Tarleton Magazine - Fall 2015

Monumental

Tarleton comes

Be the difference in the life of a student.

Monumental

Wyatt and the

Tarleton Statue

EXTRA

Stars Shine Bigger & Brighter at Tarleton

Improved planetarium features high-definition video and surround sound

Creativity and Innovation

First Entrepreneurs of Erath Competition celebrates entrepreneurial spirit www.tarleton.edu/coba

CLASS NOTES

2 SHORTS

Briefs on legislative session, Bass Club and Aeronautics Team success, grants awarded for research and programming and an international recognition for Tarleton’s criminology program.

4 FLIGHT FROM NICARAGUA CREATES DRIVE TO PLAY POSITIVE ROLE IN WORLD

Dr. Alex del Carmen learned to be a leader at age 14, when his parents loaded him on a plane in Managua to escape Communist rule in Nicaragua.

NOT OUR FIRST RODEO Championship titles return to Tarleton

SILVER TAPS

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Track and Field stars set records

MOORE THAN QUALIFIED Texan safety gains national recognition as Campbell trophy nominee

Tarleton benefits from legislative session

The 84th Legislature approved a number of measures benefiting Tarleton.

Items receiving approval included an increase in the General Academic Formulas to fund enrollment growth, authorization of capital construction revenue bonds for constructing an Applied Sciences building on the Stephenville campus and the first building on the new 80-acre Fort Worth campus, as well as an increase in funding for group health insurance premiums for higher education employees and retirees.

“This was a very positive session for higher education and Tarleton,” said President F. Dominic Dottavio. “Our top priority was to obtain additional enrollment funding and we were able to do that. Rep. J.D. Sheffield and Sen. Craig Estes made Tarleton their legislative priority and we greatly appreciate their efforts on our behalf.”

Tarleton has increased its enrollment 36 percent in the last five years, and the formula funding increase will ensure the university’s ability to continue providing highquality teaching and support services. While enrollments have grown, so have university retention and graduation rates each year.

“The formula funding increase will enhance our ability to assist students in successfully completing their degree programs to reach graduation, and prepare them for outstanding careers in their chosen professions,” said Dr. Dottavio.

The Applied Sciences building will enable the university to add state-of-the art laboratory facilities for engineering and engineering technology programs, while also adding laboratory space for agricultural and environmental science programs. The Fort Worth facility will have classrooms and administrative space to serve a growing population of students seeking bachelor’s and graduate degrees in one of the most vibrant cities in the state.

The increase in funds for group health insurance premiums will cover new employees and aid the university in retaining its faculty and staff.

Aeronautical Team places 2nd in national NASA competition

The Tarleton Aeronautical Team blasted past the competition to earn 2 nd place in this year’s NASAsponsored Student Launch Centennial Challenge held April 11, near the U.S. space agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Along with bragging rights, the 16-member rocket team received a $15,000 prize for successful completion of this year’s design-build-launch competition that highlighted NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV)—the rocket affiliated with a proposed Mars Sample Return lander mission.

This year’s NASA Student Launch requirements were more stringent in its 15th anniversary competition as the Tarleton Aeronautical Team successfully used a robotic system to autonomously and sequentially accomplish the retrieval of a sample; insert the payload into their singlestage solid-propelled rocket in horizontal position; then erected the rocket and launched to an altitude of 3,000 feet; and deployed a sample container with the cache internally sealed during descent; and landed the container in an effort to mimic a MAV mission.

Of the 29 competing universities, only Tarleton and North Carolina State University successfully completed the NASA mission.

Nursing participates in simulations study

Tarleton received more than $200,000 to participate in a study designed to evaluate using actual patient care versus simulations for teaching nursing students, among other nursing education issues.

Part of a $1.8 million project from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) involving four higher education institutions and six Dallas-Fort Worth hospitals, the 30-month study involving 1,500 nursing students will attempt to define the best range of clinical hours for nursing students, and the distribution of those hours between patient care and simulations.

The goal is to develop nursing and competency standards that can be applied across the state.

Foundation awards $345,000 to Tarleton programs

Tarleton State University has received a $174,879 grant from the Texas Pioneer Foundation to equip a STEM Mobile Learning Center, which will serve as an outreach program and resource for educators and students across North Texas. Developed as an outreach program to educate and recruit pre-service educators and professionals into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, the new Mobile Learning Center (MLC) concept will also serve as a resource for STEM-related education in rural communities.

Once outfitted and delivered to Tarleton, the MLC will bring STEM education to Texas public schools in a 90-mile radius of Stephenville.

Texas Pioneer Foundation also is providing $150,000 grant to establish the Texan Pioneer Leadership Academy under Tarleton’s School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies and $20,000 to support MENtal Freedom, a mentoring program for African-American and Latino men.

United Arab Emirates honors criminology

The Ministry of the Interior of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently honored Tarleton State University for educating its country’s police lieutenants.

UAE Police Capt. Abdullah Saishamisi presented Dr. Alex del Carmen, executive director of Tarleton’s School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies, with a plaque inscribed “In Appreciation for Your Dedication and Leadership.”

Currently, 25 police lieutenants from UAE are enrolled in the master’s in criminal justice program at Tarleton’s Fort Worth campus.

Four UAE police lieutenants graduated with masters’ degrees in criminal justice from Tarleton in early May. After graduation, lieutenants return to the UAE and are promoted. Del Carmen said UAE’s Ministry of Interior is very interested in continuing its partnership with Tarleton.

Bass Club duo win 2nd place, ‘big bass’ prize at Collegiate Bass Texas Shootout

Tarleton Bass Club members

Stetson Overton and Justin Seeton claimed 2nd place in the 2015 Collegiate Bass Texas Shootout, April 25, at Lake Texoma near Denison, and also received a prize for landing the tournament’s biggest bass.

