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April NewsletterLONGTIME SUL ROSS EMPLOYEES FLORES, RAMOS RETIRE Two Sul Ross State University employees with a combined 61 years of service were honored at a March 9 retirement reception. Carpenter Shop foreman Danny Flores retired Jan. 31 after over 29 years' service and Raul Ramos, a University Ranch employee, retired in February after 32 years. A reception for the retirees was held on the second floor foyer of the University Center.
"The water crew carried the 20' x 6" aluminum water pipes to the area to be watered and aligned the pipes in rows to water the campus," Flores said. The underground sprinkler system was not installed until later. After transferring to the Carpenter Shop in 1980, Flores worked as a maintenance worker until he was promoted to carpenter in 1987 and foreman in 1992. "I have built a lot of cabinets and bookcases," Flores said. "That was fun, and I loved doing it." In addition to cabinets and bookcases, Flores has built vanities and wall shelves; repaired doors, windows, floors and roofs; built partition walls; and poured concrete slabs. "My most memorable projects were to help build the sand volleyball court, the tennis court shack, and our latest project, building the men's and ladies' restrooms at the softball field." Flores' job has included assisting in special projects, remodeling offices and classrooms, and planning with professors, teachers and students. "I have enjoyed working with and meeting the people who have worked at Sul Ross and attended classes throughout the years." Flores is the son of the late Roberto M. and Elisa B. Flores. He attended Centennial School through elementary and junior high, graduated from Alpine High School, and attended Sul Ross State University. Flores has five children: daughters Sonya M. Flores, 27, El Paso; Daniela Martinez, 17; and Ana Martinez, 16, and sons Robert D. Flores, 22, and Daniel Flores, 4. He has one grandson, one-year-old Zane Navaro Torres. Prior to joining the Sul Ross Physical Plant, Flores worked with the railroad building bridges (1973-1974) and for a pole line contractor, tying in electrical lines from Del Rio to El Paso (1974-1977). Flores' plans following retirement include finding a part-time job and working at home. "Remodeling several rooms at my house and spending more time with my four-year-old son and other children,"are on his to-do list. Raul Ramos
Ramos, who retired in February, has been at home on the Su Ross State University ranch for the past 32 years. "Dr. Everett E. Turner hired me in September 1975 to work at the ranch," Ramos said. His job has included a variety of different activities including care of livestock, fencing, pipelines, and water lines. The care of trees on the ranch included watering, pruning and fertilizing. "There was a lot of weeding – along fence lines, gates, buildings, feedlots, horse stalls, and the arena," Ramos said. "We also did welding on fences, gates and the rodeo arena." The university used to run cattle on the Nations Ranch and Ramos helped with that project, which included taking care of the fences and water troughs. Ranch foreman Ted Yadon has enjoyed working with Ramos. "I enjoy working with him most of the time," Yadon laughed. "He is a good worker, and he thinks well. He figures things out really well. I'd be lost all the time." Ramos has been involved in a lot of the changes over the past 32 years. "We built the feed lot, and we maintain the new SALE arena," he said. Changes include the horseshoeing (farrier) barn with a new shop on the north side, and the renovation of the main buildings. Also, the vineyard has been taken out and new parking built. Ramos is the son of the late Juan and Jesusita Ramos. He was born in Terlingua and raised in Alpine, attending Centennial School. He and his wife Sylvia have two daughters, Vicky Vega and Joanna Ramos, and one son, Tommy Ramos. Prior to working for Sul Ross, Ramos worked in Amarillo doing cement work for a construction company. Ramos is still working on his retirement plans. "I don't know yet, but I do know I have plenty of work at my house to keep busy for awhile," he said. SUL ROSS RANGE & WILDLIFE CLUB WINS FIRST, SECOND AT BEAUMONT About 15 Sul Ross State University students from Natural Resource Management, Biology, and Range and Wildlife Management earned two chapter awards at Beaumont during the 42nd annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society (TCTWS). The meeting was held Feb. 22-24 in Beaumont. At the Awards Banquet, the Sul Ross Range and Wildlife Club received first place and a check for $1,000 for Student Chapter Professional Development Award, sponsored by the Texas Wildlife Association. Eight student chapters across the