Sul Ross State University
A Member of the Texas State University System

News Release for Sept. 20, 2011

AUTHOR, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER KEVIN CARROLL TO SPEAK OCT. 3

Author and motivational speaker Kevin Carroll will address “Dream Big” at Sul Ross State University Monday, Oct. 3.

Carroll is the founder of Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC and the author of three highly successful books published by ESPN, Disney Press and McGraw-Hill. He will speak in Marshall Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. There is no admission charge and the public is invited. A reception will follow the address.

Carroll’s appearance is sponsored by the School of Professional Studies John B. Poindexter Speakers Series. The series highlights outstanding individuals who have been successful in their respective professions and allows them to share their stories with the students, faculty and staff at Sul Ross and the community at large.

As an author, speaker and agent for social change (a.k.a. the Katalyst), it is Carroll’s “job” to inspire businesses, organizations and individuals - from CEOs and employees of Fortune 500 companies to schoolchildren - to embrace their spirit of play and creativity to maximize their human potential and sustain more meaningful business and personal growth.

With his consulting endeavors, Carroll  has helped turn creative ideas into reality for organizations such as The National Hockey League, ESPN, Nike, Starbucks (his words appeared on 17 million Grande cups), The National Basketball Association, The Walt Disney Company, Mattel, Hasbro, Procter & Gamble, The Discovery Channel, Capital One, and many others.

Raised by his grandparents in Philadelphia, Carroll spent endless hours at the neighborhood playground where he found his calling: a red rubber ball. His subsequent pursuit of play and his “red rubber ball” took him overseas with the Air Force, where he served as a language interpreter and translator, gaining fluency in Croatian, Czech, Serbian, and German.

After serving in the Air Force for ten years and earning his college degree, he became an athletic trainer at the high school and collegiate levels in Philadelphia. His expertise in sport performance recognized by the 76ers organization and led to his job as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1995. While at the 76ers, Nike tapped Carroll to bring his unique experiences to the sneaker giant in 1997. Although no job “officially” existed at the time, he was directed to create a position at the company that would add value to the overall mission of the brand. Carroll accepted the challenge and stayed for seven years as “Katalyst” (the ‘K’ is for Kevin) - a creative change agent. At Nike, he was instrumental in helping the company develop a deeper understanding of athletic product performance, team dynamics and interpersonal communication. Kevin left Nike in 2004 to create his own company, Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC, committed to elevating the power of sport and play around the world.

In May of 2005, a notable moment occurred when Carroll addressed dignitaries from 31 nations at the United Nations about the importance of play in their developing countries. He is also heavily involved with many social entrepreneur organizations that use sports as a catalyst to change lives.

He holds a M.S. in Health Education from St. Joseph’s University, a B.A. in Speech Communication with a minor in Physical Education from Angelo State University, and an Associates Degree in Interpreting and Translating from the Community College of The Air Force. Carroll is also a frequent visiting adjunct lecturer across the U.S.

For more information, contact Dr. Melanie Croy, (432) 837-8134 or macroy@sulross.edu.

MARY BONES RECEIVES BAR-SR-BAR AWARD FOR EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE

Mary Bones, a curator at the Museum of the Big Bend, is the most recent recipient of the Bar-SR-Bar Award for Employee Excellence at Sul Ross State University.

The honor, which includes a cash award, recognizes exemplary service to the campus community.

Bones, who began work at the Museum of the Big Bend in October 2000, was nominated for going “above and beyond the duties of her job.”

“Beyond curating exhibits and caring for the collections, Mary steps up into the role of fundraising for the museum, which now more than ever is crucial to our survival,” the nomination stated.

Her efforts in producing catalogues for the 25th anniversary of Trappings of Texas and the current Lost Colony: Texas Regionalists exhibit was acknowledged, along with her work in the Out of the Ashes project that raised over $10,000 for the victims of the Jeff Davis County fires.

“Mary’s activities above all have increased the public awareness and perception of Sul Ross in the most positive light possible,” the nomination stated. “She has many ideas to help promote the university both within the campus community and further out into the surrounding communities to include the tri-county region.”

Bones complimented her co-workers and the Sul Ross environment.

“I work with a wonderful group of people. The camaraderie among us is key to our successes at the Museum of the Big Bend,” she said. “With their encouragement I have been able to stretch my boundaries and go outside my comfort zone. In return I have become more competent in both my personal and professional life.

“Sul Ross has been a great place for me to work. There are some outstanding staff and faculty members who encourage and support all employees and who recognize and support innovations to make this university better for all- especially our students. I am fortunate that this has been my experience.”

