2013 Spring Plugged In

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FA C U LT Y & S TA F F N E W S L E T T E R

MUSICAL CHAIRS AHEAD FOR WSC GIFTS ENHANCE HEREFORD CAMPUS PROF. EMERITUS RECEPTION SET COMMON READER NOW AVAILABLE

S P R I N G 2013 VOLUME V

J O I N

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C O M M E N C E M E N T

You Will Be Inspired

ur favorite event of the year at AC is fast approaching. On Friday evening May 10, thousands of people will join us in the Cal Farley Coliseum at the Amarillo Civic Center to celebrate the tradition of graduation. We once again have the privilege of honoring our graduates who OH]L Z\JJLZZM\SS` LHYULK [OLPY JLY[PĂ„JH[LZ HUK KLNYLLZ (approximately 850). If you have never attended an AC commencement, I encourage you to join us this year. You will be inspired.

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Occasionally I have the opportunity to participate in a truly historic AC event. Such an event occurred on April 29 when a group of AC faculty and administrators hosted four Highland Park seniors and their parents for dinner. In a pilot program begun four years ago when they were in the ninth grade, these seniors (three 18-year olds and one 17-year old) have all earned an AC associate in general studies degree. They will enroll as juniors at their respective universities in the fall. Future occupations of these bright graduates are dentist, attorney, engineer and veterinarian. I don’t believe I have ever had the privilege of being around a more impressive group of young people. The 83rd Texas Legislature will adjourn May 27. What a KPɈLYLUJL [^V `LHYZ THRLZ 3HZ[ ZLZZPVU [OL 3LNPZSH[\YL ^HZ KLHSPUN ^P[O H IPSSPVU Z[H[L KLĂ„JP[ I` LUHJ[PUN draconian budget cuts to all state agencies including community colleges. AC was handed a $6.1 million reduction for this biennium. This session the State has an $8 billion surplus with W\ISPJ ZJOVVS Ă„UHUJL H T\JO ULLKLK Z[H[L ^H[LY WSHU transportation, and Medicaid leading the way as priorities. >P[O TVYL TVUL` PU Z[H[L JVɈLYZ [OPZ ZLZZPVU SLNPZSH[VYZ have been much more congenial with relatively few partisan clashes.

The budget bills have gone to conference committee for reconciliation. We’re lobbying our legislators to support the Senate budget version which restores more community JVSSLNL M\UKPUN HUK H ZWSP[ MVY ILULĂ„[Z OLHS[O insurance and retirement) between the State and local colleges. We won’t get anywhere near restoration of all reductions from last session, but we would see a funding increase under the current Senate budget. Meanwhile, our own Cabinet continues work on balancing the AC budget for 2013-2014. What a wonderful gentleman we honored as our 2013 AC Distinguished Alumnus—Allen Durrett. Mr. Durrett addressed our students at Honors Convocation last month with remarks which were engaging, fun, witty, humorous, and pertinent. He especially was impressed with the variety of academic and technical programs represented by our “best and brightestâ€? students. Finally, much progress is being made on our new Moore County Campus Career & Technical Building in Dumas which will open in August 2013, and our new Hinkson Memorial Campus in Hereford, which will be inaugurated in January 2014. So far, our Campaign for Hereford has yielded about $650,000 including a $315,000 matching grant from the Sybil B. Harrington Fund. The close of another academic year is fast approaching, but there will be no rest in our quest to live out our No Excuses plan of helping every student to succeed and to complete their programs of study.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to our AC vision: “We aspire for every student at AC to have a success story.�

B E V E R L Y

D E

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B R E T O N N E

Named Professor Emeritus t is by strings that Beverly de la Bretonne has been attached to Amarillo College since 1979. It is by action of the Board of Regents that the veteran violinist will be bound to our school in perpetuity.

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For her 25 years of excellence as a fulltime member of the music faculty, and for continued part-time service all these years since her retirement in 2004, Beverly, who was instrumental in helping establish the highly prized AC Suzuki Program, has been named Professor Emeritus.