state compete for this award, based on volunteerism, participation in conservation projects, and community service. In addition, the Range and Wildlife Club received second place in the Student Chapter of the Year Award competition. The TCTWS also acknowledged Ashley Skeen, Cody, as the Outstanding Student Member of the Sul Ross Range and Wildlife Club. Students interacted with state, federal, and private wildlife biologists throughout the state and listened to scientific papers. In addition, students presented scientific papers, participated in several range and wildlife competitions, and were acknowledged at the awards banquet. Ryan Walser, Alpine, presented a paper on his thesis research titled "Effects of season change and precipitation on desert mule deer in Trans-Pecos, Texas" which was co-authored by Roel Lopez of Texas A&M University (TAMU), Clay Brewer of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and Dr. Louis Harveson, associate professor of Wildlife Management. Poncho Ortega-Sanchez, Alpine, presented a paper on his thesis research titled "Density of Gambel's quail in Trans-Pecos, Texas: a comparison between distance sampling and strip transects" which was co-authored by Mike Sullins of TPWD, Dr. Lopez of TAMU, and Dr. Harveson. Tara Poloskey, Alpine, presented a poster "An analysis of diet and habitat of feral hogs in the Davis Mountains of Texas" that was coauthored by Katie Ballard, Whitesboro; Sara Schultz, Burleson; Margarita Gomez Thornton, El Paso; and Harveson. Other Sul Ross students in attendance included Eric Garza, San Antonio; Aaron Sides, Sterling City; Aaron Roberts, Flint; Clay Whitfill, Seabrook; Ray Geroso, Mundelein, Ill.; Abel Guevara, Alpine; Brendan Witt, Houston; Todd Ranly, Bulverde; Dustin Windsor, Richmond; Elizabeth Young, Alpine; Misty Sumner, Kent; and Jose Martinez, Imperial. SUL ROSS GRAD CLETE BUCKALOO FEATURED ON TEXAS MONTHLY COVER
Buckaloo, a 1986 Sul Ross graduate and 2002 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, is also featured in the article, "Law of the Land," written by Pamela Colloff. Buckaloo joined the Rangers in 1987 after serving as a narcotics agent for the Department of Public Safety in Alpine. He is captain of Company D, San Antonio, that serves a 41-county area traditionally referred to as "South Texas. "Presently, five Sul Ross graduates are serving as Texas Rangers. Sergeant Robert Hunter (1982), Laredo left photo; and Sgt. Coy Smith (1991, 1995) right photo, Uvalde, are also members of Company D.
Sgt. David Duncan (1974) pictured right, Alpine, serves with Company E, headquartered in Midland.
The late Jim E. Riddles (1910-1975) center picture above, a 1974 Sul Ross graduate, served as Captain of Company D.
The university's namesake, Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross, gained fame as a Texas Ranger prior to the Civil War. Teacher Job Fair April 25 at Kokernot Lodge The Texas Rangers and the Civil War back in Texas, Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross, pictured left, joined the Texas Rangers and took part in the unsuccessful campaign of Middleton Tate Johnson against hostile tribes in the spring and summer of 1860, initially as a first lieutenant and later as captain of the Waco Company. Despite the general public contempt for the results of the Johnson expedition, Ross won the approval and trust of Gov. Sam Houston, who empowered him to raise a company of his own for service in the area of Young and surrounding counties. In his defense of the frontier, Ross had the cooperation of regular troops, and his aggressive boldness in pursuing a Comanche raiding party in December 1860 resulted in the battle at the Pease River in which Cynthia Ann Parker was recovered, an exploit that gained him much popularity in Texas. With the coming of the Civil War he resigned from the Rangers. He subsequently joined the Masonic order. He married Elizabeth Dorothy Tinsley, daughter of a Waco planter, on May 28, 1861. After acting as state peace commissioner to various Indian tribes, he enlisted in mid-1861 in the Confederate Army as a member of the Waco company raised by his older brother, Peter F. Ross, which was incorporated into the Sixth Texas Cavalry. First as major and then as colonel of his regiment, Ross took part in numerous western campaigns, including those of Pea Ridge, Corinth and Vicksburg. He was promoted to brigadier general in early 1864 and commanded the Texas Cavalry Brigade, made up of his former regiment, the Third Texas Cavalry, the Ninth Texas Cavalry and the Twenty-Seventh Texas Cavalry or First Texas Legion, for the remainder of the war. Under his able leadership, his brigade saw action in the Atlanta and Franklin-Nashville campaigns, although Ross was in Texas on furlough when his men surrendered at Jackson, Miss., in May 1865. Texas Ranger photos "Courtesy of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Waco, Texas." Visit Texas Ranger website for more information. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Judith Ann Benner, Sul Ross: Soldier, Statesman, Educator (College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1983). Ross Family Papers, Texas Collection, Baylor University. Reprinted with permission from the Handbook of Texas Online, a joint project of the Texas State Historical Association and the General Libraries at the University of Texas at Austin. Copyright © 2003, The Texas State Historical Association The Sul Ross State University Education Department will host the annual Job Fair for teachers Wednesday, April 25, 9 a.m.-noon a. Kokernot Lodge. The event will provide Sul Ross students and area teachers the opportunity to visit personally with school district recruiters from around the state. Anyone interested in teaching opportunities is invited and welcome to attend. For more information, contact Sally Tobola, 8199 or stobola@sulross.edu. "Branding Together" All-Alumni Reunion Theme Sul Ross State University graduates will be "Branding Together" for the first All-Alumni Reunion, July 20-22. Hosted by the Sul Ross Alumni Association and co-sponsored by the 6th Street Ice House, the reunion is open to all alumni, past and current faculty, staff and friends of Sul Ross. Registration and entry forms for events and activities will be available soon. A reception, campus tour, Lobo Pack 5K run/walk, downtown business treasure hunt, Saturday evening meal and social and a golf tournament are among planned activities. The reunion will honor the Sul Ross' 1996 conference championship baseball team. The Saturday, July 21 golf tournament, benefiting the Sul Ross Alumni Scholarship Fund, will be a four-person scramble at the Alpine Country Club. Registration is limited to the first 18 paid teams. Entry forms are available at the Office of Alumni Affairs and will be posted online on the Alumni web site. For more information, contact Saul Garza, director of Alumni Affairs, (432) 8697; or sgarza@sulross.edu. QEP Recommends More Outdoor Classrooms In the future, Sul Ross State University's academic environment may encompass more of the great outdoors. This is the recommendation of a 43-member committee following several months' work on a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The committee, composed of students, faculty, administrators, staff, local merchants, and Sul Ross alumni, met to focus on a problem, that when addressed will enhance student learning. The plan is required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) as part of the re-accreditation process all universities in 13 southern states undergo every 10 years. After considering over 80 ideas generated by the campus and wider community, the committee chose student engagement. Faculty consistently reported high absenteeism and lack of student engagement in some required classes. Drop-out rates and retention of freshmen supported these perceptions. The committee's challenge has been to design a new strategy for student learning success. They chose "Enhancing Academic Learning through Student Engagement" as their theme and outdoor learning as a primary platform for achieving it. Sul Ross President, R. Vic Morgan said, "I am pleased with using our strengths, hands-on learning and the great outdoors, as tools to improve our student engagement issues and thus improve student learning." Subsequent student questionnaires and discussion groups revealed a common request for more hands-on, outdoor learning. With deer, antelope, wild turkey, javelina, fox, and raptors often traversing campus property, Sul Ross provides an ideal setting for outdoor learning. As one committee stated, "By targeting outdoor learning, we can actually consider our location an asset, instead of an obstacle." In addition to the obvious outdoor opportunities, other assets like the Archives of the Big Bend and programs like Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, Biology, Geology, Environmental Studies, Outdoor Theatre, and numerous on-going research projects and classes already provide serious academic connections to the surrounding outdoor area. Many local businesses and employment opportunities like ranching, tourism, hunting, and various state and federal agencies are also strongly connected to location. New courses and minors targeting outdoor employment are already being planned with possibilities for expansion almost endless. Committee members are excited and enthusiastic about rejuvenating programs, creating new courses, expanding faculty development opportunities, designing