A native of San Antonio, Bones received a B.S. in Biology and M.A. in History from Sul Ross. She is married to Jim Bones and has three children, Amelia, Paul and Brian Bridges. Her brother and sister-in-law, Philip and Stephanie Koch, live in Universal City; a sister Nancy Sneed, lives in Salado, and sister and brother-in-law Peter and Karen Mangan are Blanco residents.

In her spare time, she is busy with home improvement projects, gardening and embroidery.

“I encourage everyone to come to the Museum of the Big Bend,” Bones said. “We currently have on display along with our permanent exhibit, Big Bend Legacy, The Lost Colony: Texas Regionalist Paintings. This exhibit chronicles the first 30 years of the Art Department and the eighteen-year Art Colony at Sul Ross. The Art Colony ran from 1932 to 1950, making it the longest running art colony in Texas.”

Photo: Bar-SR-Bar award
Mary Bones, curator at the Museum of the Big Bend, receives the Bar-SR-Bar Award for employee excellence from Sul Ross President Dr. Ricardo Maestas. Photo by Jason Hennington.

SMALL-TOWN LOBO PACK FINDS NEW HOME AT SUL ROSS

by Jason Hennington, News Writer

Lobos normally travel in packs, and one particular pack migrated together from one small town to another.

Cordrick Mobley, Alonte Thomas, Ke’Andre Bynaum and Calvon Henderson all came to Sul Ross State University and Alpine  from Cameron, TX.  Graduating from high school in different years, they all wanted to do more than stay in Cameron.

“I wanted to get off the couch and do something with myself and I couldn’t do that by sitting at home,” Thomas said.

Graduate assistant track coach Damon Flemings had a huge part in helping these players choose Sul Ross.

“I wanted to play football, and he told me to come out here.  I met the coaches and then completed my application and got accepted to the school,” Bynaum explained.

According to Henderson, Flemings is the reason all of them are here.

“It was really just Damon for all of us,” he said. “He was the one who talked to us to get us out here to see if we can make something happen with ourselves.”

Mobley, who graduated high school in 2007, was referred to Sul Ross by Flemings, and also helped convince the others to come to Sul Ross.

“They see me as a big brother. They know I keep a good head on my shoulders,” Mobley said. “Not that I’m in charge, but they just know I’m setting good examples so why not follow.”

Since Mobley left Cameron first, he made a few stops with familiar faces before landing at Sul Ross.

“I first went to UTEP (University of Texas El Paso) and I didn’t do too well with my grades and I wasn’t going to play sports anymore.  Then I tried out for Coach (Gary) Patterson’s (now the Sul Ross defensive coordinator) arena league team, and he asked me if I had ever been to school,” Mobley explained.  “When I told him “no,” he told me he had a friend that coached in New Mexico (Military Institute), and it was Coach (Drew) Bridges (now the Lobos’ offensive coordinator).  I went on a visit out there but had to come back and get my grades up.  About a year later I got a voicemail from Coach Bridges saying he wanted me to come out here (Sul Ross) and play for him.”

Mobley came to Sul Ross in the Spring of 2011, along with Thomas and Bynaum. He explained that there are talented players in Cameron, and Sul Ross was an opportunity for them to use that talent.

“I told them to come out because it wasn’t anything in Cameron. This was a good start for them, and they get a chance to get on the field and play football,” he said. “Calvon was at home doing nothing, but I knew he had a lot of talent.  We told him it’s a good way to get away from home.”

Henderson joined his hometown teammates this semester.  He feels that small-town players are just as good as players from big cities, and it shows on the field.

“We don’t really say ‘we’re from Cameron,’ we just let it be known on the field,” he said.  “We’re athletes, we can play any position you put us at.  Let us show you.”

All four players came with the common goal of playing football, and according to Thomas, everything is going well despite an injury he incurred.

“It’s going well for them, but I sprained my MCL in our first scrimmage, so I’m out for a little bit,” Thomas said.  “So I can’t do anything but cheer them on with the team, so that’s what I’m going to do for now, until it’s time for me to get back on the field.”

Henderson agrees that everything is going well, and that the adjustment to college football is happening.

“Everything is going well right now, we’re just working our way up to a starting position,” he said. “Coach says we have the talent, we just have to get all the plays down and do everything right.”

Due to their age difference, this is the first time that all four have ever played together in game situations.

“It’s fun playing with them, because really we never got to play with each other in high school since I was older than them,” Mobley said. “We never got to play together, I was on the varsity and they were on the JV or the Freshmen team.  But now that we linked up it’s exciting and I really like playing with them.”

Coming to Sul Ross together has been a plus for the Cameron graduates, because they have each other to stay motivated.

