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December 2008 Newsletter
REMOVE WALLS TO FIND TIPPING POINTS, SPEAKER TELLS SUL ROSS GRADUATES
Photo by Steve Lang
 Dr. Selma Glasscock (left) told Sul Ross State University graduates how tearing down walls can lead to "tipping points"of positive change. Glasscock, Sinton, was the featured speaker at fall commencement exercises Saturday (Dec. 13) at the Pete P. Gallego Center. A 1975 Sul Ross graduate, she presently serves as assistant director of the Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, where she has been employed for the past 15 years.
A total of 240 students were candidates for degrees, including 130 on the Alpine Campus and 110 at Rio Grand College.
Glasscock said that her lackadaisical attitude toward calculus led to an embarrassing incident with her professor, the late Dr. Gunther Moeller. Moeller told Glasscock and fellow class members that no homework assignments needed to be turned in, and only two tests - mid-term and final - would be given.
Consequences of too much social life and too little homework showed up on the mid-term exam.
"I encountered my first brick wall and it was of my own making," Glasscock said. Moeller asked her what answer she determined on the first of five questions, and Glasscock truthfully and embarrassedly said she did not have an answer.
"'Did you do your homework?,' Dr. Moeller asked, and I said, 'no.'" Glasscock was immediately lectured and told that her lack of effort would lead nowhere.
"I did not realize at the time that Dr. Moeller was using me as an example for the whole class," she said. From that point, studying took precedence over social life, and Glasscock passed the course. Moeller later offered her a student work-study
position in the Mathematics Department, which she maintained until graduation.
"I review that moment as a tipping point for the rest of my life, and that's why I am standing here today," she said. "Having that job kept me focused and organized."
Glasscock noted that the professor who embarrassed her actually turned out to be a major motivator.
"Sul Ross seems to attract those types of professors who make a difference in your life," she said.
"You can overcome that brick wall by breaking it apart brick by brick. At some point, you will remove the critical brick that allows the wall to tumble down. The most critical point is taking that first step...to give up something to gain something," she said. She called tipping points "dramatic events that can alter your life."
"The challenge is that you never know which brick will cause the change," Glasscock said. "But if you tear down the bricks to the next tipping point, you will reach the point where your life heads you in whatever direction you desire."Sul Ross State University graduate Dr. Selma Glasscock, Sinton, delivered address at fall commencement exercises in Alpine Saturday, Dec. 13.
More on Dr. Selma Glasscock
 Dr. Selma Glasscock is a 1975 Sul Ross graduate with a B.S. in Mathematics and Biology, Glasscock received her M.S. in Biology (1989) from Angelo State University and her Ph.D. in Wildlife Science (2001) from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She taught at the secondary and community college level for 13 years and has been recognized in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and Who's Who Among America's Teachers. She presently holds adjunct faculty member status at Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tarleton State University.
In 1993, she began work with the Welder Wildlife Foundation, where she continues to direct research and programs in wildlife science, management and conservation education. She helps manage the Foundation's operations and programs, works with Welder Wildlife Foundation's graduate fellows who live and work on site, and assists with managing the Foundation's 7,800-acre wildlife refuge and working cattle ranch. Currently, she is helping to lead a capital campaign to build a new museum and education facility at the Foundation's headquarters. She has developed the Foundation's Conservation Education Fellowship Program, a 3-year graduate assistantship program that provides a Masters degree to students wishing to learn and gain direct experience in teaching people about wildlife management and conservation. Seven graduate students have successfully completed this program.
Glasscock is a Certified Wildlife Biologist with The Wildlife Society. Her main research interests are in systems ecology of rangelands and the population dynamics of wildlife occurring on these lands. She is dedicated to conservation education and outreach, and has a strong interest in preserving the traditions of ranching, hunting, and fishing as sustainable uses of our natural resources and as activities that will help keep open spaces undeveloped.
She is an active member of numerous professional organizations including The Wildlife Society, Texas Outdoor Education Association, Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Boone and Crockett Club, Texas Wildlife Association, and Texas Bighorn Society. She has served as President of the Texas Outdoor Education Association, a professional development organization for K-12 teachers. This year she was honored with their Outstanding Outdoor Educator Award.
