September 5, 2013 by UTRGV Student Media

Tips for new students What orientation wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t teach you

Page 6

Volume 70, No. 2

September 5, 2013

ONLINE CONTENT

panamericanonline.com

Vintage Archive

Shop opens near campus

Food Stamps

Congress deliberates farm bill

Construction continues on the new Performing Arts Complex, the Van Week Parking Project, the Academic Services Building and the Mary Alice Shary-Shivers Building. By next year, UTPA will have gained 110,000 square feet of building space. Photos by Michelle Garcia/ The Pan American

Cross Country

Team hits ground running

Blog Spot Adrian Castillo /The Pan American By Lea Victoria Juarez The Pan American

Fall movie reviews

STORY ON PAGE 3 The Pan American YouTube channel

opinion

September 5, 2013

#UTPA

Tweet at and follow us @ThePanAmerican

Idk about you guys but I enjoy talking to the shuttle drivers, they’re really chill #UTPAPrideFTrain #UTPA

What do you want from us?

-@eli_drg2h Hey #UTPA!! I know how to fix the parking problem!! How about we stop closing entire parking lots for the parties?!? #ridiculous -@andreaflores0329 First time doing homework since school started can I just go to sleep :) #UTPA #Homework -@luchino4569h It took me longer to find parking than to drive from Mercedes to Edinburg. #UTPA -@PedroIsCool

Letters to the Editor The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all letters to:

thepanamerican @gmail.com

Vol. 70, No. 2

The Pan American

thepanamerican@gmail.com 1201 West University, ARHU 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 Editors-in-Chief:

Norma Gonzalez Lea Victoria Juarez

News Editor:

Susan Gonzalez

Co-Sports Editors:

Lea Victoria Juarez

Co-Editor-In-Chief Unfortunately, this is the age where people care less about a country on the verge of war and more about the gyrating hips of a pop star. But don’t worry, this will not be another opinion piece on that ridiculous fiasco. No, this is about the media not catching a break when it comes to news coverage. For

those who are late to the party, “I do’s” in 2011, 22.8 million “Hey, a lot of people media includes print, online Americans tuned in to see it all watched this thing last time. and broadcast outlets. go down. Apparently, it was a Maybe we should cover this The media serves as the un- big deal. And the media was all related thing because that’s official fourth governmental over it. clearly what people want.” branch. They are the And boy, was it watchdogs - the eyes covered. The media serves as and ears that tell the But according people what they need to a July YouGov the unoffical fourth to know. poll, 63 percent of governmental branch. They But of course, peopeople said the meple aren’t always india have dedicated are the watchdogs... terested in what they too much time to need to know and the baby topic, and would prefer to focus 48 percent say it’s on things more “entertaining.” So when the little royal a frivolous and silly distraction Therefore, media outlets try to bundle of joy was on its way from more important news. play to their audience’s prefer- to greet the world, once again, “But wait,” the media might ences, but end up getting their the media covered it. With say, “If there was a peak of more heads bitten off for it. 22.8 million viewers for the than 25,300 tweets per minute When Prince William and last royal event, I’m assuming about the royal baby, according his blushing bride said their some media thought: to YouGov, it means people are

talking about it. People care and want to hear more about it.” Apparently not? The point is, media coverage on any topic is not good enough. Be it a school newspaper, CNN or The New York Times, they will always get criticized for covering what they think people want to know. When much of the country focuses more on an awards show than a foreign affair, media outlets will try to give the public what they seem to want. But why is it not good enough? We cover the hard hitting news, but when we dive into other interests of the public, it gets thrown back into our face. What gives?

#THEPANAMERICAN

Winning entry by @guillermoluna8.

#1 Congratulations!

Second place entry by @klariberri.

The Pan American summer Instagram competition has come to an end. These winners were selected and critiqued by our photography editor, Adrian Castillo. Thanks to everyone who participated. Keep an eye out for our next competition and a chance to win prizes.

#2 Congratulations!

COMIC

Marco Torres Kristela Garza

Arts & Life Editor: May Ortega

Photography Editor: Adrian Castillo

Design Editor:

Francisco Rodriguez

Multimedia Editor: Michael Agular

Social Media Editor: Ismael Melendez

Adviser:

Dr. Greg Selber

Administrative Associate: Anita Reyes

Advertising Manager: Elva Ramirez

Webmaster:

Josue Guzman

The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.

