Sul Ross State University

News Release for May 12, 2008

REGENTS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHED AT SUL ROSS

An endowment established by Trisha Pollard, the Sul Ross Local Committee Chair of the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System will offer additional scholarship opportunities for first-generation students at Sul Ross State University.

Pollard, who is also the Regents vice chair, and Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan signed the agreement April 11 establishing the Regents Scholarship Endowment and Fund. Pollard wrote to and challenged all former and current Regents to contribute to this endowment and some have responded. Her initial pledge and gift testablished the endowment.

To be eligible for the scholarship awards, beginning freshman applicants must be first-generation students fully admitted to Sul Ross. Returning students must maintain overall grade point averages of 2.5 or higher and be making normal progress toward degrees.

"We thank Trisha Pollard for her generous contribution," Morgan said. "This endowment reinforces the System's educational goals and provides additional opportunities for deserving students."

Sul Ross endowments presently exceed $12 million, with over 210 scholarships.

For information about endowments, contact Leo Dominguez, associate vice president for Advancement and University Relations, (432) 837-8033 or leodo@sulross.edu.

FORT STOCKTON WOMAN 22ND FAMILY MEMBER TO RECEIVE SUL ROSS DEGREE

by Steve Lang, News and Publications

As a little girl, Camila Ortega visited family in Alpine and played on the Sul Ross State University campus.

On Saturday (May 10), she became the 22nd member of her extended family to receive her Sul Ross degree since 1960.

Ortega, Fort Stockton, joined her mother, two great-aunts, three great uncles and 15 cousins in graduating from Sul Ross. Thirteen became educators, seven also earned master's degrees.

Members of the Pena and Parada families of Sanderson began attending Sul Ross in the 1950s, and Clotilde Pena Hernandez, Camila's great-aunt, was the first to graduate, earning a B.A. degree in 1960. A year later, her husband, David Hernadez, Jr., received his B.S. degree, and in 1962, Higino Pena, Jr., Clotilde's brother, earned a B.A. Eight years later, he completed his Master of Education degree, while his wife, Virginia, earned a B.A. in 1972 and a M.Ed in 1973.

Camila's mother, Ramona Parada, Fort Stockton, received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1970 and a M.Ed. seven years later. At least one family member has received a Sul Ross degree in each decade since the 1960s.

"It all started with my great-grandmother," Ortega said. "She was only able to attend two days of school before she had to return home to help take care of the family. When her children graduated from high school, she packed their suitcases, set them outside the house and asked, 'Where are you going to go to school (college) and what are you going to be?'"

Ortega's own degree path was interrupted by the birth of her daughter. She returned to college and received an Associate of Arts degree from Midland College in 2002, then completed her Bachelor of Administrative Systems and Business Technology on-line from Sul Ross. She works for Sandridge Lariat Oil Co. in Fort Stockton.

"My mom was very adamant about me going to school," Ortega said, adding with a laugh, "As she has said, I'm a product of graduate research.

"Sul Ross has put all my family through school," she said. "They opened their arms to help me get my degree on-line. I wouldn't trade this university for the world. It has been a blessing to my family and me."

The Pena-Parada family graduation roll includes:

• Clotilde Pena Hernandez, B.A., 1960.
• David Hernandez, Jr., B.S., 1961.
• Higino B. Pena, Jr., B.A., 1962; M.Ed., 1970.
• Virginia DeLaO Pena, B.A., 1972; M.Ed., 1973.
• Ramona Oralia Olivares Parada, B.B.A., 1970; M.Ed., 1977.
• Rosa Silvas Olvera, B.S., 1970.
• Estela Calzada Menchaca, B.A., 1973.
• Robert Menchaca, B.A., 1973.
• Clelia Silvas Carrillo, B.A., 1973; M.Ed., 1975..
• Delma Montolvo Light, B.S., 1980.
• Carlos Garza, B.S., 1977.
• Jerry Garza, B.S., 1994; M.Ed., 2007.
• Gina Maldonado Garza, B.B.A., 1993.
• Luis Calzada Villarreal, B.S., 1993; M.Ed., 1997.
• Yvette Gonzales Villarreal, B.S., 1994.
• Elizabeth Villarreal Rivera, B.A., 1997.
• Carlos Parada Flores, B.S., 2002.
• Clarisa Annette Olvera, B.A., 2001.
• Pam Tyree Galvan, B.S., 1989; M.Ed., 1992; M.Ed., 1996.
• Crystal I. Galvan, B.S., 1999.
• Pete Galvan, A.A., 1990.
• Camilia Yvette Ortega, B.B.A., 2008.

