Sul Ross State University

News Release for June 6, 2008

SUL ROSS STUDENTS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS

Over 290 scholarships were recently awarded to Sul Ross State University students.

Students, their hometowns and scholarship awards are listed below.

BEIJING, CHINA: Rui Zhang, Business Administration International Fund

PAYSON, ARIZ.: Candice Johnson, Alpine Gallery Night Scholarship, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship

SEDONA, ARIZ.: Andrew Cockrum, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship, Paul and Teeby Forcheimer Scholarship

SPRINGERVILLE, ARIZ.: Alexandra Ashburner, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

SUTHERLAND, NEB.: Rebecca Harshfield, Belknap Scholarship,, Charles and Bea Boyles Scholarship

CARSON CITY, NEV.: Grace Strachan, Raymond C. Wheat and Edna Mae Moss Scholarship

CARLSBAD, N.M.: Ashley Buffington, President's Endowed University Scholarship

ESTANCIA, N.M.: Clayton Gardner, President's Endowed University Scholarship

ALPINE: Ermila Alvarado, Alfred W. Negley Memorial Scholarship; Linsey Anstine, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; Olga Armendariz, Sul Ross Faculty/Staff Excellence Scholarship; April Armentrout, Alfred W. Negley Memorial Scholarship, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship; Elizabeth Baker, McAnulty Geology Merit Scholarship; Lorenzo Barcena, Henry Bertrand, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Paul and Teeby Forcheimer Scholarship; Amanda Bolander, Ambassador Program Scholarship; Clint Brackett, Texas Pioneer Scholarship; Elizabeth Brillant, Ambassador Program Scholarship, Captain James Gillet Scholarship; Martin Brown, Sul Ross Student Deposit Scholarship; Laura Canales, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; John Carillo, Alpine Rotary Club Scholarship; Noe Carrasco, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship; Daniel Celaya,, Texas Pioneer Scholarship; Esther Cordova, Bertha Irene Harrell Scholarship; Leticia Church, James "Ace" Amos Memorial Scholarship, V; Lourdes Crespo, Barton H. Warnock Scholarship; William Darby, Henry Bertrand, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Sul Ross Honors Program Scholarship; Aaron DeLaO, Dow Roberta Puckett Scholarship; Karla Dixon, Ambassador Program Scholarship; Stacy Duckett, A.J. Bierschwale Memorial Scholarship, James Emmert Memorial Scholarship, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; Rose Enos, Sul Ross Faculty/Staff Excellence Scholarship, Honors Program Scholarship; Angelo Falzarano, Bill and Elizabeth Winter Scholarship; Robbie Ferguson, Annie Bird Memorial Scholarship, Paul and Teeby Forcheimer Scholarship, Raymond and Lucyle Sublett Memorial Scholarship; Julie Fitts, Elisabeth Prude Longbotham Scholarship, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship, Vally Johnson/Metha Sprinkle Education Scholarship; Travis Fletcher, Sul Ross Student Deposit Scholarship; Nora Franco, Highest Ranking Alpha Chi Senior Scholarship, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; Thomas Franklin, Bill and Elizabeth Winter Scholarship, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship; Philip Frederick, Geology Excellence Scholarship; Dustin Gonzales, Alpine Lions Club Scholarship, Loyd Oden Memorial Scholarship; Justin Gonzales, Loyd Oden Memorial Scholarship, Petro Amigos Supply, Inc. Scholarship; Traci Guckian, Barton H. Warnock Scholarship; Debra Hamrick, Dr. D.J. Sibley, Jr. Scholarship; Michael Haubert, Bill and Elizabeth Winter Scholarship, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship, Sul Ross Student Deposit Scholarship; Anthony Hill, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship; David Howard, Sul Ross Student Deposit Scholarship; Nancy Hueta, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Stephanie Jackson, Baldemar and Araceli B. Garza Scholarship; Joan King, Billy G. Golden Memorial Scholarship, Mathematics Excellence Scholarship, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship; Alisa Lanning, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; Karen Lastovica, James Houston Scholarship, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship, Texas Pioneer Scholarship; Ruth Love, Henry Bertrand, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Highest Ranking Alpha Chi Senior Scholarship; Andrew Lusk, Belknap Scholarship; Amy Malone, David M. Rohr Scholarship, Geology Excellence Scholarship, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; Victoria Mancha, Biology Endowment Excellence Fund; Albert Martinez, Alpine Rotary Club Scholarship; Leroy Mendez, Captain James Gillet Scholarship; Carizamae Mendoza, Roxanna Holland Donnell Memorial Nursing Scholarship; Rosalva Meraz, Alfred W. Negley Memorial Scholarship, Barton H. Warnock Scholarship; Jennifer Merryman, Highest Ranking Alpha Chi Junior Scholarship; Odell Missildine, Non-Traditional Student Scholarship; Jose Morales, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Yada Nar, Texas Pioneer Scholarship; Jose Nichols, John G. and Evelyn G. Prude Scholarship, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship, Bill and Elizabeth Winter, Scholarship; Samantha Polanco, Elton R. and Lillian N. Miles Scholarship, Flora L. Daugherty Scholarship; Talitha Raby, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship, Mary Evelyn Highsmith Memorial Scholarship, Non-Traditional Student Scholarship; Janae Rainer, Jill Marie Stice Scholarship; Jessica Ramirez, Pilot Club of Alpine Scholarship; Jessica Roach, Alpine High School Ex-Student Scholarship, Honors Program Scholarship; Patricia Roberts, Dallas Ecology Scholarship, Sul Ross Alumni Association Scholarship; Tiffany Rudloff, Floyd H. Neill, Jr. Scholarship, Honors Program Scholarship; Annalisa Sandate, Flora L. Daugherty Scholarship; Virginia Sandoval, George J. Merriman III Memorial Scholarship; Thomas Shiller, David M. Rohr Scholarship, Gene and Lucille Hendryx Scholarship, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship, Sul Ross Student Deposit Scholarship; Dana Taylor, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; Kristen Tyson, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; Bert Upshaw, Sul Ross Faculty/Staff Excellence Scholarship; Melinda Valenzuela, John Wesley Morgan Memorial Scholarship; Adam Vasquez, Dr. D.J. Sibley, Jr. Scholarship; Kristin Vasquez, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher, Honors Program Scholarship; Amalin Vincente, McEachern Scholsrhip Endowment Scholarship; Cheyenne Wyler, Flora L. Daugherty Scholarship; Ryan Zent, Sul Ross Alumni Association Scholarship