alternative classrooms, encouraging interdisciplinary cooperation, and enhancing student engagement. Following official sanction from review by the SACS on-site reaffirmation team, after their on-site visit to the campus in Spring 2008, Sul Ross will begin incorporating more hands-on, outdoor learning into classes, assignments, and activities that will benefit from increased student engagement. Student support services will be challenged to add more outdoor activities. Alumni, merchants, and local citizens will be invited to offer outdoor learning opportunities. Several new ideas will be piloted this fall. The committee is chaired by Barney Nelson, Languages and Literature. For more information, contact Nelson, 8154, bnelson@sulross.edu. SUL ROSS BIOLOGY GRAD STUDENT DANIEL LEAVITT RECEIVES BLAIR AWARD Sul Ross State University graduate student Daniel J. Leavitt, Big Bend National Park, received the W. Frank Blair Award for Excellence in Written Data Presentation. The award was presented by the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI) for Leavitt's paper on a lizard survey in Big Bend National Park. "The Blair Award is given to a quality written manuscript on a research topic and the best is awarded a $500 scholarship," said Leavitt's adviser, Dr. Chris Ritzi, assistant professor of biology. "Leavitt's paper is based on his thesis work." Leavitt revisited study quadrats (one meter square plots) established by William G. Degenhardt in 1955. Using the original quadrats and Degenhardt's methodology, Leavitt recreated the study of lizard species composition and densities in relation to vegetative cover. Comparing his new data to that collected by Degenhardt 50 years ago, Leavitt found that vegetative cover has increased, while the number of lizards per acre decreased. The Blair Award was founded in memory of Blair, an outstanding naturalist and member of the CDRI's Board of Scientists. Blair was an inspiration to many students. CDRI has suspended the Blair Award temporarily until a reliable source of funding is found for the cash prize. SUL ROSS, RMEF ROUND UP GLASS MOUNTAINS ELK FOR RESEARCH PROJECT As one helicopter spotted an elk on the Flying Z Ranch, an aerial-ground round-up effort commenced. After the spotter pilot radioed a second chopper, armed with a "net gun," a squadron of volunteers in mountain buggies followed on trails, or if necessary, through the mesquite. As the "hunting" chopper zeroed in on the galloping cow elk, a marksman triggered a .308 caliber firearm, modified to propel a net. The net descended on the cow from a height of 10-15 feet. As the elk tried to escape, the first mountain buggy arrived on the scene. Sul Ross State University graduate students and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteers went to work. While several volunteers held down the animal and covered her eyes with a cloth to help protect them as well as keep her calm, a veterinarian arrived in another mountain buggy. Together, volunteers and the veterinarian measured the animal's body, ear and tail lengths, recorded her girth and fastened a radio collar around her neck. The veterinarian notched an ear with an identifying tag and extracted blood and tissue samples. He determined if the cow was pregnant (she was), examined the animal's teeth to determine age, estimated the weight and assessed its overall health. Elk Foundation volunteers and Sul Ross representatives snapped photos and made video recordings of a scene that would be repeated 10 times in the next day and a half. Eleven cows were netted, collared, tagged and released as part of a three-year study funded by the Elk Foundation, overseen by Sul Ross associate professor Dr. Louis Harveson and conducted by wildlife management student Brendan Witt, San Antonio. "The capture work went extremely well," said Witt. "At first, it was a bit unorganized, but throughout the weekend, many people found (or were assigned to) what they do best when it comes to processing the animals. "We were able to process animals extremely quickly as the weekend pressed on," Witt said. "In the end we only had one injury, but this female is being monitored closely to assess health and post-capture trauma. Thus far, she is doing very well." Sul Ross was awarded a $102,000, three-year grant from the Elk Foundation to study attitudes, status, habitat use, and movements of elk in West Texas. The project is a cooperative research effort by the Foundation, its Texas chapters , the Department of Natural Resource Management at Sul Ross and landowners and managers in West Texas. " Our goal is to establish a state-wide management plan for free-ranging elk in West Texas," Harveson said. "We will do this by capturing and radio-collaring 20 elk in