News Release for Aug. 25, 2009
ANNUAL STUDENT CONVOCATION AUG. 27 IN MARSHALL AUDITORIUM
The 11th annual Sul Ross State University new student convocation will be held Thursday, Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m. in Marshall Auditorium.
Convocation 2013 welcomes all new Sul Ross students and acquaints them with the history and traditions of Sul Ross. Among the events will be the traditional passing of the Spirit Stick from Class of 2012 representative Amber Rodriguez, El Paso, to the incoming Class of 2013. Payton Shipley, Whitharral, will represent the incoming class.
Classes for Thursday, Aug. 27, will be on an altered schedule in order to accommodate the event. Following the convocation, the annual Fall on the Mall club fair will be held, starting at 11:30 a.m. Student clubs and organizations will be present on the mall to recruit new members.
For more information on the convocation, contact Gregory Schwab, (432) 837-8432. For information on the Student Organization Recruitment Fair, contact Jeffrey Blake, (432) 837-8191.
URBANCZYK, RITZI, DARBY EARN SUL ROSS QUALITY ENHANCEMENT INNOVATION AWARDS
 Sul Ross State University faculty members Dr. Kevin Urbanczyk and Dr. Chris Ritzi, and student William "Trey" Darby III, Alpine, received Quality Enhancement Innovationawards for 2008-2009. The awards were announced at the Aug. 17 faculty-staff meeting.
Urbanczyk, professor of Geology, received the award for funded pilot projects; Ritzi, assistant professor of Biology, was recognized for unfunded projects; and Darby received the student award for unfunded projects.
Urbanczyk's project was designed to increase critical thinking skills of students from a variety of classes (GIS, Biology, Hydrology, Geology, archaeology, and recent history) by participating in a topographic survey project in Boquillas Canyon.
He recruited students from across the campus. Prior to the trip, the students learned canoe skills in the university pool. On-site, the students learned to monitor the status of a selected set of sandbars in the Rio Grande and the effects of low and high flow conditions. The data are part of an ongoing project looking at changes over time. Kevin used pre and post testing for assessment. He hopes the project will eventually evolve into a new interdisciplinary class at SRSU.
Ritzi made four reported innovations to add an outdoor component to classes. He incorporated a field trip to the sewage treatment plant to teach on-site water treatment and conservation, a field trip to CDRI to examine bio-diversity and ecosystems, held a lecture outside near a symbolic Ginko tree to discuss history of conservation and religion, and conducted an air pollution lab outside to minimize health risks of breathing pollutants (normally done inside under a hood).
Assessment was primarily anecdotal but he felt the field trips increased student participation and engagement in discussion. He reported that the outdoor lab was a success as students were actively involved with testing various samples. They also engaged in lively discussion, added new ideas, and helped to expand the lab on site. Participation grades counted toward the course grade.
Darby was the only student initiated project reported. He organized and executed a Kite Festival in conjunction with the Outdoor Expo. He purchased the kites out of his own pocket, prepared a display showing the importance of kites in the history and as symbols, and supervised the entire event with help from other volunteer students. Approximately 40 students and several faculty members participated.
Receiving honorable mention were: Chris Garcia, lecturer in the Academic Center for Excellence, funded projects; and Ilda Gonzalez, lecturer in Spanish; Mazie Will, associate professor in Business Administration; and Matt Walter, lecturer in History, unfunded projects.
For more information, contact Dr. Barney Nelson, (432) 837-8154 or bnelson@sulross.edu.
QEP Cutline: Sul Ross faculty members Dr. Kevin Urbanczyk (second from right, Dr. Chris Ritzi (right), and student William "Trey" Darby III, Alpine (second from left), received Quality Enhancement Innovation awards for 2008-2009. Donna Greene (left), coordinator for Outdoor Learning and President R. Vic Morgan made the presentations. (Photo by Jason Henningto
SUL ROSS UNIVERSITY CENTER NOW BEARS MORGANS' NAMES
by Steve Lang, News and Publications
  As a banner was raised, revealing the newly-named Vic and Mary Jane Morgan University Center, the retiring Sul Ross State University President and his wife were broadly praised.
Morgan, Sul Ross' chief executive since 1990 and a faculty member for 34 years, will retire Aug. 31. On Aug. 20, the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System and campus and community members gathered for a dedication ceremony on the Mall.
On June 5, the Board of Regents officially approved naming the UC in honor of the Morgans. This past Thursday, they were publicly recognized during a sun-soaked ceremony on the Sul Ross Mall..
"It is appropriate that the University Center be named for the Morgans," said Trish Pollard, Bellaire, Regents vice chair. "It was the first of many buildings constructed during Vic's presidency. The Morgans have dedicated their careers to education."
"During his presidency, Vic and Mary Jane Morgan together supported student activities, invited faculty and students to the President's home and generally involved members of the Big Bend community in the life of the university," Pollard said. "For the past 20 years they have been the gracious and welcoming host and hostess for countless events at Sul Ross."
TSUS Chancellor Dr. Charles Matthews called Morgan "an icon in higher education." He said the numerous infrastructure improvements stemmed from the respect he received in the Texas Legislature.
