September 15, 2020
COLUMN/CAMPUS 3
Congress to investigate Fort Hood deaths Dave Freeman Staff Writer
There is a vexing problem at Fort Hood. A series of tragic deaths and brutal crimes that have been long ignored have attracted international attention and the probing eyes of Congress. Clearly, with a soldier death toll mounting at one of the world’s largest military bases, there is an urgent need to find out exactly why our men and women in uniform keep dying at an alarming rate at or near Foot Hood. Finally, after 28 deaths this year alone, according to The Associated Press, we may get some answers that are long overdue. On Sept. 8, Congress announced a formal investigation into the recent string of sexual assaults, murders and suicides involving soldiers stationed at Fort Hood, which is in Killeen – half way between Waco and Austin. U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., and Jackie Speier, D-Calif., sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy requesting documents and information about the deaths. In its letter, Congress cited an average 129 felonies committed on the post from 2014 to 2019, including five homicides, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery and aggravated assault. The disappearance and brutal murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen and the discovery of Pvt. The body of U.S. Army Sgt. Elder Fernandes is returned to Massachusetts on Sept. 1. Gregory Morales’ remains caught national command the 1st Armored Division at Fort missing soldiers has brought justifiable scruattention earlier this year. Their apparent Bliss “until further notice,” according to Army tiny to the command climate and culture, not Col. Cathy Wilkinson, while the investigation just at Fort Hood, but to the tenant commands murders were cited as examples of depravity. Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, commander of is conducted and the fate of Efflandt is deter- headquartered there. It took 28 deaths to bring national attenFort Hood, was slated to transfer to Fort Bliss mined. Is Efflandt is ultimately responsible for tion to the problem. There is without question in August to assume leadership of the 1st Armored Division. In a prepared statement, what goes on in and around Fort Hood? In something fundamentally wrong down in Fort the Army said that Efflandt will now stay at a word, yes. But a problem of this magnitude Hood. The bigger question is this: Has the Fort Hood while Army leaders investigate isn’t caused merely by one man at the top. Army been stretched too thin over with the systemic problems at the base and determine There have been 28 deaths at Fort Hood alone past two decades by continuous U.S. wars and this year, but this trend isn’t anything new. A peacekeeping efforts? Have standards become who should be held accountable. Brig. Gen. Matt Eichburg was assigned to recent history marred by active shooters and too relaxed over time to meet operational
Photo The Associated Press
commitments and recruitment shortfalls? The majority of the victims are in their twenties. These are young adults who could just as very well be attending classes at Richland like every other student on campus. Instead, they opted for a different path. They opted to defend the country. Yet, more are dying in in the United States than on a distant battlefield on the other side of the world. It is a shame it is taking direct Congressional oversight to get to the bottom of this issue. It should not have come to this.
Isjina Luckett Staff Writer
With the merger of all seven colleges into the Dallas College system, the Richland Honors Program, now called the Dallas College Honors Program is now available to students on all campuses. The new Dallas College Honors Program gives students the chance to graduate or transfer to a four-year university with honors and gives them the opportunity to earn scholarships along the way. The Honors Program allows high-achieving students to participate in engaging, community-based learning experiences and take part in interactive discussions with their classmates and professors. “High-achieving students really enjoy [being] in the class with other high-achieving students. They find it very rewarding,” said
Dr. Kathleen Stephens, Honors Program coordinator at the Richland campus. The program requires students to do 10 hours of co-curricular activities and six hours of extra-curricular activities upon graduation or transfer. To join the Honors Program, students must have a minimum 3.3 GPA based on at least nine credit hours of college course work. If a student does not yet have college level course work, he or she must have been among the top 25% of their high school graduating class. In some instances, students who may not have the minimum GPA but are close to it are encouraged to apply. “I think sometimes those students who are very close and would like a chance, sometimes those students are our hardest workers. So, you know, as long as you are close to the requirements, I would encourage a student to go
ahead and apply,” Stephens said. Stephens said the transition of combining all campuses programs into has been a challenge, but finds it rewarding. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know honors students at other campuses. I believe that the honors opportunities should be available to students at all campuses for access and equity,” she said. The Honors Program is hosting a Scholarship Workshop Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to noon to provide information on upcoming scholarship opportunities for both honors students and non-honors students at Dallas College. Those interested can join the conversation on Blackboard Collaborate at https://bit. ly/35vp9MA More information about the Honors Program is available on the Dallas College website at https://bit.ly/32l6QYg
Scholarship Workshop September 16 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Featuring winners of the: Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship + more. 833-860-0030 PIN: 691 504 4569 or use Blackboard Collaborate at https://bit.ly/35vp9MA This event is hosted by the Dallas College Honors Program and is open to all Dallas College students.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
The Honors Program expands to all campuses
