Sul Ross State University
A Member of the Texas State University System
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News Release for Oct. 4, 2011BALDEMAR AND ARACELI GARZA SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHED AT SUL ROSS An endowment established by Sul Ross State University alumni will provide scholarship opportunities for students from four south Texas counties. The Baldemar and Araceli B. Garza Achievement Scholarship Endowment and Fund was recently established by the Garzas, Sul Ross graduates from Rio Grande City. High school graduates from Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr or Willacy counties presently enrolled at Sul Ross are eligible, with preference given to Starr County residents. Applicants must also be undergraduates who have completed at least 60 semester credit hours, be in good standing, maintain a minimum 12-semester credit hour load and an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Award recipients are eligible to re-apply. The University Scholarship Committee will determine the number and amount of scholarships to be awarded each year. “The Garzas’ endowment shows their commitment to providing higher education opportunities for students at Sul Ross,” said President Dr. Ricardo Maestas. “We are grateful for their generosity.” Sul Ross endowments exceed $13 million with over 210 individual scholarships. For more information on endowments, contact Leo Dominguez, (432) 837-8033 or leodo@sulross.edu. SUL ROSS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES GRAD ASSISTANT’S CITIZENSHIP by Jason Hennington, News Writer
Brownell, who enrolled in Sul Ross this fall, graduated from The University Autonomous of Chihuahua as a lawyer, and is now earning her master’s degree in Political Science. She also works as a graduate assistant in the Education Department. She has been working on becoming an American citizen for three years and nine months. She explained that she and others from all over the world attended a formal ceremony in El Paso where they were given a flag, various books, a copy of the U.S. Constitution, and viewed a video of President Barack Obama welcoming new citizens to the United States. “I didn’t want to get too emotional, but it overcomes you,” Brownell said. She said she proudly displayed her new citizenship papers when passing through the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol checkpoint en route to Alpine.
“The surprise on her face as she walked through the door and saw the refreshment table draped in red, white and blue was priceless,” said Dr. Tyra Manning, Director of Teaching Education. “The desire to celebrate and honor her on this special occasion on the part of her co-workers and friends is a testament to the contribution she makes in our department.” “The faculty and staff in the Education Department were thrilled to be able to celebrate Gloria's attainment of her goal to become a citizen of the United States of America,” Manning said. “She is a wonderful, hard-working and warm graduate assistant in our department. It was indeed a special event.” In attendance were Sul Ross President Dr. Ricardo Maestas, Dr. Don Coers, Provost; Dr. Melanie Croy, Dean of “This is overwhelming. I didn’t expect this. Thank you for making me feel like I’m welcome here,” Brownell said. Brownell and her guests enjoyed cupcakes with red, white, and blue icing along with American apple pie. She received gifts from those in attendance including a book with the constitution and various other political speeches, and American flag, and a patriotic music CD. “It is very nice to work here. It’s a nice environment,” Brownell said. “It’s nice to know people care about you here. You have no idea how appreciative I am of this. I will never forget this.” Photo: Gloria Brownell stands by a patriotic display of cupcakes at a surprise celebration for her becoming a US citizen. Photo by Jason Hennington. Photo: Gloria Brownell (sitting) was surprised by faculty and staff members from the Sul Ross Education department in attendance to celebrate her citizenship. Photo by Jason Hennington. Photo: Sul Ross President Dr. Ricardo Maestas (right) congratulates Gloria Brownell on becoming a US citizen. Photo by Jason Hennington. PHOTO EXHIBITION THROUGH OCT. 19 AT SUL ROSS MAIN GALLERY “Bare Naked Tree Series,” gelatin silver print photography by Eric Weller, will be on exhibit through Oct. 19 at Sul Ross State University. The photographic images will be on display in the Main Gallery, Francois Fine Arts Building. Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Weller, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Photography at Texas State University-San Marcos, will give a brief gallery talk on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Weller, a Denver, Colo. native, received both his BFA and MFA degrees at the University of Colorado, Boulder. His teaching experience includes the University of Colorado, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa; and Texas State. In addition, he has taught a number of workshops in drawing, painting and photography at several museums, summer programs, and sixteen different universities. Weller also has professional experience as a gallery director at both Dickinson College and Texas State University, as a special projects consultant for the Smithsonian Institute and IBM. He has been a freelance photographer since 1965. He has exhibited his work in over 190 one-person and group exhibitions in 38 states and three foreign countries. He has won over 50 national and regional awards and in 1972 and again in 1990 he received a Ford Foundation Grant. His paintings and photographs are included in over 200 private and public collections. For more information, call (432) 837-8218. SUL ROSS’ ACADEMIC LEARNING CENTER GAINS RE-CERTIFICATION Sul Ross State University’s Academic Learning Center (ALC) has been re-certified for the next three years (through August 2014) by the College Reading and Learning Association’s International Tutoring Training Program Certification (ITTPC) program. The ALC received its initial certification in the fall of 2010. All programs must recertify after the first year. Tutors who work in the Academic Learning Center must take part in ten hours of tutor training as well as complete 25 hours of one-on-one tutoring before they can be awarded Level One ITTPC certification. All tutors are required to work towards Level One certification. Currently, the Academic Learning Center has two tutors who have achieved Level One ITTPC certification: Alex Hardison, senior tutor, San Antonio; and Geoffrey Schuette, Midland. New and returning tutors include Marisela Baca, Presidio; Rachel Barrett, Pecos; Crystal Gore, Dallas; Alice Harman, Midland; Billy Jones, San Antonio; and Heidi Trudell, Fort Worth. The tutors participated in a Saturday training workshop on Sept. 10. The ALC is open to Sul Ross students on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3-9 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-7 p.m. in Ferguson Hall, Room 213. Tutoring is free and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Tutoring is available in math, writing, reading, and some of the sciences. For more information, contact Dr. Kathy Stein, (432) 837-8408. MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER BOUNCES BALL OF CREATIVITY by Steve Lang, News and Publications
Carroll, the founder of Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC and the author of three highly successful books, addressed “Dream Big” Monday evening (Oct. 3) in Marshall Auditorium. His appearance was sponsored by the School of Professional Studies John B. Poindexter Speakers Series. 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. Carroll, author of “Rules of the Red Rubber Ball,” stressed the importance of play in healthy lives, especially as a way of exercising “creative muscle.” “A ball saved my life,” he said. “If it wasn’t for a simple little ball, I wouldn’t be here.” Carroll, the son of addictive parents who abandoned him and his two brothers, was raised by his grandparents. When he was six, he found a ball on a Philadelphia playground not far from his grandparents’ home.