"The construction (that has taken place) is a direct result of Vic Morgan's efforts in the Legislature," Matthews said. He also praised Morgan's service in academia, locally, regionally and nationwide.
The Morgans were presented with a portrait of them taken by Alpine photographer Jim Work. A larger portrait was unveiled on the wall inside the University Center. In addition, Pollard read a resolution honoring his accomplishments and Matthews presented him with an engraved chair for his retirement.
"This is really special, but I feel sorry for the students who have to eat here," Vic Morgan joked after the portrait unveiling. "Mary Jane and I have had the time of our lives."
"It's incredible, it's amazing," he said of the recognition. "We simply did a job we were asked to do."
"This is a very special honor," Mary Jane Morgan said during a television interview following the ceremony. "He has jokingly told people his blood is red and grey (the Sul Ross colors). We have enjoyed serving this campus and seeing the changes that have taken place is amazing."
When asked if her husband's final day at work would be emotional, she laughed.
"When he packs up that office and brings it home, it may get real emotional. We're out of room."
Cutlines: Left, Dr. Charles Matthews, chancellor of the Texas State University System, jokingly drapes a robe over Dr. R. Vic Morgan's shoulders as he sat in his engraved "retirement" chair. Morgan and his wife, Mary Jane, were recognized at an Aug. 20 dedication renaming the Sul Ross University Center in their honor. Morgan will retire Aug. 31 after 19 years as president. Right, Vic Morgan and his wife, Mary Jane, in front of the newly-renamed University Center. (Photos by Jason Hennington)
DR. RICARDO MAESTAS NAMED FINALIST FOR SUL ROSS PRESIDENCY
 Dr. Ricardo Maestas, Vice President for Student and University Relations and Dean of Students at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, was named the lone finalist for the presidency of Sul Ross State University.
Maestas was selected by a majority vote of the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System Friday morning (Aug. 21) during their meeting on the Sul Ross campus. He was one of four finalists for the position, although Dr. Jaime Chahin, Dean of the College of Applied Arts at Texas State University, San Marcos, withdrew his candidacy earlier last week.
Other finalists were Dr. Cheri A. Jimeno, President of New Mexico State University, Alamogordo; and Dr. William R. Fannin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and professor of Management at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa. A total of 62 candidates applied for the position.
"I am delighted and humbled that I have been selected," Masestas said in a telephone interview. "I think there is a great deal of potential that exists at Sul Ross. During my visit, I was truly impressed by the amount of dedicated faculty, staff and administration who really care about this institution. The students as well really impressed me with their concerns and the level of questions that they asked."
"In my opinion, Sul Ross is a diamond in the rough. With the right polishing and leadership, it can really move forward."
Maestas will be eligible to assume the presidency 21 days after the contractual offer is made and accepted. He will succeed Dr. R. Vic Morgan, who is retiring Aug. 31 after 19 years as Sul Ross President. Dr. David Cockrum, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, will serve as interim president.
"Dr. Morgan will leave a very strong legacy and it will be difficult to fill his shoes," Maestas said.
According to several Regents, Maestas' credentials make him a good fit for Sul Ross.
"We have great expectations....We think he (Maestas) is going to be a wonderful ambassador for Sul Ross," said Regent Trisha Pollard, Bellaire, chair of the search committee. "I think he will really be the one to fit in best with the university, the community and the culture of Sul Ross."
"This was a highly competitive search and I am convinced he is the right fit for this university," said Regent Michael Truncale, Beaumont.
Regents chair Ron Blatchley, Bryan, added, "There was lots of discussion involved, many hours of interviewing and searching...but I think we have a clear winner and a marvelous choice."
Morgan added, "I am pleased. The Regents have made a good choice."
Dr. Ken Craycraft, TSUS Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and director of the presidential search, said, "The job of any search committee is to make a difficult decision for the Regents, based on the positive qualities of the candidates."
Maestas has served in his present capacity since 2005. He is also an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Education. He received a B.A. (1974) in Psychology and Spanish and Master of Arts in Teaching (1977) from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; and a Ph.D. (2000) from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan.
His extensive higher education career began in 1974 at the University of New Mexico, teaching Spanish courses for native-speaking undergraduates. He served as assistant to the director of the Office of Admissions and Records, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign; director of Hispanic Affairs at the Ohio State University; administrative intern, Office of the President, University of New Mexico; director of Minority Engineering Programs and project director of Minority Engineering, Mathematics and Science Program, University of New Mexico; professional intern and research assistant at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and associate dean, University College, executive affairs officer, Office of the President; lecturer, College of Education; and associate vice president for Student Services, all at the University of New Mexico.
Maestas has an extensive track record in fund-raising, including grant, contract and private resource development, and has a number of publications and research presentations to his credit.
Cutline: Dr. Ricardo Maestas, pictured during an Aug. 13 campus visit, has been named the finalist for the Sul Ross State University presidency. He is currently Vice President for Student and University Relations and Dean of Students at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro. (Photo by Jason Hennington)
MORGANS FETED AT RETIREMENT RECEPTION
by Steve Lang, News and Publications
 Retiring Sul Ross State University President R. Vic Morgan and his wife Mary Jane were remembered fondly with tributes and dollars -- 11,512 of them.