Glasscock has also served as President of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and in 2005 she received their Excellence in Wildlife Conservation, Educator of the Year Award. In 1993 she helped to found the chapter's Wildlife Conservation Camp, an intense week-long camp for high school students that is accomplished as a volunteer effort by members of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society. She remains active in the camp's leadership. At the national level, Glasscock serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for The Wildlife Society's professional publication The Wildlife Professional. She has served on The Wildlife Society's Conservation Education Award Committee and currently serves in both the Public Conservation Education and Extension and Ethnic Gender and Diversity Working Groups. In 2004 she received The Wildlife Society's Jim McDonough Award for significant contributions to wildlife conservation through the implementation of new approaches and techniques.
She is a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club and serves on their Research, Education, and Outreach Committee. She helped co-found and continues to lead their national-level Conservation Across Boundaries® teacher education program, a grant-supported program that brings teachers from across the U.S. to Texas and Montana to learn science- and place-based conservation education techniques.
A native of Sonora, Glasscock has maintained close ties to Sul Ross, currently serving on the Alumni Board of Directors. She is one of two alumni board members serving on the Texas State University System's Chancellor's Committee of Alumni Outreach Liaisons.
She and her husband, B.C., whom she met and married while at Sul Ross, have two daughters; Audrey, who attended Sul Ross in 1998-99 and Jessica, a 2003 graduate who is completing her M.S. degree in Range and Animal Science.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, birding and hiking.
48 SUL ROSS STUDENTS NAMED TO WHO'S WHO"
Forty-eight Sul Ross State University students, 29 undergraduate and 19 graduate, have been selected for the 2008-2009 edition of “Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”
The annual publication recognizes those students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, attend college full-time and have been active in campus and/or community activities where they have displayed evidence of leadership qualities.
Qualified students are selected by a committee of Sul Ross faculty, staff and students appointed by the dean of Student Life for inclusion in the publication.
Students and their hometowns include: (*graduate student)
CLINTON, ILL.: Philip Frederick*
SHREWSBURY, MASS.: Nicolas Greiffenstein*
ALPINE: Andrew Berezin*, Catherine Brown*, Madeleine Cantu, Zachary Criddle, Renee Cummings, Jennifer Denton, Anierobi Ekweogwu*, Melissa Harmon-Jeffs*, Joan King, Julie Lejsal, John Price, Sara Schultz*, Ben Stringer, Melinda Valenzuela, Amalin Vincente
ARLINGTON: Frank Jones
CANUTILLO: Eduardo Ruiz, Cruz Tovar
CLINT: Joe Zepeda*
COMBINE: Kevin Ramler
COMFORT: Carrie Koennecke*
DELL CITY: Brandy Nicholas
DEL RIO: Mariana Viggato
EAGLE PASS: Rosario Escobar*
EL PASO: Fernando Acosta, Sarah Furtney*, Christine Gallardo, Marianne Kane*
FABENS: Martin Madrid
HARLINGEN: Thomas Shiller
HOUSTON: Clint Holsomback, Justin Ruthstrom
KERMIT: Stephanie Marshall
LA PORTE: Kelly Hotz
LUBBOCK: Odell Missildine, Gano Tubb*
MIDLAND: Rosalva Meraz*, Patrick Repman*
RIO GRANDE CITY: Roman Villareal*
SAN ANGELO: Jonathan Dyess*
SAN ANTONIO: Samantha Cohen, Lucia DeLaRosa, Joseph Dishron
SUGAR LAND: Alis a Lanning*, Monte Piper
TAYLOR: Casey Burkhart*
WELCH FOUNDATION AWARDS $60,000 GRANT TO SUL ROS CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT
The Welch Foundation of Houston has awarded a three-year, $60,000 Chemistry Departmental Research Grant to Sul Ross State University. The grant award will fund six undergraduate scholarships per year.
Two scholarships will be awarded in each of the second summer sessions, fall and spring semesters. In addition, the grant provides faculty stipends for summer research, equipment and travel. The grant will fund research from June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2012. Under terms of the grant, Sul Ross will supply a progress report by July 31 each year.
"We are grateful for the continuing support the Welch Foundation provides for chemistry students and programs at Sul Ross," noted President R. Vic Morgan in a letter to Norbert Dittrich, president of The Welch
Foundation.
"These grant funds have a significant impact on our students in chemistry, empowering them to utilize the principles of scientific research in their studies," the letter continued.