“It’s a plus if you’re coming with people who are positive and wanting to make something of themselves.  All three of us can work together.  We’re all trying to graduate and get through school and make something of ourselves,” Thomas explained.  “That’s the only way to keep your head up.  If you don’t have any motivation you won’t be able to motivate anybody else.”

Thomas, Henderson, and Bynaum are all related, and they use that family relationship to push each other on the field.

“It’s definitely a plus getting to go to school with your homeboys you grew up with, people that you’ve known since you were a baby,” Henderson said.

Bynaum explains how coming to Alpine alone could be a challenge in itself.

“If you didn’t have somebody from your hometown come out here with you, you wouldn’t know what to do,” he laughed.

Mobley stressed that getting out of Cameron was good for all of them, and with him coming to Sul Ross, he felt bringing others with him was a good idea.

“Not too many people get out of Cameron, so I just thought the best thing to do was to get out and come to Alpine and go to school.  It’s a different scene and everything,” he said. “I feel like if I can do it then I might as well bring a couple of friends and let them try it.”

The transition from Cameron to Alpine is not a huge change in the matter of size of the town, but the scenery and environment is noticeable.

“These mountains,” Henderson laughed. “It seems like we’re in the desert out here, but you can get your education out here and that’s what it’s all about.  This is a good spot.”

Bynaum agrees and believes being in a somewhat secluded area can help him focus on his main goal, college.

“It’s better because it’s a quiet town and I don’t have to worry about getting in trouble and stuff like that,” he said.

After spending time in Alpine, Thomas agrees with the new motto of the university.

“You really can find yourself out here,” he said.

Coming from a small town does not bother these players, and they feel that regardless where you are from, if you have talent then you can compete.

“I can just say it’s fun,” Mobley said. “For the small schools out there, it’s always a chance. Even though you come from a small school, don’t let that bring you down, you still have a chance.”

SUL ROSS’ FREED RECEIVES ASCAP AWARD

Dr. Donald Callen Freed, Sul Ross State University associate professor of Music, has been awarded $1,150 for choral and vocal compositions by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

The award covers compositions written, performed and published for the years 2010-2011. Freed was notified that an ASCAPLUS award will be presented to him in the January 2012 distribution to writers.

This marks the seventh consecutive year that Freed has received an ASCAPLUS award.

ASCAP, headquartered in New York, is an organization founded by Irving Berlin and others. It is one of the largest organizations of composers, authors and publishers in the U.S.

For more information, contact Freed, (432) 837-8216 or dfreed@sulross.edu.

SEPT. 30 SIGN-UP DEADLINE FOR SUL ROSS 2012 EUROPEAN TOUR

A Sept. 30 deadline has been established for sign-up for the Sul Ross State University May 2012 European trip.

The Communication and Political Science programs at Sul Ross have teamed up to sponsor a Government and Politics in Europe Tour.  The trip is open to all Sul Ross students and alumni.  Alpine community members are also invited to join this interesting and educational tour.

The tour will begin with three days in London, including a walking tour to visit the usual sites as well as places associated with government and politics. Stops include the U.S. Embassy, the British Parliament, and the British Library to see a copy of the Magna Carta.

From London, the group will take an overnight ferry across the English Channel to the Netherlands. The two days in the Netherlands will include a visit to the International Criminal Court in the Hague and Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam.

Next , the tour stops in Belgium, visiting the European Commission headquarters in Brussels and the medieval village of Bruges.  From Belgium, the group will take an overnight trip to Paris where they will complete the tour with three days in Paris. In addition to the sights associated with the tour theme of government and politics there will be opportunities to visit museums, churches and other historical places as well as getting in some shopping.

For more information, contact Dr. Esther Rumsey, (432) 837-8211 or by email at  erumsey@sulross.edu.

PHOTO AWARD WINNERS CHOSEN AT SHOOTING WEST TEXAS SYMPOSIUM

Eight participants took top awards at the third annual Shooting West Texas Photography Symposium held Sept. 15-17 at Sul Ross State University.

Thirty-five of the registered ticket holders entered the Shooting West Texas photo contest. Terry Cockerham, Irving, took top honors with four Speaker’s Awards for his photo of the entrance to an old adobe building. Symposium presenters choosing his photo were Adam Jahiel, Terry Nathan, Rachael Waller, and T.J. Tucker.

Judges’ comments included, “Simple, elegant, straightforward and honest with real soul,” “The image captures the textures of time,” and “…a sense of peacefulness and hope.”

Two Del Rio residents received awards. Emile Abbott took the Russell Graves Speaker’s Award, and Ron Castle the Wyman Meinzer’s Speaker’s Award.

A second-time winner was Winifred Simon, Wimberley. She took this year’s Melleta Bell and Mike Howard Speakers’ Awards and last year’s Bret Collier Speaker’s Award.

