalde County 38th Judicial District Regional Correction Center included Trapper Ansley, David Casarez, Mario Garcia, Eddie Guerra, David Jacobson, Colina Jordan, Zachary Kapel, Honoroe Lira, Mykel Martinez, Monseis Mendiola, Vidal Molina, Jennifer Palacios, Juan Carlos Pena and Shannon Phillips.

Earning certificates for the Equipped For the Future program in Uvalde were Idolina Adame, Laura Camacho, Marisol Guajardo, Soila Rodriguez, Oralia Rodriguez, San Juanita Sambrano and Veronica Torres.

GED graduates from Carrizo Springs include: Deandra Alvarado, John Cisneros and Adrian Villareal, Carrizo Springs ISD; and Jaime Martinez, Carrizo Springs Even Start.

Graduates from the Crystal City Library were Arnold Aguilar, Maria Herrera and Belen Sanchez, while Crystal Mata and Maria Pineda earned diplomas at the Crystal City Learning Resource Center.

Earning diplomas from the Del Rio Educational Center were Aurora Antonio, Elisa Carrizales, Davis Eagles, Robert Eason, John Fitzmorris, Maria Galindo, Angelica Garibay, Usbaldo Herrera, Oscar Martinez, Benita Ortiz, Denise Pachecano, Maria Perez, Maliene Puente, Jacqueliine Rodriguez, Alex Sosa, Alejandra, Rodriguez, Teran Lirio and Ivran Vasquez.

Daniela Mata was recognized as a graduate from the Del Rio Housing Authority.

Graduates from the Eagle Pass Extension were Suzy Aguilera, Ana Cabrera, Evangelina Carbajal, Irma De Los Santos, Juan Duenas, Cynthia Garza, Brenda Gonzalez, Jannette Gonzalez, Maria Lopez, Juan Mota, Mayra Perez, Dario Ramos, Juliana Rodriguez and Joshua Wuneski.

Earning diplomas from the Eagle Pass ALAS were Iris Alfaro, Gloria Cardenas, Lucia De Leon, Lizeth Esparza, Luis Gomez, Jose Huerta, Yesenia Mazuka, Dora Moran, Maria Oviedo, Maria Ramos, Mireya Solis and Gabriela Ulloa.

Brenda De Leon, Leslie Garcia and Rogelio Lopez were recognized as a graduates from the Hondo Library.

With the extension, Sosa’s contract now extends until July 2010.

In other business at its regular monthly meeting on Jan. 19, the board appointed Tony Moreno to serve as the college’s representative on the Uvalde County Appraisal District committee for the review of collection contracts.

The board tabled action on developing a policy for hiring top administrative personnel.

SWTJC Dean of Instruction Hector Gonzales made presentations to the board on 2005-2006 instructional reports, a student satisfaction survey and construction updates.

Gonzales reported that construction is moving forward on both the Dolph and Janey Briscoe Education Center for Rio Grande College and the Rodolfo R. and Dolores Flores Student Services Building at SWTJC Uvalde.

According to Gonzales, the first of four slab pours at the Rio Grande College site is set for the week of Jan. 22.

Gonzales reported that work on the SWTJC facility is approximately two weeks behind work on the Rio Grande College project, due primarily to the complicated nature of installing new site utilities and rerouting existing water and sewer lines.

Contractors are currently installing required backfill material for the building pad at the student services building and will begin work shortly on installation of underslab plumbing work.

Weekly progress meeting are being held on both projects between college officials, contractors and architects. Contract completion date for both projects is Dec. 1, 2007.

"This is a relatively new program," SWTJC Institutional Advancement Coordinator Suzanne McCormack said. "There is money available, what we need are applicants."

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the scholarship awards range from $1,500 to $4,500 per semester. Scholarships are renewable at SWTJC for up to two years and may also be used by student’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in selected majors at a university.

Students interested in science, geosciences, computer science, engineering, technology and mathematics should consider applying.

STEM Scholarship application

In order to apply, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need.

Applicants must also declare a major in a field covered by the program. Majors eligible for STEM scholarships include: biological sciences, physical sciences, geosciences, mathematics, engineering, computer information sciences and technology.

Students majoring in these fields must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours to be eligible.

"We advise students to contact us as soon as possible to begin the application process," McCormack said.

In addition to McCormack (591-7229), SWTJC Technical Counselor Lois Kone (591-7277) is also a contact person for the STEM scholarship program.

"Entry deadlines are rapidly approaching, so it's time to get your work finished and ready to submit," SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards said.

Literary entries should be submitted no later than Feb. 16, while March 9 is the deadline for visual arts entries.

According to Edwards, cash prizes, trophies and medals will be awarded in the annual event which attracts thousands of art, photography and writing entries from across the region.

Cash prizes of $25 will be awarded overall winners in both literary and visual arts categories for all age divisions.

"We will still give out trophies and medals to first through fourth place in all divisions, but we will ask the judges to select an overall literary and visual arts winner in each division," Edwards explained. "The cash prizes will be presented these overall winners."

APPLICATION/RULES

A video category will also be included in the 2007 contest. This category is open to junior high, high school, college, community and seasoned divisions. All entries will be judged in one division.

"We started this category last year and hope to attract even more entries this year," Edwards said. "Music videos, public service announcements, short documentaries and feature stories, anything along these lines would be an appropriate entry."

According to Edwards, video entries should be no longer than eight minutes and should be submitted in VHS or DVD format.

The SWTJC Humanities and Fine Arts Division and the SWTJC Public Information Office coordinate the annual event.

"This contest gives the college a chance to recognize the creative talents of Southwest Texans from kindergarten on up," SWTJC English instructor and contest coordinator Terri Tucker said. "The college has a strong commitment to supporting and promoting the creative arts and we look forward to another year of outstanding entries."

Tucker urges all area English and language arts teachers, especially those at the junior high and high school levels, to encourage their students to enter the contest.

"The junior high and high school entries in visual arts have stayed strong over the years, but the literary entries in these age groups have dropped way down over the past few years," Tucker said. "I encourage all secondary English teachers to promote the contest and get their students to enter."

In the literary portion of the contest, categories include: poetry and short story (open to all age groups), and essay (open to grades seven and up). The length of short story entries is 2,000 words.

An additional literary category will be the Phi Theta Kappa essay open to high school (grades 9-12), college, community and seasoned divisions. This year’s PTK essay topic is "Gold, God and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power."

Visual art categories, for all age groups, include: charcoal, drawing with color, painting, pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard and computer-generated graphics. Photography is also included in the contest for grades seven and up.

Age groups for the contest will be: kindergarten and first grade, grades 2-3, grades 4-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-10, grades 11-12, college, community and seasoned (age 60 and over).

Entry deadlines are Feb. 16, 2007 for the literary contest and March 9, 2007, for visual arts. There is no fee for the contest and entry details are on application forms.

All entries should be submitted to the SWTJC Public Information Office.

"For many years, the literary deadline was in December, but we moved it to February a couple of years back and everyone seems to like that better," SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards said..

Applications/entry forms will be available at all SWTJC main offices and libraries.

Entrants may also download entry applications and contest rules by visiting the college’s News and Events web site. Go to swtjc.net and then click on the News and Events Icon.

Contestants may also request entry forms by e-mailing Willie Edwards at public.info@swtjc.cc.tx.us or by calling 830-591-7222.

According to Edwards, all winning entries in the contest will be recognized and presented trophies/medals during the SWTJC Creative Arts Awards’ Ceremony on April 19, 2007, in Uvalde.

"The awards ceremony is one of the highlights of my year," Edwards said. "It’s always a treat to get to recognize young people, and the not so young, for their writing and artwork."

Winning entries will also be included in the 2007 edition of The Palm’s Leaf magazine. Copies of the 2006 Palm’s Leaf will be on sale for the first time at the 2007 awards ceremony.

All visual arts entries in the contest will also be displayed in the Matthew’s Student Center Ballroom from April 11 through the night of the awards ceremony.

Instructor publishes book
on health care issues
Part-time SWTJC instructor Ronald Hixson offers tips for "beating political bullies and improving American health care," in his recently published book Battered and Bruised but Not Out.

Hixson, a part-time psychology instructor at the SWTJC Eagle Pass campus, has been a therapist in the military and civilian communities for over 30 years. He currently maintains family therapy practices in both Eagle Pass and San Antonio.

In his book, Hixson offers a guide to understanding the ins and outs of health care, including suggested solutions to many of the current problems facing the industry.

Hixson writes from a business perspective, highlighting the clash between the government and the health care industry. According to Hixson, this clash is the root of today’s health care crisis.

"Governmental industries, including policy makers, are overpowering and bullying the health care industry at all levels to push their own priorities and issues without even taking into consideration the thoughts and issues of providers," Hixson said.

Battered and Bruised but Not Out was published by AuthorHouse, one of the leading self-publishing company’s in the world.

This is Hixson’s first book and is available though authorhouse.com and amazon.com

Hixson holds a variety of degrees including a master’s in business administration from Webster University, a master’s in arts in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, a master’s in arts in communication studies from California State University, Sacramento, and a Ph.D. in health administration from Kennedy-Western University.

A graduate of Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, Sandoval earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education from Texas Tech University and a masters degree in education from Southwest Texas State University.

He began his career in education in the coaching field, holding baseball coaching positions at Blinn Junior College, Vernon Junior College, Southwest Texas State University and Crystal City High School, before taking an instructor’s post at SWTJC in 1995.

Sandoval has been an active member of the SWTJC Faculty Association and is a past president of the group.

According to Dr. Diana Everett, executive director of TAHPERD, Sandoval earned his award for "demonstrating leadership, achieving excellence and being an outstanding representative of the teaching profession."

Sandoval and other award winners will be recognized at the 83^rd Annual TAHPERD Convention scheduled Dec. 1 in Ft. Worth.

Advisor-assisted, phone and web-advisor (online) registration all begin Nov. 6 and will run through Jan. 14. Spring classes will begin on Jan. 15.

"With all of these options available, I highly recommend registering as early as possible," SWTJC Dean of Admissions and Student Services Joe Barker said. "If students wait around until the last minute they may find that the classes and the instructors they want are unavailable."

For new students and students not quite sure of a degree plan, Barker recommends advisor-assisted registration.

"This option gives students the time to sit down with one of our counseling staff and work out a schedule that best fits their needs," Barker explained. "Students don’t need an appointment they can just come by the counseling center, upstairs in the administration building, any weekday during regular office hours."

Phone and web-advisor registration are other options for early registration.

"Directions for online and phone registration are in our spring schedule and students can call 591-7280 if they have questions about registering online," Barker said.

SWTJC spring schedules are available at the college library, bookstore and admissions office. Schedules are also available at El Progreso Library in Uvalde.

The spring 2007 schedule can also be accessed online at www.swtjc.net

For more information about registering for spring classes, contact the SWTJC Admissions Office at 591-7255.

SWTJC Chief Financial Officer Hector Gonzales advised trustees of the status of the two projects during the Oct. 19 meeting of the SWTJC Board of Trustees.

"Thanks to the hard work of our staff, project architects and Krueger Construction, we are ready to move forward with both projects," Gonzales said.

Scheduled for construction are the Rodolfo R. and Dolores Flores Student Services Center for SWTJC and the Governor Dolph and Janey Briscoe Education Center for Sul Ross State University – Rio Grande College.

The SWTJC facility will cost $2,599,917 and the Rio Grande College project will cost $4.5 million for a combined cost of $7,099,917.

According to student recruitment coordinator Jessica Nuñez, transfer day is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable information about schools they are interested in attending following their time at SWTJC.

"All the universities will have material available on admissions requirements, financial aid, housing, student life and other important information transfer students need to know," Nuñez said. "Students can also get any questions they may have answered by the university representatives."

The event will be held in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom from 9 until 11 a.m. Drawings will be held during the event for a variety of prizes including an MP3 player.

Universities scheduled to participate include: UTSA, Our Lady of the Lake, UT Austin, Texas Lutheran, Texas A&M International (Laredo), Angelo State, Sam Houston State, Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, Texas A&M – College Station and Texas A&M – Kingsville.

Representatives will also be on hand from Texas State (San Marcos), Incarnate Word, Schreiner, Sul Ross State – Alpine, Sul Ross State – Rio Grande College and ITT Technical Institute.

Contact Nuñez at 591-7226 for more information about the upcoming event.

The three contests were sponsored by the Student Activities Office in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Omar Avila of Uvalde won the grito contest and a $15 cash prize, while Yvonne Guzman of Uvalde and Gus Castillon of Asherton both won $10 for finishing first in the tortilla relay.

Abigail Avila of Uvalde and James Rodriguez of Sabinal won $15 each for finishing first in the cumbia contest.

Kelley received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Alabama’s Troy State University in Montgomery, Alabama, and his Ed.D. degree from Auburn University.

Currently, Dr. Kelley is the owner of Larry Kelley Educational Services – Center for Assessment and Planning Support. The center is located in Auburn, Alabama.

Prior to establishing his own consulting business, Kelley served in a variety of positions involving institutional effectiveness, research, planning and assessment, at colleges and universities across the southern U.S.

According to SWTJC Director of Professional Development Jill Coe, the upcoming workshop is entitled: "Embedding Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes in Regularly Scheduled Assignments."

Coe said the workshop is open to all classroom faculty and other "frontline" practitioners dealing with the day-to-day challenges in educational assessment and planning.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. with the morning session in the Tate Auditorium. The afternoon session will feature a variety of hand-on activities and will be held in Wagner #1.

For more information on the upcoming workshop, contact Coe at 591-7334.

Dr. Julie Thomas, Ph.D., is the college’s new director of institutional effectiveness.

Thomas graduated from high school in Ozark, Ark., and earned her bachelor of arts degree in 1990 from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. She went on to earn both her master’s (1993) and Ph.D. (1998) in statistics from Baylor University.

Following her graduation from Baylor, Thomas went to work as coordinator of institutional research at Central Texas College in Killeen, a position she has held for the past eight years.

"We are pleased to have Dr. Thomas as part of our team," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa, Jr., said. "She is highly qualified and will be an integral part of our efforts to improve and document the institutional effectiveness of SWTJC."

In defining the role of an institutional effectiveness director, Thomas quotes renowned higher education student assessment expert Dr. Peter Ewell.

"Dr. Ewell defines IE as the comparison of outcomes achieved to goals intended," Thomas explained. "That’s a good working definition of what I will be doing at SWTJC."

In addition, Thomas says her job entails determining "where we are now, where we are going, how are we going to get there, and how we know when we’ve gotten there."

According to Thomas, her position was created in part to address planning and documentation issues raised during the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) recent reaffirmation review of SWTJC.

"This college is doing a good job serving its students, that’s not the issue," Thomas said. "The SACS committee just said we need to do a better job documenting the planning and evaluation process and that’s what I’m here to help with."

Thomas will work closely with institutional research coordinator Carol LaRue and director of curriculum and instruction Dick Whipple, in the college’s newly created office of institutional planning and research.

Documentation is one of the keys to successful IE, Thomas said. "In the world of IE, if you can’t document it, it doesn’t exist," Thomas said.

Since starting her new job in August, Thomas said she has been working to let faculty and staff know she is here to help.

"We have to do IE because SACS says so," Thomas said, "but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it in a way we all find useful."

Over time, Thomas hopes faculty and staff will see her office as a resource to help them better serve their students and the community.

"I want to make it clear that I won’t just be asking faculty and staff to do things for me, but asking what can I do for them. IE is not episodic, it is a continuous process and I need feedback to know what is useful and what can make things better," Thomas said.

Thomas is married to Michael Robinson who recently accepted a position as an advertising executive with The Uvalde Leader-News. The couple are members of the Presbyterian Church.

In her spare time, Thomas plays the flute and she taught continuing education flute classes while at Central Texas College. She was also a soloist with the Ft. Hood Community Chorus.

Thomas enjoys soap making, sewing and cooking. She and her husband are also avid amateur astronomers.

According to SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards, the FAN advisory committee adopted bylaws and held elections on Sept. 30 during a meeting on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

Officers for the coming year are Hector Garcia of Uvalde, president; Nick Fohn of Uvalde, vice president; Irene Rodriguez Dubberly of Yancey, secretary; and Barrett Miller of Uvalde, treasurer.

In addition to officers, the advisory committee also elected a 31-member board of directors which includes representatives from across the state.

The advisory committee also voted to submit paperwork for the SWTJC FAN to apply for 501(c)3 status as a non-profit organization.

As outlined in its bylaws, the mission of the SWTJC FAN is "to advance, support and promote the interests of SWTJC, its students, alumni and members. FAN is committed to creatively and enthusiastically generate support through the contributions and talents of its members. This support shall be used for scholarships and projects to benefit students, the college and its 11-county service area."

Plans call for the organization to hold its first major membership drive in November.

For more information on SWTJC FAN contact Wade Carpenter at (830) 591-7351 or visit the news and events page on the SWTJC web site at www.swtjc.net

The new 17,000 square-foot facility will house the college’s business office, admissions office, registrar, financial aid office, career center and counseling services.

Uvalde Mayor George Garza delivered the invocation at Saturday’s ceremony and then SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa, Jr., recognized college trustees and other special guests.

President Sosa then read a resolution from District 53 State Representative Harvey Hilderbran commending longtime SWTJC trustee and board president Rodolfo R. Flores and his wife, Dolores, for their "many contributions to the Uvalde area and for their close ties with the college for more than half a century."

Following President Sosa’s comments, Mr. Flores addressed the gathering of SWTJC trustees, faculty, and various local dignitaries.

Flores thanked the SWTJC board of trustees for honoring him and his wife with the naming of the new student services center.

"I stand before you with a deep sense of sincere humility to express our appreciation and eternal gratitude for this great and unforgettable honor," Flores said.