22nd family member to graduate

Camilia Ortega, Fort Stockton, became the 22nd member of her extended family to receive a Sul Ross degree. Ortega graduated Saturday (May 10) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administrative Systems and Business Technology.

JOSE AGUAYO NAMED SUL ROSS STUDENT PUBLICATIONS ADVISER

Jose Aguayo, Alpine, has been named Student Publications adviser at Sul Ross State University.

Aguayo, a former reporter for Forbes Magazine and an editor in energy publications, began his new duties May 8. He will supervise publication of The Brand yearbook and The Skyline student newspaper and oversee Photography Services for the Department of News and Publications.

He replaces Barbara Richerson, who retired in August 2007. During the past academic year, Drs. Laura and Brad Butler served as co-advisers on an interim basis.

Aguayo, a native of Cuyutlan, Colima, Mexico, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as deputy director of the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Secretariat in Mexico City and later worked as a reporter for The Mexico City Times. He later joined Forbes Magazine in Houston, then worked as a senior editor for Platts Oilgram Price Report in New York City, producing daily price assessments and market commentaries and writing about oil prices and trading in the U.S. and Latin America.

Later, he founded Templum, LLC in New Jersey, publishing a technical analysis report focused on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Aguayo worked as an associate editor for United Communications Group, Rockville, Md., before moving to Alpine.

EDUCATION A LIFELONG ENTERPRISE, POLLARD TELLS SUL ROSS GRADS

As a strong advocate of reading, Trisha Pollard advised Sul Ross State University graduates that "education is the magic key that takes you where you want to be."

Pollard, Bellaire, Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System, delivered the commencement address at Sul Ross' Alpine Campus and Rio Grande College Saturday (May 10) as part of the annual spring graduation ceremonies. A total of 256 students were candidates for degrees, 175 at Alpine and 81 at RGC.

Pollard, recalling the commencement address when she completed her law degree, noted that graduation was not slaying the dragon, but winning the right to slay the dragon.

"The educational experience is a lifelong enterprise, and if we have taught you how to think, you have succeeded," she said.

Reading is the key to education, Pollard emphasized, and noted that technology expertise -- from downloading digital photographs to programming DVD players -- is no substitute for knowledge.

She praised the graduates for demonstrating their commitment to higher education, adding that Texas cannot expand its goal of increasing its number of college graduates without participation.

"A college degree is not just a social necessity, it is an economic imperative," she said. Pollard urged the graduates to be advocates for higher education.

Pollard also stressed the importance of community service, of time management, and advised graduates to "take rejection in stride, but don't dwell on it."

Seek help, she encouraged.

"There are more people than you realize that are ready to help," she said. "Keep asking until you get the help you need."

She asked graduates to shout out the names of persons who had already been influential in their respective educational journeys, and ended by quoting Proverbs 16:3.

"Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established."

Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan paid special recognition to Camelia Ortega, Fort Stockton, who became the 22nd member of her extended family to receive a Sul Ross degree. Ortega graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administrative Systems and Business Technology.

Saturday's commencement also marked the retirement of two long-time Sul Ross faculty. English professor Dr. Paul Lister was a faculty member for 37 years and History professor Dr. Wayne Sheehan served 32 years.

Dr. Chet Sample, dean of the School of Professional Studies, served in his final commencement in that capacity. He will return to the classroom as a full-time faculty member at the start of the first summer session.

LAND LEASE, PROMOTION AND TENURE AMONG SUL ROSS ITEMS ON REGENTS' AGENDA

Approval to negotiate a long-term lease of surplus land and granting tenure and promotion for several faculty members are among Sul Ross State University agenda items at the May 14-16 meeting of the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System.

The Regents will meet at Texas State University, San Marcos.

Other items include acknowledgment of gifts and donations totaling more than $475,000, resolutions honoring retiring faculty Dr. Paul Lister and Dr. Wayne Sheehan and approval of the 2008-2009 holiday schedule for administration and staff.

