January-February 2008 Newsletter

22nd TRAPPINGS OF TEXAS SLATED FEB. 29-MARCH 1 AT MUSEUM OF THE BIG BEND

Rawhide braider Jeff Minor, Salmon, Idaho, will feature his work at the 22nd annual Classic Trappings of Texas Exhibit and Sale, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 29-March 1 at Sul Ross State University.

Trappings is a juried invitational exhibit that brings together the best contemporary cowboy gear and art. This unique event is hosted by the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University and has become a West Texas tradition.

Minor, who grew up on a ranch, was encouraged by his father, who started him with plait braiding.

"Bruce Grant's books gave me the incentive to go further," Minor said. "Most of my early works were used on the ranch or given to neighboring ranchers, which gave me ideas on improving functionality and eye appeal."

Minor later apprenticed under saddle maker Bob Klenda, and in 1985, moved to Salmon, where he started producing quality saddles and braidwork. In 2003, he received an academy award from the Academy of Western Artists for his rawhide work and achievements in braiding.

Minor's work has been shown at many western art shows and galleries, including Trappings of Texas.

"Rawhiding is like any other craft or art. You only get out of it what you put into it," Minor said. "After each piece is finished, I strive to make the next one better."

This year's Trappings begins with a lecture, "Old Masters: Taos School of Art," presented by Michael Duty, guest curator of art, on Thursday, Feb. 28, 3:30 p.m. in Lawrence Hall, Room 309.

The main event, the Trappings sale and opening reception will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29. at the newly renovated Museum of the Big Bend on the Sul Ross State University campus. Tickets must be purchased in advance for $40 per person or $75 per couple. The Trappings public auction will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 1 at Lawrence Hall, third floor, room 309. Items for the auction have been donated from gearmakers, artists and businesses from not only the Big Bend, but from across the globe.

For more information and tickets, contact Liz Jackson, (432) 837-8143.

Sul Ross Graduate Student, Conservative Reagan Lynch Earns D.C. Leadership Fellowship

By Jason Hennington
News Writer

Sul Ross State University graduate student Reagan Lynch, Midland, has been selected for a one-year fellowship at the Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C.

Lynch left earlier this month for Washington, D.C. As one of four students selected, he will learn about political fund raising, take part in political events, and receive training in grass-root issues important to the conservative movement. The fellowship continues through January 2009.

While in Washington, Lynch’s title will be Development Fellow, and he will receive a small salary along with free housing.

“The Leadership Institution is the nation’s premier organization dedicated to identifying, recruiting, training, and placing conservatives in politics, government, and media,” Lynch said.  “It can be described as the ultimate stepping stone to a political career.”

The institution offers several schools throughout the year on political topics, including television media and public relations, as well as a complete program for people wishing to become campaign managers.
Lynch, who received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Sul Ross in 2007, has had some training that will assist him during his stay in Washington. 

“At Sul Ross I was able to sharpen my research skills, improve my writing, and take part in class discussions that have prepared me for not only my career but for life itself,” Lynch said.  “The political science program is the best program I have had the chance to experience. Students who leave the political science program are well prepared to do just about anything they wish, but students should also be aware of opportunities to advance their knowledge and skills beyond Sul Ross State University.”

Lynch completed his degree and continued his graduate studies despite deteriorating vision that eventually resulted in blindness.

Prior to coming to Sul Ross, Lynch was diagnosed with a condition known as Retinitis Pigmentosa. The condition is a degenerative disease of the retina, which causes full and total vision loss over time. 

“When I first arrived at Sul Ross I could still see some, but no longer.  Now I can only detect the presence of light, and then only if it is really bright or really dark and I’m going from one to the other,” Lynch said. 

Although he has lost his sight, Lynch continues to progress as a student and refuses to let his disability hold him back.

“Being blind has always just been something I have with me. I don’t treat it like a hindrance or a crutch,” Lynch said.  “It is kind of like having blonde hair - you just have it and you have to live with it.”

Lynch has been informed about a number of advances that can restore his vision but believes he was put on this earth blind for a reason.

“God made the determination, and who am I to second-guess his wisdom,” Lynch said.

While at Sul Ross, Lynch was mentored by Dr. Jim Case and speaks highly of him.

“Dr. Case is probably the finest person you can ask for as a mentor. I am doing things today that I probably would never have done had it not been for something Dr. Case said or did,” Lynch said.

Case is pleased with the outstanding work Lynch has done while at Sul Ross, and believes this will be a great experience for him.