the Glass Mountains and monitoring them for two-three years." Specific objectives are to: determine the status and distribution of elk populations in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas; assess landowner attitudes toward elk and elk management in West Texas; determine habitat selection and movement patterns (home ranges, travel corridors) of radio-collared elk population in the Glass Mountains; and estimate demographic characteristics (survival rates, birth rates, density, herd composition) of elk in the Glass Mountains. Three bulls were collared last fall after being shot with tranquilizing darts from blinds erected on the Flying Z Ranch, about 30 miles from Alpine. Another helicopter hunting expedition is tentatively planned for January in hopes of capturing three more bulls and three cows. "Progress is outstanding," said Witt. "The first three bulls have given us information that is extremely surprising in that all three have moved over 10 miles from where they were darted. "All bulls are doing very well and appear to be in great health, based on the fact that they have traveled many miles through the Glass Mountains," he said. "I believe they will give us great insight to habitats that are preferred by males throughout seasons." Bob Zoch, Giddings, owns the Flying Z Ranch. He and his longtime friend, Curtis Christiansen, state co-chair of the Texas RMEF are optimistic about the research. "The only way to establish a good management plan is to have good data," Zoch said. He estimated that there are 80-90 elk on his ranch. In addition to Zoch's participation, four other area ranches are involved in the research, with a total acreage of 130,000 acres. Elk, predominantly found in the U.S. in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest, were native to Texas as recently as the end of the 19th century. A native population of Merriam's elk lived in the southern Guadalupe Mountains, but excessive hunting and overgrazing of livestock led to the breed's extinction in the early 1900s. In 1928, reintroduction efforts began, with 44 elk from South Dakota released in the Guadalupe Mountains (northern Hudspeth and Culberson counties). Nine elk were released in the Davis Mountains in 1930s, and in the 1940s, a bull and two cows were released in the Glass Mountains of northern Brewster County. In 1988, 48 more Rocky Mountain elk were released in the Davis Mountains (Jeff Davis County) and 51 were released in the Wylie Mountains, in southern Culberson County. Elk populations in West Texas have fluctuated since reintroduction efforts began. The Guadalupe Mountains population declined from about 130 animals to 40 over a 20-year period from the 1970s-1990s. The Glass Mountains was estimated between 150 and 180 in 1990, but Harveson noted that previous research has been sketchy and infrequent. "The renewed interest that we are seeing by landowners and wildlife groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation may change that," he said. "This project is longer and more detailed in scope and may provide more conclusive data. There is also other interest in the region that could lead to similar projects with other elk populations." Witt is also confident that the research will yield considerable data. "I believe that this project will give much needed information pertaining to the Glass Mountains elk herd. There seems to be an absence of information about this herd other than 'word of mouth' from landowners and observers, but hopefully this will change and the 'word of mouth' will become fact or fiction." Cutlines: Helicopter roundup A cow elk observes a helicopter on the Flying Z Ranch prior to its capture. A three-year Sul Ross research project, funded by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, will study attitudes, status, habitat use, and movements of elk in West Texas. MALLOUF RECEIVES PRESERVATION TEXAS LATIMER AWARD Robert J. Mallouf, director of the Center for Big Bend Studies at Sul Ross State University, has been named the 2007 recipient of Preservation Texas Truett Latimer award. The award is named for Texas' first State Historic Preservation Officer and executive director of the Texas Historical Commission. This award goes to working professionals who demonstrate a significant commitment and sustained involvement to preservation as part of their job responsibilities. SUL ROSS STUDENT KELLYE ACUFF GAINS NASA INTERNSHIP
