The Skyline Newspaper

Dr. Louis Harveson receives the Educator of the Year award at the 
43rd Annual Conference of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society. Photo by Sarah Furtney

NRM Students, Faculty Attend Conference, Receive Awards

By Madeleine Cantu
Skyline Reporter

Last weekend, 26 students in the Natural Resource Management (NRM) program piled into vehicles and headed to San Antonio, where the 43rd Annual Conference of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society (TCWS) was held.

There were a reported 524 people in attendance at this meeting, from SRSU and at least five other universities with student chapters in NRM or similar programs.

The TCWS conference is one of the best opportunities students have when it comes to networking with professionals in their field. Federal, state, and private organizations, including Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), had tables set up with pamphlets, employment opportunities, and friendly representatives that gave students advice on career plans, whom to talk to for jobs, and what kind of classes they would recommend taking. Also, students were able to participate in a “mixer” on Thursday night, where they were assigned a personal mentor who gave them suggestions on career paths and how to be a desirable employee for organizations such as those aforementioned.

On Friday, there was the annual awards banquet. Sul Ross won third place in the Student Chapter Professional Development Award, which consisted of a $1,000 check to support student activities, and a plaque of recognition.
There are eight student chapters in the state of Texas. The winners were selected based on participation in conservation projects, community service, and volunteerism. Second and first places went to A&M and TSU, respectively.

Abel Guevara, a graduate student at Sul Ross, and president of the Range and Wildlife Club, received Outstanding Student Recognition in Wildlife. Gevara graduated in 2007 with a 4.0, and is currently researching elk. Only one student was recognized for each school.

The highlight of the night, perhaps, was the award for the Educator of the Year. This award is given to only one professor across the entire board of schools in attendance at this year’s ceremony. Dr. Louis Harveson, who came to SRSU ten years ago, , was honored with the award. Tara Poloskey, a biology graduate student, delivered a heart-warming speech that left possibly not a single dry eye in the audience. It was nothing short of moving, and I don’t think a single Sul Ross student present didn’t experience a tightening of the throat and a swelling of pride.

Throughout the 2 and a-half days of the conference, graduate students from all the schools gave PowerPoint presentations on the research they are currently conducting. Four Sul Ross students presented their scientific papers: Misty Sumner, Brendan Witt, Jose (Pepe) de la Luz Martinez-Garcia, Lorna Hernandez-Santin, and Daniel Ferris. This was a great opportunity for students to be heard in the wildlife field before graduation, and in allowing those in attendance to hear of the hard work being done by them.

In all, I believe the students and faculty of Sul Ross that have worked all year to better the school, were rewarded this past weekend. The university, despite its size compared to other schools in attendance, held its own weight, and, with all the dedication and hard work, the name Sul Ross being recognized.
Schroeder Named Head Football Coach

Wayne Schroeder has been named the 16th head football coach at SRSU in an announcement by Sul Ross director of athletics Kay Whitley.

Schroeder, who spent the past two seasons as defensive line coach for the Lobo football team, replaces Steve Wright who stepped down from the head coach’s position in December. Schroeder helped guide the Lobos to a 10-9 record including an American Southwest Conference mark of 8-9.

Schroeder takes the head coach’s job with a coaching career that spans more than 35 years.

A 1969 graduate of Southwest Texas State University-San Marcos in 1969 (kinesiology), Schroeder served as athletic coordinator and head football coach at William B. Travis High School in Austin from 2001 – 2006, where he led the team to a bi-district appearance in 2004.

Prior to his run in Austin, Schroeder served as director of athletics and head football coach at Taylor High School from 1987-2000, leading the team to eight playoff showings.

Schroeder was also head football and boy’s basketball coach at Granger High School from 1972 -1974. He began his coaching career as head football and basketball coach at Hutto High from 1969 -1971.

“We had an excellent pool of applicants,” Whitley said in Monday’s announcement. “While the final decision was difficult, we felt that Wayne, with his credentials, will bring a positive and disciplined chemistry to our football program.”