That was the total of contributions to the newly-created Vic and Mary Jane Morgan Mathematics endowment to provide scholarships for Sul Ross math majors.
Nearly 400 persons gathered at the Pete P. Gallego Center Saturday (Aug. 22) to honor the Morgans. Vic Morgan will retire Aug. 31 after 19 years as President and 34 as a faculty member.
Morgan's credo for a student-centered campus was well recognized. Speakers included: Dr. David Cockrum, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and retired Professor Emeritus Dr. Wayne Sheehan, both longtime colleagues. Lamar Urbanovsky, retired Chancellor of the Texas State University System; current Chancellor Dr. Charles Matthews; U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez; Robie Golden, retired executive director of the Sul Ross Alumni Association; and the Morgans' son, Jeremy, also addressed the audience.
Tributes, both humorous and serious, praised Morgan's adherence to a student-centered campus philosophy, his widespread involvement in Sul Ross, community and church activities, his leadership in widespread improvements in the campus infrastructure, enrollment increases, endowment growth and learning opportunities.
He was praised as a caring colleague, friend and parent, one skilled at multi-tasking: including driving at or above the speed limit while eating popcorn and working crossword puzzles.
The Morgans were presented gifts on behalf of the campus community, but the most gratifying may have been the giant check noting endowment contributions.
"The time here at Sul Ross has been most special; but special not because of anything I have done, but because of all the things that you have done," Morgan said.
He praised his administrative team, the faculty and staff.
"They made it happen," he said. "I just got to sit in the chair and take the credit."
"It's truly been a delightful ride," Morgan said. "I can't imagine any job that is more fun than being a college president. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and to be a part of an absolutely wonderful life."
He also urged support for his successor, Dr. Ricardo Maestas, who was named the finalist by the Board of Regents a day earlier.
"I think the Board of Regents and the Chancellor have made a wonderful choice," he said. "I think you are going to find the next President is going to put me to shame in terms of reaching out to you and carrying the university to the next level."
Cutline: Saul Garza (left), director of Alumni Affairs and Liz Jackson (right), assistant director of the Museum of the Big Bend, present a check for $11,512 to retiring President R. Vic Morgan and his wife, Mary Jane. Donations were made to the Vic and Mary Jane Morgan Mathematics Endowment. The Morgans were honored at an Aug. 22 retirement reception at the Pete P. Gallego Center. (Photo by Jason Hennington)
MUSEUM OF THE BIG BEND ART CLASSES BEGIN SEPT. 21
The Museum of the Big Bend will kick off its second year of artist fun starting Monday, Sept. 21.Weekly art classes will be offered for children ages 4-14.
Classes will be held weekly based on age from 3:45-5 p.m. Classes are designed to introduce students to several different types of media. Students will work with paints, clay, oil pastels, paper mache, pencil, and ink. Older students will have the opportunity to put together a portfolio of their work and will be submitting work to two art competitions held in the spring. Once a month, a "Saturday at the Museum" program will be held. These are half-day classes are thematic and jam-packed with fun. Look for information coming soon about special classes for adults and young adults this fall.
For more information, contact Louisa Mayfield at (432) 837-8815 or hmayfield@sulross.edu.
SUL ROSS HOSTS BELL SYSTEM DEDICATION AUG. 29
Sul Ross State University will host a dedication of a new bell system Saturday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. on the University Mall. A reception will follow in the Museum of the Big Bend.
The Sul Ross State University Bells are a gift from 1974 graduate Roy Cantu, Kingsville.
For more information, contact Judy Parsons, (432) 837-8148 or jparsons@sulross.edu.
SUL ROSS ENROLLMENT SHOWS 10.92% INCREASE, TOPS 2,000 MARK
Sul Ross State University's fall semester enrollment jumped nearly 11 percent, based on figures from the final day of late registration.
Student head count reached 2,062, compared to 1,859 in 2008, a 10.92 percent increase. Freshman numbers were the major factor, up 32.97 percent, from 549 to 730. Semester credit hours showed an 11.88 percent rise, from 20,369 to 22,789.
Sophomore and junior enrollment showed respective increases of 6.33 percent and 16.08 percent. Senior numbers dipped from 257 in 2008 to 233, while post-baccalaureate/graduate totals were exactly even, 633.
"The dip in the senior class is likely due to the reduction in semester credit hours -- from 130 to 120 --required for graduation," said Dr. David Cockrum, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. "We had a record high number of graduates at spring commencement."
The present head count is the highest since Fall 2003, when 2,110 were enrolled.
Gregory Schwab, associate vice president for Enrollment Management, credited several factors for the sharp increase, including enhanced university-wide recruitment efforts, active outreach programs and the economy.
"Increased faculty and staff involvement in direct recruiting efforts are producing positive results," he said. "Outreach programs that bring students to campus in the summer help them to become familiar with a collegiate setting and especially familiar with Sul Ross."
"Historically, whenever the economy is bad, enrollment goes up, as going back to college remains a viable option," he said.
Final enrollment figures will be tabulated after the 12th day of classes.
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