“I was pleased to hear that Reagan received an invitation to work with the Fellowship Institution in Washington. 
Reagan has this great drive to be involved in the policy process.  He already has served on state and national advisory committees, as well as interning in municipal and congressional offices, and this opportunity will take him to another level,” Case said. 

Case said this will give Sul Ross programs more exposure because it puts another graduate student in the public sector.

“Rather than serving in an advisory capacity to government agencies, Reagan will now be helping to draft the policies and working with political types to adopt the policies.  Reagan will be in his element.  This will be great for Reagan,” Case said.

Lynch praised Case for letting him explore his interests and abilities, sometimes with reckless abandon.

“He will never get me to support a Democrat, and I’ll never get him to support a Republican, but we can agree on the conceptualizations of politics, public policy and public administration,” Lynch said.

Along with his selection to the fellowship, Lynch was recently appointed to a three-year term on the Tax Advocacy Panel (TAP) at the Internal Revenue Service by Secretary of Treasury Henry M. Paulson.  TAP is comprised of citizen volunteers who identify and report on issues facing taxpayers concerning IRS customer service and satisfaction.

MCDONALD OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR OFFERS RECIPES FOR STELLAR DEVELOPMENT

Dr. David Lambert stirred up recipes for star gazers during the 20th annual Mary Thomas Marshall Lecture Feb. 12 at Sul Ross State University.

Lambert, director of the McDonald Observatory, presented "Heaven's Kitchens: Primoridial Soup, Stellar Entrees and Galactic Dessert" to a large audience in Marshall Auditorium. He traced the development of stars from the time of the Big Bang (14 billion years ago) to their present, ever-evolving state.

His contributions to research in astronomical spectroscopy have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. His current research emphasizes precise analyses of the composition of evolved starts to determine how the chemical elements are synthesized by stars. Lambert also studies the chemical evolution of the galaxy as reevealed by the chemical composition of unevolved stars.

Through his lecture, charts and photographs, Lambert showed how spectroscopy refuted earlier claims that size, shape and numbers of stars could not be measured.

"Spectroscopy is the tool by which we have gained the most information about stars in the universe," Lambert said.

Lambert noted that beginning with hydrogen and helium, all of the 81 basic elements on earth have been generated by nuclear reactions occurring in stars. Elements were released from stars at various stages, starting with hydrogen, which burns an estimated seven million years after a stellar explosion. Helium burns an estimated 500,000 years, while silicon burns just one day.

"These processes occur continuously,:" Lambert noted. "Stars form, stars evolve, stars explode....Stars dominate the development of elements."

Lambert served as chair of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Texas from 2002-2003.

Born and educated in England, he obtained a B.A. in Physics in 1960 and a D. Phil. in Solar Physics in 1965 from the University of Oxford. His contributions to research in astronomical spectroscopy have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and appointments, including a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship (1980-81), the Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics from the American Institute of Physics and the American Astronomical Society (1987), and the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship, the top award of the American Astronomical Society (2007).

Lambert is one of the most productive and innovative astronomers in the world, with more than 450 publications during over 35 years of research. He has established the fields of cosmochemistry and galacto-chemodynamics and continues to lead them. His current research emphasizes precise analyses of the composition of evolved stars to determine how the chemical elements are synthesized by stars, along with studies of the chemical evolution of the galaxy as revealed by the chemical composition of unevolved stars.

Lambert's lecture represented the official "kick off" event for the Sul Ross Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Sul Ross student leaders chose the Milky Way as a logo and the name "Lobo Stars" for the plan. Symbolizing teamwork and humility, as well as the order of science that astronomy reveals, "Lobo Stars" represents a new vision for Sul Ross State University. One part of the plan focuses on using engagement with the West Texas outdoors, "Stars over La Frontera," to enhance student critical thinking skills in all academic disciplines.

The Sul Ross State University Lecture Series was renamed in 1985 to honor Mary Thomas Marshall, a good friend of the University. On Feb. 21, 1992, the Board of Regents, Texas State University System, approved renaming the Main Auditorium of Sul Ross State University to the Marshall Auditorium in recognition of Mrs. Marshall's many contributions to the University.

SUL ROSS PROFESSOR JOINS FRIEND OF THE COURT BRIEF IN SECOND AMENDMENT CASE

Dr. Raymond G. Kessler, Sul Ross State University professor Criminal Justice, has joined the amicus curiae (friend of the Court) brief filed by criminologists, scholars and the Claremont Institute on behalf of Dick A Heller in the U.S. Supreme Court's Second Amendment case, District of Columbia v. Heller.

