Issue 1 - 8-27-12

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Enrollment dips 5% Adds/drops possible through Aug. 28 in Counseling Center BRITTANI PFAU Co-Executive Editor

Hayley Young / THE FLARE

As students line up the stairway of the Devall Student Center on the first day of late registration, Reye Gomez, freshman, (center) signs up for classes. Enrollment is down 5 percent from this time last year.

Enrollment has decreased approximately 5 percent this semester. At the end of late registration Aug. 22, 6,026 students were enrolled, compared to 6,345 students enrolled at the same time last year.

“Enrollment as a whole across the state has been trending downwards. The possible reasons we’ve talked about is that as the economy continues to get better and the nation is recovering from the recession more people are going out to try to find jobs rather than going to school,” said Staci Martin, registrar and director of admissions. “We’ve also seen the local population of high school students decrease. Fewer kids are graduating to come to college. These are just some of our thoughts,

The Flare

things we’ve talked about informally.”

Enrollment figures will fluctuate. Students can register and make changes to their schedules Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 27-28, by visiting the Counseling Center on the second floor of the Devall Student Center. Students do not need to make an appointment.

Through Sept. 15, students will receive a 70 percent refund for dropped classes. From Sept.

15- 24, students will receive a 25 percent refund.

No refunds will be given after Sept. 24.

QUEST and Full Throttle courses are also offered at KC-Longview.

QUEST courses give students an opportunity to earn 12 hours of college credit in 16 weeks.

Fall courses begin Aug. 27.

Full Throttle classes begin on Sept. 24 for 12 weeks. Students may enroll in these courses until Sept. 21 without a late fee.

Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 Vol. 76 No. 1 Serving Kilgore College since 1936

WELCOME TO KC!

Welcome Week kicks off fall semester Kicko includes pep rally, free lunch ASHTON JOHNSON Co-Executive Editor

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The college will be hosting KC Kickoff next week.

To welcome students, free drinks and Charlie’s Sno-balls will be served Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 4 and 5, in front of the Watson Library.

Classes on the Kilgore campus will be canceled from 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 6, for a pep rally in Masters Gym. A free lunch sponsored by Student Life will be served after the pep rally between Masters Gym and the Devall Student Center. The lunch will include hot dogs, hamburgers, cookies and snow-cones.

Kickoff will also include an organizations fair which will offer students a chance to learn more about the different organizations on campus.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know as many students as I can and hopefully providing a good experience for them,” said Ross Costanzo, new assistant director of student life. “I want to improve the excitement on campus and encourage students to be involved in student activities and intramurals.”

To conclude Welcome Week, the Rangers will play Tyler Junior College 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler.

“Being from New York it’s great to see new faces and I look forward to a new and fun school year,” Costanzo said.

IF YOU GO WHAT KC Kicko marks the beginning of the new academic year and football season WHEN & WHERE Classes on the Kilgore campus will be canceled from 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, for a pep rally in Masters Gym. A free lunch will be served after the pep rally between Masters Gym and the Devall Student Center. Group representatives will be on hand to answer student’s questions about organizations.

Ranger Alert notifies students of emergencies KELLY GILLIT Staff Writer With all the hustle and bustle of late registration, bookstore lines and overall back-to-school preparation KC students go through before even stepping foot in their classrooms, it is important not to overlook one last step in having a safe semester: Ranger Alert.

Whether a class is canceled or severe weather rolls in, Ranger Alert is a campus-wide emergency alert sent out via text message to keep students aware and safe in case emergencies arise.

To register a cellphone, go to Campus Connect at kilgore.edu, click on the Ranger Alert button and enter the cellphone number.

Ranger Alert will confirm the registration with a text message to the student and to the wireless cellphone carrier.

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Play

Ball!

KC gains Texarkana College, Lon Morris softball players

T

ASHLEY MORALES • Staff Writer

he next sport up to bat at KC is women’s fast-pitch softball with Leslie Messina as the head coach.

Messina comes from Texarkana College where she was the head softball coach for eight years. TC announced in May that all sports, including men’s and women’s golf, baseball and softball, were being cut due to financial issues.

Messina soon had offers from Tyler Junior College, Arkansas Tech and KC. Messina decided KC was the best fit.

“The people at Kilgore College have demonstrated their commitment to the program. Their commitment level has far exceeded the other schools I looked at, and I knew they were excited for it and they would give us the support we needed and they wanted

to do it right, and I liked that,” Messina said.

Sophomore Capria Howell, injured at the time of the announcement, was at ease that she would not have to transfer anywhere without softball.

“When we were talking (Messina) asked us if she went, if we would go with her and basically all of us agreed,” Howell said.

Messina discussed her choices with the team and in May she told the team that KC was the best place for them.

“She said the whole time her mind was set on Kilgore. She always said how everyone was so nice, and they were so ready to have softball,” Howell said.

KC will take Texarkana College’s place in See SOFTBALL on Page 5

Bre a k i n g n ews, videos an d exten ded cover age at www.thef lareonline. com

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O. Rufus Lovett / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

Holly Von Ehrenfried (right) of Frisco and Jalla Johnson (left) of Grapeland engage in batting practice.

GAME TIME WHAT New women’s fastpitch softball team WHEN & WHERE First game of the season will be at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 1, at Stream-Flo Park against the DFW Firecrackers.

Stream-Flo Park is next to Driller Park, located at 1800 S. Commerce St. in Kilgore.

Entrance to the game is free to students with their KC ID.

MONDAY, August 27, 2012

The Flare

FACE IN THE CROWD

Dr. Mike Jenkins Vice president of student development

NOTEBOOK Aug. 27– Sept. 15 MONDAY, Aug. 27 First day of classes Drops/adds 8 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.

A.D.N. Hospital Orientation 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., DSC Ballroom

How long have you worked for KC? ... Began August 1991, so 21 years.

Describe your duties as vice president ... Responsible for providing leadership to a comprehensive student development division that integrates student services from recruitment through job placement, ensuring the quality customer focus of those services and providing a safe, supportive environment for student development. Provide a strategic vision for enrollment services and student affairs that is focused on student success, resolve student-related issues, manage the college’s discipline processes, coordinate Title IX efforts, work effectively with other college areas to enhance the quality of student life and represent the division and the college both on and off campus.

What is one of the biggest challenges you face at KC? ... Ensuring that all our folks put students first every day. It’s a continual process, putting ourselves in students’ “shoes.”

What are some hobbies

you enjoy outside of KC? ...

Travel, especially international mission/humanitarian aid work, volunteering in various church/ community organizations and I just began scuba.

What is something most people don’t know about you? ... I’m a licensed minister, so I can marry and bury!

What is something you know now that you wish you would have known when you were in college? ... That my wife gives birth to two at a time! We had twins right after graduation. Seriously though, that tutors were available.

Who/What inspires you? ...

Joe and Piper Hinsley, friends of mine who gave up a lucrative construction business to move to Brazil to help others.

What is your overall favorite thing about KC? ... The opportunity to engage with such a diverse student population, knowing that what we do prepares students for success.

What’s the best advice you have ever received? ... To really read Ephesians 2:8-9.

Changed my life, literally.

TUESDAY, Aug. 28 Drops/ adds 8 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.

O.B.N Orientation 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.