Beverly de la Bretonne has her Professor Emeritus photograph made by Art Gray of Gray’s Studio on Sixth Street.

Faculty Senate cordially invites you to a reception honoring

Beverly de la Bretonne Professor Emeritus

The Faculty Senate submitted her nomination at the March meeting of the Board of Regents and it was unanimously approved. The Senate will sponsor a reception in her honor from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8th at the CUB. “I am truly delighted that Beverly is being honored this way,” Dr. Paul Matney said. “She has made enormous contributions to the Music Department, and her devotion to students, to colleagues and to this College has been evident throughout her illustrious career.” Beverly joined the AC faculty in 1979 to teach violin, viola HUK Å\[L HUK [V ^VYR ^P[O [OL ÅLKNSPUN :\a\RP 7YVNYHT She also taught Freshman Theory and Ear-training. Upon her retirement in 2004, she was asked to return on a part-time basis and did just that.

Lecturer Recalls Rocks, Hard Places

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm College Union Building 2nd Floor Lobby

Today she is in her 34th year playing violin with the Amarillo Symphony, and continues as music director of the Suzuki Program. “This has been the best of the best places to work, my home away from home,” Beverly said. “This College and so many people in so many departments have been incredibly supportive. “It’s been such a joy watching so many young people come into [OPZ WYVNYHT HUK [OLU NV VɈ HUK ILJVTL NYLH[ WLVWSL PU HSS walks of life and, in many cases, great artists.”

Perhaps no one has authored a more aptly named book than Aron Ralston, whose Between a Rock and a Hard Place, describes how he was forced to amputate his own arm to get free from a boulder that held him trapped for Ä]L M\SS KH`Z 9HSZ[VU Z\IQLJ[ VM [OL (JHKLT` (^HYK UVTPUH[LK ÄST 127 Hours (2010), was the featured speaker for AC’s 2013 installment of the Distinguished Lecture Series. The outdoorsman, having added motivational speaking to his repertoire, delivered his lecture March 5 at the GlobeNews Center for the Performing Arts. The event included a book-signing of what became one of the best-selling autobiographies of all time.

The Student Services/Student Activities crew hosted Aron Ralson (center) during his visit to AC on March 5th.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is orchestrated each year by AC’s Student Government Association, and this year about 750 attended the event and approximately $5,000 was raised for student scholarships.

LET THERE BE

LITE Almost 300 generous patrons turned out April 26th for the LITE Luncheon at the Amarillo Civic Center, where some 180 items were quietly sold at the silent auction.

Brenda Rossnagel, director of disAbility Services stands alongside mistress of ceremonies Jackie Kingston, news anchor for KAMR.

That, along with ticket sales, a YHÉŠL HUK V[OLY KVUH[PVUZ OLSWLK raise approximately $17,000 for scholarships so vital to students served by disAbility Services.

Heather Atchley of Student Activities is joined by Mark White of the AC Foundation Board.

Since 2003, such scholarships have been awarded to 329 students. Brenda Rossnagel, program director, said more than 50 students have already applied for LITE scholarships for classes next fall.

Tracy Dougherty of the AC Foundation and April Sessler of Student Services share a moment.

Lacy Mueggenborg and Andy Thorne lend support from the Hereford Campus.

Jennifer Ashcraft, Teresa Clemons and Sarah Davis represent the Division of Planning and Advancement.

Spring Dominoes Portend Summer of Musical Chairs

Formerly known as Building L, the Manufacturing Education Center at the East Campus has everything from new windows and restrooms to a new elevator.

ith the Music Building on the verge of completion, the last of Dutton Hall’s nomadic inhabitants soon will pack up and head for home.

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The dominoes will start falling fast after that, and folks on the Washington Street Campus will begin a summer of musical chairs. Bruce Cotgreave, director of the physical plant, says music MHJ\S[` HUK Z[HɈ ^PSS YL[\YU [V [OL YLUV]H[LK 4\ZPJ )\PSKPUN this summer. Moreover, nobody else will be asked to set up temporary quarters in what has served as the Washington Street way station the past few years. The next tenants in Dutton Hall will be permanent. Conceptual drawings are already in the works for Dutton, future home of the Dean of Arts and Sciences and the Education Department.

