January 16, 2003

PAGE 16

Drive-by Cowboy

S PORTS

■ Gravel Feature . ......... .15 ■ Hoops Review . . . . . . .14 ■ Sports Clipboard... . . . 13

Lady Broncs down Prairie View A&M UTPA Women Edge Second Victory of the Season; Momentum Changing for Lady Broncs

Mariucci Out

After six seasons with winning records Steve Mariucci has lost his job as 49’ers head coach. Owner John York has expressed dissatisfication with Mariucci’s inability to bring a championship to San Francisco. Mariucci’s dismissal comes less than one week after the 49’ers 31-6 loss to Tampa Bay, which ended their hopes of advancing to the Super Bowl. York is expected to choose from a short list of available candidates including defensive coordinator Jim Mora, and other assistants from Mariucci’s remaining staff.

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American The UTPA Lady Broncs notched their second victory of the season by rolling over the Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers 64-48 Jan 14, led by Amanda Carlow who picked up a career-high 21 points. The win is their second in four games, and marks a drastic momentum change for the Lady Broncs who opened the season with 11 straight losses.

UTPA began the turnaround at the beginning of the month after an abysmal start to the season by upsetting highly-touted Nebraska, 61-58. The team hopes that its recent performances are a sign of things to come.

"We're going to be in every game from here on out and that's going to make us tough down the stretch," interim head coach Tracy Anderson said.

The women’s hoopsters pressured Prairie View throughout the first half by playing an aggressive, fast-paced style of basketball that forced several turnovers. The Lady Broncs cashed in those turnovers.

UTPA charged to a 19-2 lead midway through the first half and went into the intermission with a lofty 36-13 advantage thanks to Carlow's 16-point first half contribution. In the early minutes of the second half, the Lady Broncs mounted an impressive 32-point lead over Prairie View, 4715.

But the Lady Panthers upped their intensity and level of play in order to chip away at the UTPA lead. The fast-paced offense of the first half had apparently taken its toll on the Lady Broncs, who slowed down and began to turn over the ball. Prairie View took advantage of the Lady Bronc fatigue and used a 16-0 run to cut the lead to 10 points We’re going to with be in every game 3:18 left in from here on out, game.

The and that’s going to Lady make us tough Broncs

Women’s basketball Schedule

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down the stretch - Tracy Anderson, Lady Bronc head coach

Date Jan. 18 Jan. 21

eventually composed themselves, adding 10 insurance points in the process to improve to 2-13 on the season.

"It was a good win for us,” Anderson said. "We don't tend to handle athletic teams very well and we needed a win here at home because we've been struggling to do that.”

Carlow, UTPA's leading scorer, credited the team for her season-high performance. "My teammates set me up real good so I've got to give credit to them,” Carlow said.

Naima Williams

VOICE

Would you be interested in hearing Rudy Giuliani speak?

January 16, 2003

An Inside Look: News ............................................2 A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■ ■

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

Giuliani visits

Page 4

With the victory over Prairie View, the team has won two of their last four games and appear to be on their way to turning around their sub-par season.

UTPA began to turn the tide Jan. 5 by upsetting Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. Alex Gravel scored 22 points while hitting 14 of 14 free throws to lead the upset.

"That's one of those wins as a coach that I'll never ever forget,” Anderson said. "We played flawless basketball on both ends.

It was just a huge monkey off the kids' back.”

On Jan. 9, the momentum from the victory over Nebraska carried the team to a 12-point lead over Air Force, but they failed to hold on and eventually lost the game, 64-61, at the Field House. On the upside, Naima Williams led the team in scoring for the fifth time, notching 17 points.

"We made some really poor decisions down the stretch and didn't shoot free throws well," explained Anderson about the heartbreaking loss to Air Force.

On Jan. 11, the orange and green nearly came back to defeat Lipscomb at Allen Arena. UTPA's rally in the second half came up short as they fell 57-49. Junior Mary DeCock stepped up and led the team in scoring with 15 points.

"If we can just play the whole 40 minutes instead of playing just 36 minutes. I think we can turn the whole season around and get some more wins. I see a very positive finish on the season," commented Carlow on the team's outlook for the remainder of the season.

"We're working a lot better now as a whole than we were before," Gravel said.

"Offensively, we're pretty solid. Defensively, we've got some work to do. I think we're still giving up too many easy baskets,” Anderson said.

"We have a tough stretch coming up with New Mexico State and the two trips to Arkansas so, we're going to have to cover shooters better and continue to finish in the paint,” Anderson said.

The Lady Broncs are on the road from Jan. 18-23 against New Mexico State, Arkansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock.

Their next home game will be on Jan. 25 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 7 p.m.

“

Cowboys reserve defensive back Dwayne Goodrich was released from jail Wednesday after posting a $50,000 bond.

Goodrich was being held on two charges of felony manslaughter following a hit-and-run in Dallas. The hit-andrun claimed the lives of two Plano residents who were trying to rescue a man from the aftermath of a previous accident. The penalty for each manslaughter charge is a sentence of two to 20 years and fines up to $10,000. Police were still considering other charges upon Goodrich’s release.

THURSDAY

Campus

Opponent

Site

NM State

Las Cruces

Arkansas State

State Univ.

Jan. 23 ARK.-Little Rock

Little Rock

Jan. 25

TAMUCC

Fieldhouse

Jan. 28

Oral Roberts

Tulsa

Feb. 1

Centenary

Shreveport

Feb. 3

LA-Lafayette

Fieldhouse

Feb. 8

TAMUCC

Corpus Christi

Feb. 13

IPFW

Fort Wayne

CAMPUS ■

Comedic Stylings

Comedian and actor Kyle Cease entertained students in the Student Union Food Court Wednesday night with his clean comedy.

Known for his role as Bogey Lowenstein in "Ten Things I Hate About You" and the slow clapper in "Not Another Teen Movie," Cease is touring the country and performing at various colleges.

"I prefer colleges because the audience is closer to my age and they can identify with me when I talk about Nintendo and Britney Spears," 25-year-old Cease said. "Plus I've made teen movies so they know who I am."

Cease’s show included audience interaction, something the students seemed to enjoy.

"It was like he was a part of the crowd," Chris Baiyeri, a freshman computer science major, said.

