Sul Ross State University

News Release for March 13, 2008

LOBO STARS STUDY CACTI UNDER WELCH FOUNDATION GRANT

by Jason Hennington, News Writer

Thanks to a Welch Foundation grant, four Sul Ross State University students are participating in an undergraduate research project on cacti.

Sami Cohen, San Antonio; Clint Holsomback, Houston; Josh Rousselow, Klamath Falls, Ore.; and Kaycee Watt, Claresholm, Alberta,Canada, are working with Dr. Martin Terry, Sul Ross assistant professor of

biolobgy, studying cacti portrayed in cave paintings in Baja California.

"There are some beings with human form and cactus characteristics in these paintings," Terry said.

The cave paintings, which are believed to be 7500 years old, depict people, game animals, and cacti. Normally cave paintings have a sacred meaning and are vital to the people who painted them, but the cacti are an unusual addition.

"We are trying to determine what the cacti are doing in the paintings," Terry said.

The students are researching and trying to find the answer to this question by analyzing the chemical compounds in the cacti.

"We're looking for anything with bioactivity," Terry said. "Antibiotic activity would be amazing and medically significant."

Any new compound would be a significant discovery for the class, and would invite more interest to the students.

"I found the interaction between the people and the cacti interesting," Rousselow said. "Why did they take so much time to put these cacti in their paintings?"

The students use a high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) instrument to conduct research on samples.

"The HPLC gives us an idea of what is in the sample," Cohen said. "It separates the individual compounds."

Normally this would be graduate-level research, but at Sul Ross these four undergraduates are participating in such work. "We get to do all the hands-on work," Watt said.

"I like the fact that I have the opportunity to do this as an undergraduate," Cohen said.

All discoveries found during this research will be documented in a publication, and the students will be given credit as coauthors for their work.

"I'm interested in the prospect of something that has a purpose," Holsmback said. "This is a quality experience for undergraduate work."

Terry will present the preliminary results of the students' research at a March 28 symposium in Vancouver at the annual conference of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA). The title of his presentation is

"Psycho-active Cacti in North American Archaeology."

"This is a fairly elite group, and they all seem to be interested in the project," Terry said. "This will look good on their résumés."

Along with graduate work and researching cacti, the students are also participating in the Lobo Stars program. In banding together with other student leaders, they are helping to raise awareness for the QEP.

"It makes me feel good that I'm not only doing something for the sake of science, but also for my school," Cohen said.

Roussselow believes both the Lobo Stars program and the research will help the university in general.

"This can help both programs from a publicity stand point," he said. "They are good programs and I hope they catch on."

The students are still in the early stages of their research, but are hoping to come across an astounding discovery.

"It's a delight for me to work with bright young people interested in a project," Terry said. "It's refreshing."

For more information, contact Terry, (432) 837-8113 or mterry@sulross.edu

CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE MARCH 13 AT MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Florida musicians Brent Williams (violin) and Sergio Acerb (double bass) will team with Sul Ross State University music faculty member Dr. Justin Badgerow (piano) for a chamber music concert Thursday, March 13, 7:30 p.m., Marshall Auditorium.

There is no admission charge and the public is inivted.

For more information, contact Badgerow, (432) 837-8222 or jbadgerow@sulross.edu

NEW SUL ROSS ENDOWMENT PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ENGLISH EDUCATION MAJORS

A newly-established endowment will provide scholarship opportunities for English and English education majors at Sul Ross State University.

The Ellie Aileen McKinney and George Gantt Winn Scholarship Endowment and Fund was established Feb. 12 through a $10,000 private contribution. Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan and Susan McKinney Barnes, family representative of the estate of Ellie A. McKinney, signed the agreement.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be English majors, with preference given to students in Education.

Beginning students must be fully admitted to Sul Ross. Returning students must be making normal progress toward a degree and maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Scholarship nominations will be made by English Department faculty with approval by the Department of Languages and Literature, and recommended to the University Scholarship Committee for approval. Awards will be made by the University Scholarship Committee.

"We are grateful to the McKinney family for providing additional scholarship opportunities at Sul Ross ," said Morgan. "The ever-growing support through endowments is integral to continued student success."

Sul Ross endowments presently exceed $12 million , funding over 210 programs.

For more information on endowments, contact Leo Dominguez, (432) 837-8033 or leodo@sulross.edu

TEACHER JOB FAIR APRIL 23 AT SUL ROSS

The Sul Ross State University Education Department will host the annual Job Fair for Teachers Wednesday, April 23 in the University Center.