Itzel A. Lopez/The Pan American

4 3

3102 ,5September rebmet31, 2013 peS5, January 2013

Construction projects around campus advance pxe setadilosno feet and the new one is to be for the Office of Student Finan- (A new stoplight) would most PAST AND FUTURE there’s reasons for it. It helps the c taht tcejorp e vitavon60,000 eStory taudarby n i square feet, encompasscial Services. In addition, the definitely help with controlling Last December, the Universtaff get to their destination.” greXander n dnu eht Graff-Spektor i k r o w ot ec tuohguorht gni ePhotos cneirepxby nraing el three buildings. nahc a em gnivigfirst elihfloor will hold the Office traffic problems.” sity updated its signs around Also, students can expect e foAdrian w stsisnoCastillo , t e s l l i k c s s d secorp eTh na stneduts fo rebm pand ihsnMichelle ”.hof retni dna Garcia c r a e s e have the Graduate Studies; all floors campus and this fall installed a the completion of the “Dome retn‘A’ r e g u hcraeser etauda .mul Building d eCwill n eht esaercni o e gnittuc eht fo gninepo rgre u t tnaw eW“ tnemegagne tne etainudargNORTHSIDE s’ytisare revischeduled n o U t g e 1,000-seat with for completion VAN WEEK new three-sided brick kiosk by Safe Room” by summer 2014. n h ,210auditorium i The Pan American duts gnisaercni dnnew o t g e c d 2 n n i n S a i noitacudE ME seerged METS fo laog ,sobolalliV anit i snoitpo lareve gnittegthe University’s sundial to help T S ni ecnellecxE ,upper sirhC stcejorbalconies s sah new lower and and mid-October. There will be exactly 336 This structure will accommod p t i More than 3,500 a n e s a f v o r ” fi g , M d w e E e tcurtsnoc sah tn n eTh TS ni smargorp nignar ,senilpic osla eW“ .scitam azraG adnileM eht eand emtrapedby rehwvideo sidthe yB in case of a ehtamspaces ,noitrecording In addition, August 2014 more parking in what students find their way around date 1,000 people MUniverETS eht gnirehan audio e h c t n u i r t r s o n s I s e d f e o M tstudents s r ut cimedentered a p E B egnellahC gn TS etaudargred etaicossa t naciremA naP e aca htiw stnedu tnemwill p o i l d e n Th u v u e l studio that provide live the 40,000-square-foot ACSB will be known as the Lamar campus. It offers a cork board, a weather emergency, providing c d r n u f o s i o r t o t n s n sity this fall, with the new s e s g a e htgnerts ot tnaw nidivorp rg a dedrawa sa forp ytlucaf sed slairetam lanoit esruoc nrael stn mufour w refuge ivorwill ytisrevfor lucirrrehearsal acudetowe20,000 p rebe edLot, ybmap, uts when uc a hguhalls. tnecomplete, inUateTh raeyand e C h building Parking the esticampus an LED color least 24 hours. It n gnisahcrupfeeds and t c e i m v o a e r h h d d t a c n y laenrollment a i g a s noitcurtsnitotaling o o 4 ,alucirruc gadep gnihcaet p( eht yojne dn 102-3102 eht r -jorp eTh .IBC stneduts gnireff of 0provide luJ etastudents ylevitceVan t ni 00,726$19 classrooms no deofsathe l ni noitawho ‘B’ is a remodel costing $11.9ehmillion. It will mated $2amillion Week screen..ySome have will also ff o ot noitBuilding e e r b students; 3tpercent increase o M c m argorp ehat h u E d l a E T i r S f e o t c o a imedaca nehtgn tnemtrapeD .S. t fiiceps edam m iw devlovni ytlu fo noitnUTPA U eht for the Deerts ot itredro nihave cfive etni ehprior gninrael Acbuilding; each,rosseforp Parking is”.finished. house offices caf ehtcurrent two-story ainhcpopulation t htiwtodengisand last fo )sevit been attending us ,tnempocompared detaerc eclassrooms, etaicossaProject smargorp ed saw dnuf eTh leved rof yto r e c w i n m a s e t g c d n e a i c e a b t i n r o i utroppowill offer e t h n T t classrooms, a dance with a 60-student capacity, the cording to Director of Facilities the recent construction feel the partment of o U g eh i t n i r i d truf according r o d e f year, the Office h a r t o n rof tnempto r t u I c f ni stneduts gn Health and Safety. erid gnidnuof e esaercni dna -igne ,ygolonhc iuqe yro robal itsto ht osVillarreal, issaachieve this la si sobolalliV school et ,eright wen practicereroom and a small pracUniversity’s Writing Center, Management Oscar is moving in the hope c n e i c of Institutional Researchtaand s f o saera“We b m un eht eht ni sreerac .alucirruc IBC tice area with r e uEffectiveness. t n rof elbawenerAs e a removable dance the Office of International ProVan Week Street parking lots direction in terms of design. process within C . s c s i t ’ A a mehtam dna gn the next month the P stneduts fo si posted eht dezingocer drawa Ion iVillarreal reen SH eTh floor. ecnellecxE fo yllstand bfacilities a 000,016management m r o ‘C’, the north grams and the Office of Student directly south of Schunior “It makes