DSC Ballroom

FRIDAY, Aug. 31 Campus closes at 2:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, Sept. 1 Rangers vs. Dodge City (Kan.) 7 p.m.

R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium Softball Invitational TBA Stream-Flo Field

MONDAY, Sept. 3 Campus closed for Labor Day

Brandy Eubanks/ THE FLARE

Police academy loses longtime instructor BRITTANI PFAU Co-Executive Editor Memorial services for Leslie (Les) N. Ferguson, II, East Texas Police Academy instructor, were held July 2 in Dodson Auditorium.

Ferguson was killed in a motorcycle accident June 27 at Interstate 20 and Texas 31.

Prior to the service, about 100 Blue Knight Riders from across Texas and Louisiana escorted Ferguson’s family from Fellowship Baptist Church in Longview to the auditorium.

TUESDAY, Sept. 4 Free drinks and Snow cones

Ferguson had served as vice president for the motorcycle group.

Multiple police and fire departments from around the area and the Longview Fire Pipe and Drum Corps attended the service.

In 1990, Ferguson was hired at KC’s East Texas Police Academy where he served as an instructor for a little more than three decades.

His 33-year-career included service with several area police departments in multiple positions including White Oak, Lakeport, Longview, the Gregg County Sheriff ’s Office, the U.S. Drug

Enforcement Administration Task Force and others.

Ferguson is survived by his wife of 31 years, Pam Ferguson; a daughter and sonin-law, Jacquelyn and Jededia Dennis of Hallsville; two sons, A1C Chase Ferguson and Les Alex Ferguson of Longview; and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother and step-father, Barbara and Pete Wilson, of Longview; and five siblings, including Michael Ferguson, KC Police Academy instructor.

THE FACE OF TEXAS

All day In front of the Watson Library

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 5 Free drinks and Snow cones All day In front of the Watson Library

11:30 a.m.

Masters Gym

Upward Bound Orientation 6:45- 8 p.m.

DSC Ballroom

SATURDAY, Sept. 8 Rangers vs. TJC 7 p.m.

Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium

TUESDAY, Sept. 11 Sept. 11 Ceremony 9 a.m.

KC Fire Academy Training Grounds Service Fair 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

DSC Ballroom

FRIDAY, Sept. 14 NEXT ISSUE OF THE FLARE SATURDAY, Sept. 15 Rangers vs. Trinity Valley 7 p.m.

Athens

Kilgore Community Concert 7- 9 p.m.

Dodson Auditorium

Softball Invitational TBA Denton

Band members wanted It’s not too late to join the band.

Director Glenn Wells is still looking for new members with an interest or experience in music to sign up for the KC Ranger Band, and is especially looking for students who can play percussion or tuba.

Contact Glenn Wells at 903-983-8272 or email him at gwells@kilgore. edu.

– Kelly Gillit

Chorale searching for talent ASHTON JOHNSON Co-Executive Editor

THURSDAY, Sept. 6 KC Kicko

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 12 12th Class Day O cial Reporting Day

Les Ferguson

Michael O’Brien / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

This photograph of the Grammy award-winning R&B group Destiny’s Child is featured in Michael O’Brien’s photography exhibit, The Face of Texas. The exhibit is in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center Gallery through Sept.

27. O’Brien is a freelance magazine photographer who began his career as a sta photographer for the Miami News, where he won two Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards. He worked in New York City for 14 years before moving to Texas in 1990, and has lived in Austin since 1993. His photographs have been featured in Texas Monthly, National Geographic, Life Magazine, Time Magazine, Esquire and the New York Times Sunday Magazine.

Fire academy graduation Sept. 13 FROM STAFF REPORTS Thirteen students will graduate from Class 84 of the KC Fire Academy at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the Woodruff Adult Education Center Auditorium.

The KC Fire Academy is accredited by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the State Firemen and Fire Marshal’s Association and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board and the Southern Association of

Colleges and Schools.

The academy offers certification schools for NFPA 1001 Basic Structural Firefighter I and II Certification, the Texas Volunteer certification, Fire Inspector and Fire and Arson Investigation courses.

It is also a designated institution by the Canadian Province of British Columbia.

Graduation candidates are listed by hometown as follows: Big Sandy: Gregory C. Dodson

Carrollton: Joshua C. Monroe Canton: David A. Yager Edgewood: Joel H. Gammons Gilmer: Douglas D. Stewart Harleton: David K. Corrin Lockhart: Benford Walters Longview: Colby A. Williams Mineola: Paul D. Pearman Saint John, New Brunswick,Canada: Joshua M.G. Thorne Tyler: Michael R. Tillery White Oak: Anthony E. Depaepe Wills Point: Zachary G. Griffin

SKD receives prestigious distinction BRITTANI PFAU Co-Executive editor KC’S Sigma Kappa Delta chapter has been named an “Ivy Chapter” for excellence. SKD is the national English honor society for two-year colleges.

SKD was originally formed through Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society for four-year colleges. Its purpose is to recognize and honor outstanding students of English language and literature.

The name Sigma Kappa Delta derives from the Greek letters

representing the first letter in each of the works in the society’s motto, “sincerity, knowledge and design.”

The KC chapter sponsors are Jason Graves, English instructor and assistant department chair for language development, and Dr. Richard Harrison, dean of liberal and fine arts.

“We were really happy to get this news,” Graves said. “Only 14 chapters nationwide managed to gain ‘Ivy Chapter’ status.”

At KC, outstanding English students are invited to join Sigma Kappa Delta once each year. Last spring, the KC

chapter inducted 34 new members.

SKD member Carol Degrasse was also recognized by the national organization as an outstanding student in English.

Students from only 20 colleges received this level of recognition.

Through its chapters at two-year colleges nationwide, SKD provides students with many opportunities to advance the study of language and literature, to develop skills in both creative and analytical writing and to receive scholarships to help with the cost of continuing their education.

As this semester takes off, the KC Chorale is still recruiting students.

The Chorale is for students who love to sing and can hold a choral part. A brief audition is required to become a part of the Chorale.

“Chorale students sing more frequently with orchestra than any other large university in the state,” said Dr. Jim Taylor, director of choral activities. “It’s a good place for building friendships, growing in musical skills and it’s a great balance to your other academics.”

The Chorale will participate in three concerts this semester. The first will be held on Saturday, Sept.

29, performing Schubert’s Mass in G with the Longview Symphony Orchestra.

The Chorale (MUEN 2142) is the value of one credit hour and meets 10-10:50 a.m. Monday-WednesdayFriday and 9:30-10:50 a.m. TuesdayThursday.

For more information or to audition, contact Taylor at 903983-8122 or email him at jtaylor@ kilgore.edu.

Service Fair provides volunteer opportunities JONATHEN RUESCH Web Editor Discover ways to become involved in the community with the Service Fair 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.

11, in the Devall Student Center Ballroom. The fair is free and open to all KC students, faculty and staff.

“A part of Kilgore College’s curriculum (and other schools’ curriculums as well) is something called Service Learning, which is a credit-bearing education experience.

Service Learning is getting practical experience by volunteering for organizations,” said Candace Heezen, support specialist. “The Service Fair matches up students with organizations that can provide volunteer positions that fit with the students’ programs.”