For more information, contact Dr. David Rohr, (432) 837-8167 or drohr@sulross.edu
SUL ROSS STUDENTS RECEIVE DEGREES AT FALL COMMENCEMENT
A total of 223 students, 136 from the Alpine Campus and 87 from Rio Grande College, were candidates for degrees during fall commencement exercises at Sul Ross State University.
Ceremonies were held Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Pete P. Gallego Center on the Alpine Campus and in the Uvalde High School Auditorium for RGC. Alpine campus graduates, their degrees and hometowns are listed below. Degree codes are as follows: AA-Associate of Applied Science; BA - Bachelor of Arts; BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration; BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts; BS - Bachelor of Science; Cert. - Certificate; MA - Master of Arts; MAg. - Master of Agriculture; MBA - Master of Business Administration; MEd - Master of Education; MS - Master of Science; VN - Vocational Nursing Certificate; cum laude, 3.5-3.69
grade point average; magna cum laude, 3.7-3.89; summa cum laude, 3.9-4.0.
MAGRATH, ALBERTA, CANADA: Dustin John Mandel, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies
COLOMBIA, SOUTH AMERICA: Nicolas Greiffenstein, MAg, Animal Science
OJINAGA, CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO: Elmer Castro, BA, History
YANGON, MYANMAR: Ya Da Nar, MEd, Education-General
BANGKOK, THAILAND: Sawit Sriwarom, MBA, Management
RIVERSIDE, CALIF.: Katherine Najar, MEd, Education-General
SAN DIEGO, CALIF.: Melinda L. Mayer, BS, Animal Science
WRAY, COLO.: Dawn R. Ramos, MEd, Reading Specialist
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.: Ann Stencil, BS, Natural Resource Managment
K. I. SAWYER AFB, MICH.: Samantha Lynn Sanders, MEd, Counseling
CARLSBAD, N.M.: Brandon Louis Althaus, BS, Animal Science
MANSFIELD, OHIO: Timothy Carl Mullet, MS, Biology
WINCHESTER, VA.: Maurice Gilbert Hamilton, MEd, Education-General
ALPINE: Roxane Aguilar, MEd, Educational Diagnostician; Elizabeth A. Baker,
BS, Geology; Jessica Nicole Brauch, Cert., Nursing; John Patrick Carrillo,
BA, Psychology; Juan R. Carrillo, MEd, Counseling; April Cobos, Cert.,
Nursing; Nora L. Franco, BA, General Studies, summa cum laude, Cert., Office
Systems; Benito Juan Gallego, MEd, Education-General; Brenda Gallegos, BA,
Span ish; Kelli Kristine Griffin, Cert., Nursing; David B. King, Cert.,
Nursing; Carizamae Mendoza, Cert., Nursing; Chelsae Marie Millican, Cert.,
Nursing; Sophie L. Molinar, BA, General Studies; Jaime O. Rojo, BS,
Kinesiology and Sports Science; Anabell Sartain, BS, Criminal Justice;
Cynthia Stein, MEd, School Administration; Benjamin Thomas Stringer, BA,
Music; Eduardo F. Vega, BA, General Studies
ANDREWS: Leonel P. Carrasco, BS, Industrial Technology
AUSTIN: Kenneth D. Furr, BBA, Business Administration
BIG LAKE: Lesley Casarez, MEd, Counseling
BIG SPRING: B. Tiffany Roman, BS, Biology; Angela Kay Woolley, MEd, School
Administration
BROWNSVILLE: Kristina Michelle Alaniz, BS, Animal Science, AA, Veterinary
Technology
CANUTILLO: Cruz A. Tovar, BA, Psychology
CASTROVILLE: Warren W. Haby, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies
CHRISTOVAL: Morgan Angelika Hope Johnson, BA, Psychology
COYANOSA: Guadalupe Cristal Gonzalez, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies
CROSBY: Jennifer Jewel Merryman, BA, Psychology, summa cum laude
CROSBYTON: Marsha D'Lynn Leach, MEd, Counseling
CUERO: Benjamin L. Ahrens, BS, Kinesiology and Sports Science
DARROUZETT: Jessica Lynn Weinette, MEd, Reading Specialist
EAGLE PASS: Claudia Alexandra Guajardo, BA, Spanish
EDGEWOOD: Paul C. Rush, BA, Spanish
EL PASO: Salvador Casas III, MEd, School Administration; Joann Cereceres,
BS, Criminal Justice; Thomas M. De La Cruz, MEd, School Administration;
Anthony J. Delgado, MEd, School Administration; Elizabeth Dominguez, MEd,
Counseling; Corina Fernandez, MBA, Management; Mariela Fierro, MEd,
Counseling; Marcella M. Gomez, MEd, Counseling; Jennifer Crystal Harder, BS,
Kinesiology and Sports Science; Matthew Holochwost, Cert., Nursing; Marianne
E. Kane, MEd, Counseling; Crissy F. Matamoros, MEd, Counseling; Una Bennetta
Millan, MEd, Counseling; Marisela Morales, MEd, Counseling; Roy Mullins, BS,
Industrial Technology; Yesenia L. Samaniego, MEd, Counseling; Juan C.