the school so,” of facilities MEBuilding f s sergnoroC $ detamitse nwebsite, T S g nikees rednu margorP ,59said 91 nI a htiw sraey s n M o E i t u T t S i t s building, contain practice Engagement and Experiential Street will open Sept. 16 and ni out a bitebmore,” Morales said. management. “We are currently n I nI will g n . UTPA is expected to grow and s i e v e r e r g S e d c i oT .tcA noitacu napsiH .raey hcae ehS .noitacudE a sa gnikrow wo ,31and rooms lab with Learning. It will also house a another west of the thermal “The-nsignage (of building dE rehgiHworking onelobtaining final 02 gancomputer e h continues with nthe u i t si oCampus r l p f l o s a h V f o w t , n t r i a e T zalaS crep 52 ,ISH V sa dias ,senilriA na a daand el T a dereEmergency h APpiano-recording ytisrekeeps a piano new student lounge, and the tank will open Nov. 15.w ehs dias names) ManageTU cirewas last vinu rito modernized. Plan, which disnoc egelloc eht ta st ti(Federal deticxe yrev hMaster craeser eht fo tr mA ta repolev equipment. 7 2 nedument 2 , 1 A f o t P s T latot new University College, which The project will also include It brings the University to the Agency) approval.” e ap a neeb evah t U a u . d e updated in 2005. m a r g i t r e l l d uf dellorne dn a eht eviec ot w rotnem MET -ed s’rgives olehcus S sinclude iH eballtsuthe 304It,2makes ab a much betih ot lufthe “This will assist entering undera pedestrian mall, whichd is a er ot new age. a cinapsWith dna etitaulook m construction kn darglike na tnarg otThese rednu 136,61 f eunitnprojects taudarg eergwith proper oc ll’eh snossel aht si ter,seauditorium f o e r a o m s t graduate students in adapting landscaped walkway also known university now.” happening, Salinas-Hovar has o s i h s n w o elbaulav f new Performing Arts Complex, c o tnecrep 7.88 eunitnoc lliw razalaS odn ,stneadmessage eht ni 542 .reerac lanoissef uts etaudfor e s o R handicap-accessible seating to their new environment. The as a “pedestrian street”, have Last year, the University students about a r g o d r Van Week Parking Project, p r a s h i h Tthe g nikrow S eht( dewolla s ,saera METS .nigiro cinapsiH ah tnarg eTh“ ).X etCollege T-D( asojonofiHthe audarg requirements, a bigger lobby, University willMalso host drainage improvements construction safe. maet rand eh htiw finished cthe ETS ot new nébuR nastaying seitinAcademic e c n utroppo eServices e i c t mssergnoC s a e h r t g i w a s u i q A i n P u T e U v g some support space for the the well-known UNIV 1301: finalize a new road to connect Student Union and unveiled “On the perimeter, we have i n d g i i v o a o s t rpmi ni cBuilding dna drawa eht d of lliw tI“ .and diasthe eht ot stneduts r azremodeling .setaudarg tsom ecnu al aS ”,stneduts theater arts, dressing onna a c s u t d c rooms, Learning Frameworks classes. Schunior and Van Week streets. a new game room, Chik–fil– fenced the a e e r h M t t t a E g the Mary Alice”.yShary-Shivers t e n T a t i a h S v udargrednu rof t ISH a fo elpm areas to keep the stuah htam dna aw evitisop a ni t axe and the campus s o o v i o R r p e h e c t iv ,elyorC“Inthink Salinas“In a selfish sense, the ni noit Mein Bowl, the .mardents, faculty rlarger of lasorehearsal Building with a new courtyard. nA,i sSU porp a dspaces,” itsirK it is exciting that we tnedCafe, gorp M uts ruo gnitacu ettimbus maet ETSout,” the project .yhindered e l l a n V a e e d s d r u e e n h y Hovar said. are getting this upgrade,” said construction has the C-store, Subconnection and Mi community a m n b r d G a a t n r hsilbatse ot troff aht eveileb od I gorp eht ni yltn a Marta Salinas-Hovar, assissreerac rof meh “ erruc stnedutS e na ni oga raey ,noitacude t gniraper -lwonk gniylpability In addition, the complex one end of Taco “Please stay away eKelly no tnLongoria, pa ni yto tant director of project planning dna Poncho’s. arg eht a 30-year-old htuoS psaid. ,meht gniydaer p dna saxeTplanner getget artsfrom eed yranilpicsidretn dna ygoloib sa e r a e w , i s d will have an arched wall entry student finishing her license as hcthe lot to Sugar Road,” “The (revamping of the) from these areas. Our informal e us ,parking fi i M t e s and management at UTPA, t p E c m T e j S o b c u eht ni s METS morf e eht ni erutuf th rof eraperp dna gde girb a rof ,tion tes llikstudent aStudent to a remodeled courtyard with a professional counselor. UTPA said. that helped isocposted on the facilities sojoniHUnion, y r t estimates that by next year the n s a hsilbaLongoria u d i r a u s o ytinutro“It’s ” t , tekram labolg l se ot ,arbegla ppo eht ne“In acigomanagement vigthe getting bigger and better. things, out. They brought in different lonhcet