“Then, I created a game of chase....The next thing I know, I see a circle of kids....They asked me to play, and in the next five hours, something magical happened. I got to be connected to a whole kind of community that I had never felt before.” Carroll said he made a promise to the ball that he would continue to play, not for a medal, but for a sense of belonging, and he remained active in sports for the next 19 years. He bounced the “ball” to the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a language interpreter and translator, gaining fluency in four languages. While stationed in San Angelo, he earned a bachelor’s degree at Angelo State University. One of his professors was Dr. Melanie Croy, now the Sul Ross Dean of Professional Studies. Later, he moved back to Philadelphia and worked as an athletic trainer at the high school and collegiate levels while earning a master’s degree at St. Joseph’s University. His “red rubber ball” bounced toward the professional ranks, where he was named head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. Later, he worked for Nike, spending seven years helping the company develop a deeper understanding of athletic product performance, team dynamics and interpersonal communications. His work enabled him to travel the world. He said, “I see a ball wherever I go. I thought, ‘why not bring balls and do exchanges?’” Where children were gathered, a ball was usually in play, Carroll noted. He exchanged balls for those made of banana fiber, trash bags, wood, water balloons and wicker in Uganda, India, Australia, Mexico and elsewhere. “I know for a fact a ball can change the world,” he said, and noted that play can lead to more serious topics, including health and social issues. In 2004, Carroll left Nike and formed his present company. He continues to stress the use of play and the rubber ball as a symbol for creativity and inspiration. “What’s your rubber ball?” he asked. “What gets you excited every day? That rubber ball can be sports, it can be math, it can be science....My grandpa said, ‘stop talking and start doing.’” He quoted the German philosopher Goethe: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can...begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Creativity is enhanced by looking at the world through the eyes of a child, Carroll said. “If you keep your eyes of a child, your eyes of wonder, your eyes of possibility and stay forever curious, you see things differently,” he said. “We need to look up, look around us and see the possibilities.” Maintain a playful spirit and do more with less, Carroll urged. Above all, exercise the creative muscle. “As we get older, the creative muscle gets weaker,” he said. “Stay agile and nimble in your thoughts as well as your body.” The Poindexter Speakers 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. Photo: Motivational speaker Kevin Carroll emphasizes "rules of the red rubber ball" during Monday night's address at Sul Ross State University. Photo by Steve Lang. Photo: Kevin Carroll displays Sul Ross gear following his "Dream Big" address. Photo by Steve Lang. NIGERIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Students of all nationalities joined together to celebrate Nigerian Independence Day which is October 1. This year marked the 51st anniversary of Nigeria's Independence. Only two students on campus are from the country, but feel that it still deserves celebration. "It's a way of bringing everybody together. We eat the same thing and we're from different cultures. It symbolizes one love, peace and happiness. We just want everyone to stay happy," said Balsatunde Balsaj de.
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The Sul Ross State University Education department surprised graduate assistant Gloria Brownell, Chihuahua, Mexico; with an office party celebrating her citizenship.
Upon returning to work after becoming a citizen, Brownell was surprised by her co-workers and Sul Ross staff members.
Education; Dr. Jim Case, Dean of Political Science; Jim Hector, Department Chair of Education; along with English professors Kip Sullivan, Pat Seawell, Clay Rasmussen, Julie Stephan, Rebecca Schlosser. Also joining Brownell at the celebration were Visiting Lecturers Barbara Tucker and Scarlet Anderson, along with Donna Hoyler, Testing and Certification Coordinator; Matthew Marsh, Secretary ExCET/TexES; Elizabeth Kim, Education Department Secretary. Brownell’s daughter Maria Victoria Terrazas attended as well.
Kevin Carroll bounced a rubber ball of creativity to his Sul Ross State University audience.
“I saw a ball on this empty playground and I started bouncing it,” he said. “Then, I started to get angry and upset. I started pounding the ball, shouting, ‘Where’s my mom at? Where’s my dad at?’ Then I kicked the ball.
