Sul Ross State University
A Member of the Texas State University System
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News Release for Sept. 13, 2011SEPT. 15 LECTURE BY PHOTOGRAPHER, AUTHOR WYMAN MEINZER The public is invited to the W.D. Smithers lecture by internationally acclaimed author and photographer Wyman Meinzer Thursday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. at the Sul Ross University Center Morgan University Center. The talk is free and marks the opening of the 2011 Shooting West Texas Photography Symposium held in the UC Conference Center which runs through Sunday, Sept. 18. Meinzer will show his photographs and talk about his techniques. He was named the official Texas State Photographer in 1997. His work has graced the covers of more than 250 magazines and books, and he has published more than 20 photography books with subjects ranging from Texas landscapes to roadrunners, rivers, quails, working dogs, windmills, sky, and more. He was inducted into the "Texas Heroes Hall of Honor" this year for his contributions as a photographer and promoter of the natural history and beauty of Texas. The lecture is named in honor of Wilfred Dudley Smithers who was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico in 1895. He eventually became famous as a West Texas photographer of early aviation, cavalry, and the U.S.-Mexico border and culture. Adapting to the harsh conditions of the Big Bend, Smithers made his own cameras and often developed his glass plate negatives underground, printing with sunlight. He operated a shop in Alpine for 30 years. His book, Chronicles of the Big Bend: A Photographic Memoir of Life on the Border is a West Texas classic. AREA SUL ROSS STUDENTS RECEIVE BECHTEL BOOK GRANTS Fourteen Sul Ross State University students from Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties are recipients of a Bechtel Fund book grant in the amount of $350 each for the fall 2011 semester. This semester award totals $4,900. The students are: The Bechtel Fund Book Grant program provides money to qualified Sul Ross students to help them purchase textbooks. Recipients must have graduated from a high school in Brewster, Jeff Davis or Presidio counties and meet certain academic criteria. Established in 1994 by the late Dr. George Bechtel of Alpine, who worked with the U.S. Department of Defense, the Fund is a charitable philanthropy dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the residents of the tri-county area. The Fund will call for book grant applications for the spring 2012 semester at Sul Ross in December. For more information, call (432) 729-4342. EX-MARINE FINDS NEW DEPLOYMENT ON LOBO FOOTBALL TEAM by Steve Lang, News and Publications
Ramirez, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has experienced the horrors of combat, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. He participated in countless firefights as a sniper and suffered three concussions from an IED (improvised explosive device), a bomb and a grenade. He was decorated 11 times, twice with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for meritorious service in a combat situation. He returned to Alpine after his discharge in August and one week later, was participating in two-a-day workouts with the Sul Ross State University football team. Listed as a defensive back, he is seeing action on special teams. Returning to the gridiron and civilian life has produced new, but more flexible learning curves for the Sul Ross freshman. "Its different. In the Marine Corps, we were always training, he said. Ive gone from shooting guns to schoolwork....This is easy compared to some of the schools I went through in the Marines."
"I hadnt touched a football for over four years, said the 2007 Alpine High School graduate. Im a little behind on the learning curve for football." Ramirez, who grew up near Marathon, played six-man football there through his sophomore year. He moved to Alpine as a junior to live with his adoptive parents, Bob and Lucy Ward, and played for the Fighting Bucks during his final two years of high school. He played quarterback, running back and corner back at Marathon, then corner back and free safety for Alpine. Lobo head coach Wayne Schroeder praised his fitness and attitude. "I think he will give us a lot more than we give him." Assistant coach Drew Bridges added, "Irving gives good effort and plays hard every second. He just has to learn how to play the game again." Ramirez initially considered making the Marines a career, but I have a four-year-old daughter (Ashlyn Rebecca) and I wanted to spend time with her. Presently, he is studying both kinesiology and political science. "I want to be a personal trainer, but I kind of like the political aspects of things, too, he said." He is also eyeing both the Drug Enforcement Agency and FBI as employment after graduation. Photo: Ex-Marine Irving Ramirez now wears a Sul Ross football uniform. After seeing action in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Alpine freshman now plays on Lobo special teams. Photo by Jason Hennington. Photo: Alpine's Irving Ramirez traded his U.S. Marine Corps uniform for Sul Ross football gear. The freshman is seeing action on Lobo special teams. Photo courtesy Irving Ramirez. FACULTY RECITAL SEPT. 15 AT SUL ROSS Sul Ross State Universitys Music Department will begin its fall concert schedule with a faculty sampler recital Thursday, Sept. 15. The recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre, Francois Fine Arts Building. There is no admission charge and the public is invited. New faculty Christopher Dobbins, trombone, and Heather Dobbins, bassoon, will be featured, as well as returning faculty Lana Potts, piano; Steven Bennack, piano and guitar; and Donald Callen Freed, tenor. Several new works by Freed and others will be premiered. For more information, contact Fine Arts and Communication, (432) 837-8218. LOBOS, ALUMNI TEAM UP TO PURCHASE NEW FOOTBALL UNIFORMS by Steve Lang, News and Publications