Some of the participating organizations include Alzheimer’s Association, Boys and Girls Club, Community Connections, the Hospice of East Texas, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Rusk-Panola Children’s Advocacy Center and Special Health Resources.

For more information, contact Heezen at 903-983-8678 or at servicelearning@kilgore.edu.

NEWS

THE FLARE

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012

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West Nile virus continues threat JOy DraPer Staff Writer The growth of the West Nile virus continues to branch out in East Texas. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there have been six confirmed cases with one death in Gregg County and one case in Rusk County.

The virus is contracted through mosquitoes that bite-infected birds.

The mosquitoes then carry the virus to the next animal or human. Many different animals and humans can be affected by this virus. The

chance of being bitten by an infected mosquito is less than 1 percent.

The West Nile virus can be divided into two specific illnesses, the West Nile Fever and the West Nile neuroinvasive disease.

The fever is a milder form of the disease which symptoms can include fever, headache, fatigue, body aches and in rare cases a skin rash. These symptoms are only seen in 20 percent of those bitten.

The neuroinvasive disease is a more severe form, with symptoms including intense headaches, high fever, neck stiffness, convulsions, disorientation and more.

The chance of being infected by the disease is only one in every 150 bites. The virus in most cases have been known to not show symptoms. Many infected humans may never be diagnosed or even see any symptoms. Gregg County has confirmed four out of the six cases of the virus as the neuroinvasive and Rusk has confirmed two.

Howard Stinson, Gregg County supervisor Pct. 1, has issued mosquito spraying at least once a week. The spraying will increase if the population of the insects grow. Rusk County has no existing mosquito spraying program. While

it is rare for people to die from the virus, the reason of death is unknown.

Children, the elderly and those who have weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill. The US National Medical Library states there are many ways to diagnose West Nile virus in a patient, including a head scan and lumbar punction, but the most reliable is a serology test, a blood test checking the count of the antibodies.

The best way to prevent being infected is to avoid being bitten.

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-Fense

D

The best way to prevent West Nile is to practice these habits, known as the “Four D’s”

Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

DRESS in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside.

Stay indoors at DUSK and DAWN, when mosquitoes are most active.

DRAIN standing water where mosquitoes breed. Common breeding sites include old tires, gutters.

Jenkins receives leadership award Vice president named outstanding administrator aSHley MOraleS Staff Writer

Jon Vashey / SPECIAL TO THE FLARE

Ashley Cloud, Austin freshman, receives a congratulatory hug for being named one of the new 36 freshman Rangerettes.

Rangerettes select 73rd line aSHtOn JOHnSOn Co-Executive Editor On July 20, the dreams of 36 young women came true.

Each year approximately 80 to 100 Rangerette hopefuls strive for a freshman position on the world-famous collegiate dance/ drill team line.

All Rangerette hopefuls attend pre-training, a four-day learning opportunity leading up to tryouts.

Each candidate was required to learn one field high-kick routine, one field jazz routine and several other combinations to perform throughout the week.

The Rangerettes were the first of their kind when they began in 1940 as

a vision of the late Gussie Nell Davis.

The new members of the 73rd Rangerette Line are listed by hometown as follows: Allen – Breanna Burns Austin – Ashlee Cloud, Julie Byron, Lauren Gier and Kelsey Johnson Bellville – Abigail Jamar College Station – Jenna Helduser Hallsville – Heather Prince Huntington – Dezirae Burnett Flower Mound – Robin Richardson Fort Worth – Whitney Costello Friendswood – Leisha Kastner Garland – Madison Hancock Highland Village – Lauren Gula Kilgore – K.J. Greene, Tori Boaze, Ally Honeycutt and Jennifer Jones

Lewisville Magnolia – Kaitlin Hanus Manvel Marshall – Kelsey West Montgomery – McKinley Lindwall and Christine Kleinecke Pharr – Lauren Cabrera Plano – Julia Goebel Port Neches – Marli Kimball Richardson – Taylor Mackintosh and Sarah Doman Round Rock – Heather Manskey and Stacy Sauceda San Antonio – Carrie Matus Tyler – Kaytlynn Stalcup, Angie Gonzalez and Thalia Molina Waxahachie – Elizabeth Power

34 new employees join college ranks aSHley MOraleS Staff Writer KC has welcomed the following 34 new employees this fall: Marquita Adams, assistant women’s softball coach Joshua Bernethy, welding instructor (pending Board approval) Bridgit Breslow, project advisor - Upward Bound program Monica Brock, EMT clinical coordinator at KC–Longview (pending Board approval) Beverly Cochran, biology instructor

Ross Costanzo, assistant director - student life Misty Frazier, professional

Bobby Key, process technology instructor Travis Kirby, Jayson Knapps, professional

Elizabeth Garner, professional Elease Haywood, assistant controller Jackie Hobbs, associate degree nursing instructor Randy Humble, Kathryn (Kat) Jackson, culinary instructor Jesse James, biology instructor Courtney Johnson, assistant Christopher Jones, system support specialist - information technology

Kathy Knighton, support specialist - purchasing/AP Dustin Law, demonstration farm manager Coy Lothrop, graphics design instructor Emily McLaughlin, support specialist - registrar Leslie Messina, head women’s softball coach Rick Moser, government instructor Katie Moses, early childhood instructor Terri Peerenboom, associate

Recital features mother, daughter JOnatHen rueScH Web Editor KC will host a Collaboration Recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, in Van Cliburn Auditorium.

The piano-vocal recital will feature a mother-daughter duo–Melanie Sullivan, music instructor, and Kelsie Sullivan, former KC student–playing music from Bach, Barber, Debussy, Rossini, Schubert, Strauss

and more.

“The purpose of the concert is two-fold,” Melanie said. “As faculty, we often participate in recitals to show our students that we understand and do everything we expect them to do: we practice, memorize and perform.”

Kelsie has been at Brigham Young University - Idaho working on a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and seeking

Watson Library hosting ‘Twilight’ discussions Brittani Pfau Co-Executive editor A book discussion group for the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer will be held through November in the BI classroom in the Watson Library.

“Twilight” and “Midnight

Sun” will be discussed in August, “New Moon” in September and “Breaking Dawn” in November.

For more information or to join a discussion group, contact Susan Wilson, public services librarian, by email at swilson@kilgore.edu or by phone, 903-983-8239.

a master’s degree in piano collaboration.

“I don’t see this concert as a means to show off or ‘toot my horn’ for lack of a better phrase, but to show other students that opportunities continually surround us and we must make the most of them,” == said.

The recital is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Melanie Sullivan at 903-783-7527.

degree nursing instructor Joe Reagan, assistant men’s basketball coach Summorrow Robertson, support specialist - testing center Sandra Ruddell, student accounts coordinator Karen Scibona, support government instructor James M. Taylor, philosophy instructor Alan Truitt, associate dean KC–Longview Thomas Weidmer-Ocampo, Spanish instructor

Dr. Mike Jenkins, vice president of student development, received the Carl M. Nelson Administrative Leadership Award from the Texas Association of Community Colleges at its annual conference in Galveston.

The award was established in 2003 in memory of Carl M. Nelson, who was president of Texarkana College and assisted dozens of others as they accepted their leadership positions in community colleges across Texas.

The honor celebrates the importance of administrative leadership in Texas Community Colleges by recognizing a vice president or dean who has demonstrated his/her outstanding leadership qualities in one of its 50 community college districts.