Representatives from school districts around the state will be available to meet with Sul Ross students and area teachers from 9 a.m.-noon in the Espino Conference Center. Anyone interested in teaching opportunities is welcome toa ttend.

For more information, contact Dr. Tyra Manning, (432) 837-8170 or tmanning@sulross.edu

22nd TRAPPINGS OF TEXAS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT

Museum of the Big Bend staff called the 22nd annual Trappings of Texas another extremely successful event.

Trappings, which annually features classic cowboy gear and artwork, enjoyed an impressive opening (Feb. 29-March 1), with more than 40 percent of the exhibit items already sold. In addition, Saturday's auction, which serves as the Museum's primary fund-raiser, approached last year's record sales.

"Both the wall sale and auction results were a pleasant surprise," said Liz Jackson, assistant to the director. "Despite an uncertain economy, we enjoyed tremendous support from our sponsors and buyers."

Proceeds from the Trappings exhibit go directly to the artists and gearmakers. Auction items, donated by the participating artists and other supporters, benefit Museum programs.

Museum director Larry Francell called Trappings "a great success. Trappings has reached a level of high quality that seems to grow each year.

"Hosting Trappings with the Museum's facilities fully renovated made a difference," he said. "In addition to the Trappings works, sponsors and buyers had a chance to see all the permanent exhibits in the Museum and the changes that have taken place in the past year alone.

Francell also praised Sul Ross State University's long-standing support.

"Sul Ross deserves a great deal of credit for the success of Trappings and the Museum operations as a whole," Francell said. "The university continues to be a solid foundation for our mission to preserve and promote the history of the Big Bend."

For more information, contact Francell, (432) 837-8145 or francell@sulross.edu

SUL ROSS MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES LECTURES MARCH 26, APRIL 9

Sul Ross State University faculty members Dr. Justin Badgerow and Carol Fairlie will present lectures Wednesday, March 26 and April 9 as part of the Mexican American Studies Lecture Program.

On March 26, Badgerow, assistant professor of music, will discuss and perform music from American and Mexican composers at 2 p.m. in Marshall Auditorium.

Fairlie, associate professor of art, will discuss the contributions of Chicano and Chicana artists to the art community on April 9. She will lecture at 2 p.m. in Lawrence Hall, Room 309.

Both presentations are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Dr. Jesus Tafoya, (432) 837-8386 or jtafoya@sulross.edu or Dr. Mark Saka, 837-8304 or msaka@sulross.edu.

SUL ROSS SPRING BREAK MARCH 17-21

Sul Ross State University will have spring break Monday-Friday, March 17-21.

University offices will be closed beginning Wednesday, March 19.

Offices will reopen and classes will resume at 8 a.m. Monday, March 24. Residence Halls will close at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 15, and reopen at noon Sunday, March 23.

SUL ROSS STUDENT ATHLETES EARN ASC ALL-ACADEMIC HONORS

Seven Sul Ross State University student-athletes have been selected to the American Southwest Conference Basketball Academic All-Conference team for 2007-08.

In women's basketball, junior Angelique Benton (art, El Paso Parkland), sophomore Stephanie Marshall (mathematics, Kermit) and seniors Janice Mitchell (accounting, Round Rock, Stoney Point) and Nitra Woods (communication, Andrews) received academic all-conference awards.

Senior Art Gonzalez (kinesiology, El Paso Eastwood), junior Moises Morales (political science, Fort Hancock) and sophomore Filiberto Torres (kinesiology, Clint) represented the Lobo men's basketball team on this year's conference honor roll.

To be eligible for ASC All-Academic honors, student-athletes must have lettered in the 2007-08 season, be in at least the second academic year at their institution and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or better.

SUL ROSS ALUM PUBLISHES BOOK, TO RECORD WESTERN AUSTRALIA ORAL HISTORY

Sul Ross State University graduate and Distinguished Alumni recipient Jack Fletcher has written a second book about the undeveloped agricultural potential in Western Australia. It contrasts development of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas with that of the undeveloped Fitzroy River Valley in Western Australia.

Fletcher has written "To Dam or Be Damned, The Mighty Fitzroy River," to be published in June, 2008.. Earlier he wrote, "Texas Jack's Australian Outback Dream,:"discussing his 20-year association with the Australian Land and Cattle Company (ALCCO) and pioneering of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. ALCCO, a vertically integrated company, was the largest of its kind in Australia's history.