Sul Ross will seek authorization to negotiate and execute a long-term lease of approximately 10 acres of surplus land. The land, located on the south side of East Highway 90 in Alpine, previously contained duplex housing units. The units -- replaced by new family housing units in the Lobo Village complex --were sold in July 2007 and moved off the site.

Sul Ross issued a request for a long-term lease in November, with one response. The respondent, Brown-Miller Management Inc. of Beeville, proposed to build a 60-unit franchise motel on the site, but was unable to secure the necessary franchise and relinquished its interest. Sul Ross now requests authority to negotiate and execute another lease.

Tenure is recommended for Dr. Patricia A. Nicosia, assistant professor of Education, who has taught at Sul Ross Rio Grande College for six years; and Dr. Keith West, assistant professor of Communication and Theatre, who has 15 years' experience.

Promotion is recommended for Dr. Louis Harveson, from associate professor to professor, and Dr. Bonnie Warnock, from assistant professor to associate professor, Natural Resource Management; Dr. Elizabeth A. Measures, from assistant professor to associate professor, Academic Center for Excellence; Dr. Mark S. Saka, from associate professor to professor, Behavioral and Social Sciences; Dr. Beverly G. Six, associate professor to professor, Languages and Literature; and Nicosia, assistant professor to associate professor, Liberal Arts, RGC. The Regents will be asked to adopt resolutions recognizing the retirements of status to Lister, Professor Emeritus of English, who retired after 37 years at Sul Ross; and Sheehan, Professor Emeritus of History, who retired after 32 years. The Regents will also be asked to designate Sheehan as Distinguished Professor Emeritus, based on his outstanding teaching and community service record.

Approval is sought for the 2008-2009 holiday schedule for Sul Ross and Rio Grande College. The 17-day schedule includes: Labor Day, Sept. 1; Thanksgiving, Nov. 26-28; Christmas, Dec. 24-Jan. 2, 2009, with energy conservation day Jan. 2; Martin Luther King Birthday, Jan. 19; Spring Break, Alpine, March 11-13, including energy conservation day March 11; Spring Break, RGC, March 18-20, including energy conservation day March 18; and Memorial Day, May 25.

Gifts and donations include $165,000 to Sul Ross and $310,000 to the Friends of the Center for Big Bend Studies.

Sul Ross gifts include:

• $18,000 from the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, to the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Fund, providing for continuation of the research project studying mule deer habitat changes.
• $5,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Harvey W. Smith, Houston, to the Borderland Research Institute Fund, which provides leadership in science-based land stewardship.
• $25,000 from the Potts and Sibley Foundation, Midland, applied to the Potts and Sibley Foundation Education Endowment and Excellence Fund. The endowment and excellence fund will help increase the number of science/mathematics teachers completing programs at Sul Ross.
• *The John Z. and Exa Means Cache, a collection of Native American arrowheads, valued at $47,498.40 from Mr. and Mrs. Alfred G. and Ruth D. Means, Valentine, to the Center for Big Bend Studies Endowment.
• $10,000 from the Swain Charitable Fund of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, St. Louis, Mo., to the Baseball Endowment, supporting operational expenses, equipment, supplies, achievement awards, graduate assistantships and other items for the Sul Ross baseball program.
• $10,000 from the Estate of Ellie McKinney, Tuscaloosa, Ala., to the General Scholarship Endowment. The funds established the Ellie Aileen McKinney and Georgia Gant Winn Scholarship and Fund, providing scholarship opportunities for English and English Education majors.
• $25,000 from the Richard K. Craig and Lois B. Craig Family Fund of the Community Foundation of North Texas, Fort Worth, to the Geology Endowment and General Scholarship Endowment.
• $25,000 from John McCall, Austin, to the General Scholarship Endowment through the Texas State University Foundation, Inc. Funds will provide 10 scholarships of $2,500 each .

Gifts to the Friends of the Center for Big Bend Studies include $10,000 from the J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan Foundation and $300,000 from the Brown Foundation, Inc., both of Houston, in support of the Trans Pecos Archaeological programs. Funding backs programs aimed at recovering and preserving significant data in archaeological and historical resources in the Trans Pecos and Big Bend areas.