Architect Tom Ferrell of Corpus Christi-based Ferrell/Brown & Associates, gave a brief overview of the facility to conclude the ceremony.

Construction on the project is expected to begin sometime in the next 30 days with an anticipated completion date of December 2007.

The Rodolfo R. and Dolores Flores Student Services Center will be located just inside the current main entrance to the college.

The new 17,000 square-foot facility will house the college’s business office, admissions office, registrar, financial aid office and counseling services.

Architect Tom Ferrell of the Corpus Chirsti-based firm on Ferrell/Brown & Associates, Inc., will give a brief overview of the facility during the ceremony.

SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa, Jr., will recognize distinguished guests, including the couple in whose honor the new facility is being named.

"It is a great honor to recognize Mr. Flores and his wife for all they have contributed to the betterment of SWTJC," Sosa said. "Since his time as a student in the late 1940s, Mr. Flores has been a great friend of this institution."

According to Sosa, Flores received his associate of arts degree from SWTJC in 1950. While at SWTJC, he was initiated as a charter member in the Eta Beta Chapter of the international honor society Phi Theta Kappa.

Following his graduation from SWTJC, Flores went on to receive his law degree from St. Mary’s University in 1953 and then returned to Uvalde where he opened up a private law practice.

Flores has taught business law at SWTJC and has served as a loan officer and legal advisor at First State Bank of Uvalde. From 1973-1979, he was special assistant to Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. in Austin.

Returning to First State Bank of Uvalde in 1979, Flores remained there until 1986 when he retired as senior vice-president and member of the board of directors.

Since that time he has continued his private law practice and for the past ten years has served as Uvalde City Attorney.

He was elected to the board of trustees for Southwest Texas Junior College in 1975 and has served as board president from 1992 to the present.

Flores and his wife, Dolores, have one son and daughter-in-law, Rudy Jr. and Diana, and two grandchildren, Rudy III and Monica.

According to figures compiled after the 12^th class day, the state’s official accounting period, a total of 5,070 students were registered for fall classes at various sites across the college’s 11-county service area.

"We projected our enrollment to remain basically flat and that’s what happened," SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker said. "We feel good that our enrollment stayed steady because many community colleges across the state are reporting a drop this fall."

Last fall, 5,072 students were enrolled, while in the fall of 2004 the college set its all-time enrollment record of 5,115. This past spring, a total of 4,705 students were registered for classes.

"Our enrollment took a pretty big dip last spring, so we are very pleased to be back up over 5,000 students," Barker said.

Figures at the college’s top three enrollment sites show Uvalde with 1,753, Eagle Pass with 1,504 and Del Rio at 1,154. Other sites with over 100 students are Crystal City with 197 and Pearsall with 104.

Other enrollment shows: Carrizo Springs, 80; Hondo, 58; Cotulla, 34; D’Hanis, 29; Brackettville, 26; Sabinal, 20; Natalia, 14; Utopia, 13; Nueces Canyon, 12; Dilley, 12; La Pryor, 10; Rocksprings, 6; and Leakey, 5.

"We are extremely thankful for the continued support of Los Palominos," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa, Jr., said. "Through their efforts and the hard work of all those involved with Palomino Fest, educational opportunities will be extended to deserving students across our 11-county service area."

This year marks the fourth consecutive $10,000 donation Los Palominos have made to the college, following the annual Palomino Festival held on Labor Day weekend.

"I personally want to thank all the sponsors, vendors and volunteers who worked with us this year to make our 10^th annual festival run so smoothly," Palomino Fest president Belinda Arreola said. "We also want to thank all the fans who turned out and supported the event."

According to event organizers, paid attendance was 900 on Saturday and 3,600 on Sunday when headline groups Los Palominos and La Mafia both performed.

Highlighting Sunday’s activities was a $5,000 check presentation made to the festival by Uvalde unit director John Carroll on behalf of presenting sponsor HEB.

Also highlighting this year’s event was the addition of the SWTJC community stage where ventriloquist Nacho Estrada, Ballet Folklorico de Hilda Navarro, the Sahawe Indian dancers and P.J. Talavera’s martial arts students performed twice daily.

"The community stage was a great addition," festival president Arreola said. "Nacho Estrada did a great job and so did all the local groups who performed."

Architects for the projects, Tom Ferrell and Dave Brown, updated SWTJC trustees on modified plans for the two facilities during a meeting on Sept. 12.

The architects have been redrawing plans and negotiating with contractor Don Krueger Construction, since bids for the project came in $3.2 million over budget in July.

Architect Ferrell told the board that, after modifications, the 34,653 Rio Grande College facility is now within the original projected budget of $4.5 million.

"By making some structural modifications to the foundation, changing roofing materials and pulling the original three buildings together into one large building we were able to bring the Rio Grande College project within budget," Ferrell said.

Modifications on the proposed Student Services Center for SWTJC include the elimination of an atrium area and the reduction of space for a conference room and student information center.

"We reduced some non-essential space, but did not have to cut any space for the main departments the new facility will house," Ferrell told the board. Included in the new building will be offices for financial aid, admissions, registrar, counselors and the business office.

In action related to the upcoming construction projects, the board voted to name the SWTJC facility the Rodolfo R. and Dolores Flores Student Services Center. The Sul Ross – Rio Grande College facility will be named the Governor Dolph and Janey Briscoe Educational Center.

A groundbreaking ceremony has been set for Sept. 30 for the Rodolfo R. and Dolores Flores Student Services Center.

Prior to discussing the construction projects, the board held a second and final public hearing on the proposed tax rate of 11 cents per $100 valuation. The board will officially vote on adopting the tax rate at its Sept. 21 meeting.

"The National Science Foundation has awarded us a grant for scholarships to students in the fields of computer science, engineering and mathematics," said Lois Kone, technical education counselor. "Students can receive up to $1,550 per semester. Students who think they may be eligible should take advantage of this opportunity and apply."

CSEMS scholarships are renewable at SWTJC for up to two years plus they may accompany a student who leaves the junior college and goes on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in an eligible major at a university.

To apply students must first file a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) which is available online at

After demonstrating financial need based on federal guidelines and declaring a major in a field covered by the program, students must pass all THEA areas or be exempt.

Upon submitting an admissions application to SWTJC, students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours in an eligible major each fall and spring semester with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and submit two letters of recommendation with at least one from an instructor or teacher.

Finally, applicants must submit a 250 word essay telling how the CSEMS scholarship will help them attain a college degree and how they will use the degree in their professional career.

Students may pick up an application in Kone’s office, which is located upstairs in the administration building of SWTJC’s Uvalde campus. For more information on these scholarships, contact Kone at 830-591-7277.

"We are still $200,000 over our projected budget on the Rio Grande College facility and $400,000 over budget on our Student Services Center for the Uvalde campus," Gonzales told the board at its Aug. 24 meeting. "We’ve come a long way, but we are not there yet."

SWTJC staff and project architects have been revising plans and negotiating with Victoria-based Don Krueger Construction Company since bids came in $3.2 million over projected costs in July.

"We have another meeting with the contractors set for next week and should know more after that meeting," Gonzales said. "One of the things we do know is that in order to save money we have pushed the completion date back from August until December 2007."

In June, the college and SWTJC Foundation approved the issuance of bonds to cover the construction of a 33,700 square foot facility for Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College, along with a 17,000 square-foot Student Services Center and an 8,000 square-foot warehouse for the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

Following the opening of bids in July, the board authorized college staff and architects to negotiate with low bidder Krueger Construction to bring the project within the $7 million projected costs.

To accomplish that end, the proposed 8,000 square-foot warehouse has been eliminated from consideration at this time and square footage has been reduced at both the Rio Grande College facility and the SWTJC Student Services Center.

SWTJC trustees will reconsider modified plans before authorizing the start of construction. College staff remain hopeful construction will begin sometime in September.

In other action at its Aug. 24 meeting, the board approved certified tax rolls for the coming year and scheduled public hearings for noon Sept. 5 and Sept. 12 on the proposed tax rate of 11 cents. The proposed tax rate is unchanged from last year.

College trustees approved Underwood’s appointment at their Aug. 24 board meeting, following the resignation of Dr. Don Tomas who earlier this summer accepted the position of senior vice president for instruction and student affairs at Weatherford College near Ft. Worth.

"We are very pleased that Dr. Underwood has accepted the challenge of leading the college’s efforts in Del Rio," SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa, Jr., said following Thursday’s meeting. "We also wish Dr. Tomas all the best in his new position and thank him for his many years of dedicated service to our institution."

A 1976 graduate of Uvalde High School, Underwood received his bachelor’s degree in linguistics in 1980 from The University of Texas at Austin. In 1983 he earned his master’s degree in English from Temple University. He was awarded his doctorate in philosophy in 1998 from The University of North Texas.

Underwood brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education to his new post at SWTJC. He served in a variety of administrative and instructional positions at Navarro College from 1983 through 1999.

Since 1999 he has been an English instructor at SWTJC and has served as chair of the SWTJC Humanities and Fine Arts Division since the fall of 2005.

Underwood’s wife of 25 years, Diane, is a computer science instructor at SWTJC. The couple have three children: Jeanette, 21; Jeremy, 19; and Aaron, 16.

Syracuse professor will deliver
keynote address at faculty meet
Nationally recognized higher education expert Dr. Vincent Tinto of Syracuse University will deliver the keynote address at the first general faculty meeting on Aug. 22 in the Tate Auditorium at Southwest Texas Junior College.

"Dr. Tinto is a powerful voice in higher education and we are excited about his being with us to kick off the new fall semester," SWTJC Director of Professional Development Jill Coe said.

Tinto received his Ph.D. in education and sociology from The University of Chicago and is currently distinguished university professor and chair of the higher education program at Syracuse University.

He has carried out research and written extensively on higher education, particularly on student retention and the impact of learning communities on student growth and attainment.

In addition to his presentation at the general faculty meeting, Tinto will also present a workshop on institutional planning/student learning outcomes on Aug. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Matthews Student Center Bluebonnet Room.

Receiving their GED’s through Eagle Pass Extension as well were: Joel Rodriguez, Jorge Rodriguez, Yazmina Salazar, Yolanda Sanchez, Anna Torres, Luis Tovar and Cynthia Trevino.

SWTJC physical education department staff member Rob Fowler is coordinating the fun run. According to Fowler, the event will feature 10K and 5K runs starting and finishing at the city of Uvalde swimming pool.

A $20 donation is requested from all run participants. Registration will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday with run time at 7 a.m.

In conjunction with the fun run, a barbecue chicken fajita plate sale will be going on in the Willie DeLeon Civic Center parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. SWTJC physical education instructor Aurelio De Leon is coordinating the barbecue.

Proceeds from both events will be donated to help pay for medical expenses Ortiz incurred when he lost his leg in an accident June 5 on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos.

Ortiz has been a regular competitor in the annual SWTJC Turkey Trot, winning the 5K race the past three years. He was the captain of the Texas State track team this past season.

"We invite everyone to join the fun Saturday in the name of fitness, fellowship and faith, as we support James and his family," Fowler said.

According to architect Tom Ferrell, over design, along with rapidly increasing costs of construction, are the main reasons Victoria-based Don Krueger Construction Company’s low bid came in at $3.2 million over budget.

Ferrell asked for and received the board’s go ahead to work with college staff and negotiate with the low bidder to bring the project back in line with the original $7 million budget within the next two weeks.

Bids for the project were opened on Tuesday, July 25. A total of five bids were received with Krueger the low bidder by $840,000.

"Since we opened the bids we have started on a list of items to trim," Ferrell said. "Our plan is to do everything possible to keep all education space intact and modify everything else."

The college and SWTJC Foundation have already approved the issuance of bonds to cover the construction of a 33,700 square foot facility for Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College, along with a 17,000 square-foot Student Services Center and an 8,000 square-foot warehouse for the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

Once negotiations have been completed, the board will reconsider the modified plans before authorizing the start of construction.

In other matters at their July 27 meeting, the board approved a $36,095,494 budget for fiscal year 2006-2007. The new budget represents a $2.3 million increase (6.83%) over fiscal year 2005-2006.

Included in the new budget is a 2% across the board salary increase and an allowance to cover salary steps and increments. Room and board fees for on-campus housing will also be increased to $1,550 per semester.

Board president Rodolfo R. Flores commended SWTJC President Ismael Sosa and his staff for proposing a balanced budget with no increase in the property tax rate.

"I complement President Sosa, the staff and faculty for the good job they have done," Flores said. "I am especially glad to report this budges does not reflect any increase in the property tax rate."

The SWTJC board also approved the hiring of several new instructors at various SWTJC campuses.

Acting on the recommendation of Dean of Instructional Services Hector Gonzales, the board agreed to hire: Katherine McDuffie and Helen Fisler-Parker, A.D.N. instructors for the Uvalde campus; Rebecca Andrews, reading/English instructor, Del Rio campus; Terri Vaughan, English instructor, Uvalde campus; Gabriela Torres-Mendoza, reading/English instructor, Eagle Pass campus; and Barbara Reed, LVN instructor for the Uvalde Campus.

FAN plans unveiled 
at board

SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Blaine Bennett told the board of plans for the organization.

"We’ve been talking about getting an association like this started for well over 10 years and I am pleased to report tonight that we are closer than ever to making this become a reality," Bennett said.

According to Bennett, a FAN advisory committee met in June to discuss the need for and potential support of an association aimed primarily at supporting the college with their time, talents and financial contributions.

"The response was very favorable and from that first meeting we formed an executive committee to adopt a proposed set of bylaws which I am presenting you tonight for you to look at," Bennett said.

Advisory committee members Nick Fohn and Hector Garcia were in attendance at the meeting.

"I attended the college and my family did as well and I’m glad to have the chance to help get this new organization started," Garcia said.

Board members were unanimous in voicing their support of the new intiative.

"I think this is a great idea and I certainly want to be a member," trustee Kenny Shackelford said.

"I support the formation of this organization 100% and plan to be a charter member myself," board president Rodolfo R. Flores added.

Bennett told the board that most alumni associations are organized as independent entities and the sentiment seems to be for the SWTJC FAN to proceed along those lines by applying for their own 501(3)c status.

A mission statement, bylaws and other organizational issues will be considered by the FAN advisory committee at its next meeting tentatively set for August 19.

The training was coordinated by Southwest Texas Junior College in partnership with the Uvalde Police Department.

According to SWTJC workforce training coordinator Ernest Santos, the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Program was designed in the wake of the 1999 tragedy at Columbine High School.

"If you remember, first responding officers at Columbine established a perimeter around the school, called in the SWAT team and basically waited until they got there," Santos said. "In the meantime, the shooting inside continued for another 45 minutes."

Santos noted that the first responders at Columbine were strongly criticized in the media for the way they handled things, when in reality they did precisely what they had been trained and conditioned to do.

"The Columbine tragedy identified weaknesses and outdated philosophies and the ALERRT Program addresses those problems through a training that provides first responders safe and effective ways of responding to and stopping an active shooter," Santos said.

A group of 30 officers from various area law enforcement agencies participated in the fast-paced, 16-hour training held over two days in Uvalde.

The training covered survival stress reaction, low lighting techniques, rescue team tactics, building approaches, safety briefing and active shooter vs. barricade hostage situations.

Officers from the Uvalde Police Department participating in the training were Juan Martinez, John Meyer, Jerry Martinez, JJ Suarez, Nano Rendon, Jesus Reyes, Ken Yarbrough and John Dubose.

Representing the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Department were deputy Mike Villarreal and investigator Kathy West.

Participants said the course provided realistic training and scenarios. "This type of training is very applicable to our line of work because a situation that requires rapid response could happen anywhere at anytime," said Ken Yarbrough of the Uvalde Police Department.

The training session was as "real life as you can get," said Ricardo Rios of the Zavala County Sheriff’s Department. "It puts us all on the same page. If we get into a tough situation, we’ve all been in this training together and each of us knows what the other one will do."

Lead instructor of the training was Tommy Villanueva of the San Marcos Police Department. Other ALERRT instructors were Doug Rice of the Austin Police Department, Kevin Oates of the Live Oak Police Department and Aaron Vetter of the San Antonio Police Department

According to the ALERRT website, the training is designed to be affordable for all who need it. The training is delivered by veteran field officers who have personal life experience in these types of situations.

ALERRT courses are offered in Texas at no charge to peace officers or their agencies, through funding from the Governor’s Office for Criminal Justice.

Southwest Texas Junior College coordinated a similar training this past June in Del Rio and on July 20-21 in Eagle Pass.

"We are very fortunate to have been selected for this training opportunity," SWTJC’s Santos said. "We have additional training sessions scheduled in Uvalde for October and November and are also working on setting up the program for Zavala, Dimmit and La Salle counties as well."

For more information on the program contact Santos at 591-2945.

Shell geologist participates

Shell Geologist Mark W. Martin joins GeoFORCE Texas

Martin joined students and instructors on July 11-12 in the second annual Young Geoscientists field study, part of the GeoFORCE Texas Program sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences and Southwest Texas Junior College.

Based out of Shell’s Houston office, Martin works with the company’s Alaskan exploration group, focusing primarily on interpreting seismic data.

Shell is a major contributor to the GeoFORCE Texas Program. When his company asked for volunteers to help with this summer’s ninth grade field study in the Uvalde area, Martin signed on.

"I’ve always enjoyed this area ever since I used to come out here with my dad when I was a kid," Martin said. "It was fun to come back and take a closer look at some of the area’s rich geology."

Martin said he is quite impressed with the entire GeoFORCE Texas Program, which includes summer academies to sites across the U.S., along with local two-day field studies.

"This is a great program that opens up the subject of geology to these students. It’s a unique outreach program that has significant and lasting benefits," Martin said.

During the two-day field study at sites around Uvalde County, Martin said GeoFORCE instructors did an excellent job.