The Tarleton duo finished the tournament with four bass weighing in at 12.8 pounds, tying for 2nd with Murray State University’s Logan Thomas and Ryan Kirkpatrick.

Also representing the Tarleton Bass Club in the tournament was the duo of Marshall Hughes and Tanner Crim, who finished 8th with four bass weighing in at 6.87 pounds. Other Tarleton Bass Club anglers competing at Lake Texoma were James McCaleb, Wesley Schoon, Austin Fowler and Zach Hurst.

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texan facts

36

Percent growth in freshman class over the past five years

90

Percent of students completing data mining research assistantships and entering Ph.D. programs or obtaining jobs as data analysts or software developers

1,500

Number of students enrolled in 48 undergraduate, graduate and certification programs at the Fort Worth campus

1,883

Number of students who made the Dean’s List in Spring 2015. This includes students who have completed 12 credit hours and a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

Faulkenberry elected Texas representative for association

Dr. Thomas J. Faulkenberry, assistant professor of psychology and counseling, recently was elected as the Texas representative of the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) for a twoyear term.

As Texas representative, Faulkenberry will serve on SWPA’s executive council and act as the primary liaison for the state’s membership within the organization. Previously, Faulkenberry served as chairman of the nominations committee within the association.

Faulkenberry joined the faculty of Tarleton’s College of Education and the Department of Psychology and Counseling in fall 2013. He holds a bachelor of science in mathematics from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a master of science in mathematics from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in psychology from Texas A&M–Commerce.

Mathematics instructor recognized as ICTCM Fellow

Dr. John Gresham, instructor of mathematics, was recognized as a fellow by the International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics (ICTCM) during its 27th annual conference in Las Vegas.

Gresham is one of just eight educators of mathematics from across the United States who have been named ICTCM Fellows. The designation recognizes faculty who have indicated a sustained effort to use technology for teaching mathematics, and implies a record of research, innovation, command, leadership, contributions and a long-term commitment to the ICTCM environment.

Greshman joined the Tarleton Mathematics Department faculty in 2011. He has taught courses ranging from college algebra, trigonometry, contemporary mathematics as well as elementary statistics and calculus.

A graduate of Tarleton with a bachelor’s in mathematics, Gresham later earned both a master’s and Ph.D. in mathematics from Texas Christian University.

Focus

Flight from Nicaragua creates drive to play positive role in world

BY MARY G. SALTARELLI

Dr. Alex del Carmen learned to be a leader at age 14, when his parents loaded him on a plane in Managua to escape Communist rule in Nicaragua. “Take care of your sister,” his father told him as he slipped Alex money and entrusted him with his younger sibling’s hand.

After enduring years of civil war in their home country, Alex and his sister, Marcela, found themselves living in Alabama with a Nicaraguan couple and attending school where they couldn’t speak the native language.

“My experiences formed who I am,” said Alex, executive director of Tarleton’s new School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies. “While enduring the pains and anguish of war, I saw things, especially the exposure to death at such a young age, that will never leave me.”

Dr. Alex del Carmen hoods a master’s student during Tarleton’s Commencement ceremony.

While waiting for his parents to join him and his sister, Alex took advantage of the educational opportunities in Huntsville’s schools.

“It was like leaving hell and arriving in heaven,” Alex said. “I had seen the worst of human nature and I vowed to truly affect, in a positive manner, the quality of life for all people.”

A doorway to achieving his avowed goal opened while Alex studied for his undergraduate degree at Florida International University, where he found the field of criminology. He went on to receive his master’s degree and doctorate from Florida State University.

During his time as professor and department head at the University of Texas at Arlington, Alex discovered a passion for research. His studies in racial profiling made him an expert in the field. Through the Law Enforcement Institute of Texas, Alex instructs police chiefs statewide about preventing racial profiling.

“Within the criminal justice field, there’s a great need to provide an educational experience to practitioners who do so much for all of us,” Alex said. “I call it ‘serving those who serve.’”

During his first year at Tarleton, Alex opened a new school of criminology, which will feature five research institutes. With encouragement from President F. Dominic Dottavio and Provost Karen Murray, Alex is developing a doctoral program in criminology and reinstating Tarleton’s historic Corps of Cadets, which dates back to 1917.

Tarleton’s new corps will be open to students next fall. Members will enroll in military science classes, but not be required to join the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). The lower floor of a new residence hall, Traditions, will house the corps office, and cadets will live together there. Through structure, discipline, and a code of ethics, Tarleton’s Corps of Cadets will enhance student leadership skills.

“Both the private and public sectors today are in need of strong leadership,” Alex said of a quality he learned early in his life. “Tarleton’s Corps of Cadets will nurture individuals who will go out into society and become our leaders.”

Alex believes education and leadership training is crucial to the success of law enforcement officials during a culturally pivotal time within the field of criminal justice.

“Tarleton is positioning itself to be a major stakeholder in historic developments taking place,” Alex said. “Through research and training leaders, we’re affecting the decision-making processes of generations of criminal justice professionals. There is no greater way to shape change than to impact the critical thinking of our leaders.”

Tarleton professor promoted in Texas State Guard

Dr. Wendell Sadler, professor of kinesiology and Texas State Guard Officer, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in a ceremony held at the National Guard Armory in Stephenville.

Active in the Texas State Guard since 2005 and currently serving as operations officer with the 19th Regiment in Dallas, Lt. Col. Sadler was promoted by Col. Robert Hastings, 19thRegiment Commander and praised by Brigadier General Howard N. Palmer, Army Component Commander and former 4th Regiment Commander in Fort Worth. Sadler served in various positions with 4th Regiment as an administrative officer and battalion commander before serving with the 19th.