To receive the award, a nominee must have displayed leadership qualities and traits which are related to the success in community college presidents. They include: Understanding of and commitment to the mission of the c o m p r e h e n s ive community college Demonstrated support for student learning and success Ability to develop broad-based perspectives Capacity to develop effective, collegial working relationships with faculty and staff Character traits typically associated with effective leadership (e.g., honesty, integrity, compassion, sense of fairness and equity) Demonstrated involvement in communityoriented activities outside the college Support for and personal engagement in professional development activities Dr. Bill Holda, KC president, nominated Jenkins for the award.

There also had to be a letter of recommendation from a KC faculty member, a letter from one

of Jenkins’ staff members, as well as a letter from someone in the community that is not employed by KC. “Dr. Mike Jenkins was selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants for this award.

The selection committee was impressed not only with the breadth of his experience and contribution to the community college environment, but also with the depth of his community service and servant leadership,” Holda said. “He is very deserving and is a credit to Kilgore College and to the community colleges in Texas.”

At the conference Holda was able to present the award to Jenkins.

“He’s kind of my mentor so it was nice that he was there. He read some of the things that were written in the letters which was nice and a little embarrassing.

But it was nice,” Jenkins said. “It was one of those things that I felt humbled that Dr. Holda would nominate me from KC. We have a lot of fantastic administrators here, and for him to choose me, it was a nice acknowledgement of the efforts that I put in.”

At the conference Jenkins was able to meet with all the college presidents from around the state. Jenkins began work at KC in 1991 and has served as vice president of student development since 2008.

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THE FLARE

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012

NEWS

467 named to spring President’s and Dean’s lists ASHLEY MORALES Staff Writer Kilgore College has named 467 students to its Spring 2012 President’s and Dean’s lists.

Students earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average and enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, which exclude developmental classes, have been named to the President’s List.

The Dean’s List honorees have achieved at least a 3.5 GPA enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, excluding developmental classes.

PRESIDENT’S LIST Austin Stephanie Arino and Sheridan McDowell

DEAN’S LIST Arp Ricky Gorbett Balch Springs Amanda Tibbitts

Carthage April Riley

Gladewater Crystal Akers, Amber Burgettj, Stacy Christine, Shelbi Crews.

Juanita Fail, Schimane Fluellen, Kelly Gillit, Jenifer Goude, Preverties Harris, Linda Jones, Christopher Loftis, Bradley Miles. Jordan Moss, Sherry Pate, Jonathen Ruesch, Joseph Scott, Sara Siviero, Justin Stephens, Zachary Strait, Nicole Welch and Ethan Witthaus

Chandler Allison Palmer

Grand Saline Chad McKinney

Cookville Theresa McGregor

Groveton Samantha Collier

Corpus Christi Lesly Powell

Hallsville Emily Alford, Mary Byerly, Megan Charles, Kimberli Denton, Tabatha Elliott, Whitney Green. Michelle Hopkins, Tori Johnston, Jessica Kinney and Brittany Taylor

Beaumont Katie Canant Big Sandy Robert Forrest, Patricia Moore and Justin Smith Carrollton Mary Van Natta

Crossett William Ricks

Beaumont Stephanie Aumiller

Dale Deanna Donahue

Bee Cave Ashley Bonner

Dallas Alisha Hall, Carly Marston and Synthia Wilson

Big Sandy Rebecca Bewley, Rachel Dudley and Cody Hahn Carthage Neyba Medina Center Briley Boren Cushing Paul Kesinger Diana Alyssa Dyer, Bas Hoppenreijs and Jennifer Molina Gary Anthony Skinner Gilmer Barbie Garner, Cindy Gill, Emily Harper, James Hewitt and Matthew Sullivan Gladewater Judy Akers, Jami Allen, Ryan Allen, Andre Brewster, Leah Brooks, Salome Macias, Jordan Palmer, Joshua Weldon, Cameron Cockerell and Tammy Craig Hallsville Mary Phillips and Kacey Templeton Hawkins Jason Tillie Henderson Angela Anderson, Selena Church, John Conner, Hannah Craig, Cady Gill, Charley Keen, Adrian Maples, Kami Rutherford, Randi Vinson and Lauren Williams Houston Ellen Dutton Hughes Springs Samantha Hargett Karnack John Harris Kilgore Joshua Allen, Trent Cayce, Brenda Dietz, Amanda Fitch, Ashley Forrestier, Joey Gaspard, Emily Green, Valentin Huerta, Ti ney Joiner, Billy Jones, Jessica Kabala, Kevin Miller, April Moore, Robert Moore, Sarah Morton, Laura Newsom, Beatrice Noland, Rachel Null, Hotaru Ogasawara, Jamie Pee, Amberly Prykhodko, Alden Shelton, Du Sung, Markes Tippitt, Sally Turner, John Wells, Audra Yerke and Wakako Yonaha Lindale Brooksanne Purvis Longview Trevor Adams, Jerry Allen, Trenton Bennett, Gracious Benton, Jennifer Bolton, Je Caballero, Giselle Cardenas, Milisa Carter, Allyson Castillo, Lani Cloyd, Monica Cole, Luis Cruz, Chelsie Davis, Kimberly Davis, Christopher Dickson, Cameron Dimond, Jessica Elledge, Betsy Foreman, Jorge Garcia, Penny Glossinger, Cara Herbert, Varya Ignatchenko, Kayla Jordan, Garrett Kaiser, Brittany Knowles, Kenneth Knowles, Lydia Loritsch, Heidi Lybarger, Amanda Maddox, Alyssa Maxwell, Jonica Miller, Lori Montemagno, Ti any Moore, Taylor Murphey, Wendy Norton, Ashley Ray, Chelsea She eld, Kasey Sides, Lauren Sutton, Joan Christi Tronzon, Ti any Wallace, Benjamin Whiteley and Jimmy Young Lufkin Jessica Stovall Marshall Paul Couch and Caitlyn Glorioso McKinney Kalli Spurgin Mineola Chloee Wisdom Nederland Mackenzie Jardell Overton Stefanie Matthews, Heather Reynolds, Angela Thorn and Edward Turner Pasadena Bethany Phelps Pittsburg Sheri Bynum Plano Kimberly Hackler Rusk Peggy Parent Tatum Katie Kuykendall and Hunter Liles The Woodlands Kirstie Tullis Tyler Chelsea Clinton and McKenzie Robinson Van Kasi Dickerson Waxahachie Kate Basinger White Oak Victoria Barber, Joseph Barr, Rachel Boudreaux, James Floyd, Sally Goode, Kristin Koonce, Kourtney Nolan and Victoria Richardson Whitehouse Andrea Claytor Winnfield Caleb Boyett Winnsboro Lakken Messimer

Combs, Timothy Cunningham, Darren Danos, Deserax Dowdy, LuAnn Duncan. Shelby Greathouse, Joshua Hahn, Adam Marion, Jordan McCraven. Anacari Sanchez, Krista Scott and Michael Tackett

Diana Michelle Carmichael, Shawn Davidson, David Justman, Heather Mutina, Christa Porter, Tommy Price and Kendra Slaton Dickinson Jeremy Forsberg Flint Arlin Busano Frankston Emma Shewmake Friendswood Ashley Cupples and Jacquelyn Garza Frisco Cara Rzucidlo