The brief basically argues that recognizing an individual right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment and striking down portions of Washington, D.C.'s gun law will not result in an increase in violent crime in the District or elsewhere.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia struck down parts of the District's draconian gun control law on the basis that it violated the individual right to keep and bear arms. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the District's appeal. Among other things, the District argues that the right applies only to individuals formally connected to an official, standing militia or military unit.

Oral argument is scheduled for March 18. A decision is expected in May or June. Kessler stated that he predicts a 5-4 victory for Heller in a narrowly written majority opinion authored by either Justice Kennedy or Chief Justice Roberts. This opinion, he predicts, will leave room to save federal bans on machineguns and firearms possession by convicted felons, the mentally ill, etc.

Kessler also joined the amicus brief of Academics for the Second Amendment in the Fifth Circuit case of U.S. v. Emerson. That brief argued that the Second Amendment gives individuals unconnected with any type of militia or military organization a right to keep and bear arms. The Fifth Circuit found that the Second Amendment created an individual right but upheld the federal law involving gun owners accused of domestic violence. The Supreme Court refused to hear the Emerson case.

Kessler has taught courses and written on both gun control and the Second Amendment. He will be teaching a graduate course on the Second Amendment in Fall semester, 2008.

For more information, contact Kessler, (432) 837-8166 or rkessler@sulross.edu.

NEW SUL ROSS EDUCATION CHAIR GLAD TO "BE BACK HOME"

Dr. Tyra Manning referred to her new Sul Ross State University position as a homecoming.

"It's good to be back home," said Manning, new department chair and associate professor of Education. She lived in Alpine when her mother attended Sul Ross.

The warmth and welcome feeling expressed by the Sul Ross community when her mother attended 30 years ago was one reason Manning wanted to return.

As a child, Manning's mother and her family moved to Alpine so her mother could finish college.

"When I was nine my father passed and my mother had one year of college. She explored other universities, but Sul Ross welcomed my mother and my family," Manning said.

After growing up in Seminole, Manning spent her first three years at Texas Tech University and later she moved to Topeka, Kan.to study at Washburn University where she earned her undergraduate degree. Manning was hired to teach at East Topeka Junior High, Topeka, Kansas, home of Brown vs. the Board of Education. While teaching, Manning also began work on her Master's degree and Ph.D. at the University of Kansas.

"My dream was to be a principal and ultimately superintendent," Manning said.

While teaching social studies and English, Manning worked in the public school system, continued work on

her Master's degree, and raised her daughter. She was soon given the opportunity to fulfill her dream and was appointed principal of Boswell Junior High School.

"This was my first Principalship," Manning said. "I was instructed to close Boswell school. The plan was to combine the Boswell attendance area with another junior high school attendance area." This process was a key aspect of the desegregation plan developed by the Topeka Board of Education under the supervision of the local federal judge.

After working with children, families and teachers as schools were closed and attendance areas were combined, Manning was selected to be the principal of the new Robinson Middle School. Manning served as Robinson's first principal and was then appointed Director of Certified Personnel for the Topeka Public School District.

Later, Manning moved to Highland Park, Ill. to lead the instruction department at the district level. Six years later, she was appointed Superintendent of Schools in Stoughton, Wisc. and later in River Forest, Ill. where she retired after twelve years. Six months after retirement, she began her university career at Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois. Manning resigned her position as Director of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program at Dominican to come to Sul Ross. Manning says she has worked with a variety of people throughout her career and has always been treated well.

"It has been a privilege to serve different communities," Manning said. "I've had the opportunity to work with such diverse groups. We truly are all more alike than different."

Returning to Texas remained a dream. One evening, while exploring the Sul Ross web site, Manning discovered the chair of Education position was open and applied.

"When I was invited to interview at Sul Ross, I was impressed with the faculty and staff, their focus on improvement and students. I am impressed with the caliber of people at Sul Ross and the university' mission."

"Because mother returned to school after my father's death and graduated from Sul Ross, her influence on my siblings and me was extraordinary. My brother and sister both graduated from college, and my sister became an elementary teacher."

"When mom graduated, we felt like we all graduated," Manning said. "My whole life has been education. The door to opportunity opened because of Sul Ross and my mother's determination.

"I have always appreciated education and what an impact it's made on my life and my family. I've always appreciated Sul Ross," Manning said. "It's a thrill and exciting to have the opportunity to give back to Alpine and the Sul Ross community. I'm thrilled to be here and enjoy meeting new people. My door is always open."