With a few finishing touches, the Choir and Band Rooms at the Music Building will have fresh, new looks.

be leak-proof. All-new infrastructure and sound-proof practice rooms are among the other highlights. Renovations to Lynn Library wrap up this summer, too, which TLHUZ ÄYZ[ ÅVVY VɉJLZ VM [OL =PJL 7YLZPKLU[ VM (JHKLTPJ (ɈHPYZ ^PSS TV]L [V [OL HSS UL^ ZLJVUK ÅVVY 6[OLYZ VU [OL TV]L [OPZ Z\TTLY ^PSS IL )\ZPULZZ (ɈHPYZ College Relations, and Purchasing, all moving from the Student Service Center to the newly walled-in spaces at the base of Parcells Hall and/or Byrd Business Building. Elsewhere, massive changes to Building L (now called the Manufacturing Education Center) at the East Campus will be complete this summer. And the new Technical Training Center for the Moore County Campus is on schedule to open in time for fall classes.

Meanwhile, the Music Department’s revamped quarters will at long last meet Americans with Disabilities standards and

No Mere Walk in the (Highland) Park Jason Norman, right, director of advising, congratulates Myles Smith, one of four Highland Park seniors who earned degrees through AC’s Dual +LNYLL 7YVNYHT -VY ILJVTPUN [OL ÄYZ[ Z[\KLU[Z [V Z\JJLZZM\SS` JVTWSL[L the rigorous process, each will receive an associate degree in general studies during Spring Commencement at 7 p.m. Friday, May 10 at the Civic Center. Additionally, the quartet was honored at a dinner April 29th at the Amarillo Club, where each received medallions of achievement.

A C P D

E S T A B L I S H E S

Emergency Operations Center

Corporal Darryl Moore says the new Emergency Operations Center in Durrett Hall is ready in the event of a crisis situation. HUHNPUN HU PUZ[P[\[PVUHS JYPZPZ LɉJPLU[S` PZ WHY[PJ\SHYS` challenging because the really big emergencies seldom actually arise; we rarely have an opportunity to practice the real thing—not that anyone’s complaining.

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time activity within locations less-frequently patrolled — the Downtown Campus and Community Link.

But this puts the onus squarely on preparation, and fortunately [OL (* 7VSPJL +LWHY[TLU[ OHZ P[Z Ă„UNLYWYPU[Z HSS V]LY [OH[ essentiality.

(SZV [OPZ ZLTLZ[LY HSS (*7+ VɉJLYZ JVTWSL[LK [OL 5H[PVUHS Incident Management System training program, which is advocated by the Department of Homeland Security. And (*7+ PU 4HYJO W\[ [OL ÄUPZOPUN [V\JOLZ VU HU ,TLYNLUJ` 6WLYH[PVUZ *LU[LY ,6* PU ^OH[ OHK ILLU [OL VɉJL VM [OL former chief. It’s a secure communications hub from which the Threat Response Team, led by the president, can assess and administer an actual crisis situation.

The ACPD has been especially active in that regard during a semester marked by notable upgrades in technology, acrossthe-board departmental training, and establishment of an Emergency Operations Center. With welcome assistance from Information Technology, ACPD acquired new video equipment for tracking news and weather events. And a new monitor lets ACPD personnel observe real-

“We’ve made great strides in the Department and we’re continually moving ahead,â€? said Corporal Darryl Moore, JYPTL WYL]LU[PVU JVVYKPUH[VY ¸>LÂťYL W\[[PUN H SV[ VM LɈVY[ into preventing emergencies from occurring, and preparing to manage them to the best of our ability should they occur.â€?