Sanchez, BS, Kinesiology and Sports Science; Christine Peschka Santillan,
MEd, Reading Specialist; Leslie Valero, MEd, Counseling; Andrew Davis
Werner, MEd, School Administration
FABENS: Stacy Marie Macias, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies
FORT DAVIS: Amy Caroline Crawley, MA, Liberal Arts; Billy Joe Davis, MA,
Art; Elizabeth R. Donaldson, BS, Biology; Curtis Ray Pittman, MEd, School
Administration
FORT STOCKTON: Lisa T. Tarango, MS, Criminal Jusitce
FORT WORTH: Michael Louis Raynaud, MS, Biology; Dana E. Taylor, BA, General
Studies, magna cum laude;
FREDERICKSBURG: Michael Nicole Martin, MAg, Animal Science
FRIENDSWOOD: Larry Dean Smith, MA, Liberal Arts
GATESVILLE: Alice Harris, BS, Animal Science
GEORGE WEST: Jerardo J. Morin, BA, General Studies
HARPER: Jeffrey A. Fisher, BA, General Studies
HOUSTON: Krishelle A. Brown, BA, General Studies; Kathleen N. Galindo, BS,
Animal Science;
IMPERIAL: Jose Luis Martinez, BS, Kinesiology and Sports Science
IRA: Jay Waller, MEd, School Administration
IRAAN: Melissa L. Hanna, MEd, Counseling
KARNES CITY: Rebecca Sue Porter, BS, Animal Science
KERRVILLE: Angelo Guy Falzarano, BS, Geology
LAMPASAS: Jeremy Lynn Brown, BS, Kinesiology and Sports Science
LOCKHART: Jacob Castillo, BS, Criminal Justice
LUBBOCK: Odell D. Missildine, BA, History
MARATHON: Rosa Maria Uranga Aguilar, Cert., Office Systems; Roxanne
Olvera-Siefken, BA, Psychology
MARFA: Joan Cobb, MS, Criminal Justice; Shanna Y. Elmore, BA, Communication;
Zorayma Gallegos, MEd, Reading Specialist; Marissa Rey Gomez, BA, General
Studies; Rosalinda Gutierrez, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies, cum laude;
James M. Scott, BA, Theatre; Stephanie R. Upshaw, Cert., Nursing
MIDLAND: Amme Lea Cole, MA, Political Science-Public Administration; Leah
Kristina Duran, MS, Biology; Skye L. Farris, BS, Biology; Debra A. Ferris,
BS, Natural Resource Management; Patrick John Repman, MA, Political
Science-Public Administration; Cody S. Womack, BS, Animal Science
NEW BRAUNFELS: Bela Timothy Awbrey II, BS, Criminal Justice
ODESSA: Shawn Scott, BBA, Business Administration
PEARLAND: Julie Alicia Lejsal, BS, Animal Science, cum laude
PECOS: Precilla Chacon Levario, Bs, Criminal Justice
PLUM GROVE: Ross S. Shefflield, AA, Farrier Technology
PORT ARTHUR: Newdrian Thomas, AA, Veterinary Technology
PRESIDIO: Hector E. Chacon, BA, Spanish; Gloria V. Grado, BS, Criminal
Justice; Alonso C. Hernandez, Ba, Spanish; Alcee M.C. Tavarez II, BA,
General Studies; Rogelio A. Zubia, MEd, Counseling
RIO GRANDE CITY: Roman F. Villarreal, Jr., MA, Political Science
ROGERS: Todd A. Overstreet, MA, Liberal Arts
SAN ANGELO: Clint Hall, BS, Natural Resource Management; Shera Patterson
Welch, MEd, Educational Diagnostician
SAN ANTONIO: Philip Joseph Kennedy, BA, General Studies; Todd William
Krueger, BA, General Studies; Elizabeth Elaine Lewis, BA, General Studies;
Brian M. Mireles, BFA, Art; Danielle Aguilar Vega, BBA, Business
Administration; Brendan Witt, MS, Range and Wildlife Management
SEGUIN: Jayme B. Raney, AA, Veterinary Technology
