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News Release for May 7, 2009WOW BANQUET OFFERS CURE FOR THE SOPHOMORE SLUMP by Jason Hennington, News Writer Freshmen students were "WOWed" before given tips on how to deal with the sophomore slump. Sul Ross State University held its annual "We're On our Way (WOW)" banquet April 27 for freshman students. Departments and organizations awarded students for their outstanding achievements during their first year as college students. Sul Ross President Dr. R Vic Morgan spoke at the WOW banquet for his last time as President. "I am pleased that we're on our way," he said. "It's one thing to me and another to you." Morgan referred back to his orientation speech about obtaining a degree in four years and told students they only have three years to go. "Your future has a ticket, and we're here to send you on your way," he said. After encouraging students to continue their education, Morgan introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Wayne Sheehan. Sheehan taught in higher education for 44 years, serving 32 years at Sul Ross before retiring in 2008. Sheehan opened his speech explaining the variety of WOW banquets he had researched. "At first I didn't know what the WOW banquet was, so I looked it up online," he said. "For colleges, they all really mean the same thing." Each WOW banquet is a way of congratulating freshmen students on their first year of college, and helping them prepare for their sophomore year. Sheehan took a different approach by introducing the students to the unfortunate sophomore slump. "I come to give you warning, you have to accept the term sophomore," Sheehan laughed. "The most ominous challenge you will face is the sophomore slump." Sheehan gave a variety of definitions for the term sophomore, which contradicted one another, and would describe students as learning and growing sophisticated morons. He explained the meaning of "sophos," which is wise, and the meaning of "moros," which means fools. He made reference to, and quoted a popular band, Fall Out Boy, and their song titled Sophomore Slump in trying to explain the definition. "Are we growing up or just going down? It's just a matter of time until we're all found out," Sheehan said. Along with the quote, Sheehan explained some of the symptoms of sophomores beginning to slump. "You begin to question your major, your thinking of transferring, complaining about bad advising, and your GPA goes down," he said. "As a sophomore you'll find that your expectations will be increased." Sheehan discussed ways to cure and defeat the sophomore slump. "The sophomore slump is a real phenomenon and it can be cured," he said. He mentioned several books and gave quotes about how sophomores deal with their second year of college, and how they can succeed. "Get excited about what you're learning. This stuff really works," he said. Sheehan ended his message by encouraging students to make it to another banquet in a few years. "You should look forward to a graduation banquet. That's the one you want," he said. "They might even use the same balloons from today." After Sheehan's speech, Dr. David Cockrum, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, addressed the students as sophomores, no longer freshmen. "I charge you all as sophomores and send you charging into your second year of college," he said. Freshmen enrolled in various disciplines or active in organizations and activities across the campus were represented at the WOW banquet, including:
SUL ROSS STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO ALPHA CHI Twenty-two Sul Ross State University students were inducted into the Texas Chi Chapter of Alpha Chi National Honor Society April 27 at Kokernot Lodge. As a general honor society, Alpha Chi admits to membership students from all academic disciplines. A member institution, which must be a regionally accredited, baccalaureate degree-granting institution, may invite to membership no more than the top ten percent of the junior and senior classes with GPAs no lower than 3.3. Alpha Chi, which traces its origins to 1922 with the founding of the Scholarship Societies of Texas, is now a nationwide organization with active chapters on over 300 campuses in 45 states and Puerto Rico. The Texas Chi Chapter at Sul Ross, which was founded in 1926, is one of the oldest chapters in existence. New inductees and their hometowns are:
Returning members include: Christian Celis, Marfa; Adriana Galindo, Presidio; Julie Hester, Snyder; Stephanie Jackson, Spring; Karen Lastovica, Alpine; Veronica Ruffier, El Paso; and Rick Villarreal, Alpine. Prior to the induction ceremony, the members elected officers for the 2009-2010 academic year. New officers are: Hermosillo, president; Piper, vice president; Smith , secretary, and Valenzuela, treasurer. Four scholarships were also awarded during the induction. Celis received the Gene and Lucille Hendryx Alpha Chi Scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year. The Hendryx Scholarship, which was created in 1993, has grown to be the largest scholarship awarded by the Texas Chi Chapter of Alpha Chi and is one of the most prestigious scholarships given at Sul Ross. Bitner was awarded the Bertha Irene Harrell Scholarship. Piper and Smith received the Highest Ranking Senior Alpha Chi Member Award; and Teague and Gallego received the was awarded Highest Ranking Junior Award. Dr. R. Vic Morgan was also recognized and honored for his support of Alpha Chi throughout his tenure as Sul Ross President. Alpha Chi advisors are Dr. Jim Case, professor of Political Science, and Dr. Ira Blanton, assistant Professor of