“I can’t express the gratitude I have for Sul Ross allowing me this tremendous opportunity,” Schroeder said. “To be able to walk into a program that Coach Wright has taken to a competitive level and continue to improve on that foundation brings many exciting challenges and I know that we are looking forward to meeting those challenges.”

“With continual improvement not just on the field but in the recruiting and retention aspects, we will continue to solidify a growing loyalty between our football program and the Alpine community.”

La Entrada Meeting packs Marshall Auditorium

By Sharon Collyer
Skyline Reporter

In fervent unified opposition to La Entrada, residents of Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties flooded Marshall Auditorium and passionately voiced their concerns against a proposed plan that would exponentially increase freight traffic through the towns of Presidio, Marfa, Alpine, Marathon and Fort Davis.

During the second of three rounds of West Texas-wide public meetings, students, truck drivers, lawyers, professors, politicians, activists, river guides, federal employees, and residents from all possible walks of life, ages, economic situations, political inclinations, educational backgrounds, and ethnicities represented in West Texas actively gathered as one entity to publicly rebut the proposed international trade corridor that tentatively connects the Pacific Ocean port of Topolobampo, Mexico with American transportation routes by way of the Midland/Odessa area.

According to Brian Swindell, spokesman for HDR Engineering, the firm that is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to conduct the statistical survey study for La Entrada, the two alternatives for this project will depend entirely on when necessary amends to the Mexican transportation infrastructure can be completed.

If Mexican infrastructure is completed by the year 2030, Presidio can expect 338 inbound trucks a day, an increase of 186 trucks from today’s average of 152 trucks a day. However, if work on Mexican infrastructure is completed by 2020, Presidio’s international port of entry will receive 739 inbound trucks a day, an increase of 553 trucks daily. According to the present plan, all trucks would be routed through Alpine.

Based on these numbers, Swindell explained that the existing two-lane roadway from Presidio to Marfa and from Marfa to Alpine can support the increase of traffic, and that urban areas will be evaluated in the next phase of the study. He also explained that a variety of factors, such as competing Mexican ports, actual Mexican infrastructure completion date, and possible emphasis on rail systems versus roadways, would influence results. He also reiterated that the project was still in the study phase.

Following the forty-minute project overview presentation, concerned citizens expressed their dismay at the projected figures in an extended session of public commentary. Speaking to HDR and TXDOT representatives and to hundreds of their peers in the packed amphitheatre, dozens of opposed residents voiced questions and comments into microphones and received rousing support from audience members.

Concerns about the project varied widely; issues voiced included: increased traffic accidents, decreased law enforcement capabilities, increased burden to existing transportation infrastructure, increased light pollution, increased air pollution, concerns about safety priorities, traffic bottlenecks, increased crime, increased local economic pressure, and the disinterest of using pre-exiting railways.

However, the primary factor of concern expressed repeatedly throughout the meeting was the radically detrimental change to the quality of life that residents of West Texas enjoy that would undoubtedly take place if plans for La Entrada came to fruition.

HDR and TXDOT representatives listened patiently and attentively answered questions as succinctly as time allowed; they were also commended enthusiastically by audience members for their interest in disseminating information to the public about the project. Meetings will also take place in Midland/Odessa on Feb. 25, and Fort Stockton on Feb.26.

The next rounds of public meetings are expected to take place in August. The public is encouraged to visit the project web page at www.dot.state.tx.us and to email project leaders at TPP_TxDOT-LEAP@dot.state.tx.us.
Interested parties can also send written comments to Peggy Thurin, Texas Department of Transportation, 17111 Preston Road, Suite 200, Dallas, TX, 75248-1232. Public feedback is vital to the study, which is expected to be completed by October of this year. 

Sunshine House Needs Free Labor

By David Johnson
Skyline Contributor

The Sunshine House senior citizen’s activity center is getting new carpet and needs the help of some charitable young people on Sunday, Feb. 24.