SEMINOLE: Raeanne Villalva, BS, Kinesiology and Sports Science
STRAWN: Joshua Aaron Popham, BS, Natural Resource Management
TAHOKA: Regina Ingle, MEd, Counseling
TORNILLO: Luis Cardiel, BS, Kinesiology and Sports Science; Lorena Isabel
Molinar, MEd, Counseling
VAN HORN: Joyce Sanchez, BS, Interdisciplinary Studies; Daisy Diane Tarango,
MEd, Counseling
WELLMAN: Juan Salgoado, AA, Farrier Technology
RIO GRANDE COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE DEGREES AT FALL COMMENCEMENT
87 from Rio Grande College, were candidates for degrees during fall commencement exercises at Sul Ross State University.
Ceremonies were held Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Uvalde High School Auditorium for RGC. Rio Grande College graduates, their degrees and hometowns are listed below. Degree codes are as follows: AA-Associate of Applied Science; BA - Bachelor of Arts; BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration; BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts; BS - Bachelor of Science; Cert. - Certificate; MA - Master of Arts; MAg. - Master of Agriculture; MBA - Master of Business Administration; MEd - Master of Education; MS - Master of Science; VN - Vocational Nursing Certificate; cum laude, 3.5-3.69 grade point average; magna cum laude, 3.7-3.89; summa cum laude, 3.9-4.0.
BATESVILLE: Michelle Lee Cerna, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies
BIG WELLS: Jose C. Juarez, MEd, School Administration
CARRIZO SPRINGS: Cassandra Oyervides Gonzales, MEd, Reading Specialist;
Bianca M. Hernandez, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Leticia Angelita
Pichardo, BA, Psychology; Misty Leigh Walden, BA, Social Science
CRYSTAL CITY: Martha I. Astran, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Cruz Mata,
MEd, Counseling; Marta Alicia Saucedo-Salazar, BA, Interdisciplinary
Studies-Nursing; Barbara A. Urrabazo, MEd, Counseling
DEL RIO: Sonia Adan-Medina, BS, Criminal Justice; Jose Elias Castaneda, BS,
Mathematics; Harmandina Dominguez, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies, cum laude;
Samuel Garcia, MEd, Counseling; Diana C. Herrera Garza, BA,
Interdisciplinary Studies; Diana Herrera Iniguez, BS, Criminal Justice;
Laura A. Limon, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Jacqueline Lockett, BA,
Social Science, cum laude; Janna Montoya, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies;
Silvia Mireya Ojeda, BA, Social Science; Veronica V. Perez, MEd, General
Education; Ana Mariela Garza Ramon, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Erika D.
Reyes, BS, Criminal Justice; Amanda Padilla Ruiz, BA, Interdisciplinary
Studies, cum ladue; Daniel Sanchez, BS, Criminal Justice; Ana Luiza
Sandoval, BA, English; Michele Marie Smith, MEd, School Administration;
Jennifer Lynn Sunderland, BS, Biology, cum laude; Vanessa Ann Valdez, BA,
Interdisciplinary Studies; Diana M. Villanueva, BA, Interdisciplinary
Studies; Roxana Yanez, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies
EAGLE PASS: Julie A. Alvarez, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Jeannie M.
