The Skyline Newspaper

Photo: Detail, "Viaje Al Interior" by Maria Jose Leyva

Maria Jose Leyva MFA Exhibition Opens Jan. 28

"Interior Journey," a Master of Arts exhibition by Sul Ross State University student Maria Jose Leyva, Presidio, opens Monday, Jan. 28.

Leyva's exhibit will be on display through Feb. 8 in the Main Gallery, Francois Fine Arts Building.

"My art is influenced by physical expression of the human spirit and spiritual iconography," said Leyva. "In this exhibition I portray the inner spirit in each subject. My cultural heritage is one of the aspects that identifies my work and inspires the spirituality and emotion of these paintings.

During our lives we hear many stories we identify with and through this we experience an inner journey in ourselves. My work has become a reflection of these tales. By blending traditional renaissance imagery with a contemporary colors palette, I attempt to create a universal narrative about the inner journey we all take," she said.

History of QEP Selection at Sul Ross

In fall 2006, SRSU President R. Vic Morgan appointed a committee of 43 on the Alpine campus and 19 on the Rio Grande Campus to become familiar with the requirements for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Over the next two years, the committee was charged to choose and develop "something" that would improve student learning at SRSU.

Parameters for that "something" were that it needed to be: 1) a problem identified by data not just opinion, 2) something the university budget could absorb, 3) something we had or could produce the people and facilities to implement, and 4) would target measurable before and after student learning progress.

On the Alpine campus, committee members returned from their constituents with 82 ideas.

Those were later narrowed to 10 during small-group break-out sessions. At a subsequent meeting, committee members presented arguments for each of the 10 ideas and narrowed the field to two: "Critical Communications for the Community" and "Student Engagement and Responsibility." The committee was able to reach consensus by blending the two ideas into one, "Enhancing Academic Learning through Student Engagement." This umbrella theme also received a consensus vote of confidence from the Faculty Assembly.

Originally, the committee chose a wide list of learning objectives for the project:

• College Success Skills: writing, reading, speaking;
• Critical Thinking: problem solving, analysis, interpretation, judgment;
• Life Skills: accountability, self-motivation, time management, work ethic, self-expectations, citizenship skills, ethics, self-efficacy, acculturation, technology, professionalism;
• World View: global perspective, appreciation of diversity (class, gender, age, etc.).

However, as before-and-after testing requirements became clearer, the list of objectives were condensed into critical thinking because it seemed to come closest to covering as many of the desired objectives as possible into one test. Critical thinking also provided interdisciplinary responsibility that could include student activities, employment, and community relationships as well.

Committee members then provided over 63 tentative pilot ideas for increasing student engagement.

All three schools as well as staff, alumni, and students provided ideas. This list eventually evolved into a pilot program in order to capitalize on the energy and innovation already present within the university community. Most committee members also indicated a positive response from faculty toward faculty development.

The most controversial hurdle was the final step, as the committee chose one final strategy for achieving their goals. Suggestions included interdisciplinary research, service learning, and outdoor learning.

Those supporting each idea prepared a presentation to the committee at large, which was followed by an internet vote. Consensus was not reached this time, but outdoor learning received double the number of votes for the other choices.

The 2006-2007 year ended at this point. During the summer, a small committee began work on research and writing of an extensive support document.

Research confirmed the decisions already made by the committee. By mid-fall 2007, the document went through committee scrutiny, corrections, and voting.

In late fall 2007, student leaders met to choose a logo and name the project. They chose the Milky Way galaxy as a logo, named the entire project "Lobo Stars" with "Faculty Stars," "Pilot Stars of Engagement," and "Stars over La Frontera" as the names of the three strategies: faculty development, the innovative ideas, and outdoor learning respectively. Tweaking the presentation, proof-reading, and filling in missing data continued into January.

Following SACS review March 29-April 1 and their acceptance, the document will be made available on-line as part of the SRSU website. In five years, SRSU is required to submit a progress report as part of an annual update of information to SACS.

Football's Coach Bridges Leaves for Roswell

Drew Bridges, Sul Ross State University assistant head football coach, has resigned his position to accept a post at New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell.

Bridges, a member of the Lobo staff for the past six years, resigned his position effective Jan. 25. He will begin his new duties as offensive coordinator for the Broncos football team and instructor in physical education next month.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Bridges received a master's degree in education from Sul Ross. He served under former head coach Steve Wright as a graduate assistant, assistant coach, and for the past two years as assistant head coach. The Lobos posted a 5-4 won-lost record in 2006 and finished 5-5 this past season.

"This is a great opportunity for my family and for me professionally," Bridges said.

He and his wife, Laren, have two children, Cydney and Stroman.

NMMI, a junior college, competes in the Western States Football League. Head coach Jeff Lynn's teams have posted a 14-18 record during his three seasons, 6-5 in 2005, 5-5 in 2006, and 3-8 last season.

"I think Drew is going to be a great fit at NMMI," Lynn said. "His background as assistant head coach at Sul Ross, and his experience as a member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M while playing football there will serve him well here. We are very excited to get him."

Museum of the Big Bend to Add Education Program

Following successful renovation and new exhibits phases, the Museum of the Big Bend will add an education program in the near future.

The Museum, located on the Sul Ross State University campus, recently completed a $4.4 million fund-raising project to renovate, relocate and add new exhibits to the 70-year-old museum. Since the facility held its grand re-opening last fall, visitor attendance has risen over 30 percent.

Director Larry Francell now seeks to enhance the Museum's user-friendly approach through the education program. Applications for a curator of education and public programming are being received.

"Just like a library or other public facilities, if you can introduce children to the aspects a museum has to offer, you have a visitor for life," Francell said.

"Children's activities are essential to a community, and through the Museum's new education program, children will have additional opportunities to make, create, participate in hands-on activities and just have fun," he said.

Adding an education curator will enable the Museum staff to create programs, particularly for children. Three primary activities are planned: Saturdays at the Museum, after-school art classes and a summer art school.

"The education program can provide a bridge between the Museum and area communities, as well as another link between the Museum and Sul Ross," Francell said. "We plan to hire Sul Ross art students as instructors for the after-school and summer art classes.

"Saturdays at the Museum will entail a number of topics, including cowboy cooking, rock art, painting, wherever the imagination takes you," he said. "The program gives children another avenue for Saturday activities and gives them projects to take home. When artwork is on display in the house, it can pique the interest of parents as well."

The new education curator will also represent the Museum before the public with outreach, civic talks and public programs; assist with reports and grant applications designed to continue and expand educational programs.

"It's a win-win situation for the community, Sul Ross and the Museum of the Big Bend," Francell said.
For more information, contact Francell at (432) 837-8145 or francell@sulross.edu