Harleton Michael Beattie Hawkins Louie Snider Henderson Casie Ackerman, Caitlin Baxter, Gloria Bazaldua, Dylan Devance, Estefany Diaz, David Dotson, Rogelio Escobedo, Nicolas Griego, Kaylee Jarrell, Christopher Jones, Traci Liles, Caitlin Limp, Dane Loomis, Erica Martinez, Arthur Medford, Karen Parker, Lee Payne, Jackson Threadgill, Bailey Toon, Emmanuel Williams and Robert Wylie Houston Elda Armenta, Angela Lozzi and Shelby Spears Huntsville John Humphreys

Garland Whitney Robertson

Jacksonville Josue Gallegos and Gerardo Mares

Gilmer Meagan Childress, Stormy

Jasper Ben Armstrong

Karnack Romona Brice Keller Whitney Early Kilgore Allison Adamson, James Banga, Francisca Barron, Amber Belin, Kade Bittick, Tori Boaze, Patrick Carroll, Caitlyn Cash, Marcheal Cleaver, Brittany Conner, Uyen Dong, Jessica Dukes, Sonja Farmer, Aston Ford, Zachery Fredenburg, Michael Freeman, Vernita Gipson, Farrah Hale, Megan Harvey, Hollie Haselo , Billy Joe Heath, Angela Higgins, Christina Jewkes, Alice Johnson, Charles Jones, Ti any Jordan, Namitala Kiyingi, Heidi Leveritt, Christian Libebele. Krystal Martinez, Justin Mehan, Karla Mojica, Ruby Murphy. Brou N’goran, Kalala Ngari, Jennifer Oxsheer, Bishwo Pandey, Mandy Pittman, Gennadii Prykhodko, Amanda Robbins, Belinda Robertson, Tony Sedberry, Guillaume Seilhean, Alexandria Sellers, Elijah Stone, Yuta Suganuma, Jessica Swingler, Thanh-Nguyen Trinh, Kanako Uchihara, Sara Webb, Kimberly Williams, Sheila Winfrey, Hou Si and Daria Yusupova

Kathy Falconer, Angel Fields, Jonathan Fitch, Nicholas Fuller, Jasmine Gaitan, Salud Gonzalez, Zuleica Gonzalez, Hannah Grubbs, Kaitlyn Guillory, Lauren Hall, Demetria Hamilton, Skyler Hefley, Ana Hernandez, Tori Hire, Lacey Hyatt, David Jester, Rhonda Jeter, Candess Johnson, Trevor Johnson, Holly Jones, Matthew Judkins, Victoria Kelley, Jack Kinney, Jammie Knox, Alisha Koonce, Christopher Lauber, Christopher Lee, Searrow Lewis, Rachel Liebchen, Tara Lundy, Hannah Lunsford, James Machin, Melanie Martin, Michelle McQueen, Carmen Mondragon, Estefania Montano, Kelly Moore, Vincent Nelson, Tessa Ondrick, Emileigh Phillips, Shanekia Phillips, Jessica Pickron, Devon Ratcli , Marty Rittenberry, Jacob Roche, Carlos Rodriguez, Nikki Salazar, Kevin Shaw, Ranita Shows, Mario Sierra, Neha Singh, Jacob Sisk, Stephanie Sistek, Stevi Slaughter, Chad Smith, Shannon Smith, Charles Snoek, Johnathon Stone, Samantha Strickland, Tabitha Thomas, Katherine Tisdale, Julian Torres, Cynthia Toscano, Wealthy Whaley and Ashley Worden Lufkin Morgan Berger and Leslie Clothier

Kingwood Shannon Bebel

Marshall Jesse Alejandro and Thomas Waltman

Kountze Kaycee Berry

Mineola Kimberly Hortman

Lake Charles Hayden Bennett

Mount Enterprise Chloe Brady, Taylor Gill, Mindy Langston, Larissa Stokley, Wiley Howard and Kristy Moore

Longview Rachel Alexander, Ryan Alford, Finney Alvarez, Marija Badzic, Camilo Baracaldo, Rachel Baracaldo, Samantha Bartlett, Amber Boswell, Donna Carter, William Cloyd, Destinee Cook, James Cox, Matthew Crews, Julie Cushenbery, Donna Davis, Keant’e Davis, Lauren Davis, Terry Dempsey, Tara Dloniak, Jason Dubois, Katie Dunagan, Bransen Dyess, Je ery Ebersole, Megan Edwards, Shondra Eppinger, Felecia Evans, Michelle Evans, Latisia Everitt, Pablo Fajardo,

New London Simone Searcy Orange Jordyn Ewing Ore City Leah Garcia, Phyllis Oguin and Cardell Turner Overton Samantha Kirby, Rebecca Waller and Cheree Young Pearland Julia Harkness

Pelahatchie William Till Pittsburg Cassie Horton Richmond Alli Schneider and Erica Trull Rowlett Logan Roesle San Antoinio Audrey Jones Shallowater Victoria Leake Spring Briana McLaughlin Tatum Krysta Arbuckle, James Davidson, Cody Gillis and Fernando Tirado The Woodlands Mary Pennington Troup Tina Belcher and John Finch Tyler Ramey Bryant, Kaitlin Kilpela and Jeremy Wong Van Joshua Wallace White Oak Ruth Alexander, Kaleb Black, Amy Epperson, Jessica Fears, Lea-Holli Hensley, Chelsey Moore, Malyssa Morgan, James Novell, Landon Pecot, Brittani Pfau, Chelsea Rodriguez, Angela Thomas and Codi Weston Whitehouse Courtney Clark, Krystal Harvey and Sarah Leonard Winnsboro Kasey Gibson Winona Ashley Perry Woodway Sydne Miller Wylie Katharine Stroud

SPORTS

THE FLARE MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012

PAGE

5

Softball: Addition satisfies Title IX FROM PAGE 1

Kris Dobbins / THE FLARE

Head Coach J.J. Eckert motions his instruction to the team for a drill during a two-a-day practice. Eighteen players are returning for the season.

HOT STUFF

Rangers open season against Dodge City Saturday on home turf KHANDICE HORN 2012 Ranger Football Schedule Staff Writer Practicing in 100-degree heat, the Ranger football team knows each sprint, kick and pass will help them in the coming season. The Rangers will open their season by hosting Dodge City (Kan.) 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium.

“It is a great advantage having our first game at home,” said head coach J.J. Eckert. “We do not have to travel, and having a crowd here is a huge plus.”

The team started practice Aug. 13. The Rangers have 18 returning players, eight defensive, eight offensive and two specialties, but the spot for quarterback is open.

“We have many quarterbacks that came out to practice and we haven’t picked one yet,” Eckert said. “We have a scrimmage that will give us a better idea.”

Offensive coordinator Josh Pruitt and other coaches spent nine months recruiting the players.

“We have offensive players returning from last season. However, the majority of them will all be new to their starting roles,” Pruitt said.

Date

Opponent

Location

Time

Kilgore

7 p.m.

Tyler

7 p.m.

Sept. 1

Dodge City (Kan.)

Sept. 8

Tyler

Sept. 15

Trinity Valley

Athens

7 p.m.

