Sul Ross State University

News Release for March 17, 2008

SUL ROSS BIOLOGY FACULTY, GRAD STUDENTS PRESENT AT ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Sul Ross State University biology graduate students and faculty members presented papers and posters at the March 7-8 meeting of the Texas Academy of Sciences, held on the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus..

At the botany session, Dr. James C. Zech, professor of Biology, presented a per, "Zanthoxylum Parvum (Rutaceae): a Rare West Texas Endemic, Safe at Last?"

Justin D. Ceniceros, Alpine, presented the paper, "Seed dispersal by American Black Bears (Urus americanus) in Big Bend National Park, Texas." The paper was co-authored by Ceniceros, Andrew R. Berezin, Damon; and Dr. Steven G. Platt, assistant professor of Biology.

At the terrestrial ecology and management session, Cynthia G. McAlister, Alpine, presented a paper, " Comparison of Native Bee Diversity Between a Botanical Garden and Adjacent Grasslands, Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, Jeff Davis County, Texas," that she co-authored with Dr. Christopher M. Ritzi, assistant professor of Biology.

Traci Gukian, Dale; Rosalva Meraz, Midland; and Ritzi presented a poster, "Endo- and Ecotoparasites of Small Rodents from Brewster County, Texas."

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 to attend.

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

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.

ANNUAL SUL ROSS SPRING CAREER FAIR APRIL 8

The Career Life Center at Sul Ross State University will host its annual Spring Career Fair Tuesday, April 8.

The fair, featuring a wide range of companies from Texas and surrounding states, will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Espino Conference Center, located on the second floor of the University Center. Refreshments will be provided, and visitors may register for door prizes, to be distributed at the end of the fair.

Visitors will be able to investigate job markets, ask recruiters questions, explore different business resources, or apply for available positions. Appropriate business attire is recommended.

The Career Life Center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Joyce Sesters, (432) 837-8178.

TEXAS MONTHLY EDITORS TO SPEAK TO SUL ROSS STUDENTS MARCH 24

Texas Monthly senior editors John Spong and Jake Silverstein will address Sul Ross State University students and faculty about journalistic experiences with Texas Monthly on Monday, March 24. A presentation that is open to the public will be held at 10 a.m. in Warnock Science Building, Room 201.

Spong wrote the article covering Sul Ross football player Mike Flynt ("Untitled Mike Flynt Project) that appeared in the March issue. Silverstein edited the project.

SUL ROSS PROFESSOR ROHR TO DELIVER SUL ROSS ARTS AND SCIENCES LECTURE MARCH 26

Dr. David Rohr, Sul Ross State University professor of Geology, will deliver the spring Arts and Sciences lecture Wednesday, March 26.

Rohr will address "A Snail's Eye View of the Geology of Alaska" at 3 p.m. in Warnock Science Building, Room 101. His lecture will include a photographic record of the extraordinary beauty of Alaskan geology.

There is no admission charge and the public is invited.

RITZI ELECTED TEXAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

Dr. Christopher M. Ritzi, Sul Ross State University assistant professor of biology, was elected Academic Director at the 111th annual meeting of the Texas Academy of Science.

Ritzi was elected to a three-year term during the annual meeting, held March 6-8 at the University of Texas -Corpus Christi.

Ritzi has more than 30 publications, with two more in press, and several in review. He has accumulated $500,000.00 in grant support as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator over the past eight years, and has authored or co-authored 49 presentations, including multiple presentations at TAS annual meetings.

He has served as both the Terrestrial Ecology and Management Section vice-chair and chair over the last two years, respectively. In 2007, Ritzi was appointed chair of the Sul Ross Biology Department, where he has served on the faculty for the past four years..

"It has been due to the strong presence of Sul Ross at the annual meetings over the past several years, combined with our efforts to publish within the academy's journal, The Texas Journal of Science, that has helped to get us recognized by the society and led to the original nomination," Ritzi said. "I look forward to representing Sul Ross at the state academy in the future."

For more information, contact Ritzi, (432) 837-8420 or critzi@sulross.edu.

MARY GONZALES RECEIVES SUL ROSS STELLAR STUDENT SERVICE AWARD

By Jason Hennington, News Writer

Mary Gonzales, a counselor in the financial aid office at Sul Ross State University, received the Stellar Student Service Award at a March 12 ceremony.

Gonzales is the second financial aid counselor to receive the award. Co-worker Carlas Mack was the first recipient. The award is determined from the "60 Second Feedback" program, which includes feedback cards students complete regarding the service of staff members. Once the cards are completed, students deposit them in the suggestion boxes located in the hallways on the first and second floor of the Briscoe Administration Building.

Sul Ross President R Vic Morgan presented the award.

"The choice was not an easy one, there were lots of good comment on the cards about all of you (staff members) and students seemed to be good to fill them out and put them in boxes," Morgan said.

Some of the comments about Gonzales included:

"Mary helped me a lot in getting financial aid. If it weren't for her, I would still be struggling with trying to pay for school."

"She answered my questions and didn't act like she hated me for being there."

"She was patient and understanding. She helped me get all my refund. I love her."

Gonzales received the traveling trophy that will move to the next recipient of the award, and will receive an engraved paperweight as a reminder of her selection as an outstanding supporter of students. Along with the award Gonzales was given her choice of a day off with pay, a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant, a $50 gift certificate to the bookstore, or a parking spot on the circle for a month.

The Stellar Student Service Award will continue for the next several months, and will expand to other departments depending on its success. The next award will be presented at the end of April, and will consist of a different set of comments for the time period.

SACS ACCREDITATION TEAM TO VISIT SUL ROSS MARCH 30-APRIL 1

An 11-member representative team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools will visit Sul Ross State University March 30-April 1 as part of the process of reaffirmation of accreditation.

The SACS team will conduct on-campus interviews on Monday, March 31. Sul Ross has submitted a compliance report to SACS and completed a focused report to address additional requests. The onsite visit will mainly review the Quality Enhancement Plan also known as Lobo Stars. A committee of 43 has been at work on the plan since fall 2006. This 75-page document includes an explanation of the Sul Ross plan to enhance student learning through engagement with their classes with support from university activities. The plan includes three strategies: increasing outdoor learning opportunities, pilot programs to encourage innovation, and a faculty support center.

"We are optimistic that our focused report and our QEP will meet with the general approval of the visiting team, although there are often specific suggestions for improvement.," said Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan. "Reaffirmation has actually become an opportunity for Sul Ross to design and implement exciting plans for improving student engagement and learning on our campuses."

Student learning will be measured through administration of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and the critical thinking portion of the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) test. These two instruments also represent the two requirements, engagement survey and academic testing, of the Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA) that has been designed and sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.

Sul Ross has registered for participation in the VSA. Thus, the QEP assessment plan also fits into a larger national plan to help students and parents select a university that will provide the educational opportunities desired.

"Sul Ross should look very attractive on the VSA web site," Morgan said. "We will rank close to the top for ratio of available laboratory equipment per student, number of full-time Ph.D. faculty who teach freshman courses, campus safety, and numerous other categories. We will also rank near the top for affordability and small class size. We also believe that our students can make significant progress in critical thinking during their four years at SRSU. The NSSE survey and the CAAP test should work together well to guide us toward demonstrating that our graduates receive a quality education for a reasonable price."

As research reviewed in the QEP document demonstrates, higher education is now focusing on "value-added learning" or measuring how much progress students make during their college careers as a measure of quality, rather than using a university's endowment fund or the ACT/SAT test scores of their entering freshmen to determine quality.

A similar QEP document was created by a similar committee at Rio Grande College campus. Both QEP's will be evaluated by the SACS review team.