"That made it different.

He was great and really funny."

Cease answered Baiyeri's cell phone during the show and played a joke on his friend who was on the other end. Cease also pulled Chris Florez, a freshman criminal justice major, from the audience to assist him with a few songs.

"It was really cool even though he was teasing me. I hope he comes back to give us another show," said Florez.

The University Program Board was responsible for bringing Cease to campus.

Noelynn Gillamac, a sophomore nursing major and movie committee chair, said the decision to invite Cease was made as a group.

Former mayor to speak at Fieldhouse tonight

By JENNIFER TAPIA The Pan American

Celeste Y. Tello/The Pan American

HISTORY— Time marches on as workers continue the demolition of Jody Ramsey Stadium on Tuesday.

Major changes in store for microbiology

By HILDA BARRIENTES The Pan American Because of the shortage of scientists a local laboratory will be opening its doors to offer clinical rotations for students who are in the University of Texas PanAmerican Clinical Laboratory Science program.

A spokesperson for the Microbiology Specialty Lab in Edinburg says that they will now be able to offer clinical rotations for the students because they will be moving into a new office on Jan. 27.

A clinical rotation is when the student is sent to a laboratory and is placed in each department for six weeks at a time.

The departments in which they do there rotations are hematology(the study of blood), chemistry (serum chemical analytes), coagulation, (blood clots), urinalysis (urine), immunology (antibodies), and microbiology (microorganisms).

While making the architectural plans for the new lab, MSL said the aim was to make special accommodations for the

students to have a classroom-like atmosphere.

“We are now going to have room to have the students come here and achieve hands-on experience,” said Celia Munoz co-owner of MSL and a clinical laboratory scientist. “I love to teach and that is one of my favorite things to do. “ According to Teresa Savoie another coowner and scientist, MSL is a laboratory that draws blood from patients referred by area doctors, receiving specimens sent by local doctors’ offices. MSL performs the various tests ordered by the doctor on the specimens and they are analyzed by high-technology machines and by scientists on staff. MSL then reports the results to the doctor’s offices so they can inform to the patient of the results.

“MSL opened four years ago and has grown a lot,” Munoz said. “It is important to me that these tests are performed right because it is a patient’s result and our reputation that is at stake.”

After experiencing the work

See LAB page 4

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will present a speech tonight at the University of Texas-Pan American Field House, in which he is expected to talk about his leadership in New York and how he plans to clean up Mexico City.

As part of its Outstanding Leadership Series, the UTPA Foundation will host the speech at a private dinner at 7 p.m. The highdollar dinner costs $600 per person, or $1,000 per couple.

UTPA President Miguel Nevarez is glad the foundation was able to bring someone like Giuliani to the university, and hopes that it can continue to bring such speakers to campus in the future. Last year Desert Storm commander Norman Schwartzkopf gave an address at the school.

“We are very honored to have him here,” said Nevarez of Giuliani. “He is Time’s Person of the Year, I don’t think we could’ve asked for a better individual.”

Although the mass media will not be able to attend the private dinner, the foundation will hold a press conference Friday at which the media will be able to meet briefly with Giuliani.

Giuliani and his consulting firm have been hired by Mexico City officials to cut down on crime, after he was instrumental in lowering the crime rate in New York City by 65 percent, cleaning up the city streets, and taking charge during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

According to an article in the San Antonio Express News, Giuliani, who will be paid $4.3 million, is optimistic that his zero tolerance policy can work in Mexico City, a massive city of 18 million residents where corruption and crime are rampant. He visited there this week, even amid rumors of a possible kindapping plot by Colombian rebels. This might be just the beginning of his troubles, according to some observers.

Juanita Garza, a history professor at UTPA, says Giuliani may have a difficult time cleaning up Mexico City because of his lack of knowledge about the people,

culture and the politics.

“If he is going to try to clean up Mexico City, he should know about the people,” said Garza.

“We may have similar laws, but the way that they play them out may be different in Mexico.”

According to Sylvia Aldape, director of Stewardship Annual Giving at the University Development Office at UTPA, and coordinator for the event, the money that is raised will go to scholarships for students. Generous supporters of the event will make such fundraising possible.

“In the past we have had highlevel speakers come to campus,” said Aldape. “We are thankful because we have had a lot of support from the community.”

Aldape says such supporters donate anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000. The supporters are labeled by the foundation as Five Star Sponsors down to Two Star Sponsors, depending on their donation. All sponsors will have recognition in a special advertisement to appear in the Sunday edition of The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, and the Brownsville Herald.

Although not many students will be able to attend the dinner, Aldape says that some student groups from UTPA will have the opportunity to see the man who rallied a nation after Sept. 11. One such group is the UTPA Student Ambassadors.

“We do have three student groups involved in the event,” said Aldape. “The groups are helping us with the event.”

However, Garza says that students should be granted the opportunity to see Giuliani because they should get to hear his ideas.

If students are able to hear Giuliani speak, she noted, they will have the chance to compare his ideas from the others and make a choice out of it.

“That is what higher education is,” said Garza. “It’s about making choices, and how are you going to make choices if you don’t get a variety of ideas?”

Around campus this week, many students have wondered why they are not going to get a chance to learn from one of the country’s

See GUILIANI page 4

PAGE 2

2003

Celebrating 50 years 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 51th Year – No. 14

Editor Matt Lynch mlynch@panam.edu

News Editor Belinda Reyes beberay25@aol.com

A & E Editor Ashley Brooks Magrew2@hotmail.com

Sports Editor Brian Carr bc988@hotmail.com

Graphics Editor Gabriel O. Hernandez

Layout Designers Ashley Brooks Brian Carr Gabriel O. Hernandez Reporters Hilda Barrientes Amelia Garcia Adrianna Martinez Jennifer Tapia Celeste Y. Tello Cesar Trevino Arianna Vazquez Advertising Dagoberto Perez Advertising Coordinator Juanita Sanchez Adviser Dr. Greg Selber

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 university.

Letters policy The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues.

The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks.

Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, class/title and phone number.

Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office.

For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.

Thanks from a family Dear Editor, I would like to thank the University of Texas-Pan American for the help they provided for me and my family on the Dec. 14 graduation.