"Students receive a lot of information but not an overload; just the right amount," Martin said. "The kids are out exploring the geology right here in their backyard. They are looking at rocks and making observations, which is a big part of what geologists do."

Martin said he feels a program like GeoFORCE Texas is long overdue.

"I’ve heard talk about starting an outreach program like this for years, but nothing ever got off the ground," Martin said. "I commend the Jackson School and Southwest Texas Junior College for getting GeoFORCE Texas going and I’m glad Shell can help."

Martin believes the program has benefits far beyond simply recruiting future geoscientists. "Aside from better preparing students for careers in the industry, GeoForce also makes students aware of their surroundings. It’s important for their personal growth to know about the Earth’s history.

"I hope my children will have the opportunity to participate in a program like this one when they become of age," said Martin. "With GeoForce, everybody wins."

Advisor-assisted, phone and web-advisor (online) registration all begin July 17 and will run through Aug. 27. Fall classes will begin on Aug. 28.

"With all of these options available, I highly recommend registering as early as possible," SWTJC Dean of Admissions and Student Services Joe Barker said. "If students wait around until the last minute they may find that classes and instructors they want are unavailable."

For new students and students not quite sure of a degree plan, Barker recommends advisor-assisted registration.

"This option gives students the time to sit down with one of our counseling staff and work out a schedule that best fits their needs," Barker explained. "Students don’t need an appointment they can just come by the counseling center, upstairs in the administration building, any weekday during regular office hours."

Phone and web-advisor registration are other options for early registration.

"Directions for phone registration are in our fall schedule and students can call 591-7280 if they have questions about registering online," Barker said.

For a complete list of classes and programs available at SWTJC, see the insert of the fall schedule in today’s Leader-News, or visit the college web site at www.swtjc.net

Barker also reminds students seeking financial aid to complete all their paperwork within the next week to improve chances of obtaining funding for the upcoming semester.

"Time is almost out to get applications approved in time for the fall funding cycle," Barker said. "Contact the financial aid office immediately if you plan to seek assistance this fall semester."

Call 591-7343 for more information on financial aid.

The competition consisted of teams from SWTJC, the city of Uvalde and Uvalde Country Club.

Scoring was based on a point system for each event. Events included: 1-mile run, 500-meter swim, 50-meter 10 lbs. brick carry, 100-meter individual medley, 200-meter medley relay, 10 lbs. brick treading water, deep water rescue, CPR skills and a written exam.

The city team dominated the run and swimming events portion of the lifeguard competition and the SWTJC team and country club team dominated the water rescue portions of the competition.

The final outcome of the competition resulted in a first place tie between the SWTJC lifeguard team and the city of Uvalde team, with both scoring 16 points.

The Uvalde Country Club team finished close behind with 19 points.

SWTJC lifeguard team members were: Abel Ruiz, Shae Rothe, Steve Henry, Jodi Patlan and Rob Fowler.

Rachael Garza, Marlynn Valenzuela, Rick Montalvo, Landra Fowler and Nick De Leon were all members of the City of Uvalde team.

Uvalde Country Club team members included: Rauel Pichardo, Su Baen, Hillary Fowler and Griffin Crow.

For more information about the annual Lifeguard Competition, contact Rob Fowler at 830-591-7244 or by e-mail at rcfowler@swtjc.edu

College Bound class begins 
summer session at SWTJC
SWTJC, the Middle Rio Grande Development Council and the Middle Rio Grande Workforce Board have been helping area students jumpstart their college education for over 10 years through the College Bound program.

Last year, 100% percent of College Bound participants continued on to college with 90% continuing their studies at SWTJC.

College receives warning;
accreditation not affected
In actions taken on June 22, 2006 related to an accreditation review, "Southwest Texas Junior College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges; however, the institution was denied reaffirmation and placed on warning for twelve months."

According to a statement released June 29 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the warning (which is usually levied in the earlier stages of institutional review) was issued because SWTJC failed to demonstrate compliance with Core Requirement 2.5 (Institutional Effectiveness), Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1 (Institutional Effectiveness), Comprehensive Standard 3.4.1 (Educational Programs) and Comprehensive Standard 3.5.1 (Undergraduate Programs).

"It is important to emphasize that the accreditation of SWTJC has not been affected and we have every confidence the reaffirmation of our accreditation will be granted upon a follow-up report next June," SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa Jr. said. 

Last week’s ruling by the SACS Commission, culminates a two-year accreditation review process. Reaffirmation of accreditation reviews are conducted on a ten-year cycle. The commission evaluates colleges based on a set of 15 core requirements, 54 comprehensive standards and eight federal requirements.

In October of 2005, a SACS on-site peer review committee visited the Uvalde campus and conducted interviews with faculty, administration and support staff from the Uvalde, Crystal City, Del Rio and Eagle Pass campuses.

"The on-site committee felt like we needed to provide further documentation of our planning and evaluation processes. The committee found that the core ideas to support appropriate planning and evaluation exist in the hearts and minds of the faculty and staff they interviewed, but they couldn’t identify a consistent pattern of evidence documenting the systematic review of programs and services," Sosa said.

Sosa also noted that the on-site review committee had high praise for the commitment of the SWTJC faculty and staff, stating in their report that "it is very clear that the faculty and staff are committed to student success and they make extraordinary efforts on behalf of their clientele."

Since the on-site visit, Sosa said the entire college community has become engaged in designing and implementing procedures to better document student progress and produce a culture of evidence to alleviate reaffirmation concerns.

"Our faculty and staff were very diligent this past spring and they have already implemented procedures we are confident will produce the evidence we need to satisfy the Commission’s concerns," Sosa said. "Now all we really need is time to collect and analyze the data."

The college is also in the process of hiring a coordinator of institutional effectiveness, a position they hope to have filled later this summer.

"We’ve had some excellent applicants and believe the filling of this position will be a significant addition to our ongoing institutional effectiveness efforts," Sosa said.

According to SWTJC Dean of Institutional Advancement and Technology Dr. Blaine Bennett, the commission’s recommendation related to core requirement 2.5 includes the provision of further "evidence of an active and fully implemented planning process that demonstrates use of results." In response to this concern, the college has implemented a comprehensive institutional planning process.

"The committee has reviewed our new planning process and indicated that we are heading in the right direction," Bennett said. "We are confident that the results of these processes over the course of the next year will satisfy the commission’s concern."

The recommendation concerning comprehensive standard 3.3.1 also included institutional effectiveness processes. "Since the on-site review we have identified expected outcomes for all our educational programs and have implemented assessment processes to evaluate these outcomes," Bennett said.

Concerns with comprehensive standard 3.4.1 are related to the measurement of student learning outcomes and how these measurements are used for program improvement.

"This standard is asking colleges to utilize more than a student’s grade in a course as a measurement for what they have learned," SWTJC Dean of Instructional Services Hector Gonzales explained. "SWTJC has identified student learning outcomes associated with each course we offer in order to satisfy this requirement. Measurement of these outcomes over the course of the next year will provide evidence to that effect."

Comprehensive standard 3.5.1 involves the identification of college level competencies within the general education core and the provision of evidence that graduates have attained those competencies.

"In response to this concern, we conducted our first graduate assessment this past May which provides evidence our graduates have attained college level competencies," Gonzales said. "The on-going implementation of this assessment will afford the college a basis for the improvement of educational outcomes."

According to Southwest Texas Junior College Phi Theta Kappa advisor Barbara Blair of Uvalde, thousands of outstanding officers from across the nation and around the world are nominated annually for the award.

"Receiving this award is one of Phi Theta Kappa’s highest honors and testifies to the outstanding contributions Debbie has made to our chapter, community and school," Blair said.

French is currently serving as vice president of campus affairs for the Uvalde Eta Beta Chapter of the international honor society which has over 1,200 chapters in two-year colleges around the world.

Each chapter may nominate one of their members for the distinguished chapter officer award. Nominations must include recommendations from a chapter officer, advisor and a faculty member who has taught the nominee.

The nominators of French highlighted her community involvement, creativity and commitment, in recommending her for the prestigious award.

French was commended for her continuous contributions to the community through her involvement in activities and organizations such as Senior Day, Dia de los Niños, the Uvalde Film Society, American Red Cross and Uvalde Arts Council.

Her creativity has been demonstrated through everything from designing props and costumes to script writing and acting.

Commitment is also one of French’s strong points as evidenced by her maintaining a 4.0 grade point average while attending SWTJC. Her commitment to hard work has earned French recognition on the President’s Honor Roll, Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior College and various scholarships.

In her recommendation letter for French, SWTJC English instructor Jill Coe said, "She is a thinker, a doer, a grab-life-by-the-horns kind of person. Both in and out of class she is jovial, punctual, never absent, always enthusiastic and always prepared for the situation at hand."

Attending the international convention with French were chapter advisor Blair and chapter member Paul Kerbow of Uvalde.

In addition to French’s award, the Eta Beta Chapter at SWTJC Uvalde was also named one of 25 distinguished chapters as well as one of 17 Texas chapters named to the Top 100 Chapter List.

SWTJC board president Rodolfo R. Flores (right)

Victor Lopez of Crystal City (Place 1), Maria Elena Lara of Uvalde (Place 2) and Kenny Shackelford of Leakey (Place 3) were officially sworn in by board president Rodolfo R. Flores.

Lopez downed incumbent Marcel Valdez of La Pryor by a margin of 2,289 to 1,469, while incumbent Lara downed challenger Roberto F. Velasquez of Crystal City by a count of 2,444 to 965.

Incumbent Kenny Shackelford, running unopposed, received 2,119 votes in the election which includes polling places in Real, Uvalde and Zavala counties.

Following the swearing-in ceremony board members reelected the same slate of officers for the upcoming year. Officers include president Rodolfo R. Flores of Uvalde, vice president Dr. Harry O. Watkins of Uvalde and secretary Dr. Antonio H. Rivera of Crystal City.

In other action at Thursday’s meeting, the board approved the issuance of $5.5 million in revenue bonds for the construction of a new 33,700 square foot facility for Sul Ross University Rio Grande College. 

The board also approved entering into a fixed 6-month energy contract with current provider Reliant Energy at a rate of 10.544 cents per kwh.

Following the recommendation of college president Ismael Sosa, Jr., the board approved the hiring of Rogelio Luevano to the position of radiology technology instructor/coordinator.

Recent retirees Tom Schliesing (38 years) and Roy Angermiller (26 years) were also recognized, as were winning participants in the Wellness Works Wonders program.

The ceremony will be held in the La Forge Hall gymnasium starting at 9:30 a.m.

"Commencement is always one of the highlights of our year," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa, Ph.D., said. "We look forward to celebrating this milestone with another record number of graduates and their families."

SWTJC student Ronald Beltz of Uvalde will deliver the invocation and SWTJC student Cecilia Martinez of Uvalde will sing the National Anthem.

President Sosa will introduce honored guests, and SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Blaine Bennett, Ph.D., will introduce keynote speaker Elizabeth Rogers of Alpine.

Dean of Admissions and Student Services Joe Barker will present the graduating class and Maria Elena Lara of Uvalde, a member of the SWTJC Board of Trustees, will award diplomas and certificates.

SWTJC Dean of Instructional Services Hector E. Gonzales will recognize honor graduates.

The ceremony will conclude with the singing of America by Cecilia Martinez.

Warren Seymour Jr. will be the organist for the 2006 commencement.

To accommodate the large crowd expected for this year’s event, a live feed of the ceremony will be broadcast in the Tate Auditorium and the Matthew’s Student Center Bluebonnet Room on the Uvalde campus.

Immediately following the ceremony, the college will host a reception for graduates and their families in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom.

"These students are chosen by the faculty based on scholarship and citizenship," dean of instruction Hector Gonzales said. "This is a great honor and I congratulate this year’s winners."

Named from the SWTJC Uvalde campus were Clare Berrones, Roberto Cantu, Amanda Darden, Kimberly A. Espinoza, Ronald A. Fielder, Martha A. Gomez, Caleb Holt, Julye Keeble, Leilani McClure, Ashley Neutze, Ana M. Ortiz, Jonathan W. Phillips, Michael A. Ponce, Wendy Romo and Hannah Romo.

SWTJC Del Rio Who’s Who students include Eric D. Burgess, Renee F. Garcia, Julian Hernandez, Janie G. Morales, Laura R. Ojeda, Klarisa C. Perry, Mayra Y. Sanchez, Sarah E. Scheller, Donna W. Straub and Desideria A. Torres.

At SWTJC Eagle Pass 2006 Who’s Who award winners are Antonio J. Camarillo, Mario Chacon, Mavy Garza, Arnulfo C. Gonzalez, Diana Lopez, Rita Lopez, Absalom Marquez, Eduardo Piña, Laura Rivera and Francisco Sanchez.

Jeremy Underwood and Judy Gonzales were the Uvalde campus winners. Underwood represented the Eta Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and Gonzales represented the Criminal Justice Club.

SWTJC Del Rio winners were Gilbert Santos and Mayra Sanchez. Santos represented the Student Government Association and Sanchez represented Phi Theta Kappa.

Students at SWTJC Eagle Pass selected Student Government Association representatives Victor Onofre and Jessica Zarate as their Mr. and Miss SWTJC.

Runners-up were: Uvalde campus, Victor Velasquez of the Criminal Justice Club and Ada G. Miranda of the Cosmetology Club; Del Rio campus, James Sanchez of PTK and Tabitha Wood of SGA ; and Eagle Pass campus, Mauricio Huerta and Angelica Huerta of the SGA.

Student activities directors Ana Almaraz, Joel Vela and Cody Barker, announced this year’s winners during the annual festival held in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom.

A dance followed the announcement of this year’s Palm’s Festival court.

A native of the Montell area of the Nueces Canyon, Rogers graduated from Nueces Canyon High School in 1971. She earned her A.A. degree at SWTJC in 1973 and her B.A. in 1975 from Texas A&M University in College Station.

In 1978, Rogers was awarded her J.D. degree from The South Texas College of Law in Houston.

"Elizabeth Rogers is one of the most highly respected federal public defenders in the nation," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa said. "She is a great example of a former SWTJC student who has gone on to achieve great things and we are very pleased she has accepted our invitation to speak at this year’s commencement ceremony."

Rogers began her legal career as an assistant city attorney for the City of El Paso in 1979. From 1980 through 1981 she was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas and from 1981-1983 she was an associate with the El Paso law firm of Peticolas, Luscombe and Stephens.

In 1984, Rogers began her career as an assistant federal public defender for the Western District of Texas, El Paso and Pecos Divisions. She was recognized by her peers as the nation’s outstanding federal defender in 2000.

She is a current director of the State Bar of Texas and a former president of the El Paso Young Lawyers Association. Rogers has also served as a director of the El Paso Bar Association and as a member of the El Paso City Planning Commission.

In June of 2004, Rogers traveled to Mongolia as a foreign advisor with the International Senior Lawyers Project/Mongolian Foundation for Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation).

The 59^th Annual SWTJC Commencement Ceremony will be held May 13 in La Forge Hall on the SWTJC Uvalde campus beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Nominees were chosen from various student organizations and elections were held April 18-20 on each campus.

This year's festival will be held on the Uvalde campus and will begin with a Who’s Who awards ceremony starting at 7 p.m. in the Bluebonnet Room of the Matthews Student Center.

Festival activities will continue with a dance in the student center ballroom from 9 p.m. until midnight. Mr. and Miss SWTJC winners from each campus will be announced throughout the dance. Music will be provided by J’s Rhythms.

Students are encouraged to wear semi-formal attire.

Uvalde campus nominees for Mr./Miss SWTJC are: Judy Gonzales and Victor Velasquez (Criminal Justice Club); Christi Timberlake and Caleb Holt (Student Government Association); Ada Gricelda Miranda and Tom Capuchin (Cosmetology Club); Debbie Garcia and Robert Silva (Student Activities Board).

Other Uvalde nominees include Sorayda Arellano and Matthew Padilla (Mariachi Group); Kim Gian David and Jeremy Underwood (Phi Theta Kappa); April Valdez and Josh Prince (Basketball Team) and Leticia Hernandez and Paulo Daniel Criel (Catholic Club).

Eagle Pass campus nominees are all Student Government Association members and include: Angelica Huerta and Mauricio Huerta; Diana Lopez and Aurelio Morales; Victor Onofre and Jessica Zarate.

Del Rio campus nominees are:Sonja Kangra and Pedro Herrera III (Rotaract); Cindy Cooper and Reyes Jimenez (LVN club); Renee Garcia and Cesar Fernandez (Math club); Tabitha Wood and Gilbert Santos (Student Government Association); and Mayra Sanchez and James Sanchez (Phi Theta Kappa).

Letters outlining the assessment and prize incentives were recently mailed to all 2006 candidates for graduation by SWTJC Dean of Instruction Hector Gonzales.

The first 50 graduates who register and participate in the assessment will receive a $25 gift certificate and all students who participate will be entered in a drawing to receive one of three $250 gift certificates from WalMart.

In addition, the five highest scores on the assessment will receive a $100 gift certificate.

"We have designed this assessment in the hopes of improving the quality of education and services that we provide our students," director of curriculum and instruction Dick Whipple explained. "We believe our graduates have a wonderful perspective for evaluating SWTJC in a comprehensive manner."

The assessment will be given in Uvalde on May 12 at 1 p.m. in the Tate Auditorium, on May 11 in Del Rio at 1 p.m. in Room 408 and on May 11 in Eagle Pass at 1 p.m. in D-113.

Participants who score in the top 20% of graduates taking the assessment will receive a special notation on their transcript acknowledging their exemplary achievement.

For more information on registering call 278-4401 in Uvalde. To avoid long distance charges, In Eagle Pass call 758-4100 and in Del Rio call 775-1612, and then ask to have your call transferred to the Uvalde campus.

Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count is a national effort being funded by the Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis-based, private, independent foundation which strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school.