FOP Eyes Issues of Social Security (* WVSPJL VɉJLY 9VILY[ ;H`SVY PZ UK ]PJL WYLZPKLU[ ^P[O [OL ;L_HZ :[H[L 3VKNL VM [OL -YH[LYUHS 6YKLY VM Police (FOP). He says a top priority of FOP is support of the Social Security Fairness Act, a meaningful issue for the publically employed. ¸;OL -67 PZ ^VYRPUN PU JVUQ\UJ[PVU ^P[O V[OLY W\ISPJ LTWSV`LL NYV\WZ Z\JO HZ Ă„YLĂ„NO[LYZ HUK LK\JH[VYZ to ensure we all get a fair shake come retirement,â€? said Taylor, who many times has traveled far to broach this and other topics with congressional leaders. The FOP contends reform is necessary because inequities in the current system penalize those public employees who have previously worked or will later work in jobs that deduct for social security. ¸;OPZ HɈLJ[Z H SV[ VM \Z ^OV ^VYR H[ (* š OL ZHPK

FACULTY & STAFF

Accolades Shelton Tabbed for Professional Advisory Role ickie Shelton, director of purchasing, has been selected to serve on an advisory committee to work with the new director of cooperative purchasing with the Texas Association of Community Colleges. She was selected from a statewide group of nominees based on her expertise and experience.

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Vickie Shelton

AC Holds Line on Tuition, Approves Modest Fee Increases C Regents agreed March 26th to hold the line on tuition while approving two modest fee increases beginning next MHSS·VUL VM ^OPJO ^PSS HɈLJ[ VUS` HIV\[ percent of the student body.

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Regents approved increases of $3 per credit hour in the General Fee, and $2 per credit hour in the Out-of-District Fee. All of AC’s more than 10,000 students are subject to the General Fee, which will rise from $23 to $26, per semester credit hour, beginning next fall.

Dr. Jeanette Embrey, assistant professor of ADN, and Dr. Richard Pullen, professor of ADN, collaborated on a manuscript that has been accepted for publication in the May/June journal Nursing Made Incredibly Easy. It is titled “Weathering the Storm: Caring for a Patient in Thyroid Storm.” Dr. Pullen also had a manuscript accepted for the July/August issue of the same journal titled “Caring for a Patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).”

Approximately 70 percent of AC students reside within the Amarillo Junior College District, and they take an average of nine credit hours per semester, so most AC students will see a cost increase of no more than $27 next fall.

Unique prints created by René West, assistant professor of photography, were on display throughout April and until May 7th at Process Art House in Amarillo. The display, called “City Walls,” features close-up photos of the fragmental remnants of abandoned political and concert posters from 25 cities in 15 states.

The Out-of-District Fee applies to only 30 percent of AC students—those who reside outside the College District. That fee, which presently is $39 per semester credit hour, will be $41 for non-district residents who attend AC next fall.

The Board of Regents in April approved promotions for several members of the faculty. Promoted to assistant professor: Theresa Jiwa, English; Tamara Rhodes, vocational nursing; and Terry Tucker, instrumentation technology. Promoted to assistant professor: Michael Barnett, biological sciences; Ann Fry, interior design; and Dr. Deborah Harding, psychology. Promoted to associate professor: Dr. Claudie Biggers, biological sciences.

Combined, the fee increases are projected to produce about $700,000 in additional revenue, funds which will be used to support College operations aimed at student-success initiatives.

;OL ]PJL WYLZPKLU[ MVY HJHKLTPJ HɈHPYZ HUUV\UJLK (WYPS [O [OH[ Jill Gibson, assistant professor of mass communications, will join Judy Carter, retired professor of speech, as co-coordinators of the expanding Honors Program.

Tuition next fall will remain unchanged — $42 per credit hour for all Texas residents. The Texas Association of Community Colleges reports that the average cost of a credit hour for in-state students at Texas’ 50 public community colleges is $48.

Police Chief Steve Chance has been asked to contribute to an advisory board for the Texas School Safety Center to help develop standards and WYVJLK\YLZ MVY ZHML[` PU OPNOLY LK\JH[PVU ;OL PU]P[H[PVU PZ H YLÅLJ[PVU VM *OHUJL»Z LɈVY[Z [V W\[ (* PU JVTWSPHUJL ^P[O ;_::* Z[HUKHYKZ HUK NP]LZ the College a voice in the direction these standards will take.