Earlier this year, Fletcher met with representatives of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society, Inc., and agreed to record an oral history of his experiences for the state's collection.

Fletcher, a native of Spur, graduated from Sul Ross in 1949 after serving as a Navy Corpsman with the U.S. Third Marine Division during World War II. His Australian experiences began in 1965 and from 1967-1985 he was managing director of ALCCO, which he co-founded. He managed the diverse interest over 6,700 square miles (4.3 million acres) of stations and feedlots, producing crops and beef in massive quantities.

He received Sul Ross' first Distinguished Alumni Award in 1981, and has been honored by the Texas State House of Representatives and Soil Conservation Society of America for his soil, water and wildlife conservation efforts.

Fletcher, who resides in Woodlands, Western Australia and holds dual U.S.-Australian citizenship, previously worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, William K. Holt Machinery and Caterpillar Co. He served as an agricultural consultant to many government organizations and private companies in the U.S., Korea, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. His email contact: txjackoz@westnet.com.au

LADY LOBOS TRIP LETOURNEAU FOR SEASON'S FIRST WIN

A pair of three-run innings provided the offense as Sul Ross State University gained its first win of the 2008 softball season, 6-5 over LeTourneau University Saturday (March 8).

Coach Sandra Chambers' Lady Lobos finished 1-3 in the American Southwest Conference Crossover Tournament, losing to the University of the Ozarks 13-1 and Mississippi College 21-0 in Friday's action. East Texas Baptist University edged Sul Ross 4-1 in Saturday's second contest.

Sul Ross, 1-7 overall will host Texas Lutheran University Friday (March 14, 4 p.m.) and Saturday (March 15, noon) in a pair of ASC West Division doubleheaders at Lady Lobo Field. The Lady Lobos travel to Hobbs, NM Tuesday (March 18, noon) for a non-conference twin bill against College of the Southwest. On March 19-20, Sul Ross plays Hardin-Simmons University in a four-game ASC West set at Abilene. Games begin at 2 p.m. March 19 and 11 a.m. March 20.

Kara Lick (Gatesville) scattered 13 hits while Valerie Olivarez (San Antonio) and Gabriela Cordero (Fort Stockton) drove in two runs each in Saturday's win over LeTourneau. The Lady Lobos spotted the Lady Jackets a 3-0 lead after two frames, but Olivarez rapped a two-run single and Vanadie Carpio (Houston) added a run-scoring hit to tie the score in the third.

Lick blanked LeTourneau through the fifth, and Sul Ross claimed a 6-3 edge in the bottom of the frame as Olivarez and Carpio singled and advanced on an error. De De DeLao (Alpine) grounded out to score Olivarez for a 4-3 edge. Kassie Fuller (Alpine) was hit by a pitch and advanced on a passed ball, then Cordero singled both Carpio and Fuller home.

LeTourneau tallied an unearned run in the sixth and cut the margin to 6-5 with four straight one-out hits in the seventh. Lick steadied and retired the next two hitters on outfield flies to preserve the win.

Olivarez doubled and singled twice to lead Sul Ross' nine-hit attack. Carpio and Vanessa Pena (San Antonio) both singled twice and Cordero and Lick also hit safely.

Meghan Fisher's three-run homer snapped a 1-1 tie as ETBU edged Sul Ross in Saturday's tournament finale.

The Lady Tigers scored a run in the first on a walk and two singles, while Fuller evened the score in the second with a solo homer to center, her second of the tourney.

ETBU's Randi Wright blanked the Lady Lobos thereafter, finishing with a four-hitter, and Fisher provided the winning runs in the third, homering to center after a walk and single.

Bianca Espinoza (San Antonio) started and took the loss for Sul Ross, with relief from Olivarez. Fuller doubled and homered in three trips, while Olivarez and Celina Canderia (El Paso) singled.

Fuller's second-inning homer provided the Lady Lobos' lone offense in Friday's first game. U-Ozarks slammed 13 hits, scoring seven in the third and three each in the fourth and fifth to win by the 10-run rule.

Lick took the loss, while Carpio had the only other Sul Ross hit.

Mississippi College bombed 21 hits and jumped to a 12-0 lead after two frames in a 21-0 win in the nightcap. Cordero doubled for the Lady Lobos' only hit, and eight errors led to 12 unearned MC runs. Olivarez was the losing pitcher.