evit website. We use era grand yeTh .scheme school will have gained 110,000 a new water fountain. The loohcs eof ot dnaThe taudarg .62 yluJ esaeler spohskrow evit d e t i n U c sseto entire complex is scheduled for University is getting epretty old construction is construction restaurants and different food,” this e a h r rpalert e t t n n a ni students of these square feet of building space. i i , n e i g e a tapicitrap ot tnavdA METS tats-fo-tuo ni sr ot gnareas eepit’s idrocto htiprogress. seergsaid. w krowteYou completion by October 2014 and we need to progress doing Morales “It helps out to go around and find an c e A d s ’ “These include all addir o l gnimand n dnare e h c a b a ocpu eht foand levart fo driht-eno yln tsfor i e l h e t t e o , t l p n , s m o e i t o and will cost $42 million. keep up with everybody else. it the betterment of the not always eat the same kind alternative d a c tSroute.” d a A r n effo ot sah mar tional buildings on the campus I .sdlefi METS gorp METS eh .secnerefnoc ni era dAdditional ehtmeal. sknarAtmleast eniatbo information and u “We don’t know about any Construction is good.” andt sthe of we now have r o ecncommunity. F snoitacilppa ehUniversity c e when we are done with all the i r m e f o noc nocE dlroW su t htiw gnola oigiton 331 fototuchoose serP nowill delays; we don’t know the fuIn addition, there no need to complain some variety construction are also o 84 refrom. detabe projects,” Salinas-Hovar said. cola era senThere’s bmun sa setamaps ildaed dna tS detinUat the UTPA Police h t a m f o y t . i ture,” Salinas-Hovar said. “But new stoplight at the University’s about something that’s going to About the game room, I really available e l a t i u s q ni seirtnuoc d bew METS s’A “The old building (PAC) had PTU epoleved ekil sUnimargorp hcrget we do plan on having our first main entrance on West miss the old pool tables.” website. .noitacude ecDepartment outlived its useful life. It did aesebetter.” R“ neics dna n o i t c n n u a j t n n o eduts a evig )M c Christmas performance concert versity Drive, near the Visitors Both Longoria and Morales Longoria, who was an under“We ask the students to bear n i , A not meet the current building P T U , 2002 nI ETS( -iH namssergno -nu ecto nethe irepxe elbattended C in event when it is completed.” Center. It will connect UTPA before most of graduate student at UTPA with us. To be patient, and f o e codes. It did not meet with c a ffi r a O p m e h o t c n htiw i cinapsiH tsrfi e odnesoR dias ” ht d recently constructed Joe Ochoa,re the changes to the parking took 2002, sees- a difference between understand that our campus safety handicap accessibility. It a htiw detaudar hto yna ekil lonhceT dna ec ezinagro ,asojon n g eicS ,gniriseegrowing,” SOUTHSIDE MASS & ACSB Drive and should manyohwplace and are very much used to past and current parking issues. was too small to meet the needs nignE she said. “In due retualleviate lliw hcihw ,CE pmoc ni eerged ,razalaS TSEH .ktime, s’rthe olehmorning South of the campus is the problems for drivers. traffic. “It wasdeatrdifferent world e cab e of the fine arts program.” w ywe go will have these facilitI“ .3102 gnirp o ppus sah ,21-7 s ni ecnei“Additional . t c O e c c site of the MASS remodeling “The stoplight is a good parking most then,” she said. “We didn’t have ties and s a l p e s ah dna slevel lla kat parking lots completed. ti esuaceb detic taNow noitacudeWe og M and the new ACSB with a stuthing. Actually, it,xe em tdefinitely helps, but it is still go- a lot of-taparking options. are E T c -inutoday Sworking hard and dilio EASTSIDE PAC v d troppIosaw a rof ledom lanoi eht em evag tan a gently emocebto provide improvement htuoS gthere’s dent lounge and courtyard. they just ran the ing to be a tight squeeze,” Moit’s different, residential ymstop The new PAC will be more dnapsign,” n o m a xe ot said snoitapucco M yt Efor TSthe yltnawhere gnistudents. We are looking nimodthere The second floor of the Al Morales, ae24-year-old parking be gdelwonk senior rales said. “As it is, there’s a lack than twice the size of the old erp eused ra ohto w stneduts saxe i d ed etisbIew T things better. In order MASS building has been retromajoring in criminal justice. of parking every now and then, open parking. was to to make one. For example, the original a ogoing t gnidrocca ,cin approgress, siH fitted for the Office of Human “They didn’t even yield or wait but I don’t mind walking.” park in my regular we must go through .tnspot, eve labut auditorium was 25,000 square unna eht oto t detac pains.” Resources and the third floor the proper (amount of ) time. then there was Zone 2. I’m sure growing