Regents also added $10 to the cost of a credit hour for high school students pursuing dual credits at AC. Dual credit hours will increase from $40 to $50, beginning next fall.

Terry Tucker

Success Swift for Hereford Campus Capital Campaign

“The community of Hereford’s overwhelming support has been nothing short of heroic.” – Paul Matney three-pronged capital campaign to optimize the functionality of the new campus in Hereford has swiftly achieved its initial milestone.

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Taking full advantage of the EDA’s timely gift meant expanding the footprint of the new Hereford Campus right away, yet the grant contained no funds for additional bricks and mortar.

0U VUS` Ä]L TVU[OZ /LYLMVYK HYLH YLZPKLU[Z OH]L [HRLU advantage of naming opportunities in various portions of the new facility through contributions totaling more than $350,000.

“To make this work it fell to the community,” AC President Paul Matney said. “I could not be more pleased by the generous response from Hereford and from the Sybil B. Harrington Fund. 0[ PZ PUZWPYPUN OV^ [OLPY JVTIPULK LɈVY[Z OH]L LUZ\YLK V\Y HIPSP[` to expedite technical training while providing the kind of campus the Hereford community needs and deserves.”

;OL M\UKYHPZPUN LɈVY[ ^HZ SH\UJOLK PU HZZVJPH[PVU ^P[O H NYHU[ from the Sybil B. Harrington Fund, which pledged to match up to $315,000 in total gifts. Thus, Phase I of the campaign—to raise $630,000 for adding [^V [LJOUPJHS [YHPUPUN JSHZZYVVTZ [V [OL ÅLKNSPUN JHTW\Z·PZ now complete. “It happened very rapidly, much faster than I expected,” said Hereford Mayor Bob Josserand, who is spearheading the grassYVV[Z LɈVY[ PU JVUQ\UJ[PVU ^P[O [OL (* -V\UKH[PVU Phase I of the capital campaign was necessitated by a fortuitous opportunity that came Hereford’s way courtesy of the federal government.

That new campus is well under way in northwest Hereford. When it opens in 2014, its interior spaces will be christened in YLJVNUP[PVU VM [OL ILULÄJPHYPLZ ^OVZL NLULYV\Z JVU[YPI\[PVUZ made Phase I a success. Twelve donors so far will have their names attached to portions of the campus’s interior—from the community room to various labs and even the new technical-training classrooms. Meanwhile, Phases II and III of the Campaign for Hereford are well under way. Both were devised when it became clear that costs would exceed available funds.

;OL < : +LWHY[TLU[ VM *VTTLYJL UV[PÄLK (* SHZ[ :LW[LTILY that it had authorized a $1 million grant through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) solely for the purchase of technical-training equipment for the new Hereford campus.

The goal of Phase II is to raise $380,000 to complete the interiors and furnish six additional classrooms and labs—more naming opportunities. Phase III is a naming opportunity for architectural enhancement of the building’s front entrance. That project is valued at $180,000.

Unfortunately the original blueprint allowed for expansion to include technical-training facilities only when they were deemed HɈVYKHISL WLYOHWZ H ML^ `LHYZ KV^U [OL YVHK

“I am optimistic of the campaign’s ultimate success,” Dr. Matney said, “not only because it has gained traction so quickly, but because of the people in the community of Hereford.”