Prior to joining the Tarleton faculty, Sadler served as an assistant professor at the University of South Dakota, an instructor at Temple Junior College, and as a lecturer at Texas A&M University. In 2009, he received the O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Award from Tarleton, and the Barry B. Thompson Service Award in 2014.

Historian Landis elected to international anti-slavery board

Dr. Michael Landis, assistant professor of history, was elected to the Board of Directors of the international Historians Against Slavery organization.

Founded in 2011, Historians Against Slavery is a group of scholars whose mission is to bring historical context and scholarship to the modernday antislavery movement in order to inform activism and develop collaborations.

Landis, whose book Northern Men with Southern Loyalties: The Democratic Party and the Sectional Crisis , was published in 2014 by Cornell Press, joined the Tarleton faculty in 2013. His scholarship focus is on the intersection of politics and slavery in the 19th century.

After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston University, Landis received his Ph.D. from The George Washington University. He currently is focused on the Georgia political culture in the Civil War and antebellum eras.

Dr. Alex del Carmen and his sister, Marcela, now a medical doctor at Harvard, as children who left Communist-ruled Nicaragua for the United States.

Stars Shine Bigger &Brighter at Tarleton

Improved planetarium features high-definition video and surround sound

BY MARY G. SALTARELLI

Stars will shine big and bright, day and night, deep in the heart of the Tarleton State University campus this fall, when the university’s planetarium reopens with digital high-definition technology. Two projectors will cover the planetarium’s interior dome, which is 40 feet in diameter, with full-motion video of the night sky.

“Our new technology will let us fly you through the galaxy and put you on the surface of Mars. Or we’ll put you on the Hubble Telescope and send you soaring through space,” said Larry D. Barr, manager of Tarleton’s planetarium. “The sensation of motion is so realistic that I’ve seen people grab onto the arms of their seats to hold on.”

Located in Tarleton’s Lamar Johanson Science Building, the planetarium’s grand reopening will be early this fall. Its new high-definition technology will feature 4,000 lines of resolution per projector, which is higher resolution than most movie theaters and closer to watching Blu-ray discs. Full 5.1 digital Surround Sound will enhance the space travel experience at the planetarium.

“Audiences will discover the unbelievable feeling of watching a show that wraps around them even more than an IMAX theater,” Barr said.

Dr. Shaukat Goderya, director of Tarleton’s Program for Astronomy Education and Research, said the new planetarium will be much more interactive for students and audiences. Each public showing at the planetarium ends with an interactive “Star Talk,” where instructors share tips on that night’s celestial viewing.

“Professors will transport students and audiences around the galaxy, zoom in on a celestial body, reveal it in full detail and rotate it around,” Goderya said. “They’ll bring up film related to their class topics so students can respond to what they’re viewing.”

Because of the planetarium’s new sophisticated technology, Goderya foresees the facility becoming a “visualization

laboratory for any subject,” including biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, oceanography, weather, cinema and art.

“Old planetariums are very focused on astronomy,” Goderya said. “But we‘ll be able to offer content in other areas, with high-resolution video examining the crystalline structure of rocks or the makeup of DNA.”

The new planetarium meets the objectives of Tarleton’s Strategic Plan by providing innovative instructional delivery and learning environments.

Through community and student outreach within the 75-mile radius in Central Texas where it’s the only planetarium, Tarleton’s programs encourage young people to pursue studies and careers in STEM disciplines, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“If you get students excited while they’re young, they stay that way,” Barr said.

The upgrade of Tarleton’s planetarium added new, comfortable seating and increased its capacity by 30 seats, so it will now accommodate up to 86 visitors per show. Barr invites students and visitors of every age to visit the planetarium when it reopens in the fall.

“Come experience the excitement on opening day,” Barr said.

Preview Tarleton’s Breathtaking Planetarium Shows

Precise detail and vibrant life-like images projected at Tarleton’s planetarium will capture your attention and immerse you in outer space.

Designed to present breathtaking shows, the planetarium’s new Christie 4k projector is one of the first 10 new 4k projectors manufactured by the company that features breakthroughs in high-frame rate and high-resolution video, along with ultra-realistic images.

For a preview of the amazing shows Tarleton will present at the new planetarium, visit ES.com, the website of Evans-Sutherland, a company that provides Tarleton with planetarium equipment and shows. Search for Lamps of Atlantis or Stars of the Pharaohs to view trailers for two of Tarleton’s upcoming planetarium shows.

Now you’re ready to sit back and enjoy the stellar shows beginning this fall.

Kenneth Wyatt and the Larger-than-Life John Tarleton Statue

BY HARRY BATTSON

Monu

Monumental.

A 10-foot bronze sculpture of John Tarleton. Set in the center of a rebuilt campus core, the newly renovated Alumni Island, Tarleton towers over campus visitors as a symbol of history, tradition and far-reaching vision. Tarleton, a businessman and farmer with little formal education, bequeathed nearly $100,000 to found the college that has become Tarleton State University. More than 100 years later, the university has installed this monumental bronze as an iconic focal point to honor its legendary founder.

mental

The Norman Rockwell of Western Art

For renowned painter and sculptor Kenneth Wyatt, art is about reflecting character.

“Rocks are harder to paint than people,” he said. “People have character. John Tarleton had character.”

That character was what Wyatt sought to capture in creating the statue for the newly renovated Alumni Island at the heart of Tarleton’s campus.

“I was trying to get a likeness with almost no likeness to look at,” he noted, alluding to the one photograph known of Tarleton taken shortly before his death.