Sul Ross gridders took the field in new uniforms Sept. 3, thanks to the work of players and a dedicated alum. Since last spring, more than $15,000 was raised through contributions to purchase 140 jerseys - 70 each for home and away games - and 75 pairs of pants. "Through contributions we were able to cover the entire cost, said assistant football coach Drew Bridges. These are the first new jerseys since the 2006 season." Last spring, returning Lobo players each wrote five letters to family and friends, seeking financial contributions to buy new uniforms. Nearly $4,000 was raised, a little over one-fourth of the total goal. Then, Randy Jackson got involved. Jackson, a two-time Sul Ross graduate who is now a music promoter, moved back to Alpine earlier this year. As one of the "Baby Boomers" alumni group, he wrote personal letters to his contemporaries, and by mid-summer, helped to raise an additional $12,000. According to Jackson, "the letters generated about a 65 percent positive response." "I wrote a lot of former Lobos and just asked them to replace their old uniforms," said Jackson, whose brother, Scooter, played for Sul Ross in the early 1960s. The results were more than encouraging, Jackson said. "I received some one-thousand-dollar contributions. A lot of people who hadnt been back to town since they left Sul Ross sent donations," he added. In addition to players replacing their own uniforms, donations were received from former players and cheerleaders in memory of deceased team members. Even the former handler of the live lobo wolf, Miss Sully - the team mascot in the late 1960s through early-1970s - purchased a uniform in her memory. Other donations came from contributors not directly connected to Lobo football. "It was just a grassroots operation," Jackson said. "A lot of people gave back." In gratitude, each Sul Ross football player wrote thank-you letters to donors. Head Sul Ross football coach Wayne Schroeder is appreciative of the alumni support. "Its really a positive thing to see the alumni step up," he said. "We really appreciate Randys efforts in using his connections and his willingness to ask for help. We had a great response and just really pleased with being able to complete this." For Jackson, the campaign was an opportunity to become involved on behalf of his alma mater. "When I left here and moved to Nashville, I dont remember ever even checking the scores (for Sul Ross) until the Mike Flynt thing happened," he said. (Flynt, who played for the Lobos from 1969-71, returned in 2007 to compete at the age of 59, drawing national/international attention to Sul Ross.) "I fell in love with D-III football," Jackson said, and added that he was confident in the success of the present Lobo squad. "I really feel like this is a special bunch of players; they work and sacrifice, and play as a team. I convinced the alumni that this is a team we will be proud of and we need to boost their spirit with our support. I think there is something special about support from those who have been there, and I think this is the team that will turn around our football program and we want them to know that we are proud of them." Photo: New Lobo uniforms SUL ROSS PROFESSOR KESSLER TO MAKE CONSTITUTION DAY PRESENTATION SEPT. 19 Sul Ross State University Criminal Justice Professor Dr. Ray Kessler will make a presentation on the U.S. Constitution on Monday, Sept. 19. Kesslers presentation, in conjunction with the Constitution Day observance, will be held at 3 p.m. in ACR (Academic and Computer Resources Building), Room 204. Among the topics to be covered are developments in the law of the First and Second Amendments, the Supreme Court, and the constitutionality of ObamaCare. All interested persons are invited to attend. There will also be time for questions and discussion. SUL ROSS GRAD TONY THE VET COMPLETES WALKATHON TO GROUND ZERO
LoBue, San Diego, Cal., who earned two masters degrees from Sul Ross in 1986, is a former U.S. Army Airborne Infantry "man with a mission." He earned a Master of Arts degree in Art in May 1986 and M.A. in Theatre in December 1986.While at Sul Ross, he worked for the campus newspaper, the Skyline, wrote a weekly column for the Alpine Avalanche, was active in theatre projects including "Annie Get Your Gun,"and was the announcer for the Sul Ross halftime band performance. The Brooklyn native (also a graduate of New York University). He left San Diego on Sept. 11, 2010, after several months of intensive physical training to recover from a heart condition and cervical spine surgery. "I needed to revolutionize my life with new purpose and passion," he said. "So, I decided to step off waving a large U.S. Flag and trek to New York for the anniversary of 9/11 to help America