Lobo Tracks...Fuller leads the team in batting (.316), with two homers, four RBI, a double, triple and .789 slugging percentage....Olivarez (.292) has a team-high seven hits, including a double and homer, and has stolen three bases in four tries.

LOBOS LOSE ASC WEST SERIES TO UMHB

Host University of Mary Hardin-Baylor swept an American Southwest Conference West Division baseball series from visiting Sul Ross State University, winning 1-0, 10-1, 11-3.

Friday's (March 7) scheduled doubleheader was moved to Saturday due to wet grounds, and the Crusaders, 14-3, 3-0 ASC West, gained the sweep with the help of nine unearned runs in Sunday's contest.

Coach Mike Pallanez' Lobos, 3-14, 0-3, host Schreiner University at Kokernot Field Friday (March 14, 7 p.m.) and Saturday (March 15, 1 p.m.) in a three-game ASC West set. On March 19-20, Sul Ross will travel to Austin to play Concordia University.

Righthander Jaime Rojo (Alpine) was a hard-luck loser in Friday's opening game. The senior allowed just five hits and one walk over six innings, losing on an unearned run in the fifth. He struck out two.

UMHB's Garza blanked Sul Ross on thre hits, walking one and fanning five. The Crusaders scored in the fifth on a hit batsman, double and throwing error.

Zach Denson (Fredericksburg), Chris Rodriguez (San Angelo) and James Johnson (Killeen) singled for the Sul Ross hits.

Homers by Volz, Reinle and Pena sparked an 18-hit attack in Saturday's nightcap, as UMHB cruised to a 10-1 win. The winners built leads of 5-0 after three and 7-1 after four frames.

Sul Ross scored in the fourth as Isaiah Rayos (Pecos) doubled and scored on Johnson's groundout. Eric Castillo (Del Rio) and Rayos each doubled and singled for the Lobos, while Ryan Kassner (Corpus Christi) added a single.

Cody Kemmerling (Hitchcock) started and took the loss, with relief from Ritchie Ortega (Clint) and Robby Lopez (Del Rio).

Reinle's three-run homer and Volz' two-run double keyed a seven-run fourth as the Crusaders snapped a 1-1 tie in the series finale. UMHB collected ll hits in the contest and four Lobo errors led to nine unearned runs.

Sul Ross scored in the top of the first as Kassner rapped a lead-off single, stole second and scored on Rayos' single. UMHB tallied an unearned run in the third, then broke the game open in the fourth.

The Lobos tallied single runs in the eighth on Andrew Ramos' (El Paso) infield out and in the ninth as Kassner reached on a fielder's choice. Rayos singled twice and Kassner and Javier Arrieta (El Paso) once each for the Sul Ross hits.

Michael Otero (Houston) worked the first four innings, giving up seven hits and eight unearned runs. Lucas Garza (Hebbronville) allowed one hit and one unearned run over three frames and Eddie Vela (Pecos) was touched for three hits and two runs in one frame.

Lobo Tracks...Rojo has a 3.71 earned run average and three complete games in six starts despite a 1-3 record. Opponents are batting just .252....Arrieta leads the team in hitting with a .397 average, 23 hits, three doubles, two triples, three homers, 15 RBI and 14 runs scored. He has 10 stolen bases in as many attempts.

MELISSA WADDY-THIBODEAUX TO PORTRAY HARRIET TUBMAN MARCH 25 AT SUL ROSS

Performing artist Melissa Waddy-Thibodeaux will portray Harriet Tubman, a central figure in the 1800s Underground Railroad, Tuesday, March 25 at Sul Ross State University.

Waddy-Thibodeaux, Houston, will present "The Resurrection of General Harriet Tubman for Literacy" at 7:30 p.m. in Marshall Auditorium. There is no admission charge and the public is invited. The event celebrates Black History Month, Women's History Month and the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at Sul Ross.

Waddy-Thibodeaux is the president and chief executive officer of Flying Geese Productions, which specializes in educational entertainment. This presentation allows the audience to experience the Underground Railroad, as she plays a compelling role of Harriet Tubman. She makes a complete transformation from a 21st century business woman to an icon in American History, captivating audiences on a national platform.

A graduate of Sterling High School, Houston in the Class of 1972. Waddy-Thibodeaux graduated with honors and a scholarship to Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas and from there starred in numerous productions with various theaters in Los Angeles and Hollywood, modeling and singing, cut first record called "I'll Never Quit," and began touring the U.S. and Canada with Thomas Melancon's "Whatever Happened to Black Love," where she played the feisty Mrs. Carson.