English. S.A.L.E. LECTURER TRACES CHALLENGES OF CHANGING LANDSCAPE, ECOSYSTEM by Steve Lang, News and Publications While climatic changes have sounded a global alarm for the fate of the polar bear and other species, not enough attention is being focused on entire ecosystems, according to a University of Arizona scientist. "We've got whole ecosystems in danger; we really need to pay more attention to this," said Dr. Steve Archer, professor in the School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona. Archer presented the 16 th San Antonio Livestock Exposition (SALE) Leaders in Agriculture Lecture April 28 at Sul Ross State University. Archer, principal investigator in the Savanna/Woodland Ecology Laboratory, discussed "Grassland Conservation and Management: Emerging Issues and Challenges," in the Turner Range Animal Science Center. He specializes in terrestrial ecosystem science and plant ecology. The Savanna/Woodland Ecology Lab is an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to the study of grassland and woodland habitats of arid regions. He traced the transition of grasslands to terrain dominated by woody plants, and the overall ripple effect these changes can produce. "Woody plants have displaced grasses in recent history (the past century)," he said. "It is a global phenomenon. It's been happening all over the world, even in Alaska." Invasion of native plants, including mesquite, creosote bush, sagebrush, juniper and Ponderosa pine have altered entire landscapes and have led to changes in plant productivity, wildlife habitat, livestock forage production, wind/water erosion and altered nutrient cycles. Long-term heavy grazing is believed to be a major factor in this transformation, but not the only reason. In addition, below-ground changes, particularly in the carbon cycle, are prevalent, with implications for atmospheric processes. "If we start changing the structure of ecosystems above- and below-ground, how might that affect the atmospheric chemistry and land surface-atmosphere interactions?" he asked. Archer noted that a transformation from grass to woody plant dominance also affects other living organisms. Research on woody plant encroachment has expanded from traditional concerns about its affects on livestock production, hydrology (stream flow) and wildlife valued for sport hunting to broader aspects, including biological diversity. "Species that evolved with grasslands -- including certain reptiles, amphibians, mammals, insects and birds -- can be adversely affected by woody plant encroachment," he said. He noted that some organisms are immediately impacted by increases in woody plant abundance and others may be negatively impacted once woody plant cover exceeds about 15 percent. "In short, we need a better handle on our whole ecosystem, not just those aspects that pertain to livestock, game animals and water," Archer said. "And if that isn't complicated enough, the climate is changing." Archer concluded by saying that keeping the ecological balance from tipping past the point of no return is a global challenge. "We need to look at the ecosystem in a very holistic perspective; we've got to keep all these balls in the air," he said. "In many instances, we don't necessarily need more information....What we really need is to more effectively implement the things we already know." The SALE Leaders in Agriculture Lecture Series was established through the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Endowment for Excellence in Agriculture. The Series brings individuals to the Sul Ross campus who have distinguished themselve regionally, nationally and internationally as leaders in agriculture. Since 1987, the San Antonio Livestock Exposition has contributed more than $850,000 to Sul Ross. The San Antonio Livestock Exposition Equine Center was named in honor of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition by the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System. Scholarship awards are made to freshmen in agriculture and directly related areas who qualify for participation in the Sul Ross Freshman Leadership Program. Criteria for selection include strong academic performance, as well as demonstrated leadership potential indicated by involvement in 4-H, FFA, interscholastic competition, and other activities. SUL ROSS ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN PASSES $500,000 MARK Sul Ross State University's annual fund campaign passed the half-million-dollar level early last week. A $30,000 gift lifted this year's campaign to nearly $525,000. The annual campaign began Dec. 1. Associate Vice President for Advancement Leo Dominguez said, "The annual fund campaign is always an exciting time for the entire University; the appeal goes out and a significant number of our friends respond with gifts ranging from $15 to $150,000. Contributions help our scholarships, departmental and endowments funds to continue their steady growth." "Once again, we are gratified for the generous response to our annual fund-raising campaign," said Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan. "Our many Sul Ross friends continue to keep higher education a priority and these gifts increase opportunities for deserving students." Sul Ross' endowment exceeds $13 million with over 240 separate endowments. For more information on endowments, contact Dominguez, (432) 837-8033 or leodo@sulross.edu. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVID MORALES MAY 16 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER David S. Morales, Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation, Office of the Attorney General, will deliver the commencement address at Sul Ross State University's Alpine Campus spring graduation ceremonies, Saturday, May 16. Ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. in the Pete P. Gallego Center. Dr. Norma V. Cantu, professor of Law and Education, School of Law, University of Texas, Austin, will speak at the Sul Ross-Rio Grande College commencement, Saturday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. in the International Trade Center, Eagle Pass. A total of 260 students are candidates for degrees, 169 at Alpine and 91 at RGC. Morales, who has served in the Office of the Attorney General since 1994, was appointed to his present position in January 2007 by Attorney General Greg Abbott. He is responsible for the day-to-day executive administration and management of the Office of Attorney General's eight civil litigation defense divisions. As Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation, Morales oversees the agency's trial and apellate court practice in the following areas: Bankruptcy and Collections, Environmental Protection and Administrative Law, Financial Litigation, General Litigation, Law Enforcement Defense, Taxation, Tort Litigation and Transportation. In this capacity, he has supervised all defensive litigation for the state, including: the constitutional challenge to the Texas school finance system, the First Amendment challenge to the placement of a Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds and the litigation arising out of the Texas A&M bonfire tragedy. He also serves as chief litigation counsel to the Governor's Office and the Texas Legislature. Morales previously served as Associate Deputy Attorney General for Litigation and as an Assistant Attorney General. In those positions, he was lead trial and appellate counsel in over 150 federal and state employment discrimination lawsuits. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (1990) from St. Edward's University, Austin; and a Juris Doctor (1994) from St. Mary's University School of Law, San Antonio. In 2005, Texas Monthly named Morales a "Rising Star" in their annual listing of Super Lawyers. He lives in Austin with his wife and five daughters. SUL ROSS STUDENT CHARLES CARTER'S BFA EXHIBITION MAY 4-14 AT FINE ARTS GALLERY "Too Moody," a Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition by Sul Ross State University student Charles Powell Carter, Lubbock, will be on exhibition through May 14. Carter's paintings will be on display in the Main Gallery, Francois Fine Arts Building. A closing reception will be held Friday, May 14, 5-7 p.m. Using a mixture of color, texture, space and form, Carter has created a show full of works that are aimed to invoke feelings in all of its viewers. He uses his brushwork and a vibrant palette to help to convey his representation of the world around him. By concentrating on warm and cool colors, he manipulates a scene to petition a mood from the onlooker. Carter's work draws inspiration from early impressionists, expressionists with a hint of realism. For more information, contact the Office of Fine Arts and Communication, (432) 837-8218. SUL ROSS STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO DELTA MU DELTA BUSINESS HONOR SOCIETY Six Sul Ross State University students were inducted into the Zeta Upsilon chapter of Delta Mu Delta, the international honor society in business administration. Induction ceremonies were held April 30 in the University Center.Keys, certificates and honor cords were presented. New inductees and their hometowns include:
In addition, Dr. Melanie A. Croy, dean of the School of Professional Studies, was made an honorary member. Delta Mu Delta, the Phi Beta Kappa of business education, was founded in 1913. Delta Mu Delta was incorporated in 1952 and in 1963 was admitted to membership in the Association of College Honor Societies. In 1992, the Society established an affiliation with the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) whereby future chapter establishment occurs only at college and universities with business programs accredited by ACBSP at the baccalaureate/graduate level. Sul Ross' Zeta Upsilon chapter was chartered in November 1993. LOBO ATHLETICS AWARDS BANQUET MAY 7 The annual Sul Ross State University athletics awards banquet will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Espino Conference Center of the University Center. Tickets are $12 per person. Current student-athletes will be admitted free of charge. Tickets may be purchased at the Gallego Center lower level. For more information, contact the Sul Ross Department of Physical Education and Athletics, (432) 837-8226. ART HISTORY DIGITAL IMAGING CLASS OFFERED DURING SUL ROSS SUMMER I "Introduction to Digital Imaging" using Adobe Photoshop will be offered as a Fine Arts class during Sul Ross State University's first summer session. Taught by Dr. Travis Clark, assistant professor of Art History, FA 2301 will be offered from 1:30-3:50 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 1-July 3, ACR Room 203 (computer lab). "Introduction to Digital Imaging" is a beginner's level course on how to use Adobe Photoshop. No previous experience is necessary, and the class is open to all interested persons. Students will learn how to edit, re-size and correct digital images, add text, borders, graphics and special effects to images and create compelling computer graphics for homepages, blogs and other internet-related sites. For more information, contact Clark, (432) 837-8130 or tclark@sulross.edu. RED CROSS LIFEGUARD TRAINING MAY 8-10, 22-24 AT SUL ROSS American Red Cross lifeguard training will be held Friday-Sunday, May 