Other winners were Katherine Lusk, Big Spring, who won the Laren Bridges Speaker’s Award; Alex Spencer, Austin, the Jeremy Woodhouse Speaker’s Award; and Jana Jones, the Crystal Allbright Speaker’s Award. Michael Marvins, Houston, took both the Wayne Baize Speaker’s Award and the People’s Choice Award which was chosen by the attendees.

The symposium was attended by more than 90 mostly out-of-town visitors, most of whom were also professional or hobbyist photographers. Participants were treated to two days of presentations by top photographers, portfolio reviews, books and autograph signing, and a photo contest co-chaired by Sul Ross profs Jim Bob Salazar and Judith Parsons.

For more information about the Shooting West Texas Photography Symposium, see the website at www.shootingwesttexas.org.

SUL ROSS FALL ENROLLMENT DIPS, BUT SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS INCREASE

Despite a dip in student numbers, semester credit hours showed a slight increase as Sul Ross State University released its 12th class day enrollment figures.

Semester credit hours (SCH) gained 0.5 percent over Fall 2010 numbers, to a total of 22,630. The SCH figures were 0.1 percent lower than the Fall 2009 count of 22,659.

The student total of 2,033 was 4.3 percent lower (2,124) than a year ago and 2.1 percent (2,076) less than 2009. A decline in both post-baccalaureate (118 to 64 students) and graduate (544 to 503) totals was the major reason for the dip.

Sophomore numbers were identical to 2010 and 14.5 percent higher than 2009; junior totals rose 3.9 percent from 2009; and senior numbers were up 14.9 percent from a year ago and 6.1 percent from 2009. The freshman count was 672 students, compared to 693 last year and 718 in 2009.

New undergraduate student numbers showed sharp increases. First-time students rose 11.2 percent, from 328 in 2010 to 365 this fall. In addition, first-time transfer students increased 19.3 percent, frp, 150 to 179. Overall, the total number of new undergraduate students was up 13.8 percent from a year ago.

“While the overall numbers are disappointing, the increase in new students, as well as retention of sophomore, junior and senior students is encouraging,” said Dr. Donald Coers, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “We are also happy with the increase in semester credit hours. It’s the SCHs that determine our formula funding.

“We are confident that our new marketing campaign will be instrumental in both increased enrollment and retention in the succeeding semesters,” he said.

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ACCEPTS CHRISTMAS MOUNTAINS LAND DONATION

Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall, Ph.D., and Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson announced on Sept. 15 the transfer of the Christmas Mountains to the Texas State University System.

The rugged 9,269-acre tract of land in Brewster County will become an outdoor classroom, open to all, with conservation of the land guaranteed forever.

McCall said the Christmas Mountains will be a tremendous asset for The Texas State University System. “All of our universities are engaged in research in the Big Bend region and, as a result of this transfer, we'll be able to provide new and exciting learning opportunities for students and faculty in biology, geology, archeology and many other fields,” McCall said. “We also recognize that this land was a gift to the people of Texas, so we will continue to allow the public to access the Christmas Mountains so they can enjoy this natural treasure."

Under the transfer agreement between the Texas General Land Office and the university system, TSUS will receive the land at no cost. Commissioner Patterson said the value of the Christmas Mountains was offset by the value of the university system’s educational goals and commitment to conserving the property. “In fact, I think the college students of Texas will be richer for the opportunity to study in a Texas-sized open-air classroom,” Patterson said.

Several of the university system’s top academics from Sul Ross State University, Sam Houston State University, Lamar University and Texas State University-San Marcos are planning new research efforts on the land. The Christmas Mountains offer an extraordinary opportunity for both graduate and undergraduate students at nearby Sul Ross State University to study bears, mule deer and Bighorn sheep and a variety of birds and lizards that inhabit the Chihuahuan Desert.

Sul Ross geologists are also eager to explore outcroppings of volcanic rock in the area—among some of the oldest in the Big Bend region—to see what secrets they can reveal about the area millions of years ago. Archeologists with Sul Ross’ Center for Big Bend Studies have already pushed back the earliest known date for human activity in the region by more than 1,000 years through finds on a nearby ranch. These same archeologists think the Christmas Mountains may contain a buried treasure trove of archeological sites.

Sam Houston State University’s Center for Biological Field Studies, which examines climate change and sustainability issues, is interested in establishing a long-term ecological monitoring site in the area. Lamar University researchers have studied the area’s plants, small mammals and reptile populations for years, and plan to expand their studies in the higher elevations of the Christmas Mountains. And Texas State University’s biology, geography and anthropology departments, as well as Center for the Study of the Southwest, are planning to conduct field studies on the property.