My son, Walker Smith, graduated from your outstanding University with a finance degree. His brother, Aaron Smith, was graduating on the same day from Steven F. Austin University in Nacadoches. Their mother and my wife of 30 years has terminal cancer. One of her goals she set when she found out was to watch her sons graduate. 550 miles apart and on the same day and her being sick presented an obstacle that without UTPA’s help would have made it impossible to see her sons walk across the stage.

With the help first from Dr. Cindy Brown and then the Provost it became possible. UTPA graciously agreed to let Aaron Smith walk across the stage with Walker. On top of that, when the graduation ceremony came, they put Laurie front and center and she got to watch both her sons graduate 30 seconds apart on the same stage not 20 feet from her. The smile on her face was one we had not seen for awhile.

They can talk about the “big”

letters

■

universities all they want. We have an outstanding university here in the Valley that may not be as “big” as some, but it has a big heart and that is an A+ in my grade book.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we are very proud to say our “sons” graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American.

Lamar and Laurie Smith

Remembering a teacher Dear editor, About four years ago, the deadline loomed for my final exam in reporting class.

We had an hour and a half to write a news story with information and quotes provided by the professor. A feeling of desperation seemed to set on the class, which dropped to about five students over the course of the semester, when the time allotted neared the end.

“In this business you live and die by deadlines, turn in what you have,” he said.

Incomplete, everyone turned in their stories. Bob Rollins was a hard-nosed, tough professor who never made excises or apologized for how he was.

He probably never felt compelled to.

Students didn’t take Rollins’ criticism and

editorials

■

cartoons

tough approach to teaching personally. He made sure they didn’t. Semester after semester, he told his students the same thing on the first day of class - “Check your ego at the door.”

I had the opportunity to enjoy a doubledip of Rollins. Working as a sports writer for this publication, I took in some extra Rollins - who was the newspaper's adviser at the time - after everyone went home.

On one occasion, Rollins made sure to point out a few mistakes I made on that day’s publication to the entire class. It goes without saying that I was embarrassed and a little mad at Rollins.

After class he made sure to remind me of his motto.

“If you're going to make it in this business, you'll need to be thick-skinned,” he said.

Rollins died three years ago, and to this day I'm glad I met him, even if it was for a short time. As a sports writer for the Valley Morning Star, I've had to deal with criticisms from readers, and at times entire communities, who disagree with my views.

Fortunately, my ego is still hanging in room 175 of the CAS. Eladio Jaimez

■ Student fees . . . . . . 3 ■ Faculty profile . . . . . . 5 ■ Tattoos . . . . . . . . . . 6

NEWS

New scholarship on tap

By AMELIA GARCIA The Pan American A new scholarship will soon be available for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in the College of Science and Engineering.

The George and Keturah Lenig Endowment Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students based primarily on financial need. The funds for the scholarship will come from two, 10-acre tracts of land located in Hidalgo County worth an estimated $130,000 donated by Deborah Yeakel, a retired teacher and granddaughter of the Lenigs.

According to Deborah Gonzalez, associate director of the Office of Development at the University of TexasPan American, with an endowment, donated funds are placed in a bank account. Every semester a certain percentage of the funds is awarded to recipients of the scholarship.

“Endowments tend to grow over time with the interest rates they collect in the bank,” Gonzalez said. “In essence they are there forever, which is great.”

She explained that the Lenig Endowment Scholarship differs from most others because it was donated in the form of real estate. The land must be sold before the exact value is known, but officials plan to award a scholarship this semester.

“All the paperwork is currently being worked on and we also need to inform

students and have them apply,” Gonzalez said. “Scholarships are not usually awarded right away after the endowment is received, but for this one it was part of the arrangement with the donor.”

Yeakel set up the Lenig Endowment Scholarship to honor her grandparents, who moved to Edinburg after their home building business in Akron, Ohio failed in

“

Endowments tend to grow over time with the interest rates they collect in the bank. In essence they are there forever, which is great.

- Deborah Gonzalez,

Assoc. Director of the Office of Development

“

January 16

OPINION

sports

January 16, 2003

1933 during the Great Depression. After relocating to the Rio Grande Valley, George Lenig found work as a bus driver for the Edinburg School District and also worked for Coen Construction Company into his eighties.

According to Yeakel, George Lenig helped build many local homes, churches, the Edinburg Hospital, and some buildings for Edinburg College, now UTPA.

The Lenigs also farmed land and at one point held 120 planted acres. They attempted to grow citrus orchards several times, but freezing climates killed the trees. After fighting a losing battle with the elements, the Lenigs then concentrated on cotton and vegetable crops.

George Lenig, who lived to be 95, and Keturah Lenig, who lived to be 90, also planted roots in the Valley for their family. They had five children, 15 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.

“The Lenigs’ work ethic, their friendliness to all, and their constant generosity were and are, a source of great respect and inspiration to the children, their descendants, their friends, and their neighbors in the Valley,” Yeakel said.

She said she understands the challenges many students face when having to work to pay for college. She hopes the endowment will help by removing some of the financial burden, allowing students to achieve their academic goals.

“The George and Keturah Lenig Endowment Memorial Scholarship for students in financial need is intended to honor the lives of these Valley pioneers in a lasting way through the University of Texas Pan American,” Yeakel said.

According to Gonzalez, the paperwork is being processed for the scholarship, but e-mails will be sent to students and signs will be posted with more information. For more information, contact the College of Science and Engineering at 381-2404.

Page 15

Senior Alex Gravel rebounds from injury Despite mounting injuries, Gravel continues to play role in Lady Bronc success

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American The work of senior Alex Gravel isn’t quite done yet.

The Lady Broncs' 5-foot-8 Canadian-born guard has worked hard to get back in the lineup after a long series of leg/foot injuries.

She red-shirted last year and missed the first three games of 2002-2003 while recovering from another injury.

But now, she’s back and making a difference for the team.

She’s scoring nearly 13 points per game, but has yet to get back into tiptop shape after the long layoff.

“At the beginning it did (affect me) because I was out of shape. I was doing bike workouts and it’s not the same as running up and down the court, but now it's getting a lot better,” she said of the injury she suffered last season. “I play 30 minutes a game, but I can't play more than 4-5 minutes at a time."

The Lady Broncs still have nearly half a season to play, 13 games to be exact.