Wyatt did extensive research, he reflected on Tarleton’s life and he created a look for the visionary founder as a man 20 years younger than in the photo, a serious man, a business man.

The Tarleton statue flows from the thousands of paintings and sculptures that Wyatt has done over the past 40 years, primarily celebrating his Texas and Western heritage and his strong religious convictions.

An ordained minister, Wyatt spent 30 years preaching. He graduated from Tarleton College in 1946, and attended McMurry University in Abilene, Baylor and the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He later received honorary doctorates from both Tarleton and McMurry.

Turning to art as his life’s work, Wyatt found success, even accolades as the Norman Rockwell of the West. Founder and first president of the Texas Cowboy Artist Association, he has won numerous awards. His art can be found in more than 90 nations.

Former President George W. Bush and Queen Elizabeth II are among the famous patrons who own his art. His portrait of major league baseball Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, also larger than life (by a few inches), hangs in the Oklahoma State Capitol.

“I met 72 of those ex-baseball players” at the Mickey Mantle statue dedication ceremony, Wyatt says, naming famous New York Yankees Yogi Berra, Bobby Richardson and Bill Skowron. “All my heroes at one time. A couple of them asked me for my autograph and I had to leave. These were my heroes!”

In addition to his studio in Tulia, where he and his wife, Veda, reside, the Wyatts also maintain galleries in Amarillo and in Ruidoso and Red River, New Mexico. Son Mark, daughter Jill Wyatt-Marshall, and grandson Jake all participate in the business.

“I was talking to my wife about slowing down and maybe quitting,” Wyatt said, but he had just finished a painting where every line was exactly where he wanted, where everything had come out just as he had envisioned it in his mind when he started the piece.

“I finished that up and I thought, ‘I’m getting better!’ I realized I couldn’t retire when I’m still getting better. You quit when you’re getting worse, so I guess I’ll just keep on working.”

The sculpture was unveiled during a ceremony that included a fireworks display in the new Alumni Island. Unveiling the bronze were (l-r) Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio, Tarleton Alumni Association President Mike Kornegay, artist Kenneth Wyatt, Alpha Building Corporation CEO Kathy Acock and longtime Alpha Building Corporation employee Richard H. Booher.

World-famous painter and sculptor Kenneth Wyatt, a 1946 Tarleton graduate, created the likeness based on the one known photo of John Tarleton—a photo taken when he was in his 80s, shortly before his death.

“I had to be a little creative with the face,” Wyatt said. “When I got to the point where I thought it looked enough like the picture, I quit. I put a little smile on his face, not much, because I think he took learning seriously.”

Wyatt recalled when the university approached him to create the statue. “If you’re going to have a hero, let’s make him a hero. So when they said John Tarleton was only 5’6, 5’7 at most, and they said they wanted him 10’ high, I said, ‘Whoops, that’s taller than I had in mind, that’s monumental.’”

The key to creating a monumental sculpture, Wyatt explained, is the mathematics developed by Leonardo da Vinci. The famous Italian artist and inventor calculated that a typical man stands eight heads high. Wyatt began with a 24inch model—the head then takes the top three

inches. The rest of the anatomy is similarly proportioned.

Working with aluminum wire to hold the clay, Wyatt began creating the details.

“I read everything I could about Mr. Tarleton,” Wyatt said. “I wanted to know what was inside of Tarleton’s head.

“He was a gentleman, and he wanted a college to be built in Stephenville, Texas, and he gave the money to do that.”

Clothes were of particular interest to the sculptor. “Most of the time, he wore overalls, but he did have good clothes… We put him in his best.” That led to the silk vest, the watch chain, and 1880s style coat with piping along the edge and sleeves. Because Tarleton washed and mended his own clothes, Wyatt left the pants uncreased.

“He was a walker. He walked everywhere he went,” Wyatt recalled. “He must have been a speed walker.”

Wyatt tells the tale of a man watering his horses when Tarleton walks by, offering Tarleton a ride. Tarleton responded, “No, I’m in a hurry.”

He walked in specially made, square-toed shoes, in which he kept gold coins for safety. “When I read that,” Wyatt noted, “I knew I had to put those on that boy.”

Tarleton was a businessman and farmer, not really a rancher, which led to the bowler in his hand, not a 10-gallon hat.

The monumental statue has one additional feature—a duck at his heel. When friends heard that Wyatt was doing the statue, they told him to include Tarleton’s legendary companion, Oscar P, “so I put the duck in there with him.”

The duck serves another purpose—a third point for anchoring the steel rods that will hold the statue steady against Texas winds.

When Wyatt finished the 24-inch clay sculpture, it traveled to an Oklahoma foundry. To create the statue, the foundry poured the bronze in 250- to 300-pound segments, and welded them together. The foundry delivered and installed the monument in mid-July.

“I loved getting to do it,” Wyatt said.

“That’s the way that people are going to remember how Tarleton looked. I wanted Tarleton to look like a person.”

A monumental person.

To watch Kenneth Wyatt working and explaining the statue process, see www.tarleton.edu/jtstatue

President Dominic Dottavio places two Core Values coins under the base of the statue—a reminder of Tradition, Integrity, Civility, Leadership, Excellence and Service.

Alpha donation brings John Tarleton statue to Alumni Island

The monumental artwork of university

Founder John Tarleton stands at the heart of the Tarleton campus in the newly renovated Alumni Island, constructed by Alpha Building Corporation.

Alpha President Kathy Acock has undertaken much more than just creating the Alumni Island― she has financed the casting and installation of the 10-foot-tall bronze likeness of John Tarleton. The donation honors Richard H. Booher, a more than 20year Alpha employee, “instrumental in developing our relationship with Tarleton and the members of the facilities management team,” Acock said.

