Sul Ross State University

News Release for April 17, 2008

SUL ROSS PROFESSOR PAUL LISTER TO BE HONORED AT APRIL 21 RETIREMENT RECEPTION

After 42 years in higher education, Dr. Paul Lister is finally getting out of class...

...and starting a new career.

Lister, Sul Ross State University professor of English and a 37-year faculty member, retires at the end of spring semester 2008. On May 10, he will participate in spring commencement exercises as his final official university duties. A retirement reception will be held Monday, April 21, 4-5 p.m. in the University Center's second floor foyer.

On May 31, he will be ordained as a deacon in the El Paso Catholic Diocese. Soon after, he will serve the Diocese in Alpine, Fort Davis and Marathon. Duties will include performing baptisms, witnessing marriage ceremonies, presiding at funerals, and "many and varied duties," Lister said.

"It will be a full-time job," he said, and one outside the classroom. In addition to his 37 years at Sul Ross, Lister taught for five years as a graduate assistant while earning his Ph.D at Kansas State University. In April, he also earned a Master's degree in theology from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. During the five -year process and for half of his courses ,Lister spent six weeks taking classes on the St. Mary's campus for three consecutive summers.

In addition, he estimates he drove at least 19,000 miles between Alpine and El Paso to take monthly classes and complete internships for his diaconate work over the past four years. Online and interactive classes also occupied his spare time.

"If I count the graduate assistant teaching time (at Kansas State), I've taught English in college for 42 years. I'm ready to try something else," Lister said.

He enjoyed his Sul Ross career, adding, "one of my greatest satisfactions has been teaching first-generation college students from little towns along Highway 90 and Highway 67. I was helping them progress in life.

"Education is always a vocation filled with hope; there is always potential there for something good."

Variety was the spice of his educational career, as he taught well over 20 courses at all levels, from freshman composition to graduate.

"I enjoyed teaching the Bible as literature (for 23 years)," he said. "The good thing about that class was that I had students from varying backgrounds, of all faiths, some with no religious faith, just a cultural interest in the Bible; some who read the Bible extensively, some who had read it very little.

"It was certainly not a homogenous class. It was not a required class, but it always had a good enrollment. It was one of those classes where the people in it had an active interest."

A native of San Antonio, Lister graduated from Central Catholic High School, then earned a B.A. (1964) and M.A. (1966) from St. Mary's University. He received his Ph.D. in English from Kansas State in 1974. He came to Sul Ross in 1971 and served as chair of the Department of Languages and Literature for five years (1986-91).

He and his wife, JoAnn, a certified nurse practitioner, have four children: Karen (Rick) Conticello, an attorney in Houston; Bonnie, Austin, an environmentalist with the Texas Department of Transportation; Mark (Becky), Fulton, Ky., a chicken grower (producing 675,000 annually); and Sharon (Will) Hatler, a science teacher at Stephenville Middle School. They have four grandchildren with another on the way.

Lister served as Sul Ross' Newman Club adviser for 22 years, has been active in Rotary for 35 years and enjoys playing the guitar and listening to his extensive music collection.

"Alpine has been a good place to live and raise a family," he said. "JoAnn and I have enjoyed it very much, both the community at large and the community of the church."

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.

BILINGUAL ADAPTATION OF IBSEN CLASSIC "A DOLL'S HOUSE" APRIL 25-MAY 3 AT SUL ROSS

A bilingual adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's classic, "A Doll's House," will be the final production of the 2007-2008 Sul Ross State University theatre season. Performances will be held April 25-May 3 in the Studio Theatre, Francois Fine Arts Building.

Liz Castillo, director and playwright, has written a modern, bilingual adaptation of Ibsen's revolutionary 1879 play, titled "Casa de Muñeca." It is said that Ibsen felt that, rather than merely live together, husband and wife should live as equals, free to become their own human beings. Consequently, Ibsen's critics attacked him for failing to respect the institution of marriage.

Castillo's Spanish-English update follows the same theme and how it still remains an issue of conflict in many households today. Castillo's version takes the main idea of Ibsen's play, moves it to a modern, border-town family. In Castillo's play, as in Ibsen's, Nora, a devoted wife and mother, finally realizes that her husband's pride will never allow her to become an equal. Will Nora be able to accept her role as her husband's "muñeca (doll)" and never an equal?