ALVIN: Sheryl Bitner, ANRS and Rodeo Exes Academic Scholarship

AMARILLO: Jory Duckworth, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

AUSTIN: Nicole Atkins, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship; Stephen Armstrong, Business Administration International Fund Scholarship

BALMORHEA: Karina Beltran, Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship; Jamie Gallego, Biology Endowment Excellence Fund; Jo Gina Gallego, Dow Roberta Puckett Scholarship, James Houston Scholarship, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship; Sarah Lujan, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship; Jacob Moore, Joe Timmerman Memorial Scholarship

BANDERA: Matthew Aldridge, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

BELLEVUE: Justin Hoffman, Recruiting Tuition Voucher, San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship

BURLESON: Sara Schultz, Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

CARRIZO SPRINGS: Rosalinda Rios, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

CEDAR CREEK: Adam Cuellar, Kathryn Walker-Clayton W. Williams, Sr. Scholarship

CEDAR PARK: Benjamin Prehoda, President's Endowed University Scholarship

CENTERPOINT: Zachary Lavender, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

CLEVELAND: John Latz, Richard W. Beck and Elsie R. Beck Scholarship, Derek Thompson, Texas Pioneer Scholarship

CLINT: Megan Franco, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship; Joe Zepeda, Business Administration International Fund

COLLEGE STATION: Zachary Ward, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship

COVINGTON: Allyce Olivarez, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

DALLAS: Leslie Lane, San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship

DAMON: Andrew Berezin, Texas Pioneer Scholarship; Richard Berezin, Madden and Gladys Read Memorial Scholarship