Benavides, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Sofia Canales, BA,
Interdisciplinary Studies; Silvia E. Chavarria, MEd, School Administration;
Ana Lucia Cruz-Oca, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Dora Cumpian, MEd,
Counseling; Veronica Flores, BA, Spanish; Victoria Carolina Garcia, BS,
Criminal Justice; Alma D. Gonzalez, MEd, School Administration; Diana
Gonzalez, BS, Criminal Justice; Gustavo Gonzalez, BA, Spanish; Daniel
Herrera, BBA, Management Information Systems; Maria A. Lujan, BA,
Interdisciplinary Studies; Erica V. Mancha, BA, Social Science; Erica Lizeth
Mata, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Sonia Neave, BA, Psychology; Brenda
Magaly Pacheco, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Diana Ramirez, BS, Criminal
Justice; Roberto O. Ramon, BA, History; Rosa Argentina Garcia Renteria, BA,
Interdisciplinary Studies; Sara Reyeros, BA, Spanish; Nora Elizabeth Robles,
BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Josie Rodriguez, BA, Interdisciplinary
Studies; Michelle Lee Torres, BA, English, summa cum laude; Graciela
Villalobos, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies, cum laude; Liza Villarreal, BA,
Interdisciplinary Studies; Celia M. Villasenor, MEd, School Administration;
Amelia Zambrano, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies
HONDO: Yvonne Rivera, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies, magna cum laude;
Melinda Ann Santillano, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Elizabeth Bernadette
Vernon, BS, Criminal Justice
KNIPPA: Norma Jean Hill, MEd, General Education
LA PRYOR: Amanda Lea Dockal, MEd, General Education; Lorena McHazlett Lopez,
MEd, Counseling
PEARSALL: Elizabeth Gutierrez, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies
QUEMADO: Brenda Lyn Dickerson, BS, Mathematics
SAN ANTONIO: Lorie Rea Compton, MEd, Reading Specialist; Fernando Delgado,
BA, Social Science; Chad Del Gee, MEd, School Administration
UVALDE: Melissa Ann Alvarado, MEd, General Education; Donna Axline, BA,
Social Science; Victoriano Rodriguez Canales II, BS, Criminal Justice; Ali
Coronado, BA, Psychology; Elsa M. De Hoyos, MEd, Counseling; Rosana Espadas,
MEd, Counseling; Elsa Garcia, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Priscilla
Marie Trevino Garza, BA, Interdisciplinary Studies; Chelsea Rose Harden, BA,
Psychology, cum laude; Elizabeth R. Hernandez, BA, Psychology, cum laude;
Blanca R. Juarez, BA, Spanish; Margot H. Mata, MEd, Counseling; Ismelda
Garcia Oyervides Casas, MEd, School Administration; Silvia Lozano Polanco,
MEd, Counseling; April Susanne Ruhmann, MBA, Business Administration; Sonia
Ramon, BA, Psychology
MEIXNER ‘72 ENJOYS RETIREMENT IN THE HILL COUNTRY
 Upon completion of a BBA degree at Sul Ross in 1972, Wilda Meixner received an MBA from Southwest Texas State (now Texas State at San Marcos) in 1975 and a Ph.D. in Accounting from Texas A&M University in 1985. Along the way, she taught as an instructor at Southwest Texas State and Texas A&M and as a tenure track faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio before returning to SWT for the remainder of her career. Dr. Meixner retired in December of 2007 after 30 years in the classroom.
During that time, Dr. Meixner published 16 peer-reviewed articles in such journals as The Accounting Review, Research in Governmental and Non-profit Accounting and Behavioral Research in Accounting, presented numerous papers at professional meetings, provided continuing education courses for various public accounting groups, served on editorial boards and received several research grants. She was active in, and served in numerous officer positions with, professional organizations such as the American Accounting Association, Texas Society of CPAs, and Southwestern Federation of Administrative Disciplines (now the Federation of Business Disciplines). In addition, Dr. Meixner was instrumental in the approval and implementation of the Master of Accountancy degree at Texas State in 1993. In 2000, she was appointed by the Texas Commissioner of Insurance (a former student) to serve on the Texas Life, Accident, Health & Hospital Service Insurance Guaranty Board where she currently serves as board vice-chair and chairs the Audit Committee.
Dr. Meixner's honors include Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Beta Alpha Psi National Accounting Fraternity, and Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. During her career, she helped to mentor numerous students with many of them going on to successful careers in the practice of accounting as well as academic careers of their own.
She has retired to the Hill Country (Horseshoe Bay near Marble Falls) where she serves as treasurer for several non-profit organizations. Her favorite pastime these days is trail riding with her son Mike's best roping horse, Frosty.