Through her generosity, faculty, staff, students, alumni and visitors will be able to enjoy the updated Alumni Island with the larger-than-life statue of Tarleton, along with a water feature and beautiful landscaping.

Designed by Turner Land Architecture and constructed by Alpha Building Corp., the project creates a magnificent pedestrian mall as a gateway to the university’s historical center.

The newly finished project preserves the “3 Penny Triangle” and the “Muleshoe” as traditional elements of Alumni Island.

It complements Tarleton’s campus master plan to create bold entrances and aesthetically pleasing green spaces. A dedication ceremony for the renovated Alumni Island is planned for Oct. 17 immediately following the Homecoming parade.

ClassN�tes

’71HARRY SAVIO, B.A. in government, has joined Walton Development and Management in Austin as the company’s senior planning and development manager. Prior to taking the position, Savio worked as the vice president of government relations for the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin for more than 25 years.

’73

MIKE PENRY, B.S. in agricultural business, was re-elected to a second term on the Cleveland city council. Penry has been the vice president of First Bank and Trust in Cleveland since 2000. He is an officer in the local Lions Club as well as a board member for the Cleveland Senior Citizens Center and Austin Memorial Library.

’80 MIKE LEESE, M.A. in educational administration, has been promoted to Associate Vice President for Student Life at Tarleton. Prior to returning to Tarleton in 2012, Leese worked at Texas A&M University and later served as associate vice president and dean of students at Southwestern University in Georgetown. In addition, Leese earned his bachelor’s from Tarleton in government and earned his doctorate in higher education administration from Texas A&M.

BOB WHITNEY, B.S. in agricultural education, is teaching agriculture on a worldwide scale, with his next assignment located in Tunisia in North Africa. He spent 28 years with Texas AgriLife Extension and retired in 2010. After retiring, Whitney has continued sharing his agricultural knowledge in places like Honduras, Iraq and South Africa.

’84

RONDA RIBBLE, B.S. in elementary education, was named Educator of the Year by the Springtown Chamber of Commerce. Ribble has dedicated her 31-year professional career to the middle and high school students, teachers and administration of the Springtown Independent School District. She has served as a high school assistant principal, director of the Alternative Learning Campus and is the assistant principal at Springtown Middle School. In addition to her degree from Tarleton, Ribble received her master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University.

’85

SHARON HAYES, B.S. in biology, has been appointed as the city manager of Weatherford. Prior to the position, Hayes served as assistant city manager. She started with the city in 1985. In addition to her Tarleton degree, Hayes earned a master’s degree in environmental science from Texas Christian University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Texas.

’87

NANCY JACK, B.S. in agriculture, was honored by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas. The department established the Nancy Jack Award for Equine Excellence. Jack was an associate professor of animal science at Arkansas for 15 years. In addition to her degree from Tarleton, Jack received her master’s and doctorate from New Mexico State University.

’89

KRISTINE KLINE, B.B.A. in accounting, was selected as the new principal of Laura Bush Elementary in the Leander Independent School District. Kline previously served as the lower school principal at Hill Country Christian School. In addition to her degree from Tarleton, she earned her master’s degree from Texas State University.

’91

JERRY BLAISDELL, B.A.A. in criminal justice, retired from serving as city manager of Weatherford. Prior to being appointed to the position in 2009, Blaisdell served as assistant city manager and police chief. He is certified as a master peace officer as well as a member of the FBI’s National Academy Associates, Inc., International Association of Chiefs of Police, Rotary International, Texas Police Association, Texas Police Chief’s Association and Parker County Sheriff Posse.

’95

LANCE CROSBY, B.B.A. in management, was chosen as the keynote speaker for Penton’s HostingCon Global, which is the premier conference and trade show for hosting and cloud providers. Crosby is the founder and visionary behind SoftLayer, an IBM Company. In addition to his degree from Tarleton, Crosby earned his juris doctor from Texas Wesleyan School of Law. He is a licensed attorney in the state of Texas and is an active member of the State Bar of Texas.

KAREN MUNOZ, B.S. in interdisciplinary studies, served as the keynote speaker for the Hispanic Seniors Recognition Banquet in Abilene. Munoz is the principal at Cooper High School. In addition to her degree from Tarleton, Munoz also received her master’s from Abilene Christian University and doctorate from Texas Tech University.

JAMES RICH, B.A. in English, received the Spirit of a Champion Award from Duncanville Independent School District, for demonstrating expertise and leadership for the betterment of students. Rich teaches journalism and oversees all the publications for the high school. In addition to his degree from Tarleton, Rich earned his master’s from the University of North Texas.

’98

ALAN KUNST JR., B.B.A. in interdisciplinary business, and RALPH MATTISON JR., M.ED. in physical education, opened a Sloan & Williams Winery together in 2013. The venture has done so well that the duo has opened a second location in Grapevine. Kunst and Mattison met in the ROTC while at Tarleton and both went on to serve in the military.

’00AMY GALINDO, B.B.A. in marketing, was named as Vice President of Market Services at the Dallas Market Center. Prior to joining the Dallas Market Center, Galindo was a sales professional for Jan Barboglio and worked with key retailers such as Neiman Marcus.

’01

LISA CLAWSON, B.B.A. in accounting, was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Financial Accounting at TexasBank. Prior to the promotion, Clawson served as the Financial Accounting Officer at TexasBank, where she has worked since 2002.

JANET OGDEN, B.B.A. in marketing, was promoted to Senior Vice President of Retail Services at TexasBank. Prior to the promotion, Ogden was the Vice President of Retail Services at TexasBank. Ogden is also a board member for the United Way of Brown County.