ekil smargorp hcra tneduts a evig eseR )M ecneirepxe elb ETS( arapmocni na .rehto yna ekil nu

September 5, 2013

By Melinda Garza The Pan American The University was awarded a grant of $627,000 for the 2013-2014 academic year by the U.S. Department of Education in late July. The fund was designed with the intention of assisting students in furthering their academic careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In 1995, Congress formally recognized the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program under Title V of the Higher Education Act. To be considered a Title V HSI, 25 percent of all undergraduate students at the college or university must be Hispanic and enrolled full-time. UTPA consists of 16,631 undergraduate and 2,403 graduate students, 88.7 percent of whom are of Hispanic origin. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX.) announced the award and said UTPA is a great example of a HSI that attracts students to the STEM program. “I do believe that by educating our students in deep South Texas and preparing them for careers in the STEM fields, we are readying them, and our country, for a bright future in the competitive technological global market,” said Hinojosa in a press release July 26. According to STEM Advantage, in the United States, only one-third of bachelor’s degrees obtained are in STEM fields. In addiont, the Prestigious World Economic Forum ranks the United States as number 48 out of 133 developed countries in quality of math and science education. In 2002, UTPA, in conjunction with the Office of Congressman Hinojosa, organized the first Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology week. HESTEC, which will take place Oct. 7-12, has supported STEM education at all levels and has become a national model for advocating STEM occupations among South Texas students who are predominantly Hispanic, according to a website dedicated to the annual event.

“We want to increase the number of students and skill set, while giving me a chance to work in getting STEM degrees and going to graduate cutting edge research.” programs in STEM,” said Christina Villalobos, Since the University’s opening of the Center associate professor in mathematics. “We also of Excellence in STEM Education in 2012, want to strengthen our undergraduate STEM the department has constructed five projects, curricula, and have the students learn course including Challenge Based Instruction, where the material more effectively and enjoy the (posiCenter provides faculty professors development tives) of learning.” in the teaching pedagogy through a curriculum In addition to being an associate professor, made specific to STEM based on CBI. The projVillalobos is also the founding director for UTects were created in order to strengthen academic PA’s Center programs of Excellence and increase in STEM the number Education. She of students said she was seeking STEM very excited degrees. In to receive the spring 2013, grant and UTPA had a will continue total of 1,227 working hard bachelor’s de- Rosendo Salazar with her team gree graduates, in improving 245 in the STEM graduate STEM educaSTEM areas, tion in the Rio with science Grande Valley. and math having the most graduates. Students currently in the program use an Kristin Croyle, vice provost for undergraduate interdisciplinary strategy in applying knowleducation, and her team submitted a proposal for edge from STEM subjects, such as biology and the grant one year ago in an effort to establish an algebra, to establish a skill set and prepare for graduate school. They are given the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops and to travel and network with peers in out-of-state conferences. A complete list of the upcoming conferences the STEM program has to offer along with the applications and deadlines are located on UTPA’s STEM website. “Research programs like (STEM) give a student an incomparable experience unlike any other,” said Rosendo Salazar, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in spring 2013. “It got me excited because it gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge

Research programs like (STEM) give a student an incomparable experience unlike any other.

innovative project that consolidates experiential learning throughout the undergraduate curriculum. The process consists of experiences, such as undergraduate research and internships, with the goal of increasing student engagement at UTPA. The new grant has several options in furthering the STEM disciplines, ranging from providing students with academic tutoring to purchasing new educational materials. In addition to offering students instructional activities, the faculty involved with the program has the opportunity for development, such as acquiring new laboratory equipment for further teaching of CBI curricula. The HSI award is renewable for up to five years with an estimated $610,000 budgeted for each year. Salazar, who is now working as a software developer at American Airlines, said he was proud to have been a part of the research program and is thankful to his STEM mentor who taught him valuable lessons he’ll continue to use throughout his professional career. “The grant has allowed (the STEM program) to give unique opportunities to current UTPA students,” Salazar said. “It will change many lives in a positive way.”

September 5, 2013

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September 5, 2013

THE PAN AMERICAN

After two days of orientation and three days of Bronc Round Up, freshmen and transfer students might have a lot of new information jammed into their heads. But those hours of sitting and roaming around campus might not prepare students for certain aspects of college life. The Pan American staff put together their 30+ years of college experience to provide these tips.