On the previous Friday, Feb. 22, the center, located at 205 E. Sul Ross Ave., next door to Baeza’s Thriftway, will move everything to the kitchen with the help of city workers so that its old carpet can be replaced. 

On Sunday, Feb. 24, starting at 1:00 p.m., it will all need to be moved back in place so folks will have chairs to sit in and desks to write on come Monday, but they don’t have anyone to help them.

The building was erected in 1893 as a public school house and retired in that capacity in 1910.

It has since served as a hospital, college dormitory, and Border Patrol station, but for the last thirty years it has been leased to the non-profit organization Sunshine House by the city of Alpine. Recently, the city council voted to fund renovations which were badly needed there.

“Tears in the carpet make it a safety hazard,” explained Margaret Bumpas, Board of Director’s secretary.
“People can catch their foot and trip and hurt themselves very badly.”

The renovations will also include the installation of safety bars in bathroom stalls, replacing ceiling tiles with sheet rock, and re-painting the walls.

But it’s the carpet that’s causing the most trouble.

“We were hoping to get some volunteers from the university, especially on Sunday, because we don’t have anyone to help then,” Bumpas said.

“We had heard the Sul Ross Rugby Team sometimes helps with these sorts of things, but we don’t know how to get in contact with them.

“Any individuals or groups who are willing to help would be appreciated,” she added. “The more people who can help, the faster it will go.”

The Sunshine House’s goal is to support and enrich the lives of the homebound and provide fellowship for senior citizens.

Of the many services they provide, Bumpas believes the most important is Meals on Wheels because it means prepared food will be delivered to people in need who might otherwise be forced to move into nursing homes.

In addition to food delivery, the Sunshine House also uses a van to bring people to food - for a congregate meal lunch on weekdays at the House, which costs a small fee. Once a month, seniors are also offered a trip to Fort Stockton for shopping and lunch of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Weekly activities at the Sunshine House include Skip-Bo, Bingo, Bridge Club, Busy Bee Quilters, Sunshine Singers, Dominoes, Writer Group, Art Club, and Friday games group. There is an annual Casino night sponsored by the Kiwanis and a bi-annual bingo night for members.

Of great interest to university students who may be looking to furnish dorm rooms or apartments, the Sunshine House, on the second Saturday of every month, has a rummage sale from 8:30 a.m. to noon that contains anything a person may dream of, want, or need.

The Sunshine House has many continuing needs that college students may volunteer for, but again, spry students would be most appreciated this Sunday, lending their strong, young backs to help move and roll furniture back to their proper places.

The Sunshine House can be contacted for more information by phone at  432- 837-5402  or by e-mail at sunshinehouse@sbcglobal.net.

Kessler Signs On To Second Amendment Brief

Dr. Raymond G. Kessler, Professor of Criminal Justice at SRSU, has joined the amicus curiae (friend of the Court) brief filed by Criminologists, Scholars, and the Claremont Institute, on behalf of Dick A. Heller in the U.S. Supreme Court’s Second Amendment case; District of Columbia v. Heller. 

The brief basically argues that recognizing an individual right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment and striking down portions of D.C.’s gun law will not result in an increase in violent crime in the District or elsewhere. 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia struck down parts of the District’s draconian gun control law on the basis that it violated the individual right to keep and bear arms.  The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the District’s appeal.  Among other things, the District argues that the right applies only to individuals formally connected to an official, standing militia or military unit.  Oral argument is scheduled for March 18. 
A decision is expected in May or June. 

Kessler stated that he predicts a 5-4 victory for Heller in a narrowly written majority opinion authored by either Justice Kennedy or Chief Justice Roberts.  This opinion, he predicts, will leave room to save federal bans on machine guns and firearms possession by convicted felons, the mentally ill, etc.

Prof. Kessler also joined the amicus brief of Academics for the Second Amendment in the Fifth Circuit case of U.S. v. Emerson.  That brief argued that the Second Amendment gives individuals unconnected with any type of militia or military organization a right to keep and bear arms.   The Fifth Circuit found that the Second Amendment created an individual right but upheld the federal law involving gun owners accused of domestic violence.  The Supreme Court refused to hear the Emerson case. 