Sept. 22

Navarro

Kilgore

7 p.m.

Sept. 29

Cisco

Cisco

3 p.m.

Oct. 6

Blinn

Brenham

3 p.m.

Oct. 13

N.E. Oklahoma A&M

Miami, Okla.

2 p.m.

Oct. 20

Southeast Prep (Homecoming)

Kilgore

3 p.m.

Oct. 27

Tyler (Hall of Fame)

Kilgore

3 p.m.

Nov. 3

First Round of Playoffs

TBA

TBA

Nov. 10

SWJCFC Championship

TBA

TBA

Dec. 1

Bowl Game

TBA

TBA

“Key players to keep an eye on would be Darrin Brown and Ed’Marquis Batties as our only returning wide receivers. We also have sophomore running back Jameel Woodard that will be leading our running back core and should see significant time carrying the ball.”

The coaches of the Southwest

Junior College Football Conference ranked KC sixth in their annual pre-season poll.

The coaches picked Trinity Valley Community College and Blinn College as tied for first place preseason. Navarro came in third, Northeastern Oklahoma placed fourth and Cisco was ranked last

behind KC. “We are in a very tough conference this year and can’t single out any team,” Eckert said. “We just have to be the best team we can be.”

Pruitt said the team is excited.

“We are looking forward to having a great season. Go Rangers,” Pruitt said.

Athletic department brings back reserved seating ASHTON JOHNSON Co-Executive Editor Reserved seating is available for all home football games on the home side of R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium.

“Historically, KC has always had reserved seating, but we got away

from it and are now going back to it,” said Athletic Director Jimmy Rieves.

Reserved season tickets for all four games are $10 for KC employees and students and $25 for the general public.

Sections B and C will be reserved and all other seats in the stadium

will be general admission. General admission is free for all students and employees with a KC-issued identification card.

Reserved and general admission tickets are available in the KC Student Support Building, Room 119.

The Back Porch is the official tailgate sponsor for this season and

will offer food and drink specials to season ticket holders before each home game.

“We want everybody to come out, not just the people who bought season tickets,” said Ronda Callaway, administrative assistant.

For more information, contact Callaway at 903-988-7491.

KC will take Texarkana College’s place in the Region XIV East Conference. As for being KC’s first-ever softball team, the women are excited to start a tradition. The first game for the fall season is 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Stream-Flo Park against DFW Firecrackers. Stream-Flo Park is next to Driller Park, located at 1800 S. Commerce St. in Kilgore.

Admission is free to students with their KC ID. “We want to start a legacy, and also win to show how thankful we are for them to take us as quick as they did. Most schools take a year to recruit and they took us right away,” Howell said.

Sophomores Kathryn Lambert and Jessie Long were recruited from Lon Morris College which also had dropped athletics.

“We’re really thankful, because we all came out of bad situations and we ended up with a really great opportunity. If we start as champions, Kilgore’s always going to be the place to go for softball,” Lambert said.

With big aspirations for the fall season, the team has been working hard in two-a-days.

“Our goal for the immediate year is to win a conference title. We have a good core of people who came with us from Texarkana, and we have some good sophomore transfers from other schools in our region,” Messina said. “We were able to get some of our original commitments for Texarkana to come and some of the area kids we got at tryouts.”

The fall schedule is nonconference, but the team is not treating it as an easy pre-season.

Messina believes the talent is there, but the team just needs to get in better shape.

“In our first year, we don’t just want to compete. We want to win a conference title and we want to be one of the best teams in Region XIV that is competing for the title year in and year out,” Messina said.

The acquisition of the softball program satisfies the federal Title IX mandate, making an equal number of KC sports available to men and women.

Kilgore now offers football and basketball for men and fastpitch softball and basketball for women.

See the latest news and sports action online at

PAGE

6

THE FLARE

Congratulations,

Graduates!

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS Tana L. Atkins Na’Keisha Harvette Bagent Micah Dara Baker Shunna L. Baker Travis L. Betran La’Toya L. Blanton Bradley D. Bounds Emma D. Boyum Teri L. Brittain Jamie Alan Brown Robert Brumett Angela Y. Buchanan Danielle R. Cargil John D. Courtney David M. Croteau Julie C. Crum Ashley M. Cupples Shelby A. Davis Cameron L. Dimond Julie Dugger Shelby L. Duncan Ellen Ann Dutton Alexandra Nicole Easley Betsy P. Foreman Carey Fortson Bridgett W. Gipson Kerry Dawn Green Joshua H. Hines Jeremy R. Hodge Joseph A. Ibeh Cassandra A. Jackson Kaylee L. Jarrell Micah G. Johnson David Michael Jordan Jamie Claudine Klock Laura Michelle Knapps Sarah E. Leonard Igor R. Mabika Mollee A. McFarland Lauren J. McKinney Esmeralda Medina Sabrina T. Miles Robert T. Moore Ti any Rochelle Norris Zenon L. Nyvall Danielle R. Oliver Michael A. Olson Laura V. Orocio Ashley R. Pirtle Rebekah Jane Pro er Jose D. Salazar William C. Schlinke LaCourtney D. Sherrod Christina M. Stevens Gela D. Thorn Edward L. Turner Jessica Rileigh Watson Kristiana M. Whittington Denise L. Wilson Rachel A. Wilson ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE Bonnie J. Abram Finney M. Alvarez Reva G. Bailey K’Vetta R. Bell Chase L. Burkett

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012

Summer graduation When: August 9, 2012 Where: Dodson Auditorium Graduates: 244 Speaker: Bindy Tice, TRIO director

Raven D. Clark Ashlee R. Crutchfield Brenna K. Davis Yoana S. De La Torre Kathy L. Falconer Michael L. Gage Avasean S Goodman Meagan C. Grant Halie A. Huval Holli A. Jones Kenneth Cornell Jones Micheal D. Kimery Trevor D. Larrington Caleb W. Martin Natalie L. Martin Kimberly C. Metcalf Jessica Leigh Morrow Donald Joel Moss Jennifer Allison- Neal Zenon L. Nyvall Amy C. Polhemus Pablo San Juan Stephanie O. Sistek Amber L. Spillers La’Tavia D. Starling Dinah D. Sullens Ryan E. Tant Timothy E. Tennimon Julian F. Torres Jr. Misty L. Trumble Elizabeth Valdovinos Angela R. Vanzandt Yin-Yoke (Yoki) Wong-Perry ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN TEACHING Erica L. Collins Misty L. Gri n Emily D. Rogers Cindy K. Shelton

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE Ryan K. Allen Katie M. Audas Na’Keisha Harvette Bagent Chelsi L. Borders Robert Brumett Eboney S. Casey- Drain Abigahil Chavez Armando Chavez Kevin S. Claiborne Amberly N. Collins Shelby L. Duncan Alexandra Nicole Easley David G. Foster Misty L. Gri n Kacy J. Hallett Bradley R. Henderson Luke V. Humphries Falyn N. Jones Christine E. Lasyone Bianca M. McGee Joshua C. McNamara Justin N. Mehan Heather L. Moore Alaba A. Ologuntoye Melanie J. Pinkston Trent W. Raby Jason Todd Redding Jennifer Megan Rogers