’02

AVALOY LANNING, B.S.W. in social work, has been selected as the executive director of the Rutland County Women’s Network and Shelter. Lanning’s background includes more than 15 years of fighting human trafficking. In addition to her Tarleton degree, she earned her master’s from the National Catholic School of Social Service at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

LARRY THOMPSON, B.B.A. in management, was selected to teach an advanced industrial cybersecuriity course offered by the International Society of Automation. He is an industrial network and control systems consultant and an ISA Certified Automation Professional. Thompson served 20 years in the Air Force as well as writing several ISA books.

’03

DONNA BREWER, B.S. in mathematics, received the Welch Foundation grant. Brewer serves as the math department chairwoman and teaches pre-calculus and dual-credit math classes at Copperas Cove High School.

MISTY SHAW, B.A. in accounting, joined the Azle News and Springtown Epigraph as a reporter. Shaw is not new to the newspaper business as her start began in 2004 as a reporter for the Stephenville Empire-Tribune.

KELLY TARLA, M.S. in agriculture, was selected as the new Burnet County AgriLife Extension agent. Prior to accepting the position, Tarla taught elementary school in Florence. In addition to earning her master’s degree from Tarleton, Tarla received her bachelor’s in agricultural services and development from Tarleton.

’05

DOUG SHAW, M.S. in general agriculture, was selected as the new general manager for the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. Prior to taking the position, Shaw spent nine years with the Texas Water Development Board in the water planning division, becoming an ombudsman in 2013. Shaw also earned his bachelor’s from Tarleton in agricultural economics.

JASON MAYO, M.ED. in educational administration, has been selected as the principal of Temple High School. Prior to taking the position, Mayo was the principal of Bonham Middle School and has also served as an assistant principal at several schools. In addition to his master’s degree from Tarleton, Mayo earned his bachelor’s and doctorate from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

’06

ALISON SCHANNEP BELLIVEAU, M.ED. in educational administration, was named Administrator of the Year for the Career and Technology Association of Texas. She works as the Career and Technology Education coordinator for Killeen Independent School District.

’07

BLAKE CAMPBELL, B.S. in agribusiness, received his juris doctor degree from Texas A&M University’s School of Law. In addition to his degrees from Tarleton and law school, Campbell received his master’s from Texas Tech University.

’08

CYLYNN BRASWELL, M.S. in information systems, coordinator at Northwest Independent School District’s Outdoor Learning Center, has been named as the director of career and technical education. She previously served as an agricultural science instructor at Byron Nelson High School as well as teaching in the McKinney school district. Her bachelor’s is also from Tarleton in agricultural services and development.

KRYSTAL HATFIELD, B.S. in kinesiology, was hired as the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce’s programs and events coordinator. Hatfield’s previous position was as a lead teacher at Faith School in Stephenville.

JENNA MARWITZ, B.S. in international studies (far right), and former student Nicole Sparks (far left) have turned cooking into a “crockin” adventure. The best friend duo from Brownwood combined being busy moms and slow cooker recipes into a viral hit. With more than 763,000 Facebook followers, Sparks and Marwitz have also crossed over into print publications. They published “The Crockin’ Girls: Slow Cookin’ Companion” in 2012. Tarleton President Dr. Dottavio and his wife, Lisette got a sneak preview of the new book, “The Crockin’ Girls It’s Our Crockin’ Life,” which hit stores in August.

’09MATTHEW STEWART, M.B.A. in business administration, has been named Vice President of Credit Analysis at Gulf Coast Business Credit in Austin. Stewart has nine years of experience in the financial services industry and holds a financial analysis certification from the Risk Management Association.

’10

BRIEANA TUNISON, B.S. in animal science, joined the veterinary team at Emergency Animal Hospital of Northwest Austin as its newest veterinarian. Tunison will provide urgent and emergency and critical care for pets. In addition to graduating summa cum laude from Tarleton, she graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University’s Veterinary School.

’13

TEDI SCHMIDT, B.S. in communication studies, joined the Balcom Agency in Fort Worth as its director of first impressions. Prior to Balcom, Schmidt served as assistant coordinator at Jordan Payne Events, a luxury wedding planning company in Dallas.

FLOYD INGRAM, B.S. in agricultural services and development, was named as Milam County’s extension agent for agriculture and natural resources. Ingram completed a two-year internship with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Ellis County before joining the extension office in Milam County.

’14

JUSTIN MCGRIFF, M.S. in agriculture, has been hired as the agriculture and natural resources agent for Fisher County by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. McGriff earned his bachelor’s from Angelo State University, where he worked at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo collecting scientific data and caring for livestock.

CHARLES MOORE, B.S. in kinesiology was named to the 2015 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, which is comprised of players from all divisions who maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college career. Also, Moore was named to the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2013 and an LSC Honor Roll honorable mention in 2012.

JORDAN SIMONS, B.S. in communication studies, joined the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo as its social media manager. Simons grew up in Aledo.

JACOB HENDRICKS, B.B.A. in marketing, was selected as the marketing coordinator for Stephenville’s Chamber of Commerce. Hendricks recently completed a marketing internship with Tarleton’s Career Services.

’15

Contact us Send your alumni and class updates to Tarleton State University: Box T-0730, Stephenville, TX 76402 media@tarleton.edu | (254) 968-9460

ClassN�tes

Never better expressed than when Tarleton graduates receive Tarleton rings—a priceless reminder of their achievements at Tarleton and their preparation for their professional careers.

Proud students-proud parents!

Tarleton’s annual Ring Ceremony arrives on OCTOBER 2 make your student proud! Mac ‘71 and Kathy McKinnerney admire the Tarleton ring that son Shea shows off. The beautiful commemorative ring—first in the world to feature series numbering as part of the design— provides a constant reminder of the lifelong friendships and achievements made at Tarleton and tells the world that you are proud of your Tarleton roots and heritage. The traditional border of the University seal encircles the Tarleton T and the State of Texas, while the sides reflect the university with the campus gates and cannon surrounded by oaks and antique lamp posts on one side and the impressive architecture of the administration building on the other.