Nationwide, 35 community colleges have been selected by Lumina as participants. Professional development director Jill Coe is project coordinator for SWTJC.

A $400,000 grant from Lumina will help SWTJC initiate a variety of new practices and programs through the 2008 school year.

"The Lumina Foundation has given us a tremendous opportunity to implement some new practices and procedures that we believe will improve our student success rates for many years to come," Coe said.

According to Coe, much of SWTJC’s emphasis is being directed at developmental education courses, gatekeeper courses (Freshman English I, American History I and College Algebra) and faculty/student engagement.

"Approximately 70% of students who enter SWTJC are required to take developmental education classes in at least one of three areas – reading, writing and math," Coe said. "When they have trouble, for whatever reason in these classes, many of them get frustrated and we lose them."

Over the past year, Coe says approximately 30 faculty and staff on the SWTJC Achieving the Dream task force committee, chaired by education division chair Dr. Mitchel Burchfield, have developed an action plan they believe will make a big difference.

Among the main things planned for implementation in developmental ed classes over the next year are: limiting class size, supplemental instruction and learning communities.

"Our college administration is committed to providing the resources to add additional sections and faculty to allow us to limit class size in these courses and we believe this will have a very positive impact," Coe said.

Supplemental instruction will involve finding students who have successfully completed a developmental class and hiring them as tutors. These paid tutors will attend class with the students to assist during actual classroom instruction time and will also be available at specified times for tutoring outside of class.

The college also plans to incorporate learning communities among selected classes starting in the fall. In learning communities, students taking both a developmental class and a related course (such as reading and psychology) would be placed in the same sections.

"Many first time students feel lost without their old support groups," Coe explained. "By keeping these students together in the same sections we will build familiarity and hopefully develop an atmosphere of friends helping friends succeed."

According to Coe, learning communities will eventually be expanded to gatekeeper courses such as ENGL 1301, HIST 1301 and MATH 1314.

In addition to developmental ed initiatives, Coe said the college has already held several events this spring to increase faculty/student interaction outside the classroom.

"SWTJC began taking part in the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) in the spring of 2005," Coe said. "One of the things the data from our first survey showed was that our students fell below the state average in terms of how much interaction occurred with faculty outside of classes."

Three separate events bringing faculty and students together have been staged this spring on the Uvalde campus including a "Meet and Greet" pizza party, "Sandwiches for Singles," and "Tacos for Two." Events have also been staged at SWTJC campuses in Crystal City, Del Rio and Eagle Pass.

"Students who are engaged in college life, who have a sense of belonging, have a much higher success rate," Coe said. "Getting students together with faculty and staff, in a variety of new ways, will be an avenue for college life engagement."

Another key aspect of SWTJC’s involvement in the Achieving the Dream initiative involves collecting an utilizing accurate data to measure the success of individual parts of the action plan.

"Institutional research coordinator Carol LaRue is an integral part of our team," Coe said. "By using data Carol helps us compile to measure student outcomes, we will be able to see what is working and adjust accordingly."

"I am excited about the direction our institution is moving in and I believe these new initiatives will be a big step toward helping more students achieve their dream at SWTJC."

"We mailed out letters on Friday to winners and we are looking forward to a fun night at the awards ceremony," said Willie Edwards, SWTJC public information officer.

First through fourth place winners in a variety of age groups and categories, visual arts and literary, will be recognized. Trophies will be awarded first place winners and medals will be presented to second through fourth place.

"In keeping with tradition, the order of finish will not be announced until the night of the ceremony," Edwards said.

To commemorate the contest’s 25^th year, an overall winner will be named this year in both visual arts and literary divisions for each age group. Special trophies will be presented each overall winner.

In addition, $100 scholarships to SWTJC will be awarded overall winners from kindergarten through college. Community and seasoned division overall winners will receive $50.

A complete list of winners, posted by community and school, can be viewed on the college web site. Go to www.swtjc.net and then click on the News and Events icon.

The April 20 awards ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom. Following the ceremony refreshments will be available.

"We have lots of awards to hand out, but we try to keep things moving and the entire ceremony shouldn’t take more than an hour and a half," Edwards said. "It’s a very rewarding evening and I hope all our winners will be able to come enjoy the recognition they have earned."

All visual arts entries in this year’s contest will be displayed in the ballroom beginning April 13. The public is invited to view the artwork on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

The annual contest is coordinated by the SWTJC Public Information Office in conjunction with the SWJTC Humanities and Fine Arts Division.

Students in the college’s creative writers club, Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the art department, also assist with the awards ceremony.

SWTJC’s Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice division and the STAR Tech Prep Program are hosting the second annual event.

"This gives the students a great opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills," SWTJC Tech Prep Director Rachel Cardenas said. "It also gives the college a chance to show off our campus and some of the many programs available here."

High schools scheduled to compete are Carrizo Springs, Crystal City, Eagle Pass, Eagle Pass CC Winn, Laredo Cigarroa, Laredo LBJ, Laredo Nixon, Laredo United South, Pearsall and Uvalde.

Approximately 200 students will compete in a variety of events including fingerprinting, patdown and frisk/search and arrest, crime scene, video shooting game, TCLEOSE internet test and criminal justice quiz.

Competition will also be held in push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, one-mile relay and 100M run. A wall/rock climbing event is also scheduled, along with a competition on the college’s Ropes Skills Challenge Course.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. Friday and conclude with an award’s ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

Three colleges throughout the state competed in the hair and nail events.

SWTJC students Amanda Darden and Claudia Perez qualified to represent Texas at the national championships in Kansas City, Mo., on June 18-24.

Darden qualified by winning a first place gold medal in hair skills competition, while Perez claimed gold in nail skills.

Lizzete Ferreira, Jessica Pargas, Ashely Neutze, Rissa Garcia and Estella Luna also represented SWTJC at the recent state competition. 

Ferreira placed third in pin design and Pargas won second in nail skills and third in nail knowledge skills.

Other SWTJC students winning awards for their project displays were: Teresa D. Vega, Marissa Orosco, Ada Miranda, Monica Betancourt, Tom Capuchin, Erica Castillo and Hope Jaquez.

"This is the seventh year we have participated in the state championships," cosmetology instructor Barbara Compton said. "The competition gives our students the opportunity to exhibit the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom."

The SWTJC Cosmetology Department is housed in a large state-of-the-art facility on the Uvalde campus.

All aspects of the cosmetology field are taught including hairstyling, hair cutting, hair coloring, permanent waving, nails, facials and salon management.

For additional information about the program contact Compton at (830) 591-7249 or by e-mail at barbara.compton@swtjc.cc.tx.us 

"Our chapter won several awards, but it is always a special honor to receive a top chapter award," longtime advisor Barbara Blair said.

According to Blair, only 16 of 86 Phi Theta Kappa chapters in Texas earned "top chapter" distinction.

Other awards won by the SWTJC Uvalde Eta Beta Chapter include: yearbook award, compiled by Clare Berrones; Icarus award, first place; five-star chapter award; award of excellence for participation in the regional service project; and chapter service award.

Eta Beta members Clare Berrones, Debbie French, Julye Keeble and Amy Ramos were named to the District V Hall of Honor, and advisor Blair received a special certificate for 30-years service.

At a special reception held in conjunction with the annual convention, Debbie French was recognized as a member of the All-Texas Academic Team. The reception and awards ceremony was held in the auditorium of the LBJ Library on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.

The bottom line for in-district students will be a $12 increase per semester hour, while out-of-district students will see a $15 increase. Out-of-state students will also see a $12 increase per semester hour.

SWTJC administrators sought board approval for the increases to help pay for the recent expansion to the Crystal City Instructional facility, to cover debt service for upcoming building projects planned in Uvalde and Del Rio, to boost the support level for distance learning and online course delivery, and to replace revenue from a decline in enrollment this spring.

In other action at its regular monthly meeting the board approved the rehiring of associate deans Gilbert C. Bermea in Eagle Pass and Don Tomas in Del Rio. All current division chairs and directors were also rehired.

Board members also appointed trustee Maria Elena Lara to confer degrees during commencement ceremonies slated May 13 in Uvalde.

Victor Lopez of Crystal City is challenging incumbent Marcel Valdez, who lives in La Pryor, for place 1.

Valdez has served on the college board since 1999.

Roberto Velasquez of Crystal City is running against Maria Elena Lara of Uvalde for place two. Lara was appointed last December to fill the term left vacant by retiring director Joe Taylor of Crystal City and has filed to retain the seat.

Kenneth Shackelford of Leakey is running unopposed to retain place three.

Candidates were scheduled to draw for ballot positions March 13.

Lopez drew second listing for place one and Lara drew the top spot for place two.

Voters may apply for a ballot by mail from now through May 5 by contacting 591-7282.

Early voting will be held May 1 through 9.

Bernstein will deliver his "From Watergate to Mouse Ears: The Evolution of Today’s News and Media" program on April 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Uvalde High School Auditorium.

The lecture is being included as part of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society's 2006 honors lecture series.

The program is open to the public and free of charge. Following his presentation, Bernstein will be available for a 30-minute book signing. Autographed books will be available for $20.

A "meet and greet the author" reception will be held prior to Bernstein’s presentation at the Uvalde Country Club from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and reservations must be made in advance.

Bernstein first gained national fame in the early 1970s when, as a reporter for the Washington Post, he teamed with Bob Woodward to break the Watergate story that eventually ended the presidency of Richard Nixon.

His latest best-selling book, published in 1996, is the acclaimed papal biography, "John Paul II and the History of Our Time."

Next year Knopf will publish Bernstein’s biography of Hilary Rodham Clinton.

For more information on Bernstein visit www.apbspeakers.com

Students selected include Valeriano Elizalde of Uvalde, Juan M. Martinez of Knippa, and Cesar Fernandez, Renee Garcia and Klarissa Perry, all of Del Rio.

The program, a three-day on-site event April 20-22 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, offers students the opportunity to interact with each other as they learn more about careers in science and engineering.

While at the JSC, students will form teams and establish fictional companies interested in Mars exploration. Each company is responsible for developing a prototype Rover, designing a line drawing of the Rover and forming the company infrastructure including budget, communications and presentations.

"This is a quality program and it will be great experience for our students," SWTJC engineering instructor and director of curriculum and instruction Dick Whipple said.

Community College Aerospace Scholars is part of the Texas Aerospace Scholars was created by the state of Texas, in partnership with JSC and the Texas educational community, to encourage community and junior college students to enter careers in science and engineering.

For Edward Gomez this is a reality of everyday life. "To receive mail, see a visitor or leave my room, I have to use this number," Gomez, who in 1998 was convicted and sentenced for intoxication manslaughter, explained to SWTJC Uvalde students on March 8.

Gomez is in his eighth year of a 16-year sentence at the Texas Department of Corrections Torres Unit in Hondo. He spoke at the college during SWTJC’s Safe ’N Sober campaign held annually just prior to spring break.

Accompanied by two correctional officers, Gomez shuffled into the Matthews Student Center with chained hands and feet.

This 34-year old inmate grew up in San Antonio and later moved to Bandera with his family. He was raised in a home with a police officer father, a stay at home mother and three siblings.

"I was raised with good moral values and taught to respect the law and society. I was a good kid, graduating in the top quarter of my high school class and I always tried to do the right thing," Gomez said.

It wasn’t until Gomez moved to Bandera, after high school, that he made a group of friends whose main means of entertainment focused on drinking.

Gomez was able to keep a job and help contribute to his family, but almost everyday after work drinking was the agenda. The drinking escalated, especially after he reached the legal drinking age of 21.

Having three previous run-ins with the law, all alcohol related, should have been a sign for Gomez, but he ignored the warnings of his family that one day he would get into some sort of trouble he would "not be able to get out of."

He found that trouble on the night of June 21, 1996. "It was one of the worst days of my life," Gomez said.

After a long day of work and a date falling through, Gomez decided to meet up with some friends at a pool hall.

Not feeling much in the mood to drink, Gomez told his friends he was just going to head home, but his friends convinced him to stay and they drank until the pool hall closed.

On his way home, in the last half-mile of an eight-mile trip, Gomez tried to predict a light and catch it just as it was turning green. "What I didn’t know was there was a car coming under an overpass trying to beat a yellow light. I slammed on the brakes but it was too late. I hit the passenger side of the car."

Knocked out by the impact of the accident, Gomez woke up to find the police checking his condition. He kept asking if the other vehicle’s occupants were OK but no one would answer him.

"It wasn’t until I heard them radioing in a DOA broken neck that I knew I had killed someone because I was drinking and driving," Gomez said.

Encouraging students not to become a statistic and just another number, Gomez told students to think twice about driving after a night of drinking.

"Anyone could be in my situation right now. It’s not a matter of if you will be affected by drinking and driving, but when you will be affected," Gomez told the SWTJC crowd. "A night of having fun and drinking is not worth a lifetime of pain."

Gomez says he now has lots of time to second guess his decision to get behind the wheel after drinking. "There are a thousand what-ifs that I can try and say. ‘What if I had been 5 seconds faster or 5 seconds slower?’ But I can’t make excuses for the choices that I made.

"I had goals and dreams but now I’ve shattered those," said Gomez. "I will spend the rest of my life trying to right a wrong. But this is one wrong I don’t think I can ever make right."

"It was great fun for the kids and our team members as well," SWTJC rodeo coach Roy Angermiller said.

Kindergarten and pre-K students from Dalton Elementary, along with students from the Kirchner and Powers Child Development Center at SWTJC, enjoyed the afternoon performance.

The event began with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, as rodeo team members paraded through the arena on horseback carrying American flags.

Students were treated to calf roping, breakaway roping, goat tying, bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, steer roping and barrel racing demonstrations by the members of the SWTJC men’s and women’s teams.

Coach Angermiller announced the names of participants and gave a brief description of each event as it unfolded.

"We really appreciate all the hard work coach Angermiller and his team put in to make this event possible," Dalton counselor Donna Connell said. "Our students had a day they won’t soon forget."

Connell also thanked Dalton Pre-K instructional facilitator Phyllis Hellums for coming up with the idea of staging the event.

Following the rodeo performance, students filed through the arena to meet members of the SWTJC team and their animals.

SWTJC has offered an intercollegiate rodeo program for men and women since 1950. SWTJC teams compete in the Southern Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

There is no fee for the contest and entry details are on application forms.

SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Blaine Bennett presented the new statement to the board.

"Our mission statement was outdated and this new one is an attempt to state more precisely who we are as an institution and what we want to accomplish," Bennett said.

According to Bennett, the new mission statement was a combined effort, between faculty, staff and administration.

"There has been input from members of all the groups that direct the educational process at SWTJC," Bennett said. "I believe we now have a mission statement we can use for many years as a document to measure our performance."

Along with the new mission statement, Bennett also sought board approval for a statement of role and scope.

"The mission statement broadly defines what we want to accomplish as an institution," Bennett said. "Our role and scope statement is a more detailed plan of how we will get there."

The board unanimously approved the new mission statement and statement of role and scope. Both documents will be included with information submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), along with other reaccreditation materials due by March 5.

SOUTHWEST TEXAS JUNIOR COLLEGE 
STATEMENT OF MISSION
Southwest Texas Junior College is a comprehensive, public, two-year college serving eleven counties in southwest Texas. College programs and services provide accessible, affordable, high-quality post-secondary education that prepares students to: 1) enter the job market, 2) transfer to senior colleges and universities, 3) pursue their professional and personal goals. Through its programs and services, the college equitably provides higher education opportunities and supports the economic growth of the community.

STATEMENT OF ROLE AND SCOPE
The college implements its mission through a clearly defined set of programs and services that include the following:

COLLEGE-LEVEL CREDIT PROGRAMS
The college offers credit courses leading to associate degrees and certificates in technical fields and designed-to-transfer majors.

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The college provides professional and occupation development to individuals, businesses, industries, and government and health agencies. A variety of non-credit activities for personal enhancement are also available.

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
The college provides programs in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) which are designed to assist students in acquiring a General Education Diploma (GED).

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The college offers developmental programs and services to enrolled and prospective students to increase their chances for success and enhance their potential for personal, educational, and professional growth.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
The college promotes the economic development of the region by providing work force training for new and expanding industries as well as for transfer of technology to developing businesses. The college also supports economic development agencies by assisting in the recruiting of businesses and industries to the area.

ACCESS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The college provides special recruitment, counseling and evaluation services that increase access for students not traditionally serviced by higher education.

Various local candidates for justice of the peace, county judge, county treasurer and county clerk attended the event, as well as state senate candidate Carlos Uresti of San Antonio.

SGA president Caleb Holt served as master of ceremonies and introduced all candidates in attendance.

Following brief statements by each candidate, lunch was served compliments of Applebees in Uvalde.

For more information on GeoFORCE Texas visit the program web site at http://www.jsg.utexas.edu/geoforce/ or contact Southwest Texas Junior College public information officer Willie Edwards at (830) 591-7222.

According to scholarship committee representative Jill Coe, two scholarships will be awarded students with academic majors and two will be awarded to students enrolled in technical programs at the college.

"The last few years we haven’t been able to award all our scholarships due to a lack of applicants," Coe said. "We hope by getting the message out early this year we will have more participation."

Coe said scholarships will be disbursed in equal installments of $250 for the fall 2006 and spring 2007 semesters. Deadline to apply is Thursday, April 13.

According to the application form, all students selected must show qualities of scholarship, leadership, character and extracurricular involvement.

In order to apply for the scholarship, students must: be enrolled as full-time students at SWTJC, be entering their sophomore year (minimum of 24 semester hours), have an overall 3.0 grade point average, provide official transcripts from SWTJC and/or other colleges and universities, write a letter describing college goals and activities, and include letters of recommendation from two SWTJC faculty members.Applications are available at all division offices, associate deans’ offices and all SWTJC libraries.