Jamie Maldonado / THE FLARE

Ellen Briana Strachan Maranda S. Stoker Brittany A. Sudweeks Jessica Yoshiko Swingler Jeanita L. Tatum Gela D. Thorn Melissa J. Vasquez Jessica Rileigh Watson Joshua R. Weaver CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION Granger Lee Abbott Ashley V. Adams Ramiro Aguilar Jerry D. Allen

Nathan C. Allen Sam Arvizu Mechelle E. Baker Renisha G. Baker Eric Baldazo Tommy J. Barker Joseph E. Barr Andre L. Brewster II James P. Burns Lavar G. Burton Jesus A. Cadenas Flor Alejandra Cobayashi Alyson Ramey Collier Cindy M. Cornelio Paul Jason Couch Heather Marie Cox

NEWS

James H. Cox Darcus D. Crumpton Brandy A. Cruz Darlene M. Daniels Yoana S. De La Torre Tara S. Dinkins Joshua B. Dotson Rachel Kaye Dudley Je ery S. Ebersole Linda A. Ferguson Amber J. Ford Ashley M. Ford Josue Gallegos Isamar M. Galvan Jorge Garcia Barbie N. Garner

Penny R. Glossinger Nicolas A. Griego Emily R. Harper Erica N. Harrell John D. Harris Tonya Timberlake Harris Joslin D. Hart Jena-Lee E. Hawkins Nancy M. Haws Trisha Nicole Herrick Austin C. Hines Kimbriya S. Holman Walter C. Holman Jessica L. Howell Marshall K. Hunter Christopher M. Hurley Jr Zachary H. Jones Jessicia C. Jordan Garrett W. Kaiser Dalton S. Kirby Jammie L. Knox Michael R. Koon Kiea L. Barthelemy-Le all Vanessa Lopez Laura K. Luman Salome Macias Jr. Gerardo M. Mares Michael T. McLain K C J. McKinney Chelsey I. Moore Corey L. Moore Hunter E. Moore Kristy L. Moore Ashley N. Morgan Lashondra L. Nelson Frederick D. Nixon Zenon L. Nyvall Blaize R. Parvin Keyonna Marie Perkins Staci B. Pickens Christa J. Porter Monica A. Aranda-Ramirez Kristi L. Rey James D. Rhodes II Kimberlie D. Ritchson Shelly I. Rivas James A. Roberson Julie Marie Roberts Michael Ann Roberts Michael L. Robinson Stephanie O. Sistek Anthony W. Skinner Jennifer A. Spratling Krysta D. Stevens Zachary A. Strait Misty T. Stringfellow Ryan E. Tant Jose E. Torres Marie A. Trevino Billy M. Tunnell Sally J. Turner Theodore R. Walters Charles E. Whitaker Vickie R. Wilson Mathew D. Wisdom Jeremy S. Wong Emily N. Yanni Corbin J. Yerke Jimmy D. Young

OPINION

THE FLARE MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012

PAGE

7

Hey, you!

Illustration by Kelly Gillit / THE FLARE

YOUR VIEW

OUR VIEW

How have you been involved at Kilgore College?

How has this involvement helped you?

Yes, you! Get involved to gain the most from KC

W

students, especially in a community college, is that no one knows how to become involved.

So many students immediately leave campus after class lets out to play video games, watch television, etc. College is the time to leave the comfort zone developed in high school.

Most every college has a club for just about every interest imaginable. KC’s official clubs include everything from Rad Science to Texas Management and Marketing Association and everything in between.

The unofficial “groups,” which take a little searching to find, are a little more abstract.

For instance, rumor has it that there is a role-playing group where Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts meet to slay dragons, develop characters, etc.

KC’s Organizations Fair during KC Kickoff on Sept. 6 will offer a chance for students to learn more about extra-curricular activities. Student Life is planning to have representatives from each group on hand to greet students.

A social gathering exists for everyone, and having a like-minded support group is the key to success in college. Aristotle once said that “friendship is essentially a partnership.” Any cooperation one can maintain is very well capable of lessening the load of stress on the mind, and college does in fact tend to be stress inducing.

Find a support group. Be involved. Become supported by providing support. Live your dream college experience.

“Cosmetology: It helped me meet lots of people who have a di erent style of hair, makeup and culture.”

Ariadna Contreras

Kilgore sophomore

“Tri-C: I have met a lot of people and made tons of friends; along with learning about campus and growing my relationship with God.”

Dakota Dixon

Kilgore sophomore

“Ranger Ambassador: I’ve been an Ambassador for a year and a half. Working as a student worker helped me meet life-long friends.”

“Ranger Band: Drumming excites me; it gives me motivation in the world. Drumming is my life. If there were no drums there would be no me.”

Heather Falcon

Wesley Childers

Kilgore sophomore

Kilgore sophomore

Photographs by Kris Dobbins / THE FLARE

hat does the college experience mean to you? According to thecollegeexperience.net, it is engaging in “everything college life has to offer,” which would seem like an easy concept to grasp; however, if you were to ask yourself what your dream college experience would look like, what would your brain come up with?

Maybe you see yourself doing a double back-flip slam-dunk over the heads of the rival basketball team. Perhaps you fancy testing your valor in the Art Club, or maybe the movie Animal House comes to mind.

Whatever your modus operandi may be, the only way to live your dream is to become involved.

“Meaningful human connection and interaction is a skill just as necessary as some technical ability, acquired knowledge or learned material,” said Dr. Bill Holda, KC president.

Just as one must work hard to receive a good education, hard work must also be applied to reap the benefits of a rich social understanding.

“So much of one’s college education (learning how to interact with different personalities, dealing positively with conflict, etc.) occurs outside of the classroom. Thus, students who do not engage socially miss out on an entire component of the overall college experience,” said Dr. Mike Jenkins, vice president of student involvement.

A common problem voiced most by

Potential for growth in college reaches beyond classroom

C

ollege is a unique time of life, full of new experiences and new people.

If you had asked me two years ago what I would be doing now, I might have shrugged my shoulders and told you I had no idea.

I am so thankful for my first year at KC. Aside from the book and classroom knowledge I gained, I learned a lot about life.

What have I learned? Here is some advice for incoming college freshmen based on what I gleaned from the past year.

Intentionally discover what you really love. Figure out your personal style, your biggest

dreams, how you communicate, what refreshes you and how you handle conflict. Learn these things, grab hold of the best and be willing to work hard to change what you aren’t ASHTON satisfied with.

JOHNSON I was skeptical Co-Executive about coming to Editor KC because I had been surrounded by people’s opinions of the college for so long. I passed “Harvard on the highway” every day, I didn’t

The Flare

VOL. 76, NO. 1

know exactly what I wanted, but I thought my college career needed to be far from East Texas.

As the editor of my high school newspaper, my heart was pulled into the world of journalism and that is where I discovered The Flare, my new passion in life.

It’s been said that college is supposed to be one of the best times of our lives and I’m finally starting to see why. This freedom that initially scared me has now turned into one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

College has been and continues to be a whole new, exciting beginning for me as a writer, student and

Monday, August 27, 2012

Copyright 2012, The Flare. All rights reserved.