Their most recent game was a 64-48 victory over Prairie View A&M Jan. 14, which improved the record to 2-13.

Gravel, who is averaging 12.3 points per game, scored seven points in the game as

she continues to adjust to her new role as playmaker on the team.

"We did really good in the first half building a lead, but there were six to eight minutes in the second half that was just ugly,” Gravel said. “They brought up their intensity and we just leveled instead of bringing it up.

With like three minutes to go we finally brought it up, too, but we'll take the win."

Prior to her injury, Gravel had established several UTPA’s women basketball records, and was close to breaking more.

She is the most prolific three-point shooter in school history and is high on the scoring list as well.

More importantly, in an era known for selfish, mefirst athletes, Gravel is a refreshing change: To her, individual records aren’t everything.

“I don't really think about it when I play. I just try to get out there and do what I have to do,” she said. “If I break them, that's something else I can tell my kids. I'm just trying to get out of here, win games and start building up the program.”

Despite her injury, Gravel has tried to rehabilitate her way back into mid-season form while taking on new roles within the team.

She has led the women in

scoring in six of the 12 games she's played in this year while scoring a seasonhigh 22 points on two occasions, once in a 60-50 loss to Montana in the Lady Griz Classic on Dec. 28 of last year and again on Jan. 5 in a memorable 61-58 win over Nebraska.

The Vanier high school graduate couldn't contain her obvious satisfaction when asked about the upset victory over Nebraska, a big-time school from a bigtime conference.

"It was awesome to win in front of 3,000 people that are screaming against you, but for us, it was just another team. We knew we could beat them because we worked really hard,” she said. “And against a good team you always go out and want to beat them real bad and we just played well.

For us, we knew we could do it and we were getting better so, it's like beating any other team, but it's exciting because it's the Big 12 and everything."

The game against Nebraska appears to have been a turning point for the Lady Broncs, who gained a tremendous amount of confidence with the victory which has propelled the team to a 2-2 record over their last four games.

See GRAVEL page 13

Photos by Matt Lynch/The Pan American

Got Control: Alex Gravel drives down the court during the game vs. Prairie View.

Lady Bronc tennis team gears up for SMU UTPA women’s squad prepares for opening match against Southern Methodist

By BRIAN CARR The Pan American

Photos by Matt Lynch/The Pan American

Gearing Up: Elisabet Mateos and Laura Boskovich warm up during a recent practice.

The second half of the women’s tennis schedule begins Friday against Western Athletic Conference tennis giant Southern Methodist University in neutral territory, at Corpus Christi.

SMU, which will travel to Corpus to compete against both UTPA and Texas A&M Corpus, begins its season against the Islanders Friday morning before meeting the Lady Broncs Friday afternoon.

The spring season, which strongly contrasts the mainly blind competition tournaments of the fall, pits school against school - matching six individuals athletes and three doubles teams in exclusive school-on-school competition.

SMU, which did extremely well during the fall season, is a strong favorite in the matchup, but UTPA head coach Todd Chapman hopes to

capitalize on familiar conditions and a fatigued SMU squad.

"We get enough wind [at UTPA] that most of the girls will be used to the conditions [in Corpus],"Chapman said."

SMU will be a tough first match, but because of expense we always practice outdoors, where as SMU has on-site indoor courts. I keep telling my girls that the colder and windier it is, the greater our advantage becomes."

Both UTPA and SMU attended the Omni Hotels Southwest Regional in October. Sophomore Ana Pena of McAllen was the only Lady Bronc to compete against a member of the SMU tennis team, losing in two straight sets to junior Nadia Vaughn.

There might have been more chance meetings between the two teams, but the tournament was cut short by inclement weather – and subsequently all consolation rounds were canceled. It was an unfortunate turn of events for

See TENNIS page 13

sports

January 16, 2003

Hoops teams up, down over break Lady Broncs win first two games of season during winter hiatus, Broncs continue to struggle

By BRIAN CARR The Pan American For most University of Texas-Pan American students, Winter Break meant gorging to the point of discomfort on festive feasts, drinking to the point of mindlessness in observation of the New Year, and generally avoiding any and all activities that might hinder one's ability to rejuvenate from a lengthy fall semester.

For the men and women's basketball teams, however, the break was limited to an academic hiatus, as the 200203 season continued through the holidays.

Unfortunately for the players, coaching staff, and fans of UTPA Bronc basketball, the break from educational rigors did not ensure stronger game-play and better results from either

program.

The men, who opened the season with two consecutive losses at the South Padre Island Roundball Invitational Tournament (S.P.I.R.I.T.), have not yet found the grounding to turn their season around.

Their limited success on the road is shown in their 415 record, but the Broncs have won 75 percent of their home games, losing only one home contest, a 85-79 loss to the Rice Owls on Jan. 8.

The Lady Broncs, who opened the season with 11 consecutive losses, came up with a huge win against Big 12’s Nebraska at the Bob Devaney Sports Center pm Jan. 5. UTPA, which had struggled with Division II teams both at home and on the road, defeated Nebraska 61-58 in what was a stellar upset. But despite the huge

win, the women’s basketball team has an abysmal 2-13 record, with only a single home win to its credit.

It now seems inevitable that both squads will finish the 2002-2003 campaign with a losing record.

In order for the Broncs to finish with a record of .500 they will have to win all 11 remaining games, which would put them at 15-15 for the season.

During the month of February, UTPA will play five consecutive home games, but with a injury-laden bench and limited options, head coach Bob Hoffman might not find much comfort in home-court advantage.

The Lady Broncs, who defeated Prairie View A&M in a home game Tuesday, could finish two games ahead of .500 if they can manage an 13-straight wins. But with

rival TAMU-CC and New Mexico State still ahead in their spring schedule, it will take some kind of fancy magic for head coach Tracy Anderson to pull off the incredible feat.

The Broncs, who have had to adjust their roster due to injuries sustained during the season and off-season, have seen great offensive contributions from Eric Montalvo and Kevin Mitchell, who have both stepped up their numbers due to lack of the Broncs’ inside game.

Alex Gravel, who missed the first three games of the season due to a reoccurring stress fracture in her right ankle, came into the season averaging 12.3 points per game, and even tied a singlegame record for threepointers (six) against Nebraska.