Durrett, Class of ’75, GIVEN ALUMNI AWARD SSLU +\YYL[[ HUK OPZ SHI WHY[ULY PU =LY[LIYH[L (UH[VT` ^LYL ZV VɈLUKLK by the relentless reek of formaldehyde that they surreptitiously doctored [OLPY HSSV[TLU[ VM [OL Z[\Ɉ ^P[O ]HUPSSH L_[YHJ[ HUK 6SK :WPJL

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Their covert enterprise was indelibly revealed just as the liquids conjoined; the proverbial cat bolted out of the bag as if mice were the dissection du jour. “Those three smells combined to immediately nauseate everyone in the whole lab,� said Durrett, a 1975 graduate of AC. “Professor Steve Dutton was not at all pleased by our little stunt, and I made my lowest grade at AC. “I realized that if the best I could make in that class was a C, medical school was probably out of the question. I think Professor Dutton is the reason I became a lawyer.� Durrett made A’s in every other class he took at AC and a lawyer he indeed became—at the University of Texas—but he also ascended to successful farmer and rancher, civic leader, and true-blue advocate of AC. These are among the attributes that made the partner in Durrett Cattle Company an easy choice to receive AC’s Distinguished Alumni Award for 2013.

A special event in honor of Durrett will be held next fall.

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Not only has he served on the boards of Harrington Cancer Center, St. Andrews Episcopal School, Amarillo Symphony and Amarillo Area Foundation, but he spent the bulk of the 1990s on the AC Foundation, including a stint as chairman.

P A R T N ER SH I P

C OOR DI N A T OR

Well-Traveled, Well-Intentioned

LɈ >HSSPJR [OL UL^ 0UK\Z[Y` 7HY[ULYZOPW Coordinator at East Campus, is a humble guy. When asked what he did before he came to AC he said, “Professional dishwasher.� Was there a massive computer error that let his application slip through the system?

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Jeff Wallick

7YVMLZZPVUHS KPZO^HZOLY PZ 1LɈ ZWLHR MVY account executive with the Golden Light ,X\PWTLU[ *V 3VNNPUN TPSLZ H ^LLR 1LɈ ZVSK HUK serviced Auto-Chlor machines in a 7,000-square-mile territory MYVT 3H 1\U[H *VSV [V =LYUVU ;L_HZ >P[O VUS` [^V YV\[L technicians for his 380 hotel and restaurant clients, he often found himself “swinging a wrenchâ€? for repairs or installations. /LYLÂťZ ZVTL 1LɈ ;YP]PH! /L W\[ TPSLZ VU [OL JVTWHU` truck in nine months. That’s a lot of driving. 1LɈ H[[LUKLK 9HUKHSS /PNO :JOVVS Âť HUK (* /L VI[HPULK a B.S. in Education (Social Studies Composites) from WTAMU PU /L [H\NO[ NYHKLZ MVY Ă„]L `LHYZ PU )VYNLY HUK

Amarillo, and even spent three years teaching at the Universal American School of Kuwait, travelling through the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia and Northern Europe during his vacations. That’s a lot of travelling. 1LÉˆÂťZ THYYPLK [V (THUKH >HSSPJR PU [OL )\ZPULZZ 6ɉJL HUK they’re raising 7-year-old Hayley when not remodeling the house or going to Lowe’s. 1LÉˆÂťZ ]PZPVU MVY [OL ,HZ[ *HTW\Z PZ [V YHPZL [OL IHY MVY [LJOUPJHS education and help dispel the myth that a person has to have a four-year college degree to be successful, and to incentivize employers to get involved with East Campus programs through internships and advisory panels. ¸;OL RL` PZ [V OH]L [OL YPNO[ [LJOUPJHS [YHPUPUN ^P[O X\HSPĂ„LK students in a quality, competitive program and to raise the public’s awareness of the opportunities on the East Campus,â€? he said. “I’m just trying to do my part to make it a better place.â€? Apparently it was not a computer error after all.