For more information contact Coe at 591-7334.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Scholarship applications due 
April 1 for 2006-2007
Scholarship applications are due by April 1 for the 2006-2007 school year.

According to SWTJC scholarship committee chairman Donald Merritt, a variety of academic scholarships are available.

"In order to be eligible you have to have an application on file," Merritt explained. "We are especially looking for students who have already acquired some hours at SWTJC and have compiled a good overall grade point average."

Applications can be downloaded from the scholarship application link on the SWTJC home page (www.swtjc.net) or they may be picked up in the admissions office upstairs in the Administration Building.

Students applying for scholarships who are currently enrolled at SWTJC must submit a faculty recommendation with their application, but do not have to submit the essay required of entering high school students.

Recipients of scholarships will be notified of their selection the first part of the summer.

Amounts awarded will range from $1,300 to $1,600 annually.

Governor Rick Perry proclaimed February "Financial Aid Awareness Month" to get the word out about the importance of earning a college degree, the financial aid process, and the amount of assistance available to Texas college students.

"Financial aid can help make college affordable for everyone," said SWTJC President Ismael Sosa. "We encourage everyone to apply for it."

President Sosa emphasized that a college education can pay huge dividends for graduates of Texas’ colleges and universities.

"Over a lifetime, someone with a bachelor’s degree earns an average of $1 million more than someone with a high school diploma," Sosa said.

With the exception of scholarships, the financial aid process for the fall 2006 semester begins in February. Students are encouraged to complete and submit their FAFSA as soon as possible after the first of the year.

February is the first opportunity most families have to complete the FAFSA, because they must include real or estimated federal income tax information for 2005. That tax information is then sent to colleges and universities the student lists on the FAFSA. Financial aid offices at individual institutions determine the types and amounts it will award to each student.

"Many applicants wait around until after they file their taxes on April 15, but some of the assistance available is allocated on a first come-first served basis, so the sooner you complete the application the better," SWTJC financial aid director Ismael Talavera said.

According to Talavera the financial aid staff at SWTJC is available to help students and their parents in applying for assistance to go to college.

Families can complete the FAFSA electronically if they have completed an income tax form and have a PIN number issued by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information about getting a PIN number oor filling out the FAFSA online, call the SWTJC Financial Aid Office at (830) 591-7343 or the Texas Financial Aid Information Center at 1-888-311-8881 or visit FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

"The time to act is now," Talavera concluded. "The sooner students submit their application, the more likely they will be able to get money to pay for college."

Registered dietician Mia Owens will present a program entitled "Good Health through Good Nutrition" on Tuesday, Feb. 7, for college faculty and staff.

Owens will deliver the program twice, from 11 to 11:50 a.m. and from 12 to 12:50 p.m.

The program will be held  in the Matthews Student Center conference rooms.

According to SWTJC job placement coordinator Ronnie Garza, the upcoming event is expected to attract approximately 40 prospective area employers.

"This is a great opportunity for our students to see what’s out there in the job market and to be exposed to some of the career opportunities available here at SWTJC," Garza explained.

The fair will also feature on-site resume and job application assistance for those attending.

Sponsors for the event include SWTJC, STAR Tech Prep, the city of Uvalde, Community Council of Southwest Texas, Inc., Middle Rio Grande Development Council, Middle Rio Grande Workforce Board, Texas Department of Human Services, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Texas Workforce Commission and Community Health Development, Inc.

For more information contact Garza at 591-2940 or drop by his office located in the Matthews Student Center next to the Student Activities Office.

Play will begin at 8:30 a.m. with food and drinks served at 1 p.m.

Entry fee is $30 for members of the Uvalde Golf Association. Non-members will also have to pay green fees.

Prizes will be awarded first place team members and closest to the pin.

For more information contact Albert Hernandez at 591-7381.

Co-sponsored by the Uvalde Police Department and the college’s workforce training and development division, the session featured presentations by the Texas Department of Public Safety Special Crimes Unit and the Texas Department of Corrections.

"This is a very timely issue for our area and we had never done this training here before," SWTJC’s workforce training law enforcement coordinator Ernest Santos said. "I especially want to thank Uvalde Chief of Police Fred Garza for taking the lead in getting the experts lined up for this presentation."

A total of eight local and area law enforcement agencies were represented at the training session including the Uvalde Police Department and the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office.

Crystal City, Hondo, Pearsall and Eagle Pass police departments were also represented, as well as sheriff’s offices from Zavala, Dimmit and Maverick counties.

According to Santos, the college and UPD plan to continue working together to make more continuing education opportunities available for area law enforcement agencies.

"We plan to offer SWAT training and accident reconstruction training in February," Santos said. "

Police chief Garza said his department is committed to working with SWTJC to provide needed training information and make it available to agencies across the college’s 11-county service area.

"The college is a tremendous resource and asset to our police department and other agencies across the region," Garza said. "I hope to continue working with the law enforcement division at the college to expand training opportunities throughout Southwest Texas."

With the extension, Sosa’s contract now extends until July 2009.

Following an executive session to discuss the president’s annual evaluation, board president Rodolfo R. Flores said the trustees had given Sosa an "excellent evaluation" for the year.

In other business at its regular monthly meeting, the board extended tuition-free benefits to dependents of a full-time college employee who may have died while employed by the college.

President Sosa also advised the board on the trustee election scheduled for May 13. 

Trustee Marcel Valdez of La Pryor, place 1;, Maria Elena Lara of Uvalde, place 2; and Kenneth Shackelford of Leakey, place 3; are all up for election.

All three trustees have expressed their intentions to file.

Official filing for the election will run from Feb. 11 through March 13.

The board also approved two resolutions allowing the district’s financial advisor and bond counsel to continue moving forward with negotiations for the issuance of bonds to construct a new facility for Sul Ross Rio Grande College and a one-stop admissions, financial aid, business office building for the Uvalde campus.

The program, Wellness Works Wonders, is being coordinated by SWTJC staff member Rob Fowler and will provide college employees numerous opportunities to get fit this semester.

A variety of activities including fitness swimming, basketball, volleyball, aerobics, strength training, Tae Bo, water aerobics, walking and jogging will be made available for college employees as well as students to join.

The wellness program kicked off Jan. 15 with a basketball game in the La Forge Hall gym on the Uvalde campus.

An additional opportunity under the Wellness Works Wonders program is the optimal weight loss contest which begins Jan. 23 and runs through May 12. This program has weekly weigh-ins and includes cash prizes each week as well as a cash prize for the overall weight-loss winner.

SWTJC’s wellness program recently received a $500 donation from HEB to help with expenses for the new fitness initiative.

For more information on SWTJC’s Wellness Works Wonders program, contact Rob Fowler at 591-7244.

Official enrollment will not be certified until Jan. 31, the 12^th class day of the new semester.

A breakdown of enrollment this spring shows: Eagle Pass, 1,471; Uvalde, 1,436; Del Rio, 1,094 and Crystal City, 208.

The only other sites with over 100 students enrolled are the Hondo Torres Unit with 154 and the Dilley Briscoe Unit with 123.

Rounding out this spring’s enrollment are Pearsall, 91; Hondo, 68; Carrizo Springs, 55; Cotulla, 38; Brackettville, 26; D’Hanis, 25; Sabinal, 22; Dilley, 16; Utopia, 14; Natalia, 11; Nueces Canyon, 9; Leakey, 8; Rocksprings, 8 and La Pryor, 2.

"It’s not unusual to see a slight drop in enrollment from the fall to the spring semester and it looks like that’s what we have this year," SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker said. Fall 2005 enrollment at the college was 5,067 students.

According to Barker, the dip in enrollment this spring seems to be a statewide trend among community colleges.

"I’ve talked to admission offices in the area and around the state and everyone I’ve talked too saw declines in fall enrollment and were anticipating the same thing this spring," Barker said.

But, while the number of students has declined, Barker believes total contact hours will remain basically the same.

"We’re still compiling all the numbers, but it looks like our number of full-time equivalent students has risen and this will keep our contact hours up despite a drop in head count," Barker said.

Last year, SWTJC set an all-time spring enrollment record of 4,929 students. The college’s all-time enrollment record is 5,122 set in the fall of 2004.

"The time is slipping away and this year’s contest is nearly on us," SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards said. "Entry blanks are available at all SWTJC libraries and the El Progreso Library, and we have also delivered entries and information packets to all schools in Uvalde."

Special prizes and a new video category have been added to commemorate the 25^th annual contest.

According to Edwards, $1,400 in cash prizes and scholarships will be handed out to overall winners in the event which attracts thousands of art, photography and writing entries from across the region.

Cash prizes of $50 will be awarded overall winners in both literary and visual arts categories in the community and seasoned (over 60) divisions. In all other divisions, $100 scholarships to SWTJC will be awarded overall winners.

"We will still give out our traditional trophies and medals to first through fourth place in all categories and divisions, but the judges will also select an overall literary winner and visual art winner in each age group from kindergarten on up," Edwards explained. "We hope these additional prizes will give everyone extra incentive to enter this year."

A new video category is also included in this year’s contest. All entries will be judged in one division.

"This category is wide open, anything from public service announcements to music videos or feature stories," Edwards said. "Entries should be no longer than 10 minutes and should be submitted in VHS or DVD format."

The SWTJC Humanities and Fine Arts Division and the SWTJC Public Information Office coordinate the annual event.

"Entries have been slow coming in this year, so we hope this reminder will stir up some interest," SWTJC English instructor and contest coordinator Terri Tucker said.

In the literary portion of the contest, categories include: poetry and short story (open to all age groups), and essay (open to grades seven and up).

An additional category, the Phi Theta Kappa essay, is included in this year’s contest for grades nine and up. This year’s topic is: "Popular Culture – Shaping and Reflecting Who We Are."

Visual art categories, for all age groups, include: drawing with color, painting, pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard and computer-generated graphics. Photography is also included in the contest for grades seven and up.

Age groups for the contest will be: kindergarten and first grade, grades 2-3, grades 4-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-10, grades 11-12, college, community and seasoned (age 60 and over).

Entry deadlines are Feb. 17, 2006 for the literary contest and March 10, 2006, for visual arts. There is no fee for the contest and entry details are on application forms.

Entrants may also download entry applications and contest rules by visiting the college’s News and Events Website. Go to swtjc.net and then click on the News and Events Icon.

Contestants may also request entry forms by e-mailing Willie Edwards at public.info@swtjc.cc.tx.us or by calling 830-591-7222.

According to Edwards, all winning entries in the contest will be recognized and presented trophies/medals during the SWTJC Creative Arts Awards’ Ceremony on April 20, 2006, in Uvalde.

Activities will begin with breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, in the Matthews Student Center, followed by a general faculty meeting from 9 a.m. until noon in the Tate Auditorium.

Division, department and campus meetings are scheduled Tuesday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m.

On Wednesday, Jan. 10 and Thursday, Jan. 11, activities will begin with breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by a general meeting from 9 to 10. Breakout sessions for various taskforce committees are scheduled the remainder of the day on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday’s activities will include a final general session from 9 to 10 a.m. and a recap of taskforce committee work from 11 a.m. until noon.

Spring semester classes officially begin on Monday, Jan. 16.

First day of spring classes is scheduled Jan. 16.

So how are you meeting your costs? What’s your plan? Do you have one?

Having a solid plan for covering the cost of college is an important step toward graduation.

To assist Southwest Texas Junior College students, the college has enlisted the services of FACTS Management Company, the leading tuition payment plan provider in the industry.

COMPLETE DETAILS OF PLAN

This is not a loan program. You have no debt, there are no interest or finance charges assessed and there is no credit check.

The total cost to budget this interest-free monthly payment plan is a $25 per semester nonrefundable FACTS Enrollment Fee.

Payments can be made in two ways: automatic bank payment or credit card.

The FACTS plan will be available at SWTJC starting this spring.

For more information pick up a FACTS brochure in the Uvalde Business Office or Admissions Office, or at main administration offices in Del Rio, Crystal City and Eagle Pass.

Lara was administered the oath of office by board president Rodolfo R. Flores on Dec. 15, during the board’s regular monthly meeting.

She replaces longtime trustee Joe Taylor who resigned last month due to increasing demands on his time. Lara’s place on the board will be up for election next May.

After swearing in its new board member, the board voted to name Harry O. Watkins as vice president, a position previously held by Taylor.

In other action, the board gave the college administration the go ahead to move forward in applying for a new associate of applied science degree program in Automotive Body Repair Technology.

The board also voted to enter into a six-month contract with Reliant Energy for electrical service at a rate of 7.4 cents per kilowatt hour.

Board members also gave the college administration the go ahead to begin negotiations with Ferrell/Brown and Associates, Inc. of Corpus Christi as possible architects for the new Rio Grande College and One Stop Center projects on the Uvalde campus.

John S. Graves and Associates was selected by the SWTJC Foundation as architect for the library and administration building expansion project planned for the Del Rio campus.

The foundation board also adopted a resolution of appreciation and presented a plaque to representatives of Del Rio Bank and Trust for their many years of support for the college.

"We wanted to do something special and decided to sweeten up the prizes for our 25^th annual contest," SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards said.

According to Edwards, $1,400 in cash prizes and scholarships will be handed out to overall winners in the annual event which attracts thousands of art, photography and writing entries from across the region.

Cash prizes of $50 will be awarded overall winners in both literary and visual arts categories in the community and seasoned (over 60) divisions. In all other divisions, $100 scholarships to SWTJC will be awarded overall winners.

"We will still give out trophies and medals to first through fourth place in all divisions, but we will ask the judges to select an overall literary winner and visual art winner in each division from kindergarten on up," Edwards explained.

A new video category is also included in this year’s contest. All entries will be judged in one division.

"This category is wide open, anything from public service announcements to music videos or feature stories," Edwards said. "Entries should be no longer than 10 minutes and should be submitted in VHS or DVD format."

The SWTJC Humanities and Fine Arts Division and the SWTJC Public Information Office coordinate the annual event.

"This contest gives the college a chance to recognize the creative talents of Southwest Texans from kindergarten on up," SWTJC English instructor and contest coordinator Terri Tucker said. "The college has a strong commitment to supporting and promoting the creative arts and we look forward to another year of outstanding entries."

Tucker urges all area English and language arts teachers, especially those at the junior high and high school levels, to encourage their students to enter the contest.

"The junior high and high school entries in visual arts have stayed strong over the years, but the literary entries in these age groups have dropped way down over the past few years," Tucker said. "I encourage all secondary English teachers to promote the contest and get their students to enter."

In the literary portion of the contest, categories include: poetry and short story (open to all age groups), and essay (open to grades seven and up). The length of short story entries was reduced to 2,000 words several years ago and will remain the same for the 2006 event.

An additional category, the Phi Theta Kappa essay, is included in this year’s contest for grades nine and up. This year’s topic is: "Popular Culture – Shaping and Reflecting Who We Are."

Visual art categories, for all age groups, include: drawing with color, painting, pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard and computer-generated graphics. Photography is also included in the contest for grades seven and up.

Age groups for the contest will be: kindergarten and first grade, grades 2-3, grades 4-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-10, grades 11-12, college, community and seasoned (age 60 and over).

Entry deadlines are Feb. 17, 2006 for the literary contest and March 10, 2006, for visual arts. There is no fee for the contest and entry details are on application forms.

All entries should be submitted to the SWTJC Public Information Office.

"For many years, the literary deadline was in December, but we moved it to February a couple of years back and everyone seems to like that better," SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards said..

Applications/entry forms will be available at SWTJC main offices in Crystal City, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde. Entry blanks will also be available at all SWTJC libraries and the El Progreso Library in Uvalde.

Entrants may also download entry applications and contest rules by visiting the college’s News and Events Website. Go to swtjc.net and then click on the News and Events Icon.

Contestants may also request entry forms by e-mailing Willie Edwards at public.info@swtjc.cc.tx.us or by calling 830-591-7222.

According to Edwards, all winning entries in the contest will be recognized and presented trophies/medals during the SWTJC Creative Arts Awards’ Ceremony on April 20, 2006, in Uvalde.

"The awards ceremony is one of the highlights of my year," Edwards said. "It’s always a treat to get to recognize young people, and the not so young, for their writing and artwork."

Winning entries will also be included in the 2006 edition of The Palm’s Leaf magazine. Copies of the 2005 Palm’s Leaf will be on sale for the first time at the 2006 awards ceremony.

All visual arts entries in the contest will also be displayed in the Matthew’s Student Center Ballroom from April 12 through the night of the awards ceremony.

Kinesiology instructor Aurelio DeLeon and Spanish instructor Carolyn Lampe were named by the students as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

Derek S. Albrecht, Daniel L. Echeverria, Rosalinda Gonzales, Dallas A. Horgeshimer, and Maria M. Servantes, received the national honor after being nominated by SWTJC management instructor/coordinator, Wilford W. Box, Ph.D.

According to Box, a recipient of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers honors for 12 consecutive years, this year’s recognized students all have grade point averages of 3.5 or better.

"These students have, without question, exhibited the desire and ability to excel both academically and at the workplace," Box said. "These students are role models and their job proficiency has been confirmed by their supervisors at work."

All SWTJC Uvalde students named on the National Dean’s List are declared management majors seeking an associate of applied science degree at SWTJC.

"These students are all a credit to our program and I congratulate them on their accomplishment," Box said. "I also extend my sincere gratitude to the supervisors in Uvalde and surrounding communities who actively support these students in their quest to achieve their educational pursuits."

The National Dean’s List is designed to recognize positive academic achievements of qualified students and to serve as an additional incentive for all students. Students receiving this honor are automatically eligible for $50,000 in college scholarships funded by The National Dean’s List.

Winter ball set December 1
on SWTJC Uvalde campus
The Student Government Association and the Student Activities Board at SWTJC are co-sponsoring a winter ball slated Thursday, Dec. 1 from 9 p.m. until midnight in the Matthews Student Center ballroom on the Uvalde campus.