SUL ROSS EMPLOYEES HONORED FOR ACCIDENT-FREE PERFORMANCE
Seventeen Sul Ross State University employees were recognized Dec. 17 for five, 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of safe work records. Over the past 35 years that Sul Ross has maintained safety records, the number of accidents have been reduced more than 50 percent, largely through training and emphasis on the importance of safety in the workplace. Accidents averaged 19 per year (188 total) during the first 10 years of record-keeping; 13 annually (128) during the second 10 years; and 10 (97) during the third 10-year period. In the past five years, 36 accidents have been reported, or seven per year.
2008 safety award recipients include:
35 years: Cora M. Chavez, Wildenthal Library.
30 years: Maggie Miller, University Center.
25 years: Manuel M. Carrillo, Physical Plant.
20 years: Juan V. Yniquez, Physical Plant.
10 years: Noe G. Hernandez, Purchasing; Rose Mancha, Physical Plant;
John B. Rayburn, Information Technology; Dora Rojo, Upward Bounds; James C.
Senneff, Controller's Office; Estella Vega, Gear Up Grant.
5 years: Florence J. Garza, Archives of the Big Bend; Tammy L.
Jamison, Administrative Services: Elizabeth M. Kim, Education; Merced H.
Muniz, Physical Plant; Sam G. Orona, Physical Plant; Tim D. Parsons,
Information Technology; Joyce Robinson, Professional Studies.
 Employees honored include: (seated, from left): Joyce Robinson, Professional Studies,
5 years;. Florence Garza, Archives of the Big Bend, 5 years; Estella Vega,
Gear Up Grant, 10 years; Maggie Miller, University Center, 30 years; Tammy
Jamison, Administrative Services, 5 years. (Standing): Juan Yniquez,
Physical Plant, 20 years; James Senneff, Controller's Office, 10 years; John
Rayburn, Information Technology, 10 years; Tim Parsons, Information
Technology, 5 years; Manuel Carrillo, Physical Plant, 25 years. Not pictured
are: Cora Chavez, Wildenthal Library, 35 years; Noe Hernandez, Purchasing,
10 years; Rose Mancha, Physical Plant, 10 years; Dora Rojo, Upward Bound, 10
years; Elizabeth Kim, Education, 5 years; Merced Muniz, Physical Plant, 5
years; and Sam Orona, Physical Plant, 5 years. (Photo by Steve Lang)
In Memoriam
Miriam Lowrance
Miriam Lowrance, 93, retired Sul Ross State University faculty member, died Nov. 5, 2008, in Boerne. Funeral services were held Nov. 10 at the First United Methodist Church, Alpine.
She was born March 20, 1915 in Belton. She graduated from Vernon High School (1932) and received a B.A. (1935) from Mary Hardin-Baylor College (now University of Mary Hardin-Baylor). She earned an M.A. (1936) from Texas Woman's University and also did additional graduate studies there.
She taught in the Brownwood I.S.D. (1953-59) and at Howard Payne College (now University) from 1959-63, prior to joining the Sul Ross faculty in 1963 as an associate professor and chair of the Art Department. She retired in 1984.
Mrs. Lowrance was recognized as an expert in prehistoric rock art and wrote “Rock Art of Brewster County,” a four-volume work published in 1982 by the El Paso Archaeological Society. She photographed, recorded and drew the pictographs and petroglyphs she located during her career. She also presented papers at numerous conferences and meetings.
She was nominated four times (1976, 1977, 1978, 1982) for the Minnie Stevens Foundation Piper Professor Awards and was a finalist for the first Sul Ross Outstanding Teaching Award in 1983.
At Sul Ross, she taught painting, weaving, ceramics, jewelry, advertising art and art education. When she arrived, she was the only art faculty member, teaching 49 students in eight classes.
She married Glenn Lowrance, Sr. On Aug. 29, 1939. The couple lived in Alpine for over 40 years before declining health dictated a move to the Town and Country Manor in Boerne in 2006. Mr. Lowrance died June 19, 2008. A son, Sammy, died in 1978.
She is survived by two sons, Glenn, Jr., Alpine; and Lt. Col. (ret.) Lynn M. (Barbara) Lowrance, Fair Oaks Ranch near San Antonio; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Harley May
Harley May, a Sul Ross State University graduate and a founder of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) died Tuesday, Oct. 28 at his home in Santa Ana, Calif., from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was 82
A private memorial service was planned by his family. A memorial will also be held Dec. 10 at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev.