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience cutting-edge research in the planetary sciences. Summer interns will work one-on-one with a scientist at The Summer Intern Program allows participants to experience a real research environment, to learn from top-notch planetary scientists, and to preview careers in research. The 10-week program runs June 4-Aug. 10. Acuff was selected by Drs. Kevin Righter and Lisa Danielson of the NASA Johnson Space Center to work on a project involving molybdenum solubility in high pressure/high temperature silicate melts, with application to the early Earth. "I'm really excited," Acuff said. "I never thought I would be at NASA someday." Acuff will work as a research assistant to Righter and Danielson at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. She will also carry out a series of experiments dealing with solubility and temperatures of different heavy Acuff found out about the internship through a flyer mailed to the Biology Department. She applied, including reference letters from Dr. Julius Dasch, Dr. Jim Whitford-Stark, and Dr. David Rohr, professors in the Earth and Physical Sciences Department. "I'm glad I have this opportunity," Acuff said. "Dr. Dasch and Dr. Whitford-Stark have connections with NASA, so it's good to be around them." Acuff awaits more in-depth information on the internship from her advisers. Her areas of research will be: Lunar Sample Analysis, Planetary Remote Sensing and Spectroscopy, Impact Studies, Planetary Geology, Geophysical Data Analysis and Modeling, Astrobiology, Physics and Chemistry of Planetary Atmospheres, Meteorites and Other Astromaterials, Image Processing Interplanetary Dust and Presolar Grains. Dasch and his wife, Pat, have worked with NASA. "We both worked at the Johnson Space Center in the mid 1980s and worked with several summer internship programs," Julius Dasch said. "It is fair to say that the experience changed many students' lives." FREED PUBLISHES BOOK REVIEW IN CHORAL JOURNAL Dr. Donald Callen Freed, Sul Ross State University associate professor of music, published a book review in the February issue of Choral Journal. Freed reviewed "By the Book," written by Rob Monath, an attorney and music publisher. The book is designed as a reference for copyright issues regarding choral music. SUL ROSS STUDENT LITERARY WORK AWARDED AT TIPA MEETINGS Pictured are Natalie and MaryAshley
The awards were for work previously published in The Skyline newspaper, The Brand yearbook, and The Sage literary magazine Dr. Laura Butler, assistant professor of English and The Sage adviser, and Barbara Richerson, assistant director of News and Publications and adviser for The Skyline and The Brand, attended the meetings with Sage editors MaryAshley Gredell and Natalie Thayer. The students and advisers attended workshops, the Hall of Fame induction luncheon, and the Saturday (March 24) awards brunch. Over 500 students and advisers participated in the meetings held at the El Tropicana Riverwalk Hotel. Richerson served on the Scholarship Committee, which awarded scholarships to four students at two-year colleges, four students at four-year colleges, and the $1,000 Jeff Henderson Scholarship to the top student entered in the scholarship competition. The winning previously published entries were: Elizabeth Luna, Presidio, Honorable Mention, Illustration. Erika Baeza, Presidio, Honorable Mention, Poem. Jeff Bardwell, Blacksburg, Va., HM, Short Story. David Rouse, Barksdale, 3rd place, Essay. Landon Moore, Bangs, 2nd place, In-Depth Reporting; HM, Single Subject Presentation Design (sports page);HM, General Column. Jason Hennington, Taylor, 1st, Sports Action Photo; 3rd, News photo. Justin Ruthstrom, Houston, HM, Sports Feature Photo. Ben Stringer, Alpine, HM, Feature Story; HM, Headline. Hennington, 1st, Sports Feature Photo; HM, Sports Action Photo; 3rd, Opening Package; HM, Sports Story Package; 3rd, Feature/Student Life Package. Moore, 2nd, Organizations Copy; 3rd, Opening Section Copy. Denise Peyton, Richland Hills, 3rd, Feature Photo; 1st, Information Graphic; 3rd, Information Graphic; 3rd, Opening Package; HM, Organizations Story Package; HM, Sports Story Package; 3rd, Feature/Student Life Package; HM, Feature/Student Life Package; HM, Academics Package; 3rd, Cover Design. Maria Jose Leyva, Presidio, 1st , Color Feature Photo; 3rd, Feature Photo; 3rd, Opening Package; 3rd, Organizations Story Package; 3rd, Feature/Student Life Package; HM, Feature/Student Life Package; HM, Academics Package. Soli Quintanilla, Denver City, 2nd, Sports Copy. MaryAshley Gredell, San Antonio, 3rd, Student Life Copy. Jena Vanderburg, Layton, HM, Academics Copy. The Texas Intercollegiate Press Association held its inaugural meeting at Baylor University in 1909 and will soon celebrate its centennial. Yearbook, Division 2 Newspaper, Division 3 Literary Magazine, Open Division