2002-2003 season stats

Page 14

Soccer tourney under way in Mexico

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American The much anticipated second tournament of the 2002/03 Mexican First Division soccer season kicked off last weekend, however, the off-season did not see a lot of stellar trades or transfers, but some clubs did do their best to reinforce their lineups in order to be able to compete with the stronger clubs of the Mexican League or to simply save their hides from relegation.

The team which fortified itself the most during the off-season was Monterrey who was in dire need of an offensive overhaul after being the worst goal-scoring club in the Mexican League last season.

The "Regios" obtained the services of Brazilian star striker and play-maker Alexsandro Fernandes from Morelia, last season's runner-up, which should make Argentinian head coach Daniel Passarella quite happy.

Monterrey also acquired Mexican forward Jesús Mendoza from Club América in exchange for its former Mexican national team striker, Antonio De Nigris, who had fallen out of favor with Passarella.

Rounding out the revamped offense was the acquisition of Luis Ernesto Pérez from Mexico City club Necaxa.

However, don't expect much this season from Monterrey since they have always had problems coming together and playing as a unified team. Since the new offensive crew is coming from three different clubs with different styles of play, they will need the season to get used to playing with one another to be effective.

Another team to watch this season is Santos Laguna. The Warriors managed to reach last season's playoffs despite a rough start and made it all the way to the semifinals under the leadership of technical director Luis Fernando Tena before being knocked out by eventual champion Toluca.

The momentum they had at the end of the previous tournament should carry over into the new season.

The Torreón club's biggest acquisition during the offseason was play-maker José Antonio Noriega from Morelia. Noriega joins a star-studded club that includes Paraguayan World Cup members Denis Caniza and Luis Romero, Mexican World Cup players Joahán Rodríguez and Jared Borgetti as well as the veteran Chilean spark plug Rodrigo Ruiz.

The Pumas of U.N.A.M. will try to improve from third place finishes the last two seasons, but may struggle because they will be participating in the Copa Libertadores for the first time simultaneously during the regular season.

Defending champion Toluca is always a club to watch out for, especially with its potent Paraguayan striker José Saturnino Cardozo. Last season, Cardozo shattered the short tournament single-season goalscoring record with 29.

The Red Devils will try to win their second title in a row, something that no team has been able to do in the twice-a-year short tournament season format instituted in 1996.

And finally, keep an eye out for Club America who will try to reclaim the title this season. They have one of the most solid lineups in the Mexican League.

During the off-season, the Eagles fortified their lineup with the acquisition of De Nigris from Monterrey.

Meanwhile, the other fight on the field will be for permanence in the First Division. Veracruz, Morelos, Chiapas and Puebla are all candidates for relegation.

During the break, the Atlético de Celaya Bulls moved to Cuernavaca, Morelos due to economic problems and will debut as the First Division's newest club now known as the Hummingbirds, but that may be shortlived if they fail to accumulate enough points during the course of the tournament to remain there.

The Mexican Football Federation recently changed the name of the two-a-year short tournaments from winter and summer (Invierno and Verano) to opening and closing (Apertura and Clausura). The Mexican Soccer League plays two tournaments a year and thus has two champions each season.

THE PAN AMERICAN

January 16, 2003

Officials explain budget policies

By JENNIFER TAPIA The Pan American

Several members of the Student Affairs Advisory Committee at the University of Texas-Pan American say that students might not be aware of how the money collected from student service fees is disbursed to the departments. Or to whom the majority of the dollars go.

According to Elvie Davis, Dean of Students at UTPA and adviser for SAAC, an interview with each departments account manager is set up. In this interview, the account manager has to explain to the members of SAAC why they need such funds for their organization.

“Every year around February, the university departments submit a budget request,” said Davis. “They come and tell us what they would like for next year.”

After a few days of meetings, Davis says SAAC makes a recommendation to the university president, who makes the final approval of the budget.

Miguel Nevarez, president of UTPA for the last 21 years, says during this process, he has to make sure that the amount of budget requested matches with the estimated budget of the following year.

“We have to predict how many students are going to be enrolled in September,” said Nevarez. “The student service fee is based on the enrollment.”

When balancing and approving budgets for the departments, Nevarez says

he looks for the recommendations of the department heads and SAAC. If the recommendations are different, he looks into the reason why.

“I also look into the recommendation of the Dean of Students,” says Nevarez.

“Over the years, we have disagreed, but it hasn’t been major disagreement.”

In the past two years, the student service fee budget shows that an estimated $3.5 million was collected per year. Devin Lacey, a member of SAAC, says from that collection, 47 to 48 percent goes to the Intercollegiate Athletics Department.

“Most people are glad that we have a basketball team and glad that we have a track and field team,” said Lacey. “But when students start complaining, they don’t know that sports is one of the reasons that other areas get cut for funding.”

Davis says that by law, the university is not allowed to give the athletics department more than 50 percent of the student service fee budget. She explains that most colleges with an athletic department are funded partially by student service fees.

Raul Betancourt, assistant athletic director for business operations at UTPA, says he was unaware of the fact that they get 47 to 48 percent of the student service fee budget. However, he is very appreciative.

“If the university wants athletics in division one, the funding has to come

from somewhere and it generally comes from student service fees,” said Betancourt. “I don’t see how we can survive without it.”

Betancourt adds that with the funds, the athletic department is able to field a variety of sports, including more women’s sports than ever before. The men’s basketball team get the largest amount of the budget, while the men’s golf team gets the least.

Although they do get close to 50 percent of the student service fee budget, Betancourt says it only supplies 60 to 75 percent of the total budget.

“It’s not the only component of our budget,” says Betancourt. “We get money from corporate sponsorship, donations from the athletic foundation, game guarantees and ticket sales.”

According to Davis, complaints have been made from several departments about the amount they receive in their budget.

However, Nevarez says although the university would like to provide every department with what it needs, this is just not feasible.

Lacey says the athletic department helps increase enrollment because it improves the university’s image, giving the community the chance to watch a Division I team locally. With the enrollment increase, the student service budget will rise, and eventually may be able to provide more for other departments in the future.

Organizations lack funding

By HILDA BARRIENTES The Pan American Times are tough for the University of Texas Pan-American as a number of departments are suffering from lack of funds this year. However those departments understand that the funds are not available partly because money from the state is not forthcoming because of a budget deficit.