For more information, contact Manning, (432) 837-8736 or tmanning@sulross.edu.

MUSEUM OF THE BIG BEND TO ADD EDUCATION PROGRAM

Following successful renovation and new exhibits phases, the Museum of the Big Bend will add an education program in the near future.

The Museum, located on the Sul Ross State University campus, recently completed a $4.4 million fu nd-raising project to renovate, relocate and add new exhibits to the 70-year-old museum. Since the facility held its grand re-opening last fall, visitor attendance has risen over 30 percent.

Director Larry Francell now seeks to enhance the Museum's user-friendly approach through the education program. Applications for a curator of education and public programming are being received.

"Just like a library or other public facilities, if you can introduce children to the aspects a museum, has to offer, you have a visitor for life," Francell said.

"Children's activities are essential to a community, and through the Museum's new education program, children will have additional opportunities to make, create, participate in hands-on activities and just have fun," he said.

Adding an education curator will enable the Museum staff to create programs, particularly for children. Three primary activities are planned: Saturdays at the Museum, after-school art classes and a summer art school.

"The education program can provide a bridge between the Museum and area communities, as well as another link between the Museum and Sul Ross," said Liz Jackson, assistant to the director. "We plan to hire Sul Ross art students as instructors for the after-school and summer art classes."

"Saturdays at the Museum will entail a number of topics, including cowboy cooking, rock art, painting, wherever the imagination takes you," Francell said. "The program gives children another avenue for Saturday activities and gives them projects to take home. When artwork is on display in the house, it can pique the interest of parents as well."

The new education curator will also represent the Museum before the public with outreach, civic talks and public programs; assist with reports and grant applications designed to continue and expand educational programs.

"It's a win-win situation for the community, Sul Ross and the Museum of the Big Bend," added Jackson.

For more information, contact Francell, (432) 837-8145 or francell@sulross.edu

El Paso men's basketball players at Sul Ross State University: Front Row L-R: Filiberto Torres, Art Gonzalez, Abraham Ely, Back Row L-R: Jimmy Martinez, Ricky Aguilar, Moises Morales. Photo by Jason Hennington

El Paso B-ball Players Bond in Alpine

By Jason Hennington
News Writer

SRSU's campus, facilities, and geographical area have drawn student-athletes from all across Texas, but especially from El Paso.

Seven of the 12 players on the Sul Ross men's basketball team hail from El Paso and its surrounding area: Senior Art Gonzalez, Eastwood; junior Abraham Ely, Hanks; sophomores Moises Morales, Fort Hancock and Filiberto Torres, Clint; freshmen Ricky Aguilar, Franklin; Jimmy Martinez, Andress; and Aaron Mitchell, Parkland.

The love of the game, the SRSU campus, the educational program, and the basketball facilities, are all reasons why these players chose Sul Ross, but they all agree that being close to home is the biggest reason. And Alpine has become somewhat like home to some of these players.

"Alpine grew on me," Ely said.

While in high school, only a few of these El Paso natives met up with each other on the court. Ely and Gonzalez attended rival schools, but never played against each other. Their high school rivalry did not carry over to college, however. The El Paso players said they stick together and even hang out more since they are from the same area.

Gonzalez was a part of the recruiting class succeeding the 2003-04 Lobos' Sweet 16 tournament team. Now in his final season as a Lobo, he believes the experience has been an influence on his career.

"Just being a part of that, and looking up to those leaders and being taught what a leader is supposed to be was great," Gonzalez said. "It inspired me to work harder during the off season to accomplish what they did."

Gonzalez, Ely and Morales were all recruited by coach Doug Davalos, now at Division I Texas State University. For the past two years, they have been coached by Greg Wright.

The trio has shared their experience with the newer players. All agree that the style of play is different than in high school, but is more suitable for the personnel.

"He (Davalos) was a lot stricter, and his style was different, but the program now is a perfect fit for this team," Gonzalez said.

Torres is the only El Paso player of the group who was not recruited. He was a walk-on during Coach Wright's first season as head coach.

"Fili is getting better all the time. He is very versatile, and wants the ball more," Wright said. "He has really stepped up."

After attending the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Torres decided to come to SRSU.

As teammates, the El Paso players feel like they represent an overlooked area of basketball in Texas.

"El Paso is not really known for basketball," Ely said.

Wright agrees that El Paso is often overlooked, but said players being from the same area helps the chemistry.