Castillo has set her adaptation in a small college/Texas border town and has included both English and Spanish in the script as another step towards establishing bilingual theatre in the Big Bend region.

For more information, contact the Fine Arts and Communication Department, (432) 837-8218.

AUDITIONS MAY 5-6 THEATRE OF THE BIG BEND'S "COWGIRLS"

Auditions for "Cowgirls," Besty Howie's boot-stompin' musical, will be held Monday-Tuesday, May 5-6 at Sul Ross State University and May 10 in Midland.

Sul Ross additions will be held at 5 p.m. each day in the Studio Theatre, Francois Fine Arts Building. Midland auditions are tentatively scheduled Saturday, May 10, 3 p.m. at Midland College

"Cowgirls," opens June 27 as part of the Theatre of the Big Bend's 43rd summer season. Dona W. Roman will direct the performance, with fellow Sul Ross faculty Dr. Justin Badgerow serving as music director and Dr. Donald Freed as vocal director.

"Cowgirls" is a country versus classical music mash up about a famous country-western saloon in jeopardy of foreclosure. The women of the saloon mistakenly hire a classical music trio in hopes to save the saloon. The misunderstanding leads to laughs, song and dance, and the coming together of two very different groups. The script calls for a cast of six women who sing and play instruments. "Cowgirls" will open June 27at the Kokernot Outdoor Theatre in Alpine, Texas, and will run through July 13, 2008 with 8 p.m. shows each Friday and Saturday.

For more information on auditions or tickets, contact the Fine Arts and Communication Department, (432) 837-8218.

UT-HOUSTON PROFESSOR TO GIVE 14TH ANNUAL COTTLE LECTURE APRIL 22 AT SUL ROSS

Dr. Millicent Goldschmidt, professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School, will deliver the 14th Annual H. J. Cottle Lecture on Tuesday, April 22.

Goldschmidt will address "The Mighty Microbe, the Ultimate Predator," at 1 p.m. April 22 in the Becky Espino Conference Center, second floor, University Center. The Biology Club will host a reception immediately following the lecture.

She will also deliver an informal lecture, "Careers in Microbiology" on Wednesday, April 23, 2 p.m. in Warnock Science Building., Room 201. Both lectures are free and open to the public.

Goldschmidt was chosen from a number of candidates because of her extensive background within the biological sciences. Her research interests range from lunar geology to detection and identification of bacteria through nanotechnologies.

This annual lecture series is named in honor of Dr. Harve James Cottle, who was a distinguished researcher, educator, and member of the Sul Ross Biology Department for several years in the 1920s. The series is designed to provide both undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to interact with outstanding scientists of various fields.

For information, contact the Cottle Lecture Committee chairs, Justin Ceniceros (jcen076@sulross.edu) or Ashlee Petell (apet519@sulross.edu).

SUL ROSS ATHLETIC BANQUET APRIL 29

The annual Sul Ross State University athletics awards banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. in the Espino Conference Center in the University Center.

Current Sul Ross student-athletes may pick up their tickets at the Gallego Center lower level. Tickets are also available at the Gallego Center for the general public at $12 per ticket.

For more information, contact the Department of Physical Education and Athletics, (432) 837-8226.

ALCEE TAVAREZ, JANICE MITCHELL NAMED 2008 SUL ROSS MAN, WOMAN OF YEAR

Alcee Tavarez, Presidio, and Janice Mitchell, Round Rock, were named Sul Ross State University's 2008 Man and Woman of the Year during the annual Honors Convocation Monday evening (April 14) in Marshall Auditorium.

Tavarez, who interrupted his Sul Ross career to serve with distinction in the U.S. Army, will graduate in August with a general studies degree. Mitchell, active as a student-athlete since enrolling in 2004, will graduate in May with a business administration degree.

Tavarez, the son of Alcee and Justina Tavarez, first enrolled at Sul Ross in 2000 after graduating from Presidio High School. He attended through 2002, then enlisted in the Army, where he served from May 2002-2005, including one year in Iraq. He received six decorations and medals, including the Army Commendation Medal.

Upon returning to Sul Ross in the summer of 2005, he has been on the Dean's List four times and currently maintains a 3.1 grade point average. During his first enrollment, Tavarez was active in the Freshman Leadership Program. Currently, he is part of the first group of Sul Ross students selected for the Ronald McNair Scholars Program to encourage continuation to graduate school for an advanced degree.