By Shannon Anderson/Brand Editor Sully's second annual triathlon kicked off early Sunday morning (March 25). After a late Saturday rainstorm, the weather cooperated to make a great atmosphere for all participants. Don Cook, director of Recreational Programs, and Emily Williams, assistant director, worked behind the scenes getting things ready for a successful triathlon. " I want to thank all of our participants and volunteers who contributed to the success of our second triathlon at Sul Ross State University. We really appreciate how members of the Sul Ross and Alpine community have gotten involved in our programs," Williams said. This year the triathlon drew 80 participants in all, ranging in age from 14-70 years old. There were participants from Texas and New Mexico who traveled far distances to participate in the event. Sul Ross community participants included Tunde Ogunwo, Ryan Baade, Kourtney Graves, Becky Hart, Caleb Waters, Ashley Baker, Larry Lovato, Mark Saka, Juan Carrillo, Tara Poloskey, Kari Murabito, Eloisa Lara, Helen Crane, Matthew Evans, Moises Morales, Linda Ojeda and A.D. Ramirez. Medals were given to the first, second and third place winner in each age or relay division, and plaques were given to the overall top male and female finishers, as well as the overall top relay team. Napalm Death, the relay team including Lovato, Carrillo, and Saka came in first overall in the triathlon as well as taking first place in their division. "I feel good," Saka said. "I enjoy sport's competition, and the idea of a relay triathlon works well for me because I enjoy swimming, but I am a weak runner and biker. Coming in first was a good feeling because I never have come in first in this type of competition." The top SRSU students were Lovato and Carrillo (Napalm Death), Morales (individual), and Evans (individual). This was Morales' first triathlon. " I thought it was one of the most challenging events I've ever done. I would encourage anyone preparing to be in a triathlon to begin training well in advance. However, it would be best if they start with a low intensity workout and then build from there," Morales said. The top SRSU faculty/staff members were Mark Saka (Napalm Death), Ryan Baade (2 Men and a Lady), and Becky Hart, Ashley Baker (Fat Bottom Girls). Saka had a strategic plan in picking his team. He really wanted to come in first this year. "Last year I had a very strong team and we came in second, but this year my other team members were unable to participate," Saka said. "I spoke with Larry Lovato who is in my History 1301 class. I knew he was an exceptionally strong runner and I knew that Juan Carrillo was riding bike for his team. They came in first place last year, so I figured, if I can hook on to that team, then, I stand a good chance of winning first prize," Saka said. After the race, there were refreshments and door prizes (many of which were donated by Recruiting and Admissions and the Barnes and Noble Bookstore), which was a little different from last year. "We built on the experience of last year's event," Williams said. Sul Ross is going to continue the tradition of holding an annual triathlon. " We are already looking forward to next year's triathlon. We encourage all Sul Ross students and employees to participate next year, so start training now," Williams said. In MemoriamMartha Ted Bagby Miller, 82 DOVER - Martha Ted Bagby Miller of Dover died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007, at Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, Ariz., doing what she enjoyed most - traveling. She was 82. She was born Aug. 25, 1924, in Hugo, Okla. to the late William Edward and Mary Emelyn Bagby. She married Charles Hardie Miller on Nov. 29, 1946, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. He died Dec. 15, 1971. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Dover. She was a member of the Col. Haslet Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Dover and a DAR member for more than 60 years. She was a member of the Victory Chapter 15, Order of the Eastern Star in Dover and an Eastern Star member for more than 25 years. She volunteered at the Bayhealth Hospital Human Resources Center and was a regular blood donor through the American Red Cross and Delaware Blood Bank. She received a bachelor"s degree in Spanish from Sul Ross University, Alpine, Texas, in 1944. She earned her master"s degree in English literature at Illinois State University in 1979. Mrs. Miller taught school in Mount Pleasant, Texas, and LaSalle, Ill. Later she was secretary in the special education department at Illinois State University from 1973 until she retired in 1988. She was an avid traveler, having been to all 50 states, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Germany, France, Russia and Australia. She was a wonderful guest, a loving mother, a good card player and a great caring friend. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister. She is survived by five children, Robert Charles and his wife, Purita Miller of Bremerton, Wash., William Raymond and his wife, Marilyn Miller of Streator, Ill., Martha Lynn and her husband, Fritz Poppe of Groton, Conn. and Theodore Edward and his wife, Denise Miller of Dover; seven grandsons, Eric Miller, David Miller, James Poppe, Mark Poppe, Christopher Miller, Joshua Miller and Nathaniel Miller; a brother, William Henry and his wife, Norma Bagby of Mineola, Texas. Her funeral was held March 8 at First Presbyterian Church, Normal, Ill, where she lived for 57 years of her life. She was buried next to her late husband at Hill Crest Memorial Park, Streator, Ill. There will be a memorial for her Dover friends and family on April 21, 2007, at the Presbyterian Church, 54 S. State St., Dover at 2 p.m. A small reception will follow. Arrangements by Calvert and Metzler Memorial Homes, Bloomington, Ill. Cecil Folks was born to Lockie Jane and John Wesley Folks in Carter, Okla., on Sept. 24, 1909. He passed away in San Antonio on March 26 at the age of 97. Funeral services were held at the Central Church of Christ in Moore, Okla., on Friday, March 30, at 2 p.m. Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Clara Folks and Jerry Puckett; his wife of 53 years, Walene Folks; and grandson, Jason Morgan. Cecil received a bachelor's degree from Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Okla., and a master's degree from Western State University in Gunnison, Colo. He served as a 2nd Lt. in the Army during World War II. He was an educator in Oklahoma for over 40 years, working as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. He retired from the Oklahoma Department of Education as director of finance in 1975. He was an active member of the Church of Christ for many years. He was an avid golfer, having six holes-in-one during his lifetime. He lived in Moore, Okla., from 1963 until he moved to San Antonio to an assisted living facility in December of 2004. Cecil is survived by his daughter, Mary Jane Morgan and husband Vic of Alpine, and grandson, Jeremy Morgan of Dallas; son, John Folks and wife Wyvonna of San Antonio, and grandsons, Mark Folks and wife Kim of Miami, Okla., and Michael Folks and wife Kendra of Moore, Okla. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Christian, Caden and Carson Folks of Miami, and Skylar Folks of Moore. Arrangements were under the direction of Vondel-Smith Funeral Home in Oklahoma City. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to a favorite charity or the Jason Wesley Morgan Scholarship Endowment at Sul Ross State University. Mr. Alan Cliff Upchurch of Utopia passed away March 26, 2007 in Sid Peterson Hospital in Kerrville, TX. at the age of 52. He was born July 17, 1954 in El Paso, Tx. to Gene & Patricia Upchurch. He is survived by his wife, Linda Gay Upchurch of Utopia; daughter, Kristal Michelle Upchurch-Ellis & husband, Zach of Alice; son, Kody Stewart Upchurch & wife, Tina of D’Hanis; sister, Sally Upchurch of Tornillo, TX.; brother, William Upchurch and wife Terry of Presidio; & one grandchild, Dakota Gage Upchurch; nephews, Mitchell Upchurch of Midland and Brandon Upchurch of Presidio. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Ruie Lou Upchurch. Honorary pallbearers were Eddie Dominguez, Kenneth Kuethe, Joe Threadgill, Jackie Machac, Bob Gacke, Ted Yadon, Bob Barter, Homer Goldston, Vern Elliott, Mike Webb, Bernie Adams, Lester Talley, and Chuck Bennett Services were held Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 1:00 pm at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Chapel in Uvalde Rev. Tony Gruben and Mr.Bobby Bowers officiating. Cliff was employed at Sul Ross State University as manager of the meat laboratory from January 1978 to December 1982. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: American Cancer Society, 8115 Data Point Drive San Antonio, Texas 78229; Utopia Fire Dept., P.O. Box 62, Utopia, Tx. 78884; Utopia EMS, P.O. Box 393, Utopia, Tx. 78884; Vanderpool Fire Dept., P.O. Box 234, Vanderpool, Tx. 78885; or to Vanderpool Cemetery Association, % Iona Alley, P.O. Box 486, Utopia, Tx. 78884. An online registry can be accessed at www.rekfunerals.com. |
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Lieutenant Jerry Byrne (1983) pictured left, serves with Company, headquartered in Dallas. Byrne received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Sul Ross in 2006.
Sul Ross State University student Kellye Acuff, Odessa, has been selected for an internship at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Sul Ross State University Student Publications students won a series of awards at this year's Texas Intercollegiate Press Association meetings in San Antonio.