“I understand that sometimes money is tight,” said Charlie Caceres, coordinator of campus activities and sponsor for the UTPA Cheerleaders and Blazer dance team. “But right now I am running on a shoestring.”

Caceres says he is unable to purchase miscellaneous supplies for his cheer leading and dance team, such as megaphones, pompoms, uniforms, and recruitment letters.

“The only way I was able to get new pompoms last year was because we used a $500 gift certificate we received when we won second place at a competition,” Caceres said.

To increase their budget the UTPA cheerleaders and Blazers participate in various fundraising activities and try to raise the same amount of money approved by the university presidents. They sell posters of themselves to local businesses for donations and the UTPA Cheerleaders hold cheer leading camps for Valley girls. Caceres added that fundraising does take time away from his other responsibilities but believes it is something that needs to be done.

Caceres said he has a wish list of things that he would like to have for his cheerleading and dance team, including more money to spend on travel expenses so the teams can follow and support the UTPA basketball team. He would also like to hire choreographers and buy new uniforms for the teams to prepare for competitions.

“I feel the cheerleaders and the Blazers play a very important part in UTPA,” Caceres said. “They represent the university and recruit students so they can attend UTPA.” Cheerleading and the dance team aren’t the only organizations feeling the pinch. Director of Career Placement Services Enedelia P. Kidd agrees on behalf of students representing UTPA. According to Kidd Student

Employment Services set up a system of part-time jobs for students attending UTPA. But at the same time while the students are working with their employer, students are a reflection of UTPA. “I believe that when the student is working where we have placed them they are representing UTPA,” Kidd said.

“Therefore, I feel that they should have the proper knowledge of how to dress and the skill to be in a working environment.”

Kidd feels that a larger staff would help her organization and provide students any orientation or advisement needed for various jobs.

“Most of these students have never worked before so this is their first job,” Kidd said. “Some don’t know how to dress for an interview.”

Kidd would like to provide more information to students but feels her organization doesn’t have the budget or the resources to do so. She will try to apply for a federal grant and hopes that next year her request will be approved by the president of the university.

Tom Grabowski, designer and technical director for The University Theatre, feels that there will always be a need for more money but he decided to make due with what his organization has been funded.

“We are funded by the student service fee but we also rely on the revenue we get from the productions we do,” Grabowski said.

He added the money that is raised is spent on a scholarship fund, having a box office clerk, and on productions.

Costumes, set design and construction, printing the programs and paying for the rights to do the show are all expenses encountered when planning a production.

But university officials feel its not possible to satisfy every organization when formulating a fiscal budget. In years when a budget shortfall is encountered, UTPA administrators do what is necessary to produce a balanced budget, even if it means cutting the funding of organization or departments.

“Revenues and expenditures have to be same,” UTPA President Dr. Miquel Navarez said. “I have a responsibility to balance the budget.”

Page 3

Money Crunching : UTPA’s Revenues for Student Service Fees Fiscal Year 2001 (for year ended 8/31/01) Student Service Fee: $3,319,686.18 Less: SSF Allocation - Intercollegiate Athletics: $1,513,776.82 SSF Allocation - Student Services: $1,615,829.48 Uncollectible Registration Debt: $16,673.09 Total: $3,146,279.39 Net Revenues: $173,406.79 Fiscal Year 2002 (for year ended 8/31/02) Student Service Fee: $3,616,492.33 Less: SSF Allocation - Intercollegiate Athletics: $1,510,808 SSF Allocation - Student Services: $1,920,294.82 Tuition Discount: $225,696.14 Total: $3,656,798.96 Net Revenues: ($40,306.63) Source:UTPA

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THE PAN AMERICAN

January 16, 2003

Campus VO I C E

Would you be interested in hearing Rudy Giuliani speak?

Armando Mariscal Criminal Justice Junior I would be interested to hear his suggestions to fix the corruption in Mexico and any suggestions he has for the Valley.

Gaby Barajas Public Relation/Advertising Junior I would go because I see Mayor Giuliani as a true leader who knows how to guide a city and a nation in times of crisis.

Ivan Barajas Finance Junior I wouldn’t go because he’s just not a person who seems interesting to me.

Page 4

Work on new RAHC under way

By ARIANNA VAZQUEZ The Pan American

By 2004, a new research facility promises to provide local college students the opportunity to make a difference in the health of Rio Grande Valley residents.

A $20 million structure in Edinburg will be the future site of the Medical Research Division of the Regional Academic Health Center, or RAHC. The RAHC, in conjunction with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) will concentrate on diabetes research and the study of infectious diseases such as dengue fever and tuberculosis, as well as various forms of cancer.

On Dec. 11, 2002, officials from the Texas Congress, the City of Edinburg, UTHSCSA, and UTPA gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony on Van Week Street where the facility will be located. Construction is set to begin in February and is slated for completion in the spring of 2004.

Dr. Leo Vela, dean of the center, is looking forward to the completion of the facility to begin researching and finding cures and treatments for diseases affecting large populations of Valley communities, such as diabetes.

"Diabetes unfortunately affects the Hispanic population and it's not proportional to the entire country," Vela said. "We want to research the disease in terms of its underlying cause and how we can develop intervention."

Recent studies show that 20 percent of Valley residents will contract the disease at some point. Many more are at risk.

The research center and its developers hope

GIULIANI Nelda Perez Education Junior I would have loved to meet Rudolf Giuliani. I think he has become an important face in American history and I certainly would have loved to hear what he had to say.

Danny Quiroz CIS Junior I would attend based solely on all of his experiences. The advesity he has had to overcome both personally and professionally has proven that he is a brilliant leader.

continued from page 1

best leaders. They will have a chance to watch a tape-delayed version of the address on Edinburg’s local cable television channel. Still, to some, this is a repeat of last year’s situation with Schwartzkopf, when students heard he was coming but were unable to see the speech.

‘It’s seriously overpriced,” said UTPA freshman Joe Cortez. “He did a good job during 9-11 but it’s no reason for them to be charging that much.”

Even though most students will not have the opportunity to attend the dinner, Garza says many Valley residents will still attend because they are political conservatives who support Giuliani, a Republican.