"I was surprised," he said of his selection. "I'm not used to getting rewarded for a daily duty.

"I just try to live my life to the best of my ability for my friends and family that have passed away," Tavarez said.

His future plans include pursuing pharmacy studies and perhaps a return to the military.

Mitchell, the daughter of Calvin Mitchell, Taylor, and Gasalea Mitchell, Round Rock, graduated from Round Rock Stony Point High School in 2004. She was a four-year member of the Lady Lobos basketball team, serving as captain for three seasons. In addition, she earned American Southwest Conference All-Academic honors for the past three years and has an overall 3.04 grade point average.

Mitchell has also been an active presence on campus and in the community. She received a Freshman Leadership Scholarship and Student Ambassador Scholarship, has been a Student Government Association Senator since the fall of 2006 and was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 2007. She has been selected to the Dean's List three times.

She worked with the Sul Ross Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), has volunteered at the West Texas Food Bank and has been a Relay for Life participant during the past three years. After graduation, Mitchell plans to attend the University of North Texas to pursue a Master's of Business Administration in finance.

"This was overwhelming," she said of her selection. "I was surprised. I knew I was nominated, but there are a lot of good candidates out there."

The Man and Woman of the Year award is the top honor a Sul Ross senior can receive. The following departmental awards were also given at the convocation.

Animal Science

• Outstanding Equine Science Student -- Shannon Malesky, La Vernia
• Outstanding Farrier Tech Student -- Ross Sheffield, Splendora
• Outstanding First Year Vet Tech Student -- Rebecca Schreck, Alpine
• Outstanding Second Year Vet Tech Student -- Carolyn Martinez, El Paso
• Outstanding Animal Health Student -- Kristina M. Alaniz, Brownsville
• Outstanding Production Student -- Albert Horn, Houston
• Outstanding Meat Technology Student -- Brandon Althaus, Alpine
• Outstanding Meat Science Student -- David Peikert, Dickinson
• Outstanding Graduate Student -- Zachary Schuch, Austin

Behavioral and Social Sciences

• Clifford B. Casey Book Award -- Caleb Waters, New Braunfels
• Outstanding History Major, Phi Alpha Theta History Award -- Joanna Alvidrez, Alpine
• Outstanding Student in Social Sciences -- David Johnson, Odessa
• Outstanding Political Science Student Award -- Arthur Sayre, Hawley
• Benedict-Dowell Memorial Scholarship -- Moises Morales, Fort Hancock
• Outstanding Psychology Student Award -- Jennifer Merryman, Crosby

Biology

• Outstanding Undergraduate Biology Student Award -- Kaycee Watt, Claresholm, Alberta, Canada
• Outstanding Graduate Biology Student Award -- Brandi Bell, Midland; Justin Ceniceros, Alpine.

Business Administration

• Accounting Excellence Award -- Robbie Michele Connell, Sabinal

Computer Science and Mathematics

• Outstanding Freshman in Mathematics -- Jesus Hermosillo, Presidio
• Outstanding Senior in Computer Science -- Jermaine Packer, Midland
• Gilley Mathematics Excellence Award -- Jesus Olivas, Presidio

Criminal Justice

• Outstanding Freshman Criminal Justice Student -- Leroy Mendez, El Paso
• Outstanding Sophomore Criminal Justice Student -- David Garcia, Tornillo
• Outstanding Junior Criminal Justice Student -- Jose Galindo, Terlingua
• Outstanding Senior Criminal Justice Student -- Lisa Barba, Corpus Christi
• Outstanding Graduate Criminal Justice Student -- Rachel Cedillo, Del Rio

Earth and Physical Sciences

• Julius Dasch Outstanding Undergraduate Geology Student -- Thomas A. Shiller, Harlingen
• Lance Forsythe Memorial Outstanding Graduate Student Award -- Amy Malone, Spring Grove, Ill.