Weber W We ebe eb eber e ber err to to Succeed Succ Suc Su cce cc cee ceed cee eed ed d Rauscher Rau Rausche Ra R aus au ussc usch usc sch sche ch che he her er ass Chair Ch C Chai ha hair air irr of of Music Mu M Mus ussic usi usic sic c Department Departme De D Depa Departm ep epar par partm artm art rtme rtment rtme tm me en ent nt Come next fall, the Department of Music will be under new SLHKLYZOPW MVY [OL Ă„YZ[ [PTL PU `LHYZ Dr. James Rauscher, who has chaired the Department since 1988, has elected to return to full-time teaching. ;V Ă„SS [OL JVUZPKLYHISL ]VPK +Y 9\ZZLSS 3V^LY` /HY[ ]PJL WYLZPKLU[ VM HJHKLTPJ HɈHPYZ HUUV\UJLK 4H` [O [OH[ +Y Steve Weber Steven Weber, director of choral activities, will be stepping into the chairmanship. He will transition into the job over the summer and begin his tenure as chair in the fall. “I am excited and extremely humbled,â€? said Dr. Weber, who joined the AC faculty in 1992. “I’m excited to work with our wonderful faculty to create a ]PZPVU MVY V\Y M\[\YL 0 OH]L ZVTL LUVYTV\Z ZOVLZ [V Ă„SS I\[ P[ [V T` NYLH[ advantage that Dr. Rauscher will be right here to show me the ropes.â€?

Copies of New Common Reader Pour In bartender-turned-activist who swapped myriad last calls for a singular call to action is the author of the book that will be our next Common Reader.

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Doc Hendley’s Wine to Water, which he subtitled “A Bartender’s Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World,� traces his journey from a biker bar in rural North Carolina to places like Haiti, Uganda and Sudan, where his Wine to Water organization continues to quench the collective thirst of the innumerably impoverished.

Dr. Rauscher said the time was right to relinquish the chair. “The Music Building renovations are just about done,� he said. “It just seems like the right time for a change, and I think it’s always good to look for new leadership and a new vision.�

Exponential Expansion for ORC

If you would like a copy, it’s already available at the Washington Street and West Campus Assistance Centers, or just ring Courtney Milleson at Ext. 5427. Courtney, who chairs the Common Reader Team, says Hendley will visit AC November [O [V [HSR HIV\[ OPZ LɈVY[Z [V Z\WWS` JSLHU KYPURPUN ^H[LY [V KL]LSVWPUN JV\U[YPLZ¡LɈVY[Z that led to his being named one of CNN’s Heroes of the Year in 2009. “This is a story that compels us to do something,â€? Courtney said. “Doc Hendley is so passionate. He learned about the global water crisis while putting himself through college as a bartender, and he tried to make an impact.

“His story is proof that ordinary people can and do change the world for good.�

Dr. Kathy Wetzel, Dr. Paul Matney and Tara Meraz, who supervises the Math Outreach Center, slice up pi in commemoration of the new facility.

3LH]L P[ [V [OL 4H[O 6\[YLHJO *LU[LY 69* [V ÄYZ[ T\S[PWS` [OLU KP]PKL its own footprint on the Washington Street Campus. The awardingwinning ORC celebrated its relocation and exponential expansion with H YPIIVU J\[[PUN JLYLTVU` 4H` H[ P[Z UL^ SVJH[PVU VU [OL ÄYZ[ ÅVVY VM Durrett Hall. Long a cornerstone of AC’s many student-success initiatives, the OCR nearly doubled its space in the move, enabling a long-awaited division of its wealth; its tutoring and testing center today share a total of 4,425 square feet and now occupy opposite sides of the same main hallway. ;\[VYPUN HUK [LZ[PUN OHK ILLU QVPU[S` JVUÄULK [V H ZX\HYL MVV[ area in the adjacent Engineering Building.

G E A R

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S T U D E N T S

Finally Poised for College EAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) set out in 2007 to propel about 1,400 economically disadvantaged seventh-graders, year by year, not only to high school completion but to the precipice of post-secondary inclusion.