2011 Sweepstakes Winner in Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association 2011 First Place, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors – Non-Daily College-University Division

CO-EXECUTIVE EDITORS Ashton Johnson Brittani Pfau WEB EDITOR Jonathen Ruesch ILLUSTRATOR Kelly Gillit

LAB MANAGER Jamie Maldonado

ADVERTISING MANAGERS Betsy Foreman and Jonathen Ruesch

ADVISER Bettye Craddock

STAFF WRITERS Joy Draper, Kelly Gillit, Khandice Horn, Alison Hughes, Travis Hull and Ashley Morales

PHOTO ADVISER O. Rufus Lovett

PHOTOGRAPHERS Kris Dobbins and Hayley Young

young adult. I now understand that with this new freedom I am able to grow and explore different interests and different opportunities.

It has become such a cliche, but the saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know,” has proved itself all too true. College has been a great time to make new connections, so I encourage others to take advantage of every opportunity.

As I begin my sophomore year, I have begun to appreciate the school and all it has to offer. I couldn’t have asked for a better college experience so far. It’s

“

College has been and continues to be a whole new, exciting beginning for me ... " already been filled with ups and downs and I can’t wait for more.

After all, KC is really what you make of it.

Ashton Johnson is a sophomore communications major from Kilgore.

LETTERS THE FLARE welcomes any letter to the editor and encourages all readers to use this as a sounding board to express thoughts and opinions on current campus-related topics. We also welcome news or feature ideas. Due to space limitations, letters should be as concise as possible and may still be edited for space. Letters must be signed and include an address and telephone number so that we can verify their authenticity. Letters should be delivered to the newsroom in Communications-Automotive Building, Room 125, mailed to The Flare, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore TX 75662 or emailed to: kc_flare@yahoo.com

DISCLAIMER THE FLARE is the student newspaper of Kilgore College and is published every Friday by the journalism department, except during examination periods and vacations. First copy is free, subsequent copies are available for 50 cents. THE FLARE is a member of the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

All people holding editorial sta positions are Kilgore College journalism students.

Comments and views expressed in THE FLARE reflect the thoughts of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of other students, sta members, faculty members, administrative o cers or the Board of Trustees.

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THE FLARE MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012

SPOTLIGHT

If I had only known...

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Hayley Young / THE FLARE

reading, chemistry, Spanish, speech, computer science and other subjects), must possess strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with little supervision and must be professional, courteous and trustworthy with confidential information. Students can stop by the Zone (Student Support Building, Room 119) and fill out an application or contact Ronda Callaway, Zone coordinator, at 903-988-7491. Two letters of recommendation are required for each applicant. …that the Parks Fitness Center is free to students. tudents will need to swipe their Ranger card at the front desk when they enter and leave. The fitness center is open 5 a.m.- 9 p.m. MondayThursday; 5 a.m.- 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday; and 1- 6 p.m.

Sunday. The fitness center is next to the Masters Gym.

S

…that Ranger football games are free for students. eneral admission for home games is free for students who have their student ID. Home games are always held at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium (south of the main campus).

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…that you can be fined for not using the bridge. he bridge is accessible to all and is an easy way to get across Highway 259. Crossing Highway 259 illegally can result in a fine, plus jaywalking can be hazardous to your health.

KC advice from those who have been there, done that T BRITTANI PFAU and ASHTON JOHNSON • Co-Executive Editors

…that I could only drop a developmental class three times (27 hours). tudents who drop a developmental course three times, exceeding the 27-hour college career limit, will be charged an extra fee of $70 per semester hour.

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…that I had to pay my fines before I can register for classes, receive a transcript or look at my grades. tudents who have library fines or unpaid KCPD parking fines are not eligible to register or look at grades after they have been posted.

S

…that I could take the leftover financial aid on my KC ID and transfer the money to my own bank account. here is an ATM located in the Devall Student Center where students can withdraw money.

T

…that I could see what other students thought about teachers before I sign up for their classes. tudents can go to kilgore.edu and look under the catalog and schedules tab and scroll down to click on course syllabi, instructor vita and course evaluations to look up instructor ratings.

S

…that it would have been a good idea to put KCPD’s phone number in my cell phone. all KCPD at 903-983-8650 for help when you lock your keys in the car, when a car battery is dead or you need an escort to your car after night classes.

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…that if I had kept my grades up and had taken 12 coursework hours I could have been eligible for Phi Theta Kappa (national honor society for two-year colleges), Sigma Kappa Delta (English honor society), the KC Dean’s List or the President’s List. o be eligible for PTK, a student must have completed at least 12 hours and must generally have a GPA of 3.5. In order to be eligible for SKD a student must maintain a GPA of 3.3 and earn no grade lower than a “B” in an English class and must have completed at least one semester of college studies. To make the Dean’s List, a student must complete 12 or more semester hours of nondevelopmental coursework and earn a GPA of at least a 3.5. To make the President’s List a student must have completed at least 12 semester hours of non-developmental coursework with a perfect 4.0. GPA.

…that there was a nurse on campus.

Jeanette McFadden is the registered campus nurse. Her hours are from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday and her office is located in the Parks Fitness Center.

T

…that I could only drop six classes throughout my college career. tudents entering college for the first time since Fall 2007 are subject to Texas Senate Bill 1231 which limits students to a total of six drops in their entire college career at Texas public institutions. See student handbook Pages 5 and 6.

S

…that KCPD really will give me a ticket for not having a parking sticker or parking in staff parking. on-resident students should park anywhere there is an “S.” There is also KC designated parking off of Houston Street by the former Region VII Building. Parking stickers and vehicle registration papers can be picked up and filled out at the KC Police Station next to the Devall Student Center. The first sticker is free and any additional stickers are $5.

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…that tutors are available in the Student Support Building. tudents may go to the Student Support Building if they need help in a core subject. Tutoring is free but students must bring their ID. Tutoring is available from 7:45 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:45 a.m.3:45 p.m. on Friday.

S

….that I should have had a receipt of enrollment with me for the first couple weeks of school. tudents can get a receipt of enrollment from the Cashier’s Office in the Devall Student Center.

You will need a receipt of enrollment to get an ID, register for parking, buy books and show that classes have been paid.

…that I could be a tutor and get paid for it. he Zone Tutoring Lab is looking for part-time tutors for the fall semester. To qualify, a student must have completed at least 30 hours of college credit, have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and knowledge in the subjects to be tutored (math, English,

S

T

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…that your student information can be easily accessed from Campus Connect. ampus Connect is an online service that allows students to register for classes, see account status, class schedule, financial aid, payments, unofficial transcript, etc.

Campus Connect can be accessed from www.kilgore.edu.

C

…that you can make copies on campus. here are copy machines for student use in the Applied Technology Center and Old Main.

These machines are coin operated.

There are also copy machines available in the Watson Library.

T

…that I needed to activate my Ranger card. n order to activate your Ranger card you must call the 1-800 number on the back or use the ATM in the Devall Student Center.

I

…that there is a lost and found in the KC police station. his is a good place for students to look for lost possessions.

T

...that there are vending machines in Old Main and the Business Administration Building that offer school supplies. upplies include Scan-trons (full length, $2.50, short, $3), pens (prices range from $2.75 to $3.50), highlighters ($1.50), Blue Books ($.50), 2 gigabyte flash drives ($18), a small calculator ($5), individual packets of Tylenol and Advil ($1), Scotch tape ($2.50) and much more.

S

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