Professor Kessler has taught courses and written on both gun control and the Second Amendment.  He will be teaching a graduate course on the Second Amendment in Fall semester, 2008.

Village Dorm to Gain “Dream Do-Over”

By Jason Hennington
News Writer

One lucky Sul Ross State University student will have a chance to have his/her residence hall room completely redecorated by a professional. 

Home and Garden Television (HGTV) host Claire Berger will visit Sul Ross Wednesday, Feb. 27 for the Dream Dorm Do-over. Berger, host of “Fantasy Open House,”  will explain how to “flip” (redecorate) homes or dorm rooms during an  8 p.m. program in the University Center. Her visit is sponsored by Sully Productions. 

At the end of the lecture, one lucky student in attendance from Lobo Village 1 or Lobo Village 2 will win a complete Dorm Do-over.

Throughout the lecture, door prizes will be given away for anybody to win, but the Dorm Do-over is strictly for residents in Lobo Village 1 and Lobo Village 2. 

After the lecture and a winner is chosen, Berger will follow the student to his/her dorm room and brainstorm redecorating ideas. The following morning, Berger and the student will go shopping with a $500 budget for supplies. 

The winner will only be able to redecorate his/her bedroom, not the entire unit. 

For Berger, traveling across the country and redecorating dorm rooms is not new. Her resume includes visits to the University of Southern California (USC), Southern Louisiana, Illinois State, Eastern Illinois University, and the University of Wisconsin, as well as others, but for students at Sul Ross this is a first.
Prior to joining HGTV, Berger worked on television shows, including “Seinfeld,” “The Ellen Show” and the first nine seasons of “Murphy Brown.” 

Jackie Martinez, who works for Sully Productions, said she believes students are excited about the opportunity to win professional help in redecorating.

“It’s something different.  I don’t think Sul Ross has seen anything like this before,” Martinez said.  “Students get to organize their room with professional help.”

For more information call (432) 837-8191 or visit Berger’s website www.funnyworks.com

22nd Tx Cowboy Poetry Gathering Next Week

Alpine, Texas – Poets, Musicians and Storytellers will descend on Alpine and the Big Bend starting Friday next week for the 22nd Annual Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering. The Gathering is held on the campus of Sul Ross State University.

The title sponsor of this year’s Gathering is West Texas National Bank. The City of Alpine has made a significant financial contribution to the event as well.

The Gathering gets underway officially at 10 a.m. in Marshall Auditorium. Michael Stevens will be the master of ceremonies and after a welcome by SRSU President Dr. R. Vic Morgan, Charley Chambers, the Gillette Brothers and Don Hedgpeth with perform.

Folks who were not invited to participate but would like to recite or sing are invited to an open session at 9 a.m. Friday in Room C of the University Center.

The hugely popular “Tribute to Marty Robbins” session by Jeff Gore with Washtub Jerry will follow at 11 a.m. in Marshall.

After lunch, at 1 p.m., Don Cadden will host a preview of the Gathering with Michael and Dawn Moon, R.P. Smith, Chuck Milner and Ray Fitzgerald.

Starting at 2 p.m., multiple sessions will be held simultaneously at various places on the Sul Ross campus. All the daytime sessions Friday and Saturday are free.

The Friday evening show at 7 p.m. in Marshall Auditorium will be hosted by Joel Nelson. The show will feature Charlie Chambers, Michael and Dawn Moon and others.

Saturday night, also at 7 p.m., Michel Stevens will be the master of ceremonies. The show will feature Guy and Pip Gillette, R.P. Smith and friends.

The two evening shows cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. Lap babies are free.

A pair of spurs specially made for the Gathering by Cotton Elliott will be auctioned off to support the event. Tickets for the drawing are available from any member of the Steering Committee. Tickets will also be on sale at the event. The drawing will be held during the Saturday night stage show.

The headquarters during the event is in the Sul Ross University Center. Also in the University Center tapes and books by the performers will be on sale.