DEER PARK: Madeleine Cantu, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship;

DEL RIO: Arturo Garcia, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship; Christopher Garcia, W.H. Perryman Scholarship; Amanda Losoya, Recruiting Tuition Voucher, San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship, Sul Ross Alumni Association Scholarship; Marianna Viggato, Sul Ross Alumni Association Scholarship, Sul Ross Women's Organization Scholarship;

DELL CITY: Brandy Nicholas, Sul Ross Women's Organization Scholarship

DENNISON: Katie Blount, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

DONNA: Mandy Reyna, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

EDEN: Casi Tribbett, Raymond and Lucile Morgan Scholarship

ELMENDORF: Travis Hicks, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher;

EL PASO: Melissa Amparan, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Lydia Dominguez, W.L. and Louise Seymour Foundation Scholarship; Sarah Furtney, Alfred W. Negley Memorial Scholarship;Vierginia Gines, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship; Jered Hilgenberg, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Joanna Hill, Paul and Teeby Forcheimer Scholarship, Texas Pioneer Scholarship; Matthew Holochwost, Keith and Janmette Morrow Memorial Scholarship; Elizabeth Lozano, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Karla Moore, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship, Lydia Dittmar Rawlings Carpenter Memorial Scholarship; Elizabeth Root, San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship; Jessica Yanez, Business Administration International Fund;

FORT DAVIS: Caylor Corley, Belknap Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Jonathon Salcido, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Heather Sanchez, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Courtney Swain, Belknap Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher;

FORT HANCOCK: Susana Carreon, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Marco Gomez, Ambassador Program Scholarship; Moises Morales, Bendict-Dowell Scholarship, Henry Bertrand, Jr. Memorial Scholarship; Joseph Moseley, W.H. Perryman Scholarship

FORT STOCKTON: Micaela Martinez, Sul Ross Alumni Association Scholarship;

FORT WORTH: Lauren McBride, Ambassador Program Scholarship, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship;

FRANKSTON: Tiffany Purvis, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

FULTON: Zachary Stewart, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship

GATESVILLE: Alice Harris, Big Bend Ranch Rodeo Scholarship

GUTHRIE: Dayla Shipp, NSDAR Scholarship

HOUSTON: Albert Horn, ANRS and Rodeo Exes Academic Scholarship; Diana Hulsey, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Michael Otero, Business Administration International Fund; Justin Ruithstrom, Bill and Elizabeth Winter Scholarship, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship

IMPERIAL: Jose Martinez, Isaac Hernandez Scholarship, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship, W. H. Perryman Scholarship

IRVING: Dominic Leal, Sul Ross Alumni Association Scholarship

JOHNSON CITY: Kendall Smith, Betty and John Dow Harris Humanitarian Scholarship

JOSHUA: John Taylor, West Texas National Bank in Alpine Business Scholarship

KERMIT: Tony Jamail, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship; Stephanie Marshall, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship

KILLEEN: Grace Fox, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

LAMESA: Kenzi Miller, Estavan Martinez MemorialScholarship;

LIBERTY HILL: Emily Cantrell, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher;

LUBBOCK: Colin White, Ambassador Program Scholarship;

MADISONVILLE: JaCorey Gilbert, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

MARFA: Edith Loya, Ambassador Program Scholarship; Erik Quintana, Biology Endowment Excellence Fund; Luis Rosas, R.E. Morrow and Bill Moss Memorial Scholarship; Joyce Sanchez, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship, Patsy H. Webb Educational Endowment Scholarship; Brittany Whatley, Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship;

MERKEL: Shiloh Shugart, Joe Don Looney Endowment Scholarship

MIDLAND: Jamie Kneisley, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Eden Simon, Dow Roberta Puckett Scholarship, Mary Moll Jennings Scholarship;

MISSION: Jorge Hernandez, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship

ODESSA: Janet Perez, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship

OGLESBY: Calvin Landrum, President's Endowed University Scholarship; Dausia West, Recruiting Tuition Voucher, Richard W. Beck and Elsie R. Beck Scholarship