remember to Never Forget." His trek included a stop in Alpine and Sul Ross in early January 2011. LoBue also promotes the 3 Rs of Recognition, Respect and Rewards for veterans, their families and veteran support groups. And he sponsors a 12-Point Omnibus Support Our Veterans Bill petition. However, LoBues mission nearly came to an end with various injuries: a severely sprained ankle and bruised hip, knee and shoulder. "I was informed by doctors to stop trekking and go back to San Diego and rest for six to 12 months," said LoBue. But he refused and opted for splints and braces instead. Then he walked until he no longer was able. And, finally, he drove from town to town. "My injuries proved to be a blessing in disguise, LoBue said, because by driving I spend more time meeting and greeting veterans. And I can create more Walk Your Talk media events that promote their needs and wants. So I actually give and get more support. Its all about veterans helping veterans." After his support vehicle broke down in San Antonio, LoBue hitchhiked with his mascot, Bravo the Cat, and conducted Walkathon events along the way. On Monday, LoBue walked the final two miles of his year-long pilgrimage in New York City. Next, he will create a new mission to lead a life-long Walkathon Across America in all 50 states for veteran advocacy. "It's been an amazing adventure," LoBue said. "Exciting, educational and empowering. And I humbly thank family, friends, veterans, donors, sponsors, volunteers and others for their splendid support and prayers. Now, I look forward to accomplishing my new mission: All the way!" For more information: Visit: www.tonythevet.org mailto:Tony@tonythevet.org or email: Tony@tonythevet.org. Photos: Sul Ross graduate "Tony the Vet" LoBue, pictured during a stop in Alpine in January, completed his year-long Walkathon Across America Monday, ending at Ground Zero in New York City. Photos by Jason Hennington. DR. CHRIS RITZI RECEIVES SUL ROSS OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD
Ritzi, a member of the Sul Ross faculty since 2004, was presented his award Monday (Sept. 12) by President Ricardo Maestas during ceremonies in the Morgan University Center. "I was very surprised to receive the award, given the fact that I am a relatively new faculty member, he said. I am very honored to receive it." A native of Worcester, Mass., Ritzi received a B.A. in Biology (1996) from Texas A&M University; M.S. in Biology (1999) from Sul Ross and a Ph.D. in Life Sciences (2004) from Indiana State University, Terre Haute. He was a graduate research and graduate teaching assistant at Sul Ross and later was a lecturer and lab coordinator at Indiana State. After joining the Sul Ross faculty, Ritzi was named the curator of the Jim V. Richerson Invertebrate Collection in addition to his teaching duties. He was named department chair in 2007 and from 2008-2011, served as academic director of the Texas Academy of Science board of directors. He was promoted from assistant professor to associate professor in September 2010. He has a number of publications and professional presentations to his credit, including several ectoparasite and bat studies. Ritzi has served as a thesis adviser to a number of graduate students and a mentor for the McNair Program for undergraduate research. He also teaches an entomology course to the Texas Master Naturalist Program each year and conducts public education presentations on insects and bats to the local school system. "I really try to incorporate my research and personal experiences, both from the field and academia, into the classroom," Ritzi said. "I have truly enjoyed the teaching opportunities available at Sul Ross, from the traditional lecture and lab courses to the interactive tv distance education classes that have allowed us to teach a greater number of students over a broader geographical area." Previous recipients of the Outstanding Teaching Award since 1983 include: Metha Sprinkle (Education); Ernest Reesing (Range Animal Science); William L. Beatty (Business Administration); David L. Cockrum (Psychology); Jimmy D. Case (Political Science); Robie Golden (Mathematics); Bob Pannell (Education); Wayne Sheehan (History); Rex Wilson (Music); George Bradley (Communications and Theatre); Greg Schwab (Communications and Theatre); Daniel Vrudny (Industrial Technology); Keith West (Communications and Theatre); Ellen Boyd (Music); Abelardo Baeza (English and Spanish); Ray Beaulieu (Mathematics); Mark Saka (History); Patti Trietsch (Education); Jeff Pendergraft (Animal Science); Barbara Tyler (Education); Jesus Tafoya (Spanish); Dona Roman (Communication/Theatre); Sheehan; Martin Terry (Biology); Carol Fairlie (Art); Louis Harveson (Natural Resource Management); and Sharon Hileman (Languages and Literature). |
At 23, the hardest part of Irving Ramirez life may be behind him.
In addition to classwork, Ramirez has spent a great deal of time studying films.
A team effort sees the 2011 Lobo football squad well-suited.
Sul Ross State University graduate Anthony A. LoBue, a.k.a. Tony the Vet, completed his year-long Walkathon Across America for Support Our Veterans Association (SOVA) at Ground Zero, New York City, on Monday, Sept. 12. .
Dr. Christopher M. Ritzi, associate professor of Biology and department chair, is the 2010-2011 recipient of the Sul Ross State University Outstanding Teaching Award.