"El Paso is not a big area, so they all knew about each other and they are a little closer," Wright said. "They are a good group of guys who blend together off the court too, and that's a big part of chemistry. They do a great job of meshing together with players from other areas."

Comparing El Paso to other large cities such as Houston and Dallas, the players feel as though they are making an impact and opening doors for future El Paso players.

"El Paso is catching up to the Dallas and Houston areas," Aguilar said.

Morales believes that players from El Paso do not rely on athleticism as much as other cities.

"El Paso basketball relies more on hard work, skill, and smarts," Morales said. The experience of playing with other El Paso players has helped keep teamwork in tact and made the team closer.

"The El Paso guys get after each other more," Wright said. "It's good because it helps us play with intensity."

There is a type of camaraderie between the players that has helped them on the court, allowing the team members to understand their roles.

"We've got each other's back," Morales said. "Minutes don't matter; we play for each other. Role players know their roles. We have to feed off of each other, we feed off enthusiasm."

Wright believes Morales is a source of the team's enthusiasm on the court.

"He brings discipline, work ethic, and high expectations every time," Wright said. "Guys feed off of his intensity. He gets us fired up."

The players agree that support from their families and friends have helped them along the way. All in all, the players from El Paso enjoy playing together at the collegiate level, and are taking advantage of the opportunity.

"I'm happy that coach gave me the opportunity to keep playing basketball," Martinez said.

"It's a good experience to play at a higher level of competition," added Torres.

Ely, along with the more experienced players, hopes this opportunity will help the younger players with hopes of playing college basketball, and will always remember their time at Sul Ross.

"I hope that coach can still recruit El Paso players. I'll remember this for the rest of my life, all the people I met, the road trips, and the experiences," Ely said. "I'm glad I took this opportunity."

Morales said he loves the experience and compares the team to a proverb, "Iron sharpens iron, and so does man sharpen another."

For Gonzalez, the lone senior from El Paso, this season is one that will be missed but never forgotten.

"My time here has been the best time of my life. Not just the El Paso players, but everyone from across the state," he said. I love playing for this program and I'm going to miss it."

Wright plans to continue recruiting from the El Paso area because of the success Sul Ross has had in the past.
He said there are good coaches in El Paso and all his players from the area were well coached in high school.

"In the past there has been success, and it's a good area for us," Wright said.

Annual golfing for scholarships fundraiser provides help to South Texas students

(Left Photo: South Texas Alumni & Friends Board of Directors) Photo by Saul Garza

Hosted by South Texas Alumni and Friends of Sul Ross, approximately twenty- three teams attended the 2^nd annual golf tournament held at Tierra Santa in Weslaco, Texas on February 9.

Humberto “Beto” Hinojosa, Corpus Christi, TX; and Danny Reyna, McAllen, TX; served as the golf committee chairs raising approximately $8000.    

Saul Garza, executive director of the Sul Ross Alumni Association attended the tournament on Feb. 9, inviting along eight Sul Ross currently enrolled students from the South Texas area to help as volunteers and to engage them as student-alumni by preparing them as future alumni and a way of expressing their appreciation. (Right Photo:  South Texas current students enrolled at Sul Ross)

Six students from South Texas have received funds that support their educational endeavors thanks to a fundraising event established through the efforts of South Texas Alumni & Friends Chapter of the Sul Ross State University Alumni Association.

Sul Ross South Texas Alumni & Friends awarded a total of $3000 scholarships this year; $500 for each student, thanks to the golf tournament.

This year’s scholarship recipients by cities of residence:

Mission: Victoria Nicole Neugebauer
Edinburg: Jessica Gutierrez
Mission: Rufino Gutierrez
Raymondville: Josue Carlo Dominguez
San Juan: Mario Mormalejo
Mission: Homar Saenz Jr.

The first tournament raised approximately $15,000. Today, the Rio Grande Valleys sponsors continue to support the tournament along with alumni that live in the area.

Any student is eligible to apply for the scholarship that lives in South Texas regional areas from Laredo across to Corpus Christi.

Paying for a college education continues to be challenging, and in many instances, more so today. Most recently, the cost of higher education has increased rapidly, but the family median income has not kept pace with this rate. And, affordability still is a concern for low-income students. The golf tournament is one way they support these students.

For more information on South Texas Alumni & Friends scholarships, call Mario Garcia, President of South Texas Alumni & Friends Chapter at 956-565-2508 or send an e-mail to mario.garcia@mail.house.gov.