PFLUGERVILLE: Chelsea Croissant, Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship

PIPE CREEK: Sarah Jewett, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship;

PLANO: Jessica Wagner, San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship

PRESIDIO: Marisela Baca, President's Endowed University Scholarship; Luis Baeza, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship; Oscar Carrasco, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Yazmin Carrasco, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Albeert Covos, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Doraly Garcia, Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship; Erica Garcia, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Jose Guevara, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship; Gerardo Hernandez, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Rolando Hernandez, Freshman Leadership Program Scholarship; Michelle Leyva, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Christian Lopez, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Ana Martinez, Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship, Lucy Rede Franco Scholarship; Jesus Olivas, Robert P. Amacker Memorial Scholarship; Monique Ortiz, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Gustavo Padron, Malone Hill Memorial Scholarship; Roscely Sepulveda, Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Jacqueline Urias, Recruiting Tuition Voucher; Erika Villa, Elvia Duran Alvarado Scholarship; Jesus Villa, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

RISING STAR: Joseph Simmons, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship, Texas Pioneer Scholarship; Tara Simmons, Graham/Aldridge Counselor Education Scholarship, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship;

ROCKPORT: Hannah Miller, Sul Ross Honors Program Scholarship

ROCKSPRINGS: Stephen Schmidt, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

SAN ANTONIO: Samantha Cohen, Biology Endowment Excellence Fund; Henry Flores, Dan Bustamante Memorial Scholarship; Juan Garcia, M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Scholarship, Paul and Teeby Forcheimer Scholarship; Ashley Horan, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship; Andrew Kilgore, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

SAN ELIZARIO: Jose Luna, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship;

SHEFFIELD: Rosa Gonzalez, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship;

SIERRA BLANCA: Keilli Griffin, Keith and Janmette Morrow Memorial Scholarship;

SNYDER: Ryan Claxton, James Cleveland/James Victor Oatman Scholarship

SONORA: Shaylyn Kresta, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

STRAWN: Billy Hopkins, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

SUGARLAND: Alisa Lanning, Barton H. Warnock Scholarship

TERLINGUA: Jose Galindo, Dr. D.J. Sibley, Jr. Scholarship

TORNILLO: Juan Aguirre, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

TUSCOLA: Cori Fain, President's Endowed University Scholarship, Recruiting Tuition Voucher

VAN HORN: Manuel Quintana, W.C. "Bill" Leavitt Excellence Fund Scholarship;[Bryan Rivera, Paul and Teeby Forcheimer Scholarship; Cody Womack, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship, John D. and Elizabeth Moorman Palmer Scholarship, Victor J. Smith Memorial Scholarship;

VERNON: Brady Surber, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship;

WEATHERFORD: Anthony McLemore, Loyd Oden Memorial Scholarship, Petro Amigos Supply, Inc. Scholarship; Recruiting Tuition Voucher

3 2008 INDUCTEES FOR ANRS/RODEO EXES HALL OF FAME

Gary Dunshee, Alpine; Elisabeth Prude Longbotham, Clyde; and the late Keith Streater, Hamilton, have been named 2008 inductees to the Sul Ross State University ANRS and Rodeo Exes Association Hall of Fame.

They will be inducted at the ANRS and Rodeo Exes reunion, scheduled July 25-27 in Alpine.

Dunshee, a 1973 Sul Ross graduate, is the co-owner of Big Bend Saddlery, a founder of Trappings of Texas and long-time curator of the annual event. Longbotham, '55, a retired educator and rancher, was the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association' s (NIRA) All-Around Cowgirl in 1953. Streater, who died in 2005, was a 1965 graduate and a three-time regional champion in bareback riding at Sul Ross.

Gary Dunshee

Dunshee, former president of the ANRS and Rodeo Exes, has demonstrated his saddle-making skills nationwide, including the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. and at San Antonio's Folkstyle Institute. He purchased Big Bend Saddlery in Alpine from Mrs. George Nix in 1977 after working there since 1971. In 1979, Bret Collier joined the shop as a partner. The business has done custom work for Tom Selleck, Larry Mahan, Charlie Daniels, Sam Shepard and Nolan Ryan among others.