LAB

to aid Valley residents by finding cures and treatments for a number of ailments, while also assisting UTPA students interested in the field of biomedical research. Upon its completion, UTPA students will be enlisted to assist RAHC faculty in performing research on the various types of diseases, as Vela commented.

"We envision that students will have the opportunity to engage in this very sophisticated kind of research," Vela said. "It will also give the opportunity to provide knowledge that will benefit people around the Valley and country."

Officials at the RAHC and UTPA plan to integrate the faculty of both programs in an effort to afford students at UTPA the opportunity to get involved in the research.

According to UTPA President Dr. Miguel Nevarez, the relationship between the faculties could help link students interested in research with a chance to participate and provide a helping hand to the medical research field.

"Having the biomedical research in campus gives us added advantage of staff and students using the facility and working together," Nevarez said. "Relationship between the faculties is going to make our students get involved."

Dr. William McIntyre, dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, said RAHC research will give undergraduates and graduate UTPA students the chance to explore different diseases which are more likely to afflict families living in the Valley.

"We are already feeling an impact," McIntyre said. "In our point of view, it is excellent to have people doing research because it stimulates opportunities and it gives students the chance to explore research."

“The leadership in the Valley is always conservative,” said Garza. “They’ll pay $600 because they have $600, and that’s who’s gonna go.”

In the past, the foundation was able to bring other individuals to speak to UTPA students.

Aldape says such speakers came to UTPA during Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology Week. During that week, speakers were able to motivate students into joining various technology fields.

Aldape hopes that in the future, organizations like the foundation can bring more leaders to UTPA so students can have the opportunity to hear them express their ideas.

continued from page 1

atmosphere at hospitals, Savoie and Munoz realized that hospitals are very busy and have a shortage of laboratory scientists.

The result is that there is not enough time to sit down and teach the students one on one and explain everything to them.

“The students tend to get the grunt work and are not a high priority,” said Savoie.

“This is not done intentionally it is just that there is not enough time.”

Munoz added that caring about people and a career is what is important and she is determined to make the time and effort for the students who will do their rotations at MSL. Elisa Diaz, microbiology supervisor and scientist at McAllen Medical Center, says that the scientists at MMC have to make the

time to sit down and teach because the students are their product.

“It reflects badly on us if they go and work for another hospital and they do not know how to perform a certain test,” said Diaz. “The question that will be asked is ‘Where were you trained?’”

Program director Karen Chandler says that she sends students to each of the major hospitals to do their rotation because that is where all the areas the students need training in their rotations.

“MSL as well as major hospitals have the departments is which the students need to do their rotations,’” Chandler said. “MSL does have a higher level of a microbiology department and is ranked at a hospital level.”

Sports

January 16, 2003

Page 13

SPORTS CLIPBOARD Road to Super Bowl 37

Bronc Forward Receives Red Shirt Chris Fagan, who has been sidelined with a stress fracture since the pre-season, will retain two years of eligibility due to the injury he sustained to his right foot.

Fagan, who was brought in to help strengthen the Broncs’ inside game, will be one of two players on the injured list who have been red-shirted due to injury.

Senior forward Andrius Sakalys, will return next year after undergoing a surgery this December to repair a torn ACL - an injury which he sustained during the offseason.

Brains and brawn The cumulative GPA of UTPA students went up .02 points between the spring and fall semester of 2002. The GPA of athlete/students was raised from

2.88 to 2.90, and several student athletes made Dean’s List First Honors.

Among them are: Filip Koziell, Jeremy Salvo, Stacey Gooden, Elisabet Mateos, Nicole Boychuk and Crystal Frazier

Hockey in the Valley The CHL hockey team, which is set to begin play next season in Hidalgo, was named during the winter break.

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees will join the league, and travel to compete against various Texas teams including the Austin Ice Bats and the Corpus Christi Ice Rays.

There have been no releases as to who will play for the Killer Bees, but tickets for individual competitions, as well as season packages, have gone on sale.

By BRIAN CARR The Pan American

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Philadelphia Eagles

Warren Sapp will look to strengthen his legendary career as one of the most feared defensive tackles to play the game. With a power house like Sapp on defense, offenses can look to be stifled.

Donovan McNabb has proven himself as a strong NFL quarterback. All he needs to do now is bring home the championship. Look for more big plays from James Thrash, and expect an exciting game.

Tennessee Titans Steve McNair and the Tennessee Titans are fresh off an overtime win against Pittsburgh, without Eddie George who was side lined in the first quarter with a mild concussion. They have the ability to play well under pressure, even with an injured roster.

TENNIS

Rich Gannon and Charlie Garner have demonstrated an immense amount of chemistry during the post season. The Raiders strong ground game coupled with veteran receiver Rice’s history of playing well in big games insures they will be a strong contender.

continued from page 15

the Lady Broncs, who saw only one player, sophomore Kathryn Waslen, advance to the second round of the shortened tournaments.

The last time UTPA and SMU met, the Mustangs swept the Lady Broncs, picking up all six possible points in the competition by winning 72 of 86 sets played. The Mustangs, who were then ranked 55th in the nation, had home court advantage and dominated in the first half of what was a doubleheader for SMU. In their second match up of the day, against Abilene Christian, the Mustangs gave up only one available point in the singles round - unfazed by the prior match up.

SMU retains every player who participated in last year's competition against the Lady Broncs, while UTPA has lost the only player to win at least two games in each of her losing sets, Celine Merlini, who did so playing in the number one spot.

Chapman and the Lady Broncs will also play without junior Julie Fife, who will miss the first few matchups of the spring schedule while she recuperates from surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

GRAVEL

Oakland Raiders

Regardless of holes in the Lady Bronc roster, Chapman looks to the depth of his squad to gain an edge in Friday's competition.

"Tennis is a game where no matter if you play at the number one spot or number six spot all the points count the same," Chapman said. "I'll be looking for contributions from everyone."

Senior Elisabet Mateos, who was defeated

by Nadia Vaughn while playing in the second spot last February, will be slated as the number one seed for UTPA. This will be her last semester as a Lady Bronc, and she hopes to go out on a positive note.

“I am very excited about the season,” Mateos said. “ I’ve been preparing all Christmas by lifting weights, and trying to find anybody to feed me tennis balls.”