Students also selected a Mr. and Ms. Santa from the SWTJC faculty and staff.

Taylor resigns; Lara named
to fill board of trustee vacancy
SWTJC trustees accepted the resignation of longtime trustee Joe Taylor and appointed Maria Elena Lara to fill his unexpired term during the Nov. 17 regular monthly meeting of the college board of trustees.

Taylor resigned the position he has held since 1985 because of increasing demands on his time.

"The demands on my time have become so great that I was missing meetings," Taylor said. "I just haven’t been able to give it my full effort, and I’m the type of person who wants to give his all to everything he does."

A native of Crystal City, Taylor said serving on the SWTJC board has been an honor.

"It is a very high honor to have been able to serve this board and work with the college’s faculty and staff," Taylor said. "The junior college provides outstanding opportunities to area students and does so at a very nominal cost to taxpayers.

"I will continue to follow the progress of the college and will help out in any way I can in the future."

Taylor’s replacement is the first Hispanic female to serve on the SWTJC board.

Lara lived in Camp Wood until the eighth grade and then her family moved to Uvalde where she graduated from Uvalde High School in 1988.

She attended SWTJC for approximately two years, earning her licensed vocational nursing certificate and taking basic core classes. She then transferred to The University of Texas Health Science Center, where she received her bachelor of science in nursing degree and registered nurse certificate.

Lara subsequently earned a master of education degree from Sul Ross State University - Rio Grande College. She is employed as a registered nurse and licensed professional counselor at Uvalde Memorial Hospital Crossroads Geriatric Mental Health Program.

"I think it is my civic duty to advocate for advanced education," Lara said, following her appointment. "As a former student, I believe in SWTJC. I also have a heightened understanding of the school and want to work closely with the leadership to strengthen the opportunities the college provides."

Lara’s term on the board will expire in 2007.

SWTJC is one of 70 community colleges nationwide who will receive a total of $125 million from the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants Program, according to a department of labor spokesman.

First introduced by President Bush in his 2004 State of the Union Address, Community-Based Job Training Grants are aimed at supporting workforce training for high growth industries through the nation’s community and technical colleges.

According to SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Blaine Bennett, Ph.D., the grant will allow the college to develop registered nursing and radiology technician programs.

"We’ve recognized the need to develop these programs for several years," Bennett said, "but they are expensive to get started. This grant will get us started and we don’t feel sustaining the programs will be a problem once we get them up and running."

Bennett said one of the major start-up expenses is identifying and hiring qualified instructors and program directors.

"It is highly competitive finding qualified personnel to run these types of programs," Bennett said. "This grant allows us the ability to pay the competitive wages necessary to recruit the quality people we need."

Equipment costs are another limiting factor in expanding health care programs.

"The grant award includes funds for the purchase of patient simulators for our registered nursing program," Bennett said. "We also have the support of hospitals and health care providers across the region and, through some creative scheduling, will be able to share most of the equipment we need to deliver our radiology technician program."

Area hospitals and health care facilities will also provide clinical sites for both programs, Bennett said.

Uvalde Memorial Hospital Administrator Jim Buckner said his institution is excited about the college expanding its health care curriculum and looks forward to working with them on the new programs.

"The college has a great reputation for the quality of their programs and we are absolutely ecstatic they are expanding in the RN and rad/tech areas," Buckner said. "Both of these are in-demand fields and training local people to meet this regional need makes great sense."

According to SWTJC President Ismael Sosa, the college is very grateful for the efforts of Congressman Henry Bonilla in supporting the grant proposal.

"Congressman Bonilla was a big help on this initiative and we thank him for his support," Sosa said.

Mostyn is the assistant area manager for the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in Artesia Wells. Mostyn discussed some of the many different projects and areas in which Texas Parks and Wildlife is involved. Along with his presentation, Mostyn also brought along a Blue Indigo snake to show students.

Mostyn is one of several speakers Crawford has made available to students in a series of seminars in her classes. The intent of the seminars is to demonstrate to students the many opportunities available for graduates with a science degree.

SWTJC wildlife management instructor Bob Zaiglin recently spoke to Crawford’s classes and Ken Cave held a seminar earlier this semester over water ecology and the Uvalde wetland project.

Ramos will represent SkillsUSA student membership at several Executive Council meetings and at the SkillsUSA State Conference in San Antonio in March of 2006.

During her tenure as a state officer, Ramos will also be invited to attend state officer leadership training.

Ramos graduated from the SWTJC Cosmetology Program in August of this year and is currently taking basic academic courses towards an associate’s degree at SWTJC.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers, high school students and college students preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations.

In programs including local, state and national competitions, SkillsUSA competitors demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. At the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships, over 4,000 students compete in 77 occupational and leadership skills areas.

First day of spring classes is scheduled Jan. 16.

SWTJC President Ismael Sosa Jr. welcomed those gathered and called on the Reverend Dino Espinosa to deliver the invocation.

Sosa then introduced SWTJC board president Rodolfo R. Flores who spoke about the college’s history of serving the higher educational needs of its 11-county service area and the tri-county taxing district of Real, Uvalde and Zavala counties.

Flores also spoke briefly about the three Zavala County men in whose honor the building is dedicated.

"This building is being dedicated in memory of the late Judge R.A. Taylor, Jr., a former trustee of the college; and in honor of current trustees Dr. Antonio H. Rivera and Marcel Valdez," Flores said. "All of these men have been committed to the growth and success of this institution and it is my privilege to recognize them today."

Crystal City Mayor Raul Gomez and Zavala County Judge Joe Luna also spoke briefly, thanking the college for its continued support of the educational needs of Zavala County and the surrounding area.

State Representative Tracy O. King also commended the college and local governmental agencies for working together to increase accessibility to educational opportunities across Southwest Texas.

Father Jose Maria Guevara R delivered the benediction.

Following the ceremony, members of the SWTJC mariachi band, under the direction of music instructor Ann McKinney, performed two songs.

A group ribbon-cutting photo followed the mariachi performance and then those in attendance toured the facility.

Some 7,300 square feet of additional classrooms, along with a science lab, were the latest addition to the Crystal City facility originally opened in 1997.

"We will no longer be mailing out report cards at mid-term or with final grades," SWTJC student information systems coordinator Michelle Mattie explained. "Students can access their grades through Webadvisor off the college’s home page."

According to Mattie, deadline for faculty to submit mid-term grades is noon on Friday, Oct. 21.

Click here for a complete list of instructions for accessing grades.

Ceremonies will be held in front of the facility located in downtown Crystal City at 215 W. Zavala Street.

The new 7,300 square foot addition, along with remodeling work, parking and furnishings, cost $1 million. Work on the facility, located on the site of the old Cash Building, started last February.

Included in the new addition are three classrooms, two distance learning rooms and a science lab. The project also included remodeling on existing buildings to add four faculty offices and a study hall/computer lab.

SWTJC representatives, local elected officials and religious leaders will take part in the dedication ceremony.

At the ceremony, the SWTJC Crystal City Instructional Facility will be dedicated in honor of the late R.A. Taylor, Jr., a former SWTJC trustee; and current trustees, Dr. Antonio H. Rivera and Marcel Valdez.

Following the program, refreshments will be served in the new building. Musical entertainment for the ceremony will be provided by the SWTJC mariachi class.

This comedy game show puts randomly selected contestants through the test of three hilarious comedians to see how much it takes to tickle their funny bones.

The two hour event begins with a one-hour comedy concert, followed by a fast-paced "Hollywood-style" game show where a contestant can receive $50 dollars if the comedians cannot make them laugh.

Admission to the event is free of charge and is open to all SWTJC students, faculty and staff. T-shirts and cash prizes will be given throughout the performance.

"We Can Make You Laugh" is production of Kramer Entertainment, Inc., the nation’s leader in high-tech entertainment and attractions.

"The National Science Foundation has awarded us a grant for scholarships to students in the fields of computer science, engineering and mathematics," Lois Kone, technical education counselor, said. "We have extended the deadline until Oct. 31 and hope students that think they may be eligible will take advantage of this opportunity."

CSEMS scholarships are renewable at SWTJC for up to two years plus they may be used to help students pursue a bachelor’s degree after they transfer on to a four-year university.

To apply students must first file a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) which is available online at

After demonstrating financial need based on federal guidelines and declaring a major in a field covered by the program, students must pass all THEA areas or be THEA exempt.

Upon submitting an admissions application to SWTJC, students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours in eligible majors each fall and spring semester. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and submit two letters of recommendation with at least one from an instructor or teacher.

Finally, applicants must submit a 250 word essay telling how the CSEMS scholarship will help them attain a college degree and how they will use the degree in their professional career.

Students may pick up an application at Kone’s office, which is located upstairs in the administration building of SWTJC’s Uvalde campus.

For more information contact Kone at 830-591-7277.
Scholarship criteria

Proceeds from the event will benefit the college basketball program.

SWTJC public information officer Willie Edwards is tournament director for the event.

"We hope to make this an annual affair," Edwards said. "The basketball program has been well received at the college and by raising some funds we hope to insure that it continues for many years to come."

Entry fee for the event will be $40 for all players. There will be no additional green fee charges for non-members of the Uvalde Golf Association.

Prizes will be awarded first, second and third place teams, as well as for closest to the pin on all par threes and longest drive on two different holes.

"We will also have a consolation prize for one other team selected at random after play ends," Edwards said.

Members of the SWTJC staff will prepare a barbecue lunch to be served at the conclusion of play.

Players on the SWTJC men’s and women’s teams will also be selling barbecue plate tickets for $5 leading up to the Oct. 22 event.

Persons interested in playing in the golf event can sign up an entire team or as individuals.

A sign-up sheet will be available in the pro shop at the golf course.

For more information on the event, or to get signed up to play, call Edwards at 591-4220, or the local golf course at 278-6155.

"I am excited about our program expanding to offer classes in Pearsall," SWTJC director of nursing Amanda Hadley said. ""We are still waiting final approval from the State Board of Nurse Examiners to deliver our program in Pearsall, but we are very confident the state board will give us the go ahead soon."

In the meantime, Hadley encourages prospective nursing candidates to begin work on prerequisites needed for acceptance into the program.

"Anyone who is interested in the fall 2006 class must successfully complete prerequisite courses during the upcoming spring and summer semesters," Hadley said.

All class members must have successfully completed two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology (Biology 2401 and 2402), as well as Psychology 2314 – Lifespan growth and development and Psychology 2301 – General psychology, prior to their acceptance into the program.

"The college plans to offer all of these courses at our new Pearsall facility this spring and during the summer," Hadley said. "Students interested in the program should contact me or an SWTJC counselor soon to begin planning their schedule."

Nursing class candidates must also have passing scores on all three areas of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) exam. Call 830-591-7346 for a complete list of upcoming test dates and times.

In addition to the 14 hours of prerequisites, SWTJC’s vocational nursing certificate program includes two semesters, 34 credit hours, of intensive coursework covered over two semesters.

Instruction includes units on nutrition, basic nursing skills, advanced nursing skills, vocational nursing concepts, mental health, medical-surgical nursing I and II, gerontology, essentials of medication administration, maternal-neonatal nursing, pediatrics and pharmacology.

Clinicals are also part of the curriculum in both the fall and spring semesters. The Frio Regional Hospital will be the main site of clinicals for students in the Pearsall nursing class.

"The Frio County Hospital has been very enthusiastic about SWTJC expanding our program to Pearsall," Hadley said. "We appreciate the hospital’s support and look forward to a long term relationship with them."

In addition to the hospital, potential clinical practice sites are being considered at both Pearsall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center locations and at the Medina Community Hospital in Hondo.

Once students successfully complete the one-year certificate program, they will be eligible to take the state board examination for licensed vocational nurses.

"We are extremely proud that the passing rate on the state board exam for graduates of our program is right at 97%," Hadley said. "Job placement for our graduates who pass their state boards is even higher."

Hadley also reminds prospective nursing students who will be seeking financial aid to begin working on their Federal Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.

"Financial aid is available for qualifying students, but the application process can take several months," Hadley said. "I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get an early start on applying for financial aid."

Nursing classes in Pearsall will be held at SWTJC’s new facility in the old Pearsall Intermediate School. A nursing lab has been included in renovation work on the building, as well as several distance learning classrooms.

The Pearsall Independent School District did renovation work on the facility with the college supplying lab, classroom and distance learning equipment.

"We really appreciate the efforts of the Pearsall ISD to work with us on providing a facility for area residents to pursue their higher education without having to leave Pearsall," SWTJC director of technical education Johnny Guzman said.

An orientation session for prospective nursing class candidates will be hosted by the college on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at Pearsall High School.

For more information on the LVN Program at SWTJC contact Guzman at (830) 591-7264 or Hadley at (830) 591-7256.

Campus 2 Career
presentation set
Thursday in Uvalde
Monster.com, a well-known leader in online global career networking, will sponsor a free interactive success presentation for SWTJC students on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. until noon in Uvalde’s Tate Auditorium.

How to succeed in college is the main focus of the presentation, "The Ultimate Road Trip: Campus 2 Career."

According to SWTJC Director of Student Services Melissa De Leon, the program is open to all students and faculty.

"The program emphasizes the importance of academics, time management, setting goals and maximizing opportunities both in college and in future careers," De Leon said. "Though the main target audience is first-year students, the program offers information that will be beneficial to all students."

Topics to be highlighted in the presentation include: successfully managing the transition to college, tips for getting great grades, efficient time management and the power of the work experience and internships.

Students will also receive advice on career options and turning those options into successful experiences in college and beyond.

Interactive exercises and a workbook will provide program participants the opportunity to actively participate in the program.

The program is free of charge and students attending the presentation are eligible to receive orientation credit.

According to SWTJC President Ismael Sosa, the SACS on-site review committee met with SWTJC faculty, staff and administrators on Thursday, Oct. 6, to give a final briefing on the committee’s unofficial findings.

"We still have some work to do, primarily in the areas of institutional effectiveness and our quality enhancement plan, but we have five months to get things corrected for our final report and I know we will get the job done," Sosa said.

President Sosa thanked all college employees for their work on preparing for the SACS committee’s visit.

"I especially want to thank the hospitality committee and chairperson Nita Reed for all of their hard work. They did an outstanding job," Sosa said.

The SWTJC president also noted that the faculty and staff’s commitment to the college and their students rang out loud and clear to members of the SACS committee.

"All of the committee members commented on the enthusiasm of our faculty and staff and their obvious dedication to the students of Southwest Texas Junior College. To me that was the highlight of the SACS visit," Sosa said.

Following submission of SWTJC’s final report in March, the SACS Commission on Colleges will review the report and announce its official findings next June.

SACS is a regional accreditation agency serving an 11-state region of the U.S. including Texas. The agency is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Willard L. Lewis III, president of Isothermal Community College in Spindale, NC, chaired the nine-member committee visiting SWTJC. Representing the SACS Commission on Colleges was Dr. Gerald D. Lord, associate executive director of the COC.

Colleges accredited by SACS are required to go through the reaffirmation process every 10 years.

University representatives from around the state as well as the nation will be recruiting prospective students on campus from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom.

Tom Schliesing, head of student services and recruitment at SWTJC, said that 25 universities attended last year’s transfer day and the same number are expected to be represented at this year’s event as well.

Transfer day allows students to visit with representatives from different universities about what they have to offer. "It provides students the opportunity to research a variety of universities without ever having to leave the campus," Schliesing said. "The universities come to the students."

University Transfer Day is also hosted in conjunction with College Day, an opportunity for area high school students to visit SWTJC.

This annual event provides students with the knowledge and information concerning various aspects of college

Providing breakout sessions that answer questions many high school students have about college, SWTJC College Day also allows students to take campus tours and meet current college students.

The breakout sessions cover admissions, testing, dual credit and financial aid. An area will also be available for students to visit with SWTJC faculty and students about various academic and technical programs the college offers.

For more information about University Transfer Day or College Day, contact Tom Schliesing at 591-7226.

Ernest Santos, SWTJC and Tech Prep criminal justice instructor, said the event was a big success.

"The festival went really well. Every booth was operated by high school students from various organizations," Santos said. "The students did an outstanding job in making this event successful."

The event was sponsored by the UHS/SWTJC criminal justice classes with help from various high school organizations.

Food and activity booths along with musical entertainment kept festival attendees busy Saturday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

The UHS and SWTJC automotive technology department sponsored a "Show and Shine" car show. Various classes of cars and motorcycles were on display.

"We had 20 plus entries in the show," SWTJC and automotive instructor Carlos Ramos said. "The biggest attractions were a 1959 Cadillac and a low-rider convertible."

Certificates of appreciation were given to each participant in the car show.

The festival had originally been scheduled for Sept. 24 but, due to bad weather forecasts, was rescheduled for Oct. 1.

"We had a great turnout. It was wonderful for these students to give up a Saturday to come out and give a helping hand. We are very proud of them," Santos said.

All profits from the festival will be donated to the American Red Cross to assist in hurricane relief efforts.

Board approves 2005 tax rate
In a unanimous vote, the SWTJC Board of Trustees approved an 11 cent tax rate for 2005 during a special called meeting at noon on Sept. 26.

Board members also approved issuing requests for qualifications for architectural services. According to SWTJC Chief Financial Officer Hector Gonzales, this is the first step in moving forward on construction of new facilities for Sul Ross University Rio Grande College on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

Dean of Admissions Joe Barker also reported to the board on final registration figures for the fall 2005 semester. The college enrolled 5,004 students this semester, falling just short of the all-time record registration of 5,113 students set in the fall of 2004.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) reaffirmation committee is slated to visit SWTJC on Oct. 4-6.

SACS is a regional accreditation agency serving an 11-state region of the U.S. which includes Texas.

Dr. Willard L. Lewis III, president of Isothermal Community College in Spindale, NC, will serve as chair of the nine-member committee scheduled to make an on-site visit to SWTJC.