Dunshee has participated in the WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo, Western Heritage Classic Ranch Rodeo, Texas Ranch Roundup Ranch Rodeo, Tejas Vaquero Trail Ride, Cowboy Spring Gathering and he has built World Championship and Rookie of the Year saddles for the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association. He is a corporate sponsor of the Working Ranch Cowboys Association and founder of the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo's Chuck Wagon Cook-off.

His community, church and organizational participation is diverse and widespread, including membership on the Alpine Economic Development Board, Soil Conservation District and High Frontier boards, and the First Presbyterian and Holy Anglican churches of Alpine. Dunshee has been a sponsor for numerous community and regional events, including scholarships for Sul Ross. He is an avid recruiter for Sul Ross' ANRS program and a founder of the annual Trappings of Texas, serving as curator for 16 years.

Dunshee and his wife, Hillary, a graduate of the Sul Ross Vocational Nursing Program, have two children, Wade and Mattie. Wade plans to attend Sul Ross this fall.

Elisabeth Prude Longbotham

The daughter of Sul Ross graduates John G. and Ruth Prude, Longbotham managed balanced education and ranching careers for most of her life. She received a B.S degree from Sul Ross and a Master's degree in Education from Texas A&M University. Longbotham taught in Ysleta, Snyder, College Station, Georgetown and Clyde, and is a retired professor of Education from McMurry University, Abilene. She is also an owner/manager of ranches in Brown, Callahan and Scurry counties, along with properties in Jeff Davis County, raising Hereford cattle, quarter horses and buffalo.

At Sul Ross, she was active in numerous activities, including the Rodeo Club, concert band, Methodist Wesley Association, Student Council and was crowned Brand Queen. She won the 1953 NIRA All-Around Champion Cowgirl award. She was honored at the NIRA Finals in Rapid City, S.D. in 2002, and in 2003, was recognized at the 50th-year reunion honoring NIRA champions at the NIRA Finals in Casper, Wyo. Two scholarships have been endowed at Sul Ross in her honor.

Longbotham wrote "The Young West Collection," a trilogy of children's buffalo stories titled "Buffalo Bill and Cody." She was the first woman elected to the Clyde School Board and the first Clyde/Callahan County resident elected to the Texas State School Board Association. Longbotham is a lifetime member of the Bloys Cowboy Camp Meeting and a member of the Founding Families. She and her husband, Jack, who received his M.S. degree in biology from Sul Ross, established the Jack and Elisabeth Longbotham Ag Rodeo Club Endowed Scholarship at Texas A&M.

The Longbothams, who have been married 52 years, have four children and 19 grandchildren.

Keith Streater

Streater enrolled at Sul Ross in 1961, shortly after winning the American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA) World Champion Bareback Rider award. He won the NIRA regional bareback title three times as a collegian, and was ranked fifth in the world during his senior year.

Following graduation in 1965, Streater taught at Quemado for 26 years. He also worked Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) events in Texas during the winter months, then traveled north in the summer to other rodeos.

A Vietnam veteran, Streater died of cancer in October 2005.

SUL ROSS TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM STUDENTS EXCEL

By Jason Hennington, News Writer

Students involved in the Sul Ross State University Teacher Education Program have excelled in the past year, with 96 percent of the students passing all exams required for Educator Certification.

Students planning to obtain teacher certification begin preparation for testing in the required education courses and the subject they plan to teach. The Texas Examination for Educator Standards (TExES) or Examination for Educators in Texas (ExCET) exams are given to ensure that students have net certain criteria for teaching in Texas public schools, and are administered by the Educational Testing Services.

Dr. Tyra Manning, Department Chair and associate professor of Education, praised the students' accomplishments.

"Our students have done so well," she said. "It speaks well of our students and faculty."

Manning commended the faculty for working hard to ensure that the students are prepared to teach in a program that meets state requirements.