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The federally funded, six-year program for which AC serves as ÄZJHS HNLU[ ZLLTZ [V OH]L TL[ ^P[O Z\JJLZZ Throughout its duration, GEAR UP has focused on a singular cohort: those 2007 seventh-graders who eventually would be seniors at Caprock, Palo Duro, Dumas and Hereford high schools—the class of 2013. Well, they are seniors today, and all who graduate from these MV\Y OPNO ZJOVVSZ [OPZ ZWYPUN ^PSS IL [OL ILULÄJPHY` VM .,(9 <7 HUK P[Z ÄLSK [YPWZ JVSSLNL ]PZP[Z [\[VYPUN TLU[VYPUN ZJOVVS Z\WWSPLZ HUK TVYL ;OV\NO KH[H PZ UV[ ÄUHS P[ ZLLTZ TVYL than coincidental that the numbers of ACE- eligible students is at an all-time high. ACE is the community-based scholarship program that N\HYHU[LLZ LU[Y` [V HUK HɈVYKHIPSP[` H[ (* HUK VY >; for eligible Caprock and Palo Duro graduates. Students can qualify for ACE only by maintaining solid grades and demonstrating exemplary attendance and appropriate behavior. ¸(M[LY ZP_ `LHYZ [OL .,(9 <7 Z[\KLU[Z ÄUHSS` HYL ZLUPVYZ and based on the large numbers of these students who are eligible for ACE, I think it’s safe to say GEAR UP has moved the ULLKSL ¹ ZHPK )VI (\Z[PU ]PJL WYLZPKLU[ VM Z[\KLU[ HɈHPYZ ^OV notes that applications to AC are up 33 percent over a year ago, and GEAR UP is probably why. Transience has wiped many from the roles—just 65 percent of that original seventh-grade group remains—but newcomers

Jodi Lindseth has been director of the GEAR UP program since its inception at AC back in 2007.

joined along the way, too, and almost 2,300 total students have been served at some point by the program, which after 2013 will be gearing down as the grant expires. “It’s been amazing to watch these young people grow,” said Jodi Lindseth, GEAR UP director. “Through continual exposure to college campuses, our students are no longer scared by the prospect of being there; for a great many, the very notion of going to college is about to become a reality.” For many of them, right here at AC.

Secret Star Shines at CUB Dr. Daniel Ferguson, chairman of the Department of English and Modern Languages, gets his copy of A Secret Star signed by the author, former AC Honors student Krystyne Aleksandr. The book-signing was conducted May 1st at the CUB. ;OL IVVR ^OPJO PZ OV[ VɈ [OL presses at Tate Publishing, details Krystyne’s journey through the darkest tunnels of childhood abuse and abandonment to her discovery of an inner light that helped her understand she was not alone.

Spring

Fiesta No Excuses Style ;OL *SHZZPÄLK ,TWSV`LLZ Development Committee staged a Spring Fiesta that had a No Excuses ÅH]VY HZ N\LZ[Z ^OV H[[LUKLK [OL March 7th event were asked to sign cards of encouragement for students in the College Success Coaching Program. Dr. Paul Matney provided updates and shared his insights on AC’s No Excuses initiative. And if that didn’t leave everyone with a warm feeling, an abundance of chips, hot sauce and queso certainly did.

SPRING RECIPE

Peanut Patties Recipe compliments of Lyndy Wilkinson, dean of technical education Ingredients 2 ½ c. sugar ɟ J RHYV Z`Y\W 1 c. milk 1 t. red food coloring 3 c. raw Spanish peanuts 2 T. butter 1 c. powdered sugar 1 t. vanilla

Rumor has it the faculty and staff at the East Campus love these!

Directions In a heavy dutch oven or large saucepan, combine sugar, syrup, milk, food coloring and peanuts. Heat over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches soft ball stage (232 degrees). Remove from heat and immediately add powdered sugar, butter and vanilla. Stir the mixture until the butter is melted and mixture becomes slightly creamy. Working quickly, (mixture will begin to harden as it drops in temperature) drop from spoonfuls onto waxed paper. The patties will harden as they cool.

My mom made these for us when I was a kid growing up in Wellington. We had them at holidays and family reunions. This was my mom’s signature dessert that everyone loved. My brother and sister and I would argue about who got the “special” peanut patty. It was the very last one in the batch and was big and resulted in my mom scraping the pan—it was a big red patty with no peanuts in it! — Lyndy

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