Education

• Education Excellence Award -- Stephanie Gutierrez, El Paso; Erica Munoz, El Paso; Daniel Brown, Cedar Creek; Jessica Galan, Ozona; Lyndi Cypher, Monahans

Fine Arts and Communication

• Outstanding Theatre Student -- Jacob Cole McClurg, Tulia
• Outstanding Art Student -- C.P. Carter, Monahans
• Outstanding Freshman in Communication -- Benjamin Castro, Marfa
• Outstanding Voice Student -- Tommy Cude, Alpine
• Music Teachers National Association Student Achievement Recognition Award -- Daniella Houston, Alpine
• Outstanding Instrumental Student -- Mariana Viggatto, Del Rio
• Outstanding Contributor in Choir -- Ben Stringer, Alpine

Languages and Literature

• Outstanding Senior English Major -- Sharon Collyer, Alpine
• Outstanding Senior Spanish Major -- Alonso Hernandez, Presidio

Natural Resource Management

• Outstanding Underclassman in Natural Resource Management -- Mark Tyson, Iola
• Outstanding Upperclassman in Natural Resource Management -- Madeleine Cantu, Deer Park
• Outstanding Upperclassman In Agricultural Business -- Teresa Womack, Alpine
• Outstanding Graduate Student in Range and Wildlife Management-Range -- Dustin Windsor, Alpine
• Outstanding Graduate Student in Range and Wildlife Management-Wildlife -- Brendan Witt, Houston; Lorna Hernandez, Alpine

Physical Education

• W.H. Perryman Scholarship -- Christopher Garcia, Del Rio; Jose L. Martinez, Imperial; Joseph Moseley, Fort Hancock

TEXPREP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Applications will be accepted until April 30 for the Alpine Pre-freshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) program.

TexPREP targets high-performing math and science middle school students and provides them with an intellectually stimulating, mathematics-based Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) summer education experience will accept applications from high-performing middle school students for PREP I until April 30.

The Alpine PREP program is open to residents of Brewster, Presidio, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth and Pecos counties and is free of charge. Alpine TexPREP begins June 11 and ends with graduation ceremonies on Friday, Aug. 1. Classes scheduled 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Fridays.

Alpine TexPREP is an initiative resulting from collaboration between Sul Ross State University, University of Texas, San Antonio, Victoria College and the Dallas County Community College District and funded through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture. Students may apply on-line: https://www.prep-usa.org/locations/ApplyG/App1-1.asp?site=31

The program, which emphasizes hands-on project-based learning, has a 30-year track record contributing to demonstrated increases in high-school and college preparation, attainment and graduation.

"The success of TexPREP is extraordinary," said TexPREP Executive Director Raul (Rudy) A. Reyna, PhD "since 1979, 25,818 middle and High School students have successfully completed at least one summer of PREP. Of these students, 81 percent have been members of minority groups and 53% have been female, 99.9 percent are high school graduates and 82 percent are college graduates. Given the identified regional and national needs for scientists and mathematicians, TexPREP is in the right place at the right time for local middle school students."

For more information, contact Leslie Hopper, interim director, (432) 837-8393, lhopper@sulross.edu or Kevin Urbanczyk, project director, 837-8210, kevinu@sulross.edu.

MUSEUM OF THE BIG BEND HOSTS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ART COMPETITION

Three young artists from Alpine and Fort Davis are in the running for a Washington, D.C. trip and exhibiting their work in the U.S. Capitol Building.

U.S. Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez, representing Texas' 23rd District, awarded prizes for the winning entries Saturday (April 12) during a presentation at the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University. A total of 23 high school art students from Alpine, Fort Davis and Van Horn competed. All entrants received a certificate of participation from Rodriguez.

The winners -- Frankie Hartnett, Fort Davis, first place; and Brian Bridges, Fort Davis and Ana Martinez, Alpine, tied for second, will compete against winners from competition held in Eagle Pass and San Antonio later this month in San Antonio. The winning entry from the three regional shows will be hung in the U.S. Capitol Building, with the artist and his/her parents flown to Washington, D.C. for the opening ceremony.

Rodriguez said that one artwork from each of the nation's 435 congressional districts will be displayed. The competition was started in 1982. The Congressman noted that due to the size of his districtt the initial competition was expanded to three sites.

"The art work often reflects what is going on in the country," Rodgriguez said. "You can also look at the art from the district and region and see how the district is represented."

Rodriguez said that the competition is handled by volunteers, and he praised the Musuem staff and area art teachers for their efforts.

"Without the teachers who encourage students to participate, this doesn't happen," he said.

Museum director Larry Francell and Louisa Mayfield, curator of education, organized the event.

"We look forward to doing this in the future and working with your office," Francell told Rodriguez. "Next year, we are confident we will be able to include many more high schools."

For more information, contact Mayfield, (432) 837-8815 or hmayfield@sulross.edu