She travels far and near to spread the word of the importance of reading in an attempt to re-direct the next generation to Freedom, which comes with knowledge. She is still setting the "Captives Free" in "The Resurrection of Harriet Tubman in Escape to Freedom" which is listed with the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Programs.

LOBO TENNIS TEAMS COMPETE AT WESTERN NEW MEXICO

Sul Ross State University's tennis teams dropped decisions to Glendale Community College, Grand Canyon University and Western New Mexico University in competition at Silver City, N.M. Friday and Saturday (March 7-8).

Coach Kay Whitley's teams resume American Southwest Conference action Friday (March 14, 1 p.m.), hosting the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on the Lobo Courts.

Glendale CC scored 9-0 and 8-1 victories, respectively, over the Lobo men's and women's team Friday. Western New Mexico defeated the Sul Ross men 9-0 Saturday, while the Lady Lobos fell 9-0 to Grand Canyon University.

Against Glendale, Sandra Torres (Castroville) and Christine Gallardo (El Paso) scored the lone win, an 8-5 doubles triumph over Anela Pehlic/Kristina Sauer.

In other doubles play, Fernanda Busch (Sanderson)/Ashley Hairgrove (Odem) lost 8-1 to Shawn Jenson/Ashley Kildoo and April Areliano (Fabens)/Judith Loya (Marfa) lost 8-0 to Cody Andelin/Sara Tosuner.

In singles, Pehlic defeated Gallardo, 6-2, 6-2; Torres lost 6-2, 5-7, 11-9 to Andelin; Busch lost 6-0, 6-0 to Jenson; Hairgrove dropped a 6-2, 6-1 match to Kildoo; Areliana lost 6-0, 6-1 to Sauer; and Loya lost 6-0, 6-0 to Tosuner.

In men's singles play, Nolan Pritchard (Monahans) lost 6-2, 6-1 to Jakub Szymanski; John Langerock (Austin) lost 6-2, 6-2 to Andy Green; Jeff Ivey (El Paso) dropped a 6-3, 6-4 contest to George Laura; John Taylor (Godley) lost 6-0, 6-0 to Matt Fesko; Felix Zapien (Alpine) lost 6-0, 6-1 to Julio Herrera; and James Aldridge (El Paso) lost 6-0, 6-2 to Marz Padres.

In doubles, Szymanski/Green defeated Ivey/Langerock 8-2; Laura/Fesko downed Pritchard/Taylor 8-5; and Herrera/F. Herrera defeated Joseph Torres (Alpine)/Zapien 8-2.

Against WNMU, Pritchard lost 6-0, 6-1 to Francisco Periera; Langerock was defeated 6-0, 6-1 by Luke Salazar; Ivey lost 6-0, 6-0 to Emmanuel Hecher; Taylor lost 6-0, 6-0 to Devin Stroman; Zapien lost 6-0, 6-0 to Billy Wilton; and Aldridge fell 6-1, 6-1 to Omar Melendez.

In doubles, Ivey/Langerock lost 8-4 to Hecher/Periera; Pritchard/Taylor lost 8-4 to Wilton/Stroman; and Torres/Zapien lost 8-0 to Valu Fa/ Melendez.

Women's action against Grand Canyon saw Gallardo lose 6-0, 6-1 to Marie Legros; Torres lost 6-2, 6-2 to Stefanie Griffin; Busch lost 6-0, 6-1 to Camelia Tsosie; Hairgrove lost 6-0, 6-0 to Shelia Johnson; Areliano lost 6-0, 6-0 to Emily Rios; and Loya lost 6-0, 6-0 to Paola Rodriguez.

In doubles, Legros/Griffin defeated Torres/Gallardo 8-1; Johnson/Stephanie Haldeman defeated Busch/Hairgrove 8-0; and Rios/Amanda Jackson won 8-1 over Areliano/Loya.

LOBOS' DAVIDSON THIRD IN JAVELIN AT ABILENE TRACK MEET

Sul Ross State University senior Austin Davidson (Hallsville) placed third in the javelin at the Oliver Jackson Open in Abilene Saturday (March 8).

Davidson's toss of 55.44 meters (181 feet, 11 inches) placed him behind two Texas Tech contestants. Tech's Mike Cast won with a throw of 60.07 meters and Paden Behrens was second with 55.72.

Ben Ahrens (Cuero) placed 14th with a throw of 35.05 meters.