"One of the most special things about Sul Ross is the personal touch our faculty extends to our students to ensure they are prepared," Manning said. "Our faculty insists that our students are prepared and offer personal assistance if needed."

Test takers must achieve a minimum score of 240 in their teaching field, Pedagogy, and Professional Responsibilities before they can be recommended for a teacher certification. Students are allowed to take the appropriate exams until they achieve the required score. Once the exam is passed, students can challenge any teaching field to add to their certification. Professional exams such as Principal, Superintendent, Counselor, Reading Specialist, and Educational Diagnostician can only be taken after a student completes course work and receives approval from their advisor.

"There is much more to being a successful educator than is communicated through these scores," Manning said. "It is not enough to simply achieve the required scores but to be model citizens with integrity."

The Sul Ross Teachers Education Program offered a campus tour to members of the Future Teachers of America (FTA) from Monahans High School. FTA adviser Rebecca Melius brought the students to Sul Ross . "It was a very eye-opening experience for small town students. It was a very profitable day," Melius said.

Teacher Education Program students Daniel Brown, Alpine, and Lyndi Cypher, Monahans, gave the tour.

"They made us feel very welcome and were very informative," Melius said. "It's a very home-like setting."

Manning offered the chance for high school students to visit the campus once she heard that Melius had a Future Teachers program.

"Dr. Manning was very instrumental once I told her I had students," Melius said. "I will do my best to recruit kids for her."

Melius, whose mother attended Sul Ross, is considering graduate school here.

"I've always had a soft spot for Sul Ross," she said.

Manning is looking forward to having more FTA groups visit the campus with hopes of educating students about the education field.

"We understand how important it is for young people to see the opportunities in teaching careers or education," Manning said. "A career in education is an opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of young people."

For more information on the Teachers Education Program, contact Sul Ross State University Department of Education (432) 837-8170.

MEMORIAL AT SUL ROSS TO HONOR FALLEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

by Jose Aguayo, Student Publications Adviser

About 100 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, joined by State Representative Pete P. Gallego, gathered at the Sul Ross State University Mall Friday (May 30) to honor colleagues who have died in the line of duty.

A memorial wreath was placed next a temporary plaque honoring law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in West Texas and those from West Texas who died elsewhere.. Honor guards from the U.S. Border Patrol, Marfa Sector and the Texas Department of Public Safety presented colors and preformed a 21-gun salute, respectively.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief John J. Smietana, Jr., was the master of ceremonies. The national anthem was sung by Penny Hardaway of Sul Ross. Ed Jennings, Chaplain for the Presidio County Sheriff's Department, provided the invocation and benediction. Carla Smith, whose son is a Midland policeman, provided a special musical number. The event, sponsored by the Big Bend Law Enforcement Officers Association and supported by Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan, was part of a project that will ultimately result in the construction of a permanent memorial on the Sul Ross campus.

Gallego brought a message from Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez thanking association members, their families and friends, for their public service and their leadership in organizing the construction of the memorial.

"In 2007, Texas lost a record number of officers in the line of duty, leading the nation in officer deaths nationwide. 2007 was one of the deadliest years for officers across the country since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A report counted 186 officer deaths, up from 145 in 2006. An additional 61,000 officers are assaulted each year,"Rodriguez' letter stated.

A wreath was laid next to a plaque with the names of 111 officers. The list ranges from Gus Krempkau, an El Paso County constable who died on April 14, 1881 to Abel Marquez of the Odessa Police Department who died in the line of duty on Sept. 12, 2007.

Plans for the design concept of a permanent memorial are pending. The temporary memorial will be located in the Sul Ross Law Enforcement Academy.

Public donations will be accepted for the construction of this memorial. Tax deductible donations can be made to the BBA-LEOA, in care of John Carter, P. O. Box 512, Pecos, Texas 79772.

THEATRE OF THE BIG BEND OFFERS WESTERN-STYLE ENTERTAINMENT

by Jason Hennington, News Writer

The Theatre of the Big Bend returns to the stage beginning June 27 with boot stomping entertainment.