September 5, 2013

Page 7

If you liv e bike, bo nearby, try a ard or w to scho alking ol.

doors xit out of the e to y tr ’t n o n D ll cafeteria. A a h g in in d e in th nd. alarm will sou

The b matc ooksto hes A re m az book price on’s s.

n the Bronc Riding a bike o ses let out Trail when clas start will or are about to ing your lk result in you wa rowds. ec bike through th

You’re p r walking obably better o the shu instead of tak ff ttles if y in ou’re tig g ht on time.

t he bes t s a h HU ith The AR machines w g vendin ost variety. the m

broke g n i o g of he Instead ks, check if t for boo y has them. librar

ARMY RESERVE

EARNING A DEGREE IS STRONG. EARNING IT WITHOUT INTERRUPTION IS ARMY STRONG. As a Soldier in the Army Reserve, the Army Education Career Stabilization Program (ECS) will allow you to serve your country and earn your degree at the same time. Not only will the Army help pay for your education, offering nearly $25,000 with the GI Bill and up to $4,500 per year in tuition assistance, but you will also develop the confidence, character, and strength to secure your future.

ou e that y m u s s n a Never y anything o can bu for a dollar. s campu

For more information, visit goarmy.com/reserve or call 1-800-USA-ARMY.

r of any T h e th ir d fl o o a s th e ll y h b u il d in g u s u a o o m s . c le a n e s t re s tr

For more information about ROTC at University of Texas Pan American contact Abel Gonzalez at gonzaleza@utpa.edu or 956-665-3601.

Page 6

September 5, 2013

THE PAN AMERICAN

September 5, 2013

Page 7

If you liv e bike, bo nearby, try a ard or w to scho alking ol.

doors xit out of the e to y tr ’t n o n D ll cafeteria. A a h g in in d e in th nd. alarm will sou

The b matc ooksto hes A re m az book price on’s s.

n the Bronc Riding a bike o ses let out Trail when clas start will or are about to ing your lk result in you wa rowds. ec bike through th

You’re p r walking obably better o the shu instead of tak ff ttles if y in ou’re tig g ht on time.

t he bes t s a h HU ith The AR machines w g vendin ost variety. the m

broke g n i o g of he Instead ks, check if t for boo y has them. librar

ARMY RESERVE

ou e that y m u s s n a Never y anything o can bu for a dollar. s campu

For more information, visit goarmy.com/reserve or call 1-800-USA-ARMY.

r of any T h e th ir d fl o o a s th e ll y h b u il d in g u s u a o o m s . c le a n e s t re s tr

For more information about ROTC at University of Texas Pan American contact Abel Gonzalez at gonzaleza@utpa.edu or 956-665-3601.

Page 8

September 5, 2013

arts & life

September 5, 2013

Albert L. Jeffers

The man behind the theater name

By Lea Victoria Juarez The Pan American

He was a hard worker, Mary Lea Jeffers said of her late husband, Albert Jeffers. The latter was recognized by the University when he donated $2.6 million in 2001 and had UTPA’s Fine Arts Auditorium memorialized in his name. The morning of Aug. 10, Albert passed away due to a heart attack at 88 years old. After about nine hours in the emergency room at McAllen Medical, he was transferred to the McAllen Heart Hospital, according to Mary Lea and his daughter, Adele Jeffers Everett. It was during the transfer that his condition began to decline. “He never spoke after that. And then,” Mary Lea paused with a sigh, “he just stopped breathing.” Albert was laid to rest Aug. 24 on a family plot in Huntingburg, Ind. EARLIER LIFE Throughout his years, the Duff, Ind. native led an honest life, according to his wife and daughter. As a child of the Great Depression, Albert learned the ways of finances early, earning his keep since age 9, according to a biography written by Everett. Albert left home at 16 years old, moved in with his brother in Evansville, Ind. and supported himself by driving a 40-mile paper route while balancing school, sports and church. “He just worked hard. When he was 17, he tried to enlist and they wouldn’t take him until he was 18,” his goldenhaired wife said. “So, he went to Purdue (University) and got a semester up there and training in Chicago.” During World War II, he donned the blue and white sailor’s uniform in the U.S. Navy, sailing through the Panama Canal, on to Pearl Harbor and eventually choosing the submarine life for active duty. “(He chose) a submarine because he didn’t want to come home with parts missing. In a submarine, you either came back all the way or you didn’t come back at all,” Mary Lea explained. “That was the way he felt.” The steel U.S.S. Threadfin was Albert’s home for six months in 1945. He battled Japanese ships with his crew and took part in the last major naval battle of the war April 6, 1945, according to his biography. Following the war, Albert began schooling as an engineering student at Evansville College, and shortly after, he

met his wife in February 1946. The United Service Organization held dances and other activities for the troops during the time of war. It was at a dance the two had their first encounter. “It was mostly females because most of

his friend offered to take Mary Lea and her friend home, but the then Mary Lea Miles still wasn’t sure about being with someone she didn’t know. “I remember saying when we went to get our coats, it was in another room just for the

Feb. 12, 1925- Aug. 10, 2013

Photo from Albert Jeffers family*

the males hadn’t come home yet,” Mary Lea recalled. “I went with a girlfriend...she said to me, ‘You see that sailor over there and the fellow with him? You go ask the sailor to dance and I’ll go ask the other one.’ I said, ‘Oh I’m not going to ask some strange person to dance!’” When the dance was over, Albert and

girls, ‘Well, maybe if we stay in here long enough they’ll go on without us.’ It didn’t happen,” she said with chuckle. “Then they took us to eat, then took us home and that was the beginning.” Albert and Mary Lea were married June 6, 1948 and celebrated 65 years together this year.