8-10 and May 22-24 at Sul Ross State University. The complete lifeguard training course will be he held from 6-10:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 and Friday, May 22; and from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10 and May 23-24 at the Sul Ross Pool. Cost is $150 per person and includes book, CPR mask, whistle and first aid fanny pack. Renewal by challenge may also be done on these dates Cost is $50 per person. CPRO renewal will be held Saturday, May 9, 2-6 p.m. and Saturday, May 23, 1:30-6 p.m. in the Gallego Center. Cost is $15 per person. Payment for all courses is required at the first meeting. Lifeguard training requirements include: minimum 15 years of age; ability to swim 300 yards, 100 yards front crawl, 100 yards breaststroke, 100 yards either or both of the above; swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, dive to a depth of seven-10 feet, retrieve a 20-pound brick and swim back to starting point; perform all required skills with 100 percent accuracy and pass written tests with scores of 80 percent or higher. It is recommended that participants wear one-piece swimsuits for training. For more information, contact Kay Whitley, (432) 837-8229. SUL ROSS CONCERTS MAY 7 AT MARSHALL; MAY 9 AT MARFA'S CROWLEY THEATRE The Sul Ross State University Wind Ensemble and Choir, along with the Alpine Community Band and Choir will perform an "American Music Celebration" Thursday, May 7 in Marshall Auditorium and Saturday, May 9 in Marfa's Crowley Theatre. There is no admission charge to the 7:30 p.m. May 7 concert in Marshall Auditorium. Admission to the 7 p.m. May 9 concert in Marfa is $8 per person, with proceeds to benefit Marfa Public Radio. The concert features music by Donald Freed, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Howard Hanson, George Gershwin and other composers. For more information, contact Dr. Justin Badgerow, (432) 837-8222 or jbadgerow@sulross.edu. SUL ROSS STUDENTS ENJOY EQUINE SCIENCE EXPOSURE When it comes to career plans, Sul Ross State University students Joevanna Sanchez and Becky Legere aren't just horsing around. Sanchez, Rio Grande City, and Legere, Marshsfield, Mass., see horses in their future and the Sul Ross State University Equine Science program has afforded the opportunity for first-hand experience. Both work in the Equine Research Facility. They have different career goals, but both call their in- and out-of-class experiences invaluable. Sanchez, a first-year veterinary technician student, transferred from Texas A&M Kingsville. Sheplans to complete the vet tech course, then obtain a bachelor's degree in animal health management or equine science. Legere, previously a biomedical engineer near Boston, wants to become a veterinarian. Neither student had any experience with horses before coming to Sul Ross and working in the equine facility. "(Working in) equine science has helped me a lot to understand horses, especially their behavior," said Sanchez. "I had never been in close contact with them before." "I don't like sitting still, and I knew I wanted to get into vet school," Legere said. She found Sul Ross online, called the Admissions Office, then "quit my job, packed up my car and Gus (a black Labrador mix who is her constant companion) and I left for Texas." "I told them when I got there that I had never even touched a horse before!" she said. "Now I am collecting stallions, running them on a treadmill and using a blood-gas analyzer to see how they react during exercise." Not only have Sanchez and Legere worked in the equine science area, but they have participated in a series of clinics on reproduction, equine health and exercise physiology. Graduate student Damon Lawrence, in charge of the equine managerial mentoring program, and Dr. Jeff Pendergraft, head of the Equine Science program, have coordinated the clinics. Pendergraft is spending spring semester in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico working on a cooperative program. "We allow anyone to come out and work with us," Pendergraft said. "These girls have been great. They have come a long way, mostly due to Damon's guidance. As a mentor, he has been instrumental in encouraging students to pursue their goals and ambitions. They are getting all the practical application. The applied side of learning is what we are really trying to emphasize." In addition, Sanchez and Legere also toured a prominent stallion station, DLR Ranch Stallion Station, Weatherford. DLR is the home of Highbrow Cat, a quarterhorse whose sons have won the Cutting Horse Futurity for the past five years. In addition, they visited the Weatherford Equine Medical Center, regarded as one of the best equine neo-natal centers in the nation. Lawrence, who arranged the tour, drew praise from both Legere and Sanchez. "He's in this for our best interest," Legere said. "I would never get this kind of experience at any other school. My focus is on the medical stuff, but you can't do that without learning how to handle and examine a horse or halter and walk them." "I never really expected to get so much hands-on experience," Sanchez said. "Everything is technical, but we get our hands dirty. We get to experience what we are learning." Legere, who gained an interest in veterinary medicine working in a small clinic in Massachusetts, said the trip to Weatherford cemented her ambition. "It was a life-changing, amazing experience. Now I know for sure that I want a career in veterinary medicine." For more information, contact Pendergraft,(361) 288-2700 or (432) 837-8210; or jeffp@sulross.edu; or Lawrence, (832) 266-9408 or dlaw819@sulross.edu. |