Wear it with Tarleton Pride!

BY CHANDRA ANDREW

Champions! A year’s worth of blood, sweat and effort paid off for Tarleton’s men’s rodeo team at the 67th annual College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.

The men’s championship is Tarleton’s third, joining teams from 1967 and 2005. Tarleton also holds four women’s championship—1969, ’70, ’71 and 2005.

Championship titles return to Tarleton Not our First

“It was nerve-racking waiting for the final event to know if we had won it,” said seventh-year head coach Mark Eakin, (’97). “It’s a weight lifted off our shoulders and a credit to the kids. I couldn’t ask more of them.”

Tarleton’s three-time CNFR qualifier Landon Williams capped off his senior year by winning the all-around title (third in Tarleton history) and the national title in tie-down roping.

“It is certainly an awesome feeling when your team wins the national championship,” said Williams, an agricultural services and development major with a concentration in agri-industries and agencies. “I feel blessed to be part of the Tarleton Texans and for helping them get to the top of the nation.”

DAN HUBBELL RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY

Williams amassed 445 points in tie-down and team roping to secure his titles. In the short go, he tied his calf in 9.9 seconds to finish third in the round. His time of 39 seconds on four head was 1.6 seconds faster than the second-place roper.

Aside from collecting 280 points in tie-down roping, Williams scored another 165 in team roping with partner Casey Tew, a header attending nearby Weatherford College. The duo finished sixth in the average.

“Landon has always heeled very well. This year he really worked hard at his calf roping and it paid off,” said Eakin. “We have a great team and any one of them is capable of being the leader. Landon was the one who stepped up and had an exceptional week at the finals, but it took all of us to get here and to win it.”

Freshman Jace Lane racked up 240 points to finish third in the all-around and second in saddle bronc riding.

“Jace had a really outstanding week. He’s just a freshman and he weighs a whopping 130 pounds, but he rides broncs very well,” said Eakin.

Rodeo

In bareback riding, Kody Lamb’s consistency earned third in the average and fifth in the short round. Senior Devan Reilly missed placing in the short round but placed third in the second round with a 76-point ride and split 11th and 12th in the average.

Other team members were Jace Melvin and Brody Cress. Melvin, a senior, placed eighth in the second and third rounds of steer wrestling and also competed in tie-down roping.

While the men took home the biggest prize, the women’s team held their own to finish fifth overall.

Tarleton’s team featured Lauren Bane (breakaway roping, goat tying), Shelby Herrmann (barrel racing) and Baili Collins (goat tying). Herrmann finished second in the third round and seventh in the short round to place fourth in the average. In goat tying, Bane finished fourth in the third round and Collins finished 11th in the average.

Tarleton notched a seventh-straight appearance in the CNFR—the “Rose Bowl” of college rodeo—with 10 students competing.

Three-time CNFR qualifier Landon Williams (left) ropes his way to the all-around and tie-down roping titles as well as leading the way for Tarleton to win the men’s championship title.

“It was just outstanding to see the looks on the kids’ faces and to know they had reached their goal,” Eakin said. “Two of them won’t be back, but what a great way to end their college careers. We’ve had four thirds and a second since I’ve been here, and to finally finish it is a feeling you can’t describe. Getting to share it with Bob and Darla (Doty) and President Dominic Dottavio made it extra special.”

“It was just outstanding to see the looks on the kids’ faces and to know they had reached their goal.”

— Mark Eakin Tarleton Rodeo Head Coach

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS Track and Field stars set records

Tarleton competitors won individual event NCAA Division II National Outdoor Track and Field Championships in women’s long jump and men’s 4x400-meter relay race this May in Allendale, Michigan.

Senior jumper Euphemia Edem captured the national championship on her final effort, hurtling 6.56 meters—a personal best, a Tarleton record, a facility record and the Lone Star Conference All-Time record.

The Texan 4x400-meter relay team of Terrance Gross, Cameron Krc, Clarencio Guerrero and Gilson Umunnakwe raced to the national championship in a Tarleton record time of 3:08.25.

Tarleton nearly posted a third national champion when defending 1,500-meter national champion Chase Rathke led the race coming off the final curve with 100 meters to go, only to lose the sprint to the finish with Adams State’s Oliver Aitchison. Rathke won the championship last year and this was his first 1,500-meter loss in his college career, finishing in 3:46.82 to Aitchison’s 3:45.92.

“Chase executed the race plan to a T,” said Tarleton Head Coach Pat Ponder. “I fully expect to see Chase Rathke back at the national championships next year.”

The final leap catapulting Edem to the championship exceeded her own expectations.

“I didn't expect it,” she said. “Ending that way in a competitive fashion, with all those girls jumping over 6.5 meters, was great.”

The Lone Star Conference indoor and outdoor track and field female athlete of the year, Edem erased the 31-year-old conference mark of 6.45 meters.

“I'm super excited for Euphemia,” said Ponder. “She did an outstanding job. She competed when you had to compete in those last few jumps, and she represented Tarleton very well.”

The senior, who transferred to Tarleton from Stillman College in Alabama, repeatedly made history in her lone year as a TexAnn. Edem broke four school records—indoor long jump, indoor triple jump, outdoor long jump, outdoor triple jump—and added a fifth record as a member of the TexAnn 4x100m relay team.

For the champion 4x400 team, Ponder credited Assistant Coach Justin Hobbs with getting the team mentally prepared. "That was just phenomenal," said Ponder, with each athlete executing “the perfect race.”