Mateos, who made the Dean’s List First Honors for the Fall 2002 semester, will also compete at the number one spot in doubles along with partner Ana Pena.

There were no doubles competitions at UTPA’s last tournament with SMU.

continued from page 15

They had been in a slide all season before that.

"Different people are stepping up and scoring, which means the team is coming together,” Gravel said. “We have a lot of games left and we can still win a lot of them. We're just taking it one day at a time

and hopefully we'll get 10 wins in our last 13 games. That's our goal pretty much. At least, that's my goal."

Along with the team's new attitude, the competitive Gravel has learned to adjust to the various new roles she has on the team as well as other facets of her game.

January 16, 2003

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 12

January 16, 2003

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 5

UTPA professor seeks knowledge

By ALEX GRAVEL Special to The Pan American

Now a sociology professor at the University of Texas-Pan American, Dr. Kelley Himmel, 52, had two things he wanted to do in his life: be a farmer and teach at the college level.

Born and raised on a cotton farm in Crosby County in West Texas, Himmel grew up working on the farm, raising plants and cattle.

After graduating from high school in 1968, he went on to Rice University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in sociology, which he earned in 1973.

While he was still young, Himmel wanted to fulfill his dream to raise cattle. He decided to head back to West Texas, to the farm his family owned since 1920. He wanted to do so because he felt that it would get him closer to his father, who didn’t want him to be a farmer in the first place.

“My dad didn’t want me to follow his footsteps because it didn’t bring a lot of money to the table,” Himmel said.

Himmel loved and lived the life of a farmer too much to listen to his father. He worked the land for 15 years before deciding to go back to school to further his education. During that time he married and had a son, Lee, who is now 28 and a cook in the U.S. Navy. Himmel could have been a farmer all his life but he had another dream to chase, the one of being a college professor.

In 1988, he enrolled at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, to pursue a master’s degree. Although already in his mid-thirties, he knew he wanted to continue his quest for knowledge. He just did not know what route to take. He considered the fields of English and

history, but after reading course descriptions in the university catalog many times, sociology seemed the most interesting. It was then that he knew he would be a sociology teacher.

During his time at Tech, Himmel enrolled in a class called “Indians of the Southern Plains,” taught by Nancy Hickerson.

“I didn’t really like the way she taught the class, but she was a really good role model for research,” he said. Hickerson wrote one book called “The Jumanos Hunters and Traders of the South Plains.”

While in the class, Himmel wrote his first paper on the Tonkawas and Karankawas, two 19th-century native tribes indigenous to Texas.

“As a child I read a lot about the Indians and was very interested in Texas history,” he said.

“I decided to combine the two interests.”

Even though he had a great interest in Native Americans, Himmel put the topic aside and wrote his thesis on another issue, and titled his work “Perceived Powerlessness and Pornography Use Among Men.” “The debate on pornography was a big issue back in the late 1980s, so I did my research for my thesis on that subject,” he said.

In 1990, Himmel enrolled at the University of Texas-Austin to pursue his doctoral degree.

Texas Tech University only offered history in its doctorate program and he wanted teach sociology, so he made the move to Austin. Still having a strong interest in Indians, Himmel started deeper research to discover more about the conquest of Native Americans in Texas in the 19th century and Immanuel Wallerstein’s World System Theory. This theory is based on economics and how humans could make choices and change events.

“I was interested in the role of people’s

cultural values and how they integrated in the World System Theory,” he said.

Gideon Sjoberg, a sociology professor at UT, was supervising Himmel in his dissertation.

“He let me do my own thing and let me write the way I wanted to,” Himmel said. “I really appreciated that and he really motivated me to keep going in my research. It is hard to be motivated when you don’t have the support of your professors.”

Sjoberg wrote several books, but the most popular one is titled “The Pre-industrial city,” published in 1950 and still in print today.

In 1995, Himmel finished his dissertation, but felt the finished product wasn’t as good as he wanted it to be. It was called “The Conquest of the Karankawas and the Tonkawas, 18211859.” He decided to push himself to finish the work he had started and finish what he had to say on the subject. In 1999, he published the book, which was a revised version of the dissertation.

“The book was really important to me to get tenure at Pan-Am,” he said.

Life in the Valley The University of Texas-Pan American is where Himmel ended up in the fall of 1995.

Two days after he interviewed with the university, he got a call on his way to the Valley.

“I went on interviews all over the United States and Pan-Am was my first choice and I was theirs, too.” he said. “I was very happy because I liked the campus, the people and the Valley.”

Today, Himmel teaches five undergraduate courses and one graduate course per year.

“I like to teach to students who are eager to

learn and I like interaction and the immediate feedback they provide,” he said.

In the meantime, he is working on a second book, but believes it will some time to get his newest work published.

“It took seven years from the idea to publication with the first book,” he said. “This one will probably take the same amount of time.”

The book will be about Texas history and a coal-mining town named Thurber, which was inhabited from 1880 to 1930, but is now a ghost town, Thurber was owned by the Texas Coal Company and when the company closed its doors because of competition from other companies, the town dried up, leaving nothing behind for the workers.

“My great-grandfather was a miner there in the 1900s and I heard a lot of stories growing up,” he said. “I’ve had an interest in the subject for a long time.”

His book will concentrate on ethnic and labor relations in the community, as well as the role women played in the Thurber community.

Himmel is in the early stage of the research process, still gathering data.

“I don’t have many problems doing the research but with all the time I spend teaching, there is a lack of time to devote to my research,” he said.

Now living in Weslaco with his wife and three dogs, Himmel plans on continuing his lifestyle of teaching and research for a number of years to come until his retirement.

“I like teaching a lot and I like to do research,” he said. “I want to write a third book and since it takes me seven years to get one out, I figured 15 more years of teaching would give me enough time for the next two!”

January 16, 2003

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 6

Tattoos make mark on student bodies

By CELESTE Y. TELLO The Pan American They invoke fascination, they are the topic of small talk among young people, they are long-lasting expressions of personalities...they are tattoos. No matter how interesting they are, there are some details that not everyone knows about this age-old art form, and it wouldn’t hurt them to do some research.

The Flaming Heart tattoo parlor on Closner Street is one location near campus where those looking to get body art