“I’ve had a good life.” - Albert Jeffers

Source: Biography of Albert L. Jeffers

VALLEY LIFE The couple honeymooned in the Rio Grande Valley to visit Albert Jeffers’ aunt and uncle in Mission. The Jeffers decided to continue visiting the area along the border throughout the years. Mary Lea also said she plans to stay in their white, stucco McAllen home that once belonged to Albert’s cousin, Wallace Duncan. “I really don’t want to live in the country by myself, and over here I’m really close to everything and the people are really nice,” she said. “I like it over here and the people at the University have been exceptionally nice to me.” Albert Jeffers became involved with the University circa 1985, then known as Pan American University, because Duncan helped provide nursing scholarships to students at the University. Jeffers decided to follow in the footsteps of his relative and friend Edward Mercer, a former administrator of the University, who helped build the UTPA Foundation and an endowment fund of more than $30 million upon his retirement in 1999. “Dad had a passion for education. He felt it was the key to improving people’s lives because he felt like education had made such a difference in his life,” Everett said. “He felt various people had given him a hand up along the way and so he wanted to be able to do that for other people.” Jeffers made a second donation of $400,000 to the University for scholarships in 2007. Marian Monta, professor emerita and family friend, explained that he also donated to his alma mater, now the University of Evansville, but made a second family with the college in Edinburg. The Jeffers regularly attended theater productions and became wellacquainted with University President Robert Nelsen. “The second time he donated money to the school was more emotional than the first time because by then he did have an affiliation with the University. He did feel like part of it,” Monta said. “I think it’s especially charming, because he already had a university where his heart was. It’s remarkable that he, in a way, adopted another child.” The date for the memorial service in the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre is still pending.

broncs host dream team

September 5, 2013 Story by Kristela Garza Photos by Jon Nutt and Michelle Garcia The Pan American

BALL CLUB SHARES FIELD WITH SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILDREN

The Bronc baseball team partnered with Stepping Stones Home Care/ Rehabilitation and the Pharr Police Athletic League Saturday for the inaugural Dream League T-Ball Experience, a baseball game for specialneeds children. The event was free to the public at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium and it was inspired by The Miracle League of San Antonio, which holds similar events. The community banded together with the help of UTPA, the Broncs and undefeated world championship boxer Omar Figueroa Jr. Although Figueroa Jr. was not presnt, he was represented. “Our baseball program is honored to be a part of this Dream League event,” Head Coach Manny Mantrana said. “The

Dream League allows for children with special needs and their families to participate in sports and we are very blessed to be able to help out in any way we can.” Not only did the coaches take part, the players took their roles as guides seriously. According to sophomore infielder Edgar Cordon, each player was matched up with a child to run them through bases and show them how to “swing for the fences.” Edinburg native Cordon was partnered up with 3-year-old Davey Uria, who was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth and is paralyzed below the waist. “I’ve never done anything personal like this,” Cordon said. “This was amazing. I mean, I nearly cried during that kid’s national anthem, and Little Davey

here probably has to be one of the happiest kids I’ve ever met in my life. Like no fears, no nothing.” Davey’s parents, Enrique and Val Uria, watched as their son rounded bases and played on the pitchers mound with Cordon. “He loves to laugh and never lets anything get in his way,” said Enrique Uria. “He has had so many surgery’s, $1.5 Million so far, with no coverage from the insurance. We are truly blessed we have been able to afford it.” Enrique Uria is the Spanish language pastor at The Family Church where sometimes Davey preforms in McAllen. Their strong faith in their beliefs match the conviction of the Stepping Stones Family. J.J. Lugo, who works with Stepping Stones, was inspired by

the success of the event. Originally, it was meant to be a small game hosted in Pharr, but with the outpouring of offers of help from local businesses, along with the offer from Mantrana and his players, it spiraled into a large event with a team of 20 children. Lugo’s vision for the game was for special-needs children to have the same experience of playing sports that his children do. “Pharr, that’s where I coach my son, for six years,” Lugo said. “I see some of these kids, the families. They go to therapy every day with their kids and they should also have the opportunity that I have. I have photos of my kids playing, trophies and game memories and they should have the same.”

Edgar Cordon

Nolan Atkins

Logan Landon

As he looked around Lugo made it a point to say that the community welcomed the idea with open arms. “It wasn’t much that I did, it was that everyone came together and said what can we do to help,” he said. Not only was there help from the community but even from world lightweight titleholder Figueroa. Joel Garcia, who is Omar Figueroa Sr.’s assistant, was there to represent the Figueroa family. He raffled off a pair of boxing gloves signed by the champion, who is a Weslaco native. “Panterita (Figueroa) loves to help the community,” Garcia said. “He couldn’t be here today because of some previous event, but it’s important for him to show support for these types of events.”