In the finals, "Clarencio (Guerrero) had the fastest split…, but you can't just have one guy doing the work,” Ponder said. “You have to have four guys committed to the race plan and achieving the goal. We had two 46's and two 47's—that's not too bad.”

The Texans and TexAnns each finished 15th overall.

“It's been a great year for Tarleton track and field,” said Ponder. “It's the largest group that we've taken to the national championships.”

The TexAnns finished as the top team among Lone Star Conference competitors.

“On the guys’ side, we weren't even ranked and we established ourselves as a top-15 team,” Ponder said. “We're on the right track and we're doing things the right way. They're good representatives of the university, on and off the track.”

Relay Race Team members Terrance Gross (front left), Cameron Krc (front right), Gilson Ummuanakwe (back left) and Clarencio Guerrero (back right).

Euphemia Edem

Texan safety gains national recognition as Campbell award nominee

BY NATHAN BURAL Director of Athletic Communications

When Charles Moore arrived for two-a-day practices last August, the Texan senior had no idea he was beginning a season that would culminate with national recognition in New York as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.

The National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete recognition brought 17 finalists from all levels of collegiate football to a presentation ceremony in New York on December 9. As a finalist, Moore received the Eddie Robinson Scholarship, providing $18,000 for graduate studies.

“The National Football Foundation award and being able to go to New York was incredible,” said Moore. “I never thought that my grades would take me that far. To see all that hard work and all those long nights pay off really meant a lot to me.”

The event also enabled Moore to reward his mother. Before he knew of the award, “I had actually asked her, ‘where is the one place you would like to go if you get the chance?’ and she said New York. So I called her first...” When he greeted her in New York, “it was great to see her face light up.”

The Campbell Trophy is “the most unbelievable award I've ever heard of,” said Tarleton head coach Cary Fowler. "This is something that encompasses every athlete across the nation in every division. When you look at Charles' grades and his community service, he is a coach's dream.”

The national recognition was just one of a series of academic honors Moore received. He garnered academic all-conference and CoSIDA Capital One Academic AllAmerica honors, as well. An all-conference safety, he also was a three-time member of the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Moore also was honored as Most Outstanding Graduate this past December for his 3.83 grade point average in addition to his football efforts and more than 200 total hours of community service. The Robinson scholarship he received now allows him to pursue his master’s degree in kinesiology at Tarleton and serve as a graduate assistant for the Texan football team.

His mother contributes to Moore’s motivation. “She works so hard and I think, if she can do that for me, with three kids, then I can play the game of football,” Moore said.

Moore than Qualified

And play well. Moore churned out one of the best seasons from a defensive player in recent Tarleton history as he tallied 76 tackles and a team-high five interceptions for the season to earn all-conference, all-region and All-American honors.

“Of all the awards I received last year,” Moore said, “AllAmerican probably was the most surprising. I thought I had a lot of great seasons here, but when the awards started to come in it became so surreal.”

As a team leader, Moore “was trying to set good examples for the young guys,” he said. “I had great mentors show me the right way to do things and I wanted to continue that tradition for our young guys.”

After completing his master’s degree, Moore plans to teach and coach at the high school level.

The year and all the honors were “such a blessing,” said Moore. “I’ve always dreamt about these types of things happening, but for them to come around my senior year and to have everything come together was remarkable in how I was able to see my hard work pay off.”

Mary Francis “Tance” Hook Kasem

Elizabeth Kasline

Curtis Kern

F. Koehler

Jo Kohlman

Koomey

R. Koonce

Sue Kribbs

Carroll Lamaster

Wesley Ledbetter

Morris Ledbetter

Lewallen

Rose Lewallen

Lee Lilly

Annette “Ann” Limmer

Rowland Lindsay

Mac Loggins

“Mara” Bruno Love

Lowery

Boyd Lowry M. Colleen Lucas

Rambo Lyckman

John Mack

Marshall

Jean Martin

Martin Vernon F. Martin

Masuda

Elihue Mathis Jr.

Dan Mayfield

Jo McAlister

Donald McCarty

Aileen G. McClung

McCollum

Martha Charlotte McCoy

Autry McKinney

Kristine McLemore

McPherson

Flowers Mendoza Mary Lou Meredith

C. Miller

McKinley Miller

Oliver Mills, Jr.

Loran Mitchell

Lewis

Kay Morris

Muhl

Curtis

Ochsenbein

Hulsey

Ondarza

“Don” O’Neal

Vandelia Padget

Ray

Eleanora

Antonece

“Rosie”

Eugene Rucker

Carl Samuel

J. Sansing

E.

D.

Scherz

Lee Schrank

Cochran Schulz Charlie C. Schumann, Jr.

Ray Seimears

Ruth Sherman

(Alex)

Sikes

Dale Simpson

Clyde Slate

J. Smith

Samantha Smith

Dale Smith

Allison Snead, Jr.

Snodgrass

Heather Marie Rouse

Rowland

James Allen Williams Gary Jay Willingham

Juanita Ruth Wilson Richard Henry

Winder

Wright

Box T-0570 Stephenville, TX 76402 (254) 968-9000 | www.tarleton.edu

Deja View

The 1978-79 marching band performs a dazzling routine during halftime of Homecoming 1978 at Memorial Stadium. That year, the Tarleton Texans defeated the Sul Ross Lobos 35-3. It had been seven years since Tarleton had won their homecoming game. After that victory, Tarleton was ranked No. 2 in the nation. Come home and watch the 2015 Tarleton Texans take on Eastern New Mexico and The Sound and The Fury Marching Band dazzle the Homecoming crowd on Oct. 17, 2015.

For more information,visit www.tarleton.edu/homecoming