In other events, Cruz Tovar (Canutillo) finished ninth in the 400 meters, 55.49 seconds; Peter Ojeda (Del Rio) was 15th in the 1500 meters, 5:02.7; Larry Lovato (Lubbock) was 19th in the 5000 meters, 17:17.08; and the Lobo men's 4x100 relay team placed fourth in 45.86 seconds.

In women's competition, Cecile Mendez (La Feria) paced eighth in the 100 meter hurdles, 19.62 seconds; and Isabel Rubenstein (Fort Davis) finished 10th in the 1500, 7:17.66.

Sul Ross will compete in the Tarleton Relays Thursday (March 13) in Stephenville.

SUL ROSS STUDENT ATTENDS TEJANO MUSIC AWARDS

by Jason Hennington, News Writer

Sul Ross State University had the only representative from the West Texas area at the 28th annual Tejano Awards, held March 6 in San Antonio.

Dominic Leal, Dallas, a junior political science major attended the prestigious event on behalf of Sul Ross campus radio, KSRU

"If I wasn't there, tthere wouldn't have been anybody from West Texas," Leal said.

Winners at this year's awards included: Elida Reyna for Song of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year; Jay Perez for Male Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, and Show Band of the Year; Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution for Album of the Year-Tejano; and Tex Mex Kadillakz for Most Promising Band.

Tejano music is popular in the West Texas area, but there was no one to cover the event. Leal was allowed to go backstage with the artists and award winners, as well as other media personnel. Dr. Keith West, assistant professor in Communication and Theatre, was able to obtain media passes and the necessities for Leal's trip.

Leal enjoyed the experience and got a chance to meet artists that he listens to, as well as new up and coming artists.

"This was my first time for the Tejano awards so I didn't know a lot of artists, but I do now," Leal said. "I know what's out there now."

Leal got to rub shoulders with Tejano Music legends Sunny Sauceda, Ruben Ramos, Little Joe, and a host of other superstars in the Tejano music world.

"Sunny (Sauceda) was one of my favorites to meet. He plays the accordion, and really puts on a good show," Leal said. "I was looking forward to meeting him."

Leal was also excited to meet another one of his favorite artists, Elida Reyna.

"It was a blessing that I got to meet them," Leal said.

Along with Tejano Legends, Leal met new up and coming artists who included Tex Mex Kadillakz, Da Krazy Pimpz, and Megan Leyva.

"Megan (Leyva), can really sing," Leal said. "The future of Tejano has talent and they can all sing."

Many people believe that Tejano music is dying, but according to Leal Tejano music is far from dead.

"From what I saw it is alive and well," he said. "The media is what's killing it. There is talent out there and they deserve to be heard."

At first Leal said he was nervous, but soon became comfortable when he saw how friendly the artists were.

"I got to see how artists reacted to media," Leal said. "I didn't get any rejections for interviews. I was impressed at how the acted toward the media. They treated me really well."

Leal works as a DJ on KSRU and is also the studio supervisor and primary production person. His shows are primarily Spanish, with a mix of R&B and Hip-Hop.

"I do radio shows, but I like to go out and represent Sul Ross," he said.

This was Leal's first visit to the Tejano Music Awards, but not his first time at an award show. Last year he represented Sul Ross at the Latin Hip-Hop Awards, and it was a big success for the campus radio station.

"In addition to being a great on-air DJ, he has a natural sense for what people want to know about artists," West said. "He was the natural choice to send."

Leal said he would love to represent Sul Ross at other awards shows; possibly a BET (Black Entertainment Television) award show, a Hip-Hop, or an R&B award show. His ultimate goal is to cover the Latin Grammys.

"That would be a dream," Leal said.

Leal is putting together an extensive résumé of award shows including his recent tenure in San Antonio. He hopes to attend the Tejano Convention in his hometown of Dallas in August.

"I want to give a lot of credit to Dr. West, he's helped me out a lot," Leal said. "He's a good guy."

West supported the idea of Leal attending the Tejano Awards for experience, and for what he could bring back to KSRU.

"This is the type of programming and events I would like to see on KSRU Campus Radio," West said. "KSRU can provide the back story to the music; artist interviews, concert dates, new emerging artists, and classic favorites. I encourage anyone that has an interest in finding out the 'real story' and telling others to contact Dominic at the station."

For a complete list of the winners visit www.tejanomusicwards.com , for Leal's photos and an exclusive video of his trip visit www.myspace.com/dlealksru.