May, a 1951 graduate, was a three-time NIRA All-Around Cowboy (1949-51), leading the Sul Ross rodeo team to the first three consecutive NIRA titles. He entered the professional rodeo circuit and won three world steer wrestling championships (1952, 1956, 1965), and remained a top qualifier in the event for three decades. He was a charter member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Hall of Fame, inducted in 1979.
He was a recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1987 and served as Sul Ross Rodeo coach from 1995-98. He and his wife, Lynn also raised Paint horses while living in Alpine. They moved to Santa Ana in 2007.
May was born June 2, 1926 in Deming, N.M. He competed in youth rodeo events from the age of 11 and after graduating from Deming High School in 1943, served three years in the Army Air Corps. After his discharge in 1946, May enrolled at New Mexico A&M College (now New Mexico State University), then transferred to Sul Ross in 1949. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Range Animal Husbandry.
He served as president of the NIRA while at Sul Ross, and was also active in leadership of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, serving four terms as president. In 1959, he organized and chaired the PRCA's first National Finals Rodeo in Dallas. He later served as chairman of the Competition Committee.
During his professional career, May was the first to place in the top 15 in all seven rodeo events at one time or another. He won 44 saddles and more than 200 buckles.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn; a brother, Ross, Deming, N.M.; a sister, Norma Gaby, Tucson, Ariz.; a half-sister, Madelieine Hutchins, Aztec, N.M.; his stepmother, Elizabeth May, Aztec, N.M.; and numerous extended family members.
Raymond Sanders
Raymond Sanders, 81, Nov. 3 in Westminster, Colo. A 1958 Howard Payne University graduate, he was a long-time minister along the Rio Grande. Prior to that, he was pastor of Central Church in Brownwood, where he was ordained in 1958; First Church in Fort Hancock; and First Church in Van Horn. After completing language studies at Mexican Baptist Bible Institute in San Antonio, he and his wife became Texas River Ministry missionaries. In 1969, he became director of missions for Big Bend Association, where he served until his retirement in 1990. His last 10 years as director of missions, he added to his responsibilities the directorship of the Sul Ross University Baptist Student Ministry. While serving along the Rio Grande, he started 16 churches. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan, earlier this year. He is survived by his daughters, Brenda Sanders and Kathy Beach; sons, Larry and Kenneth; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Dr. Larry Sechrest
Dr. Larry Sechrest, a member of the Sul Ross State University faculty since 1990, died at his home Thursday, Oct. 30 of an apparent heart attack. He was 62.
Family and friends will held a memorial service Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 2:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre, Francois Fine Arts Building.
Sechrest, a professor of Business Administration, was born Oct. 12, 1946 in Detroit, Mich. He later moved with his family to Arlington, Texas. He received a B.A. (1968) in History; an M.A. (1985) in Economics; and a Ph.D. (1990) in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.
He was an instructor in Economics at UT-Arlington before coming to Sul Ross.
Sechrest was widely published in economics journals, wrote a book, titled "Free Banking," and was a member of several Who's Who organizations. He was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and was a frequent panelist and featured speaker at the annual Austrian Scholars Conference, hosted by Auburn University's Ludwig von Mises Institute.
He is survived by his wife, Molly, and two children from a former marriage.
Dr. Jesus Tofoya
Sul Ross State University faculty member Dr. Jesus L. Tafoya, 47, passed away at his family home in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico on Monday, October 6, 2008 following a lengthy illness.
Tafoya, associate professor of Spanish, joined the Sul Ross faculty in 2000. He received the Outstanding Teaching Award in 2004 and published several books of poetry. He also served as director of the Mexican American Studies program at Sul Ross and presented papers on Mexican culture and cuisine at both national and international conferences.
He received his B.A. (1984) and M.A. (1987) from the University of Texas at El Paso and his Ph.D. (1994) from the University of New Mexico.
A campus memorial service, planned by the Department of Language and Literature, is to be announced.
The Sul Ross State University Music Program known as Bach's Lunch recital at noon on Friday, October 10 was a music program tribute to Tafoya, who was a friend of the music program and a supporter of arts and humanities.
A memorial Mass was held the evening of Sunday October 12 at Nuestro Señor de la Misericordia church in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua.
Victor Santana Villarreal '53
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Sul Ross State University