"Cowgirls," "Petra's Cuento" and "Pecos Bill and the Ghost Stampede" will be performed during the summer season. Each play is unique and will entertain audiences of all ages. The productions are a part of an ongoing effort to make the Theatre of the Big Bend a more professional company, along with drawing large audiences in the Big Bend area.

"It's supposed to bring in tourists and it has," said Dona Roman, theatre director and associate professor of Theatre.

Twenty students have been given scholarships and student jobs within the theatre program at Sul Ross and are forming a company.

"It has always related to Theatre classes, but we want it to be more professional," Roman said.

The city of Alpine gave $20,000 to help with promotions. The university and community support has provided funding to bring in guest stars for each show. Three guests were brought in last year, and three more scheduled for this year.

"We need help from the community," Roman said. "The more funds we raise locally, the more grant funding is possible"

Roman sees this as an opportunity for both the university and the city of Alpine.

"This raises the visibility of tourists and students," she said. "It's a business opportunity not just for the university, but for the community. I hope everyone comes to see the shows."

"Cowgirls," written by Mary Murffitt and Betty HowIE, is a musical where country meets classical. Opening June 27 and continuing through July 13, the play involves six women, three classical and three country. When one group learns they have shown up to the wrong place, things get interesting. Another twist is that all the actresses play instruments.

"Petra's Cuento" on stage July 18-Aug. 3, is a bilingual play that is a continuation of last year's popular play Petra's Pecado. It involves some of the same cast, and will have promotional help again from Rupert Reyes, JR. This will be the fifth bilingual play in two years, and is a push towards having a bilingual theatre festival slated for 2010.

"This play is very funny," Roman said.

Petra attempts to educate her granddaughters, who do not know much about her culture. The play has everything from phony kidnappers to District Attorney officers.

"Petra did really well last year," Roman said. "I want to take it further. I want to make this year's production even better and promote IT even more."

The third play set for the summer is "Pecos Bill and the Ghost Stampede,"scheduled Aug. 7-10. The interactive show is the tall tale of the cyclone riding cowboy in the Wild West, and will have the children in the audience participating as the stampede.

"Children love being a part of the show and parents love seeing their children being involved," Roman said.

This is the first interactive play since the performance of "Cinderella, Cinderella" in 2005.

"An interactive show does really well with the kids, that's why we chose 'Pecos Bill,'" Roman said.

All shows are scheduled Friday-Sunday at 8:15 p.m. -- except July 4 -- at the Kokernot Outdoor Theatre. For more information, call 1-888-722-SRSU (7778) or visit www.sulross.edu/theatre.

NEW BOOK FEATURES ILLUSTRATIONS BY SUL ROSS' DUMITRESCU

A new book published by the University of California Press features illustrations by Sul Ross State University adjunct professor Avram Dumitrescu.

"M.F.K. Fisher among the Pots and Pans," written by Joan Reardon, includes watercolors by Dumitrescu, who is also the scientific illustrator for the Center for Big Bend Studies. The book is a retrospective of noted cook Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher, interspersed with recipes and illustrated with Dumitrescu's original watercolors.

For more information, contact Dumitrescu, (432) 837-8779.

SUL ROSS ALUMNI RUN/WALK SLATED JULY 19

The second annual 5K Run/Walk will be held in Alpine on Saturday, July 19 at 8 a.m., hosted by the Sul Ross State University Alumni Association.

Proceeds from the event benefit Sul Ross scholarships. The run/walk is open to everyone. Regristration fee prior to July 16 is $20 for adults, and includes a "Branding Together" T-shirt and ticket for a pancake breakfast following the race. Children 12 and under may enter free of charge, but will not receive a T-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female winners, plus first, second and third place for both male and female age groups: 12 and under, 13--19, 20--29, 30--39, 40--49, 50--59, 60--69, 70+.

The 5K (3.1 miles) course starts and finishes at Kokernot Lodge on North Harrison Street (Loop Road) and winds through the loop.

Registration will be $25 after July 16 and will be held at Kokernot Lodge starting at 7 a.m. on the event da. U

For more information, contact Saul Garza, (432) 837-8697 or sgarza@sulross.edu.