The community and UTPA’s baseball team came out in full force to support the children and their families. After every swing and rounding of the bases by the children who participated, medals were presented to them by folks from the Pharr Police Athletic League. Once the sun finally set and all the final photos were taken, the event came to a close. The final words from the Stepping Stones coordinator reiterated the future hopes of this annual event and how it came to be. “The ultimate goal is to start a league for (the children),” said Lugo. “Not just an annual thing. Everybody came together and opened their hearts and made it happen.”

September 5, 2013

Stoked for fresh talent open tennis tryouts allow for new recruits

By Kristela Garza The Pan American The University’s men’s tennis team held the first day of open tryouts Aug. 30 at the home Orville Cox tennis court. The 94-degree heat and sun bore down on the trainees, but they lifted up their rackets and took it upon themselves to try out to be student-athletes for the year. The tennis hopefuls who made the cut Friday were invited back for a second day Saturday. Only one would be chosen to fill an empty spot on the team, which begins its season on Sep. 20 against A&M-Corpus

“But then I talked to the coach and found out what I needed to do, then I just felt excitement, more and more excitement. It’s a good feeling to be out here and play against these guys.” Some fresh faces showed up to the tryouts as well, such as Reyes Villanueva, a sophomore transfer from Louisiana. Villanueva came down during his freshman year from the University of Louisiana, the Wild Cats, to visit family and then decided to stay and start his sophomore year here. He played Division

I wanted to look them in the eye, get a sense of the fire in their belly. - Brandon Stokes Head Men’s Tennis Coach

Michelle Garcia/The Pan American Alejandro Senoja returns a shot at the Men’s Tennis Open Tryouts first round, Friday Aug. 30. The former UTPA tennis player will be filling in the number six seed of the Broncs 2013-2014 men’s tennis team.

Christi. New Head Men’s Tennis Coach, Brandon Stokes led the drills and kept a watchful eye on the four men. In order to receive a spot at the tryout the students had to prove they were enrolled full time and get a physical done at the University. Stokes meant for this to be a process, so he met with each student. “I wanted to look them in the eye, get a sense of the fire in their belly,” Stokes said. Stokes is replacing Paul Goode as coach, after previously coaching at Florida Atlantic University. With the influx of new leadership and the program’s entry into the Western Athletic Conference, the tennis team has much to look forward to. One of the trainees kept this in mind. Alejandro Sanoja, a Tamaulipas native and former University tennis player returned to the court hoping to play his sophomore year. After parting ways with the team his freshman year due to disagreements with the coaching staff, Sanoja now hopes to play again for the Broncs. “First, I was kind of nervous about (trying out),” Sanoja said.

weekly updates baseball Announced Aug. 28, the addition of Andrew Carson as the new volunteer assistant coach and camp director.

men’s basketball Signed Shaquille Boga, a 5-foot-11 guard from Mineral Area College, to a basketball scholarship. Will hold the inaugural UTPA Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon Oct. 24 from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel in McAllen.

c ro s s c o u n t ry Completed the Rio Grande Valley Relays Aug. 30 at Monte Cristo Golf Course and Country Club. Luis Serrano and Sergio Mireles paced the Broncs with a combined time of 39:50 for a fifth place finish. On the women’s side, Robin Galloso and Savanna Atley also finished in fifth place with a time of 48:18.56.

men’s tennis Will take part in three fall tournaments, starting with the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi H-E-B Invitational Sept. 20-22.

t r ac k

III tennis at his old school. “I feel like I can make (the team),” Villanueva said. “I feel like I can play with these guys. It’s hard and you have to be determined to play. You can’t just go in there and expect to win, we are at a Division I level so it’s a lot higher.” All four men served and played against each other in singles and doubles for several sets, all hoping for the same position. Under Stokes’ watchful eye, the men displayed their skills. When asked, the coach explained what it meant to add new talent to the roster and what the team and the University had in store for its future. “We are where we are, and next year we will be better,” Stokes said. “We have a concrete mission, but we have a dream and a specific way to reach it. But we are gonna get it done and we have the leadership to get it done. We got a lot to prove and grind it out, you know, and love what we’re doing.” Once the dust had settled, one tennis player stood out to Stokes. He chose Sanoja to fill in the tennis team’s final open spot.

field

Men’s and women’s track and field teams announced the hiring of Kadine Johnson as a throwing coach Aug. 30.

volleyball Opened season with 3-1 loss to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette at the Marriot Houston Westchase Classic Aug.30 in Corpus Christi. The Broncs beat the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks 3-0 Aug. 31 during their second match. Junior Diara Reynolds posted a team-high of 14 kills as the Broncs beat Lamar University 3-2 Sept. 2.

September 5, 2013

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