Representing the SACS Commission on Colleges on the committee will be Dr. Gerald D. Lord, associate executive director of the COC.

Other members of the committee include: Billy C. Beal, dean of learning resources, Meridian Community College, Meridian, MS; Dr. Lorette M. Hoover, vice president of instruction, Southwest Georgia Technical College, Thomasville, GA; Angela E. Howard, director of planning and research, Robeson Community College, Lumberton, NC; Dr. Roger C. Noe, chief academic officer, Southeast Community College, Cumberland, KY; and Dr. Michael D. Summers, vice president for academic and student affairs, Tidewater Community College, Norfolk, VA.

Quality Enhancement Plan lead evaluators are: C. William McKee, Ed.D., professor of education and public service management, Cumberland University, Lebanon, TN; and Anna T. Strange, director of planning and institutional effectiveness, Central Carolina Technical College, Sumter, SC.

Colleges accredited by SACS are required to go through the reaffirmation process every 10 years.

"We ended up with 5,004 students this fall and our all-time record is 5,113 set last fall," SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker said. "Even though our head count is down slightly, it looks like our contact hours will be up and that’s the really important number."

Barker said the increase in contact hours is due to an increase in full-time versus part-time students. A student is considered full-time if they are enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours.

"We have a few less students, but they are taking more hours and that will keep our revenues up," Barker said.

A breakdown of enrollment shows Uvalde with 1,537 students, Eagle Pass with 1,498 and Del Rio with 1,128 students this fall.

Rounding out the top 10 enrollment sites are: Hondo Torres Unit, 144; Crystal City, 136; Dilley Briscoe Unit, 100; Pearsall, 81; Carrizo Springs, 74; Hondo, 68; and Cotulla, 32.

Other enrollment numbers from sites across the college’s 11-county service area are: Brackettville, 30; Dilley, 26; Sabinal, 22; Nueces Canyon, 18; Utopia, 15; D’Hanis, 15; Leakey, 13; Natalia, 9; La Pryor, 4; Rocksprings, 3; and Asherton, 2.

Since the fall 2000 semester, total enrollment at SWTJC has increased 46% from 3,716 to 5,004.

Garner lecture set Oct. 11
Author and historian Patrick Cox, Ph.D., will present a lecture on former Vice President John Nance Garner on Oct. 11 at Southwest Texas Junior College’s Tate Auditorium in Uvalde.

Cox, who is historian and assistant director for congressional collections at the Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin, serves as director of the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum in Bonham and the John Nance Garner Museum in Uvalde.

Dr. Cox specializes in 20^th century American political, media and social history with an emphasis on Texas and the Southwest.

Cox’s biography on late U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough, Ralph W. Yarborough: The People’s Senator, was a finalist in the Western Writers Association book awards, the 2002 Robert Kennedy Foundation Book Award and honorable mention at the Texas Philosophical Society’s annual book awards.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and Jack Lampe’s government classes are sponsoring Cox’s lecture at the college.

"We invite the public to come join us as Dr. Cox shares some of his expertise on the life and times of Vice President Garner," Lampe said.

The lecture will be held starting at 11 a.m. in the Tate Auditorium.

Ernest Santos, instructor for criminal justice at both SWTJC and UHS, says the event will include food, entertainment and activities. "We encourage the community to come join the youth of Uvalde to assist those who have been affected by the recent hurricane.

Local bands performing throughout the day will serve as entertainment along with various activities including a car show, a dunking booth, canoe races, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, volleyball tournament and a 3K run.

Food booths will also be available during  the mini-festival.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and all proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross hurricane relief fund.

For more information please contact Ernest Santos at 591-2945 or 591-7875.

According to SWTJC Eagle Pass student activities coordinator Joel E. Vela, the items collected for Hurricane Katrina victims were driven to San Antonio by SWTJC truck driving instructor Luis Trevino and two of his students.

An additional nine students from SWTJC and Sul Ross Rio Grande College in Eagle Pass, also made the trip to San Antonio to help unload the trailer at the Salvation Army’s Disaster Relief Center.

"The students spent about two hours unloading and helping stack the materials in the designated locations," Vela said. "Everyone was pretty tired by the time we finished, but it was a good tired knowing we were helping others."

The 18-wheeler trailer from the truck driving program used for the project was approximately two-thirds full, Vela noted.

"You name it we had it," Vela said. "The students and faculty at SWTJC and Sul Ross Rio Grande College did a great job answering the call of those in need."

Collections for the project came from SWTJC campuses in Eagle Pass and Uvalde.

Women’s head coach Richard Flores is hopeful about the upcoming season.

"It looks like we will be able to put some girls on the floor with a good deal more height this season and that will help," Flores said. "All the girls have been working hard and I look forward to a great season."

Men’s coach Aurelio De Leon is equally optimistic about his team.

"We still have some things to work on, but overall the team played well in our scrimmage on Sept. 14 with Our Lady of the Lake," De Leon said. "This will be one of the quickest teams we’ve ever put on the floor at SWTJC. They should be fun to watch."

First action for both teams will be Saturday in Beeville against Coastal Bend College.

Home opener for SWTJC teams will be on Sept. 28 against Northwest Vista College.

A total of seven teams are scheduled to compete in 2005-2006 league action including: SWTJC, Coastal Bend, Alamo Community College District schools Northwest Vista, Palo Alto and San Antonio College, Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio and Houston’s Cy Fair College.

Other home games for SWTJC teams during the fall semester include: Palo Alto, Oct. 12; Coastal Bend, Oct. 15; Cy Fair, Oct. 22; San Antonio College, Nov. 9; and Coastal Bend, Dec. 3.

"Getting involved"event 
draws good crowd in Uvalde
SWTJC Uvalde student services director Melissa DeLeon reports a good turnout for the "Getting Involved on Campus" program held Sept. 8.

"We had over 100 students come by the ballroom and that’s a great turnout," DeLeon said.

Just over a dozen clubs and organizations on the Uvalde campus had informational tables and displays set up in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom.

Combined attendance at the two-day musical festival was approximately 10,000 people.

Headline performers at the 2005 show included Uvalde’s grammy-award winning Los Palominos and Ramon Ayala y los Bravos del Norte from Mission, Texas.

SWTJC President Ismael Sosa, Jr., Ph.D. offered his sincere thanks to Los Palominos and Palomino Fest organizers on behalf of the college board, administration, faculty, staff and students.

"The support of Los Palominos for our institution has been super," Sosa said. "We sincerely appreciate Los Palominos utilizing their talents and reputation to provide scholarships to some very deserving and needy students from across our service area."

To date, Sosa noted that nine different students from throughout the college’s 11-county service area have benefited from scholarships generated through proceeds earned at the annual Palomino Festival.

According to SWTJC Eagle Pass student activities coordinator Joel Vela, "Operation Stuff the Bus" aims to fill to capacity an 18-wheeler trailer with goods to help with relief efforts for Katrina victims relocated to San Antonio.

"SWTJC’s professional truck driving program is providing us the trailer and it is located in the vacant lot adjacent to the Administration Building in Eagle Pass," Vela explained.

Items recommended for donation include: nonperishable food, bottled water, school supplies (i.e. paper, pencils, crayons), small stuffed animals, personal hygiene items, liquid hand soap, towels, games, backpacks, blankets, toilet paper, diapers and baby wipes.

"Monetary donations can also be made at the college library or administration building," Vela added.

In Uvalde, the SWTJC Campus Ministry and Student Activities Board are coordinating collection efforts.

Student activities director Ana Almaraz and health clinic director Imelda Ramirez are contact persons in Uvalde.

Collection areas have been set up in the Student Activities Office located in the Matthews Student Center and at the SWTJC Health Clinic located on the west side of the La Forge Hall gymnasium.

Monetary donations in Uvalde can be made at the SWTJC Business Office.

At the SWTJC Del Rio Campus, student activities coordinator Cody Barker is in charge of the project.

Enrollment tops 5,000 students
Unofficial enrollment at Southwest Texas Junior College stands at 5,237 students following the end of late registration on August  30.

"We have to wait until the 12^th class day before our numbers become official," SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker said. "We always lose some students between the end of registration and the 12^th class day, but we should be above 5,000 this semester and may even get close to last fall’s record enrollment."

Official enrollment during the fall 2005 semester was 5,113, an all-time record for the college.

A breakdown of this year’s unofficial enrollment shows: Uvalde, 1,641; Eagle Pass, 1,550; Del Rio, 1,183; Hondo Torres Unit, 151; Crystal City, 141; and Dilley Briscoe Unit, 106.

Other enrollment figures at sites across the college’s 11-county service area are: Pearsall, 85; Carrizo Springs, 74; Hondo 68; Cotulla, 31; Brackettville, 29; Dilley, 29; Sabinal, 26; Nueces Canyon, 18; Leakey, 15; Utopia, 15; D’Hanis, 10; Natalia, 8; La Pryor, 4; Rocksprings, 3; and Asherton, 2.

The board voted at its Aug. 18 meeting to proceed with adopting an 11 cent tax rate. No public hearings on the tax rate were scheduled at that time because calculations using information provided by the Uvalde County Appraisal District (UCAD) showed the effective tax rate for 2005 was greater than the proposed rate.

On Aug. 23, UCAD released corrected figures showing that the 2005 effective tax rate of 10 cents is actually lower than the 11 cent proposed rate.

The board is expected to vote to schedule the required public hearings for Sept. 12 and 15.

According to the latest certified taxable values supplied by appraisal districts in Uvalde, Real and Zavala counties, SWTJC’s adjusted tax base for 2005 rose by nine percent to $1,246,763,274.
EFFECTIVE TAX RATE CALCULATIONS

SWTJC chief financial officer Hector Gonzales explained that overall appraised values for the college’s taxing district (Uvalde, Real, Zavala counties) remained basically flat.

"When you take out increases on property of disabled and 65 and older homeowners whose taxes are frozen, our overall appraisal is basically unchanged," Gonzales told the board.

The district’s effective tax rate for 2005 is 11 cents, the same as the actual rate for 2004.

Next step will be for the board to formally adopt the 11 cent rate at its September board meeting. Since the proposed rate is the same as the effective rate, no public hearings are required.

In other action Thursday, the board voted to move forward with seeking approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Board to add a one-year construction carpentry certificate to the college’s curriculum.

If the state approves SWTJC’s application, the new program will be offered at the Hondo Torres Unit starting in January. Plans call for the program to be available in Uvalde and possibly other sites starting the fall of 2006.

SWTJC trustees also voted to extend the college’s depository contract with First State Bank of Uvalde through Aug. 31, 2007.

Presented by HEB, this year’s festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4, at the fairgrounds located on Highway 90 just west of Uvalde.

Saturday’s activities will include cowboy horse races and a ranch rodeo during the afternoon and a full lineup of live music that night featuring local country artist Dennis Ray and Tejano music group Solido.

On Sunday, Norteño music legend Ramon Ayala will headline a full lineup of national and regional musicians including Uvalde’s own grammy-award-winning Los Palominos.

Other bands confirmed for Sunday include Inzendio, Jaime Jimenez y Tokante and Grupo Extremo.

Part of the proceeds from this year’s event will go toward educational scholarships at Southwest Texas Junior College.

Over the past two years $20,000 has been contributed to SWTJC’s Palomino Fest Scholarship Fund.

Debra Weeden, senior petroleum geophysicist for ExxonMobil, was in Uvalde July 27 to visit with program participants and attend the closing ceremony for the inaugural GeoFORCE Texas summer academy.

At the ceremony, Weeden presented a $10,000 check to UT-Austin Jackson School of Geosciences Associate Director Doug Ratcliff. The contribution from the ExxonMobil Foundation represents her company’s initial support for the GeoFORCE Texas initiative.

"GeoFORCE Texas provides a great opportunity for students interested in math and science to be exposed to the wonders of Earth science and to interact with students from the Southwest Texas region who share their interest in academic excellence," Weeden said. "ExxonMobil is excited to be a part of the GeoFORCE program and we look forward to following these young students all the way to careers in the high-tech industries of the future."

Earlier in the day, Weeden addressed the 40 ninth graders who had just completed the summer academy and provided insight into opportunities available in geoscience-related fields. She also gave students her personal perspective on the role and challenges facing female geoscientists in the oil and gas industry.

GeoFORCE Texas will continue next year with a new group of ninth graders following an itinerary similar to this summer’s academy. This year's group will participate in the academy for tenth graders that will take place at the Grand Canyon.

Regular on-site registration in Uvalde will be Aug. 24 and Aug. 25. First day of fall classes is scheduled Aug. 29.

Sponsored by Southwest Texas Junior College and the University of Texas at Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences, with corporate support from ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Foundation, Shell Oil Company, the SBC Foundation and Priority Oil & Gas, the new program is aimed at recruiting prospective geoscientists from among top Southwest Texas math and science students.

"The purpose of the field study in Uvalde County was to demonstrate to students how interesting geology can be and hopefully spark an interest that will carry them on to a future study of the geosciences," said Doug Ratcliff, associate director of the Jackson School.

A total of 24 area students who will be entering the ninth grade this fall took part in the two-day event hosted by SWTJC and the Jackson School. The students represented eight Southwest Texas communities including Brackettville, Cotulla, Crystal City, Del Rio, Dilley, Eagle Pass, Rocksprings and Uvalde.

Program participants from Uvalde were Kimberly Albarado, Jamie Hawkins-Kirkham, Samantha Perez and Ricardo Rodriguez.

Also participating in the field study were Eagle Pass students Abigail Barrios, Luciano Esquivel, Melissa Jimenez, Liliana Jimenez, Raquel De La Cruz, Stephanie Sanchez and Azia Ledesma.

Dilley students Abram Garcia, Mysia Proctor, Melerie DeLeon and Crystal Torres took part in the program, while Andrew Valles of Cotulla participated as well.

Crystal City participants included Natalie Chapa and Carmen Sanchez.

Joshua Smith and Javier Amaro, both of Del Rio, were members of the field study, as was Jeffrey Dabney of Rocksprings.

Brackettville students Emily Calk, Harmony Pettett and Jacob Schroeder were all program participants also.

"We wanted to give students a chance to see the many geological sites that surround us," said Dick Whipple, SWTJC curriculum and instruction director. "We pass by many of these sites daily and never realize their geological significance."

On the first day of the field study, students learned from Sigrid Clift, geologist for the Jackson School’s Bureau of Economic Geology, that Uvalde was in a province of volcanic activity about 80 million years ago.

Visiting a site of the Frio River just off Garner Field Road, students were able to stand where there was once a volcanic crater. At this same location, students observed where volcanic ash had been converted, over time, to rock.

First day activities also included a trip to the Vulcan Materials rock quarry in Knippa. There students were given a tour of the quarry by assistant plant manager Mike Shutter and were able to collect basalt samples.

On their way back to Uvalde, students also collected samples of a Del Rio formation alongside one of the area farm-to-market roads just outside the city.

Lunch was served at the Uvalde Historical Commission’s Ft. Inge Park where students sat along the Leona River while Clift discussed river ecology and the Edwards Aquifer. They also learned that Mount Inge is composed of remnants from an extinct volcano.

Later in the day, John Andrews, also with the Jackson School’s Bureau of Economic Geology, gave a virtual tour of the Edwards Aquifer and the Big Bend National Park to the group and Clift presented a simulation on the importance of water conservation and pollution awareness.

After dinner, students were taken to the Annandale Ranch, to watch the nightly exodus of more than a million Mexican free-tail bats from a large cave along the Frio River.

The first event of day two was a visit to the Vulcan Materials Uvalde Plant located off Highway 90 west of Uvalde. Chuck Bevis, Vulcan plant manager, gave an overview of the plant’s operations and then took students on a tour of the quarry. Students examined and collected fossils imbedded in the limestone material used to make rock asphalt.

Following the trip to the Vulcan plant, an examination of the upper Nueces River canyon and an overview of the two-day field study was made at Big Oak River Camp on Highway 55 near Lake Nueces County Park. Students then enjoyed lunch and swimming in the crystal-clear Nueces River.

A closing session was held on the SWTJC Uvalde campus in the college’s Tate Auditorium. Program participants received a certificate of completion, along with a rock kit.

"This was a wonderful group of students to work with and I know they went home with an increased awareness of the area’s geology," said GeoFORCE Texas Program Coordinator Julie Spink.

Spink thanked area teachers Wanda Demboske of Uvalde High School, Brett White of Hondo Junior High and Kathryn Dowlearn of the Leakey ISD, for helping chaperone and teach the young geoscientists.

SWTJC’s Whipple also thanked college staff members Julie Garcia, Nita Reed, Suzanne McCormack, Eva Gonzalez and Anna-Marie Darden for assisting with the event.

"Thanks to everyone involved I believe we put on an event that will inspire and motivate these students to actively consider geology as a future course of study," Whipple said.

Through the Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program, the Foundation awards a total of 400 scholarships annually to students attending higher-education institutions granting two-year degrees.

French will complete her final three hours this fall at SWTJC toward her Associate of Arts degree and will be taking additional courses at SWTJC as she continues work towards a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Sul Ross Rio Grande College.

During her time at SWTJC, French has maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average and been involved in a variety of clubs and activities.

She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and will serve as chapter vice president of campus affairs. French has also been involved in numerous drama productions at SWTJC and during the 2004-2005 school year was editor of The Southwest Texan.

In addition, French has been named on the SWTJC President’s List honor roll and was selected by college faculty as a Who’s Who honoree during the 2004-2005 school year. She has also been active in a variety of community service projects, logging a total of 678 hours of community service during the past school year.

"Debbie French has been an outstanding student and an active participant in the life of Southwest Texas Junior College and the Uvalde community," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa Jr. said. "She is absolutely deserving of this scholarship."

The Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program is made possible with the funding from the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation. The Whitehead Foundation provides grants in support of human services initiatives. The late Joseph B. Whitehead was one of the original bottlers of Coca-Cola.

"These scholarships give support and encouragement to an under-served population of college students," said J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. "These fine students, who often juggle school, work and family, continue to give back to their communities through volunteer service."

The Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program complements the Foundation’s Coca-Cola Scholars Program, which awards more than $1.8 million annually in college scholarships to 250 outstanding high school seniors. The Coca-Cola Scholars program is one of the most recognized and respected corporate-sponsored scholarships in America.

Tucker took first place in the Memoir division, one of 14 different divisions in the annual contest sponsored by the Panhandle Professional Writers Organization, the second oldest continuously running writers’ group in the U.S.

According to Tucker, her winning entry, entitled "Single Defiance," tells the "amazing" love story of her grandparents John and Cora Sparks and their life together in Southwest Texas.

Since winning the contest, Tucker has been contacted by a literary agent representing a large publishing house in New York City.

"They want to see the complete manuscript, so that’s very exciting," Tucker said. "Now I have to get busy and finish the story."

Tucker, who helps coordinate the annual SWTJC Creative Arts Contest, is the author of numerous magazine and newspaper articles, short stories and poems.

She is a sponsor of the SWTJC Creative Writers’ Club and this past spring Tucker received the 2005 Outstanding Faculty Member Award presented annually by the SWTJC administration.

The program, funded by a NASA grant, is aimed at improving math skills among at risk students in hopes of improving their chances of earning a college education.

PACE/MSET program graduates from Uvalde this year include Laura P. Rodriguez, Elizabeth Kay Tovar, Justin Morales, Phyllis Ann Moya, Santiago D. De Leon, Francisco J. Gonzalez and Georgina Rodriguez.

Graduates from Batesville are Stephanie Flores, Matthew Luna, Joanna Puente, Audrey Vasquez, Jesse Mercado and Alicia Mason.

Crystal City graduates in 2005 include Amanda Cervantez, Ernesto Gomez, Felicia Jemenez, Silver Salinas, Patricia Lopez, Anna Lizette Valdez, Michael Montantez, Robert Hernandez, Robert Lee Gomez, Vince Martinez, Heather Nevarez, Noralyssia Medina, Sylvester Salinas and Baltazar Castro.

Silver Salinas of Crystal City and Georgina Rodriguez of Uvalde received special recognition at the recent graduation ceremony for being top male and female THEA students.

Also receiving special recognition were Audrey Vasquez and Jesse Mercado, both of Batesville, for their outstanding performance in Algebra II classes.

Students in PACE/MSET commit to three years participation in the program, starting their eighth grade year. Participants meet one Saturday per month from December through May to review math skills from previous and current school years.

The program also includes an intensive five-week summer academy where students are taught new math skills for the next math course they are scheduled to take in high school.

During the summer program, students stay in the dorms on the SWTJC Uvalde campus. Program director Hernandez says living on campus during the summer academy gives students a chance to experience what college life is really like.

"Students learn what it is like to be away from home and on their own," Hernandez said. "They learn the importance of being responsible and I really feel like the experience prepares students for college."

The primary scope and disciplinary focus of SWTJC’s PACE/MSET Program is to strengthen secondary/post-secondary at-risk students’ skills and knowledge in mathematics as it is applied to science, engineering and technology courses.

By strengthening their math skills, the program hopes to increase future enrollment in college math, science, engineering and technology disciplines and encourage students to pursue careers in related fields.

Besides course work, the group also experiences a variety of cultural activities through trips to a San Antonio Missions baseball game, Fiesta Texas, Sea World, Garner State Park and the campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Each student who complete the program this summer received a certificate of completion, a check for $175, season passes to Fiesta Texas and Sea World, and a "yearbook" of their activities over the past year.

Curanderos: They Heal the Sick with Prayers and Herbs is now available at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com and Wheatmark.com.

Hernandez’ mother, the late Aurora Treviño-Hernandez, was the author’s inspiration.

"My mom had 15 children to care for and, like many Mexican-American mothers of that time, she had a home remedy for just about everything," Hernandez said. "I originally wrote about some of her home remedies, and the herbs she used, for a paper I was working on at Sul Ross University Rio Grande College."

Eventually, Hernandez said he wanted to put the information down in book form so his family would have a written record of his mom’s home treatments, most of which she learned from her mother-in-law.

In addition to the chapter about home remedies for afflictions like el mal de ojo, el susto, mal de aire, el empacho and others, Hernandez’ book also includes a chapter about his experiences witnessing the work of well known area curandero Don Panchito from Sabinal.

Hernandez watched Don Panchito treat various men and women in his small "chapel" on several occasions. He made audio recordings of all his visits.

"I saw some amazing things happen there and the hair stood up on my arm on more than one occasion," Hernandez said. "I don’t know how it works, but it does."

The final chapter in his book deals with herbs, their uses, benefits and methods of preparation for consumption.

Hernandez did the cover art for his book and the artwork included on chapter division pages. Each chapter begins with scripture from the New Testament of the Bible.

The text of the Apostles Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and other prayers frequently used by Hernandez’ mother and Don Panchito in their efforts to heal the sick are also included in the book in both English and Spanish.

Hernandez hopes to have a book signing in Uvalde sometime later this summer.

The four-week course, instructed by Chad Luce, ran from May 23 through June 23. The training covered safety, maintenance, operation and job opportunities in the heavy equipment industry.

At the end of the course, area employers were invited to a field operations day, which showcased skills of the students while they performed a variety of work on various equipment.

"We had a great group of students. They learned quite a bit and did some actual projects at the Uvalde campus," said Luce. "

According to Luce, projects the students worked on included installing a drain pipe, paving roads and constructing the base for an on-campus building that will eventually be relocated.

One of the benefits of the course is students receive different certifications.

Ronnie Garza, SWTJC job placement coordinator, said participants that complete the course receive OSHA and TEEX certificates. "These certifications, along with completion of the course, will increase participants’ chance of finding employment," Garza said.

The SWTJC Workforce and Training Division has plans to offer future heavy equipment courses.

For more information about future classes, contact SWTJC Workforce Training and Development Director Romelia Aranda at 830-591-4114 .

Lumina Foundation’s national partner organizations – the American Association of Community Colleges; Community College Leadership Program at the University of Texas-Austin; Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University; Jobs for the Future; MDC; MDRC; and Public Agenda – also provide support.

The budget represents a 7.47% increase over the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

Board members amended the budget to increase proposed raises for hourly maintenance, day care and food service employees, as well as clerical staff.

The proposed budget reflected a three percent across the board pay raise for college employees. At the recommendation of board president Rodolfo R. Flores, the adopted budget reflects a five percent salary hike for hourly maintenance, day care and food service workers, a four percent increase for employees on the clerical scale and three percent for all other college personnel.

SWTJC President Ismael Sosa also recommended and received board approval for an additional $2,000 raise for college deans.

Funding to cover steps and increments for eligible college employees is also included in this year’s budget.

In presenting the proposed budget, SWTJC Chief Financial Officer and Dean of Business and Instructional Services Hector Gonzales noted that the college anticipates a $2.9 million increase in state appropriations over the next biennium.

The increase reflects a 18.5% increase in contact hours at SWTJC over the previous biennium. SWTJC ranked second behind Cisco Community College (19.3%) in percentage increase among the state’s 50 community colleges. Statewide, contact hours were up 4.4%.

A $2 per semester hour tuition increase is also included in this year’s budget. No increase in the college’s property tax rate is proposed in the new budget.

In other action at Thursday’s board meeting, trustees named Dr. Mark Underwood as the new chair of the humanities and fine arts division. Previous division chair Jill Coe will be the new director of the Achieving the Dream initiative being funded by a $400,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education.

Trustees also accepted bids for microscopes from Benz Microscope Optics Center Inc. and from McCoy’s and MG Building Materials for materials and tools.

A $39,900 bid from Dr. Rogelio Ramirez of Uvalde was accepted by the board for a 1,300 square foot house built by Adult Basic Education students in the Equip for the Future program.

A fall class is scheduled to begin in Uvalde in August. For more information on the academy, call 591-7237.

The summer-long program’s purpose is to give at-risk students the opportunity to experience college life first hand the summer after their senior year in high school. The program also focuses on helping these students start and continue their college education.

This year’s program has a total of 46 participants from across SWTJC’s 11-county service area.

The students, many of them first generation college students, live on campus in dormitories. They are provided three meals a day, tuition, books and supplies.

Students take two classes the first summer session and two classes the second summer session. College bound students may take any college course for which they are eligible. Students finish the program with 13 hours of college credit. Along with the 13 credit hours, a robotics training and leadership component are provided.

The leadership component focuses on students working in teams and developing various skills such as resume writing, mock interviewing and applying for jobs. Outdoor activities such as a camping trip and the Skills Challenge Ropes Course are also featured through the leadership component.

All students are placed in a work-study position on campus where they work 16 hours a week. Students are paid at the end of every week.

SWTJC Technical Programs Director Johnny Guzman is the College Bound coordinator.

"This program is a way to show students how to survive in college," Guzman said. "When I see College Bound participants on campus the following fall, they always seem much more prepared than the normal freshman student."

The program promotes time management with a daily mandatory study period from 7 to 9 p.m. According to Guzman, this helps students realize the need to "find time to study and organize their priorities."

Guzman also points out that the program helps students meet new people and build friendships.

"Through this program students learn how to make friends, that way, when they return in the fall, they don’t feel alone or as if they do not know anybody. It makes the experience of starting college a lot easier," Guzman said.

The program runs Monday through Thursday with various cultural events throughout the summer. Some of these events include a trip to Schlitterbahn, Fiesta Texas, a San Antonio Missions game, a San Antonio theater production and a camping trip on the Nueces River at Lost Canyon.

Last year, 100% percent of College Bound participants continued on to college with 90% continuing their studies at SWTJC.

Approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the new Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) provides a curriculum at the community college level that is fully transferable to any Texas public university offering baccalaureate degree programs leading to initial teacher certification.

Mitchel Burchfield, Ed.D., chair of the college’s education division, will be coordinating the new degree program at SWTJC.

"Training new teachers is a top priority for the state because of the predicted shortage of qualified teachers," Burchfield said. "We plan to work closely with our university partners, especially Sul Ross University Rio Grande College, to increase the number of new teachers for Texas’ schools."

According to Burchfield, students seeking their AAT will have the option of specializing in three areas – elementary, secondary and early childhood.

"Several courses in each of these specialization areas have been redesigned for the AAT," Burchfield explained. "The revisions are mainly in field experience requirements, which will give prospective teachers more opportunity to experience first-hand what it is like to be in the classroom working with children from various grades."

Burchfield said area school districts have shown a willingness to work with the college to provide prospective teachers the increased classroom experience needed to meet the new course requirements.

In addition to preparation for a four-year teaching degree, students who complete their AAT will also satisfy current state requirements for public school paraprofessionals.

For more information on the new degree program, including classes available this fall, contact Burchfield at 591-7325 or by e-mail at mburchfield@swtjc.cc.tx.us

Summer enrollment high at SWTJC
Enrollment for the first summer session may set a new record at Southwest Texas Junior College.

"We won’t have official numbers until June 6 but we should end up with right around 1,600 students," SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker said. "We may not break our record for summer enrollment but we will be close if we don’t."

According to Barker, the all-time summer enrollment record is 1,588 students set last year.

A breakdown of unofficial registration numbers at the college’s top three sites shows Eagle Pass with 583 students, Uvalde with 502 and Del Rio with 386.

Classes for the first summer session started May 31 and will run through July 8.

Faculty association
scholarship winners listed
The SWTJC Faculty Association has named its scholarship recipients for the 2005-2006 school year.

At SWTJC Uvalde, Elizabeth Field has been awarded the academic scholarship and Arely Madrigal is the winner of the technical program scholarship.

SWTJC Eagle Pass scholarship recipients will be Rita Lopez, academic; and Julio Carrasco, technical. All scholarships are in the amount of $300.

Nancy Balzen and Lydia Silva, both child/family education specialists and instructors for the SWTJC workforce training and development program, hosted the luncheon at the Frank Chisum Regional Technical Center in Eagle Pass.

Many area dignitaries were on hand to congratulate the graduates including: Jesus Sanchez, Eagle Pass ISD superintendent; Enrique Montalvo, federal programs director for Eagle Pass ISD; Rodolfo Musquiz, migrant coordinator for Eagle Pass ISD; Lana Harper, parent involvement and staff development coordinator for Eagle Pass ISD; Norma Villarreal, Community Council Early Head Start director of Southwest Texas; Nina Limones, Community Council Head Start director of Southwest Texas; Ramon Abarca, Uvalde CISD superintendent; Blaine Bennett, SWTJC dean of technology and institutional advancement; and Romelia Aranda, workforce training and development director.

Following lunch, Balzen gave a brief overview of the scope and sequence of the 36-week program.

"Program participants put in a total of 144 clock hours. They would come in Friday afternoons to work on the modules. They worked very hard and we are extremely proud of them," Balzen said. "We also want to recognize the participants’ supervisors and thank them for their cooperation and sacrifice."

Silva handed out perfect attendance awards to Maria Laura Guerra and San Juanita Treviño, both of Eagle Pass.

Balzen and Silva handed out certificates of completion to their respective classes.

"We had a busy 36 weeks which included lectures, guest speakers and trips to various sites," Silva said. "It was a great way for program participants to see first hand the different type of agencies that will need their services."

Earning certificates of completion were Rebeca E. Cantu, Elizabeth Cardenas, Gevanna Carrizales, Pauline Castillo, Maria E. Chavarria, Nora M. Cruz, Brandy Daniel, Gloria De La Garza, Norma L. Elizalde, Melina Flores, Melodye Flores, Anna M. Frausto and Martha Y. Fuentes.

Also, Arturo R. Garcia, Beatriz Glynn, Rebeca Gomez, Jose A. Guereca, Maria L. Guerra, Dolores H. Kato, Leticia Lopez, Santa T. Lopez, Belinda J. Martinez, Dariela A. Martinez, Lorenza Martinez, Rosa T. Morales, Brenda Nandin and Perla P. Polanco.

Others receiving certificates of completion were Nieves Ramirez, Roxanna Ramirez, Leonides Rodriguez, Silvia G. Roque, Jesusita E. Ruiz, Maraline Salazar, Irma E. Salinas, Argelia Sanchez, Gabriel Segura, Raul S. Sturgeon, San Juanita Trevino.

The Professionals Working With Families and Communities Program was created when agencies such as head start and school districts voiced the need for entry level personnel to have some training in working with families and in the social services area.

"All of the students in the program are currently working with families and communities," said Balzen. "This program gives them the knowledge they need to be more efficient at their jobs."

"Participants may continue on with their education after this program. They may receive five credit semester hours if they enroll in the child development program at SWTJC," Silva added. "This gives each person the opportunity to further their education if they choose to do so."

One of the major projects of the course was a resource binder that each person created. The binders contain contact information of various agencies within the area that the professional may get in touch with should a problem or question arise.

Both instructors were presented plaques of appreciation by the program participants.

The next Professionals Working With Families and Communities program is scheduled for the fall. For more information contact the workforce training and development office at 830-591-4161, 830-758-4114 or 866-775-8545.

"This year we once again had a record number of graduates," SWTJC President Ismael Sosa, Ph.D., said. "Our steady increase in graduates is testament to the outstanding work of our faculty, support staff and, of course, our students."

SWTJC Dean of Admissions Joe Barker was master of ceremonies at this year's ceremony. 

Nelida Ayala of Batesville, a member of the 2005 graduating class,  delivered the invocation and SWTJC student Elissa R. Luevano of Uvalde led the singing of the National Anthem.

President Sosa introduced honored guests, including college board members Rodolfo R. Flores, Dr. Harry O. Watkins and Tony Moreno.

SWTJC Dean of Technology and Institutional Advancement Blaine Bennett, Ph.D., introduced keynote speaker Colonel Rudy C. Pruneda, Ph.D., of San Antonio.

Pruneda, a native of Uvalde, and alumnus of SWTJC, reminisced about his days at the college and encouraged graduates to continue striving for their best as they pursue future educational and career opportunities.

Dean of Admissions and Student Services Joe Barker presented the graduating class and Antonio H. Rivera, M.D., of Crystal City, a member of the SWTJC Board of Trustees, awarded diplomas and certificates.

SWTJC Dean of Instructional Services Hector E. Gonzales recognized honor graduates and outstanding students from various college programs.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of America by Elissa R. Luevano.

Warren Seymour Jr. was the organist for the 2005 commencement ceremony.

To accommodate the large crowd expected for this year’s event, a live feed of the ceremony was  broadcast in the Tate Auditorium and the Matthew’s Student Center Bluebonnet Room on the Uvalde campus.

Immediately following the ceremony, the college hosted a reception for graduates and their families in the Matthews Student Center Ballroom.

Administrative offices, a large waiting room, a faculty lounge and a conference room are all included in the new 4,900 square foot administration building.

The 14,000 square foot vocational/technical facility is home to the diesel technology program, the air conditioning and refrigeration program and vocational nursing. The facility also includes a general science lab and a distance learning classroom.

Completed in January of this year, total cost of the new additions was $2.3 million.

SWTJC Dean of Instructional Services Hector Gonzales, Eagle Pass Associate Dean Gilbert C. Bermea, and other dignitaries are all expected to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. in front of the new administration building.

Following the ribbon cutting, food and refreshments will be served and SWTJC Eagle Pass students will lead tours of the new facilities.

Cecil Atkission Motors Inc. representatives Keith Lutz of Kerrville, Kevin Lutz of Hondo, Gene Evans of Uvalde and Rene Uriegas of Uvalde were all on hand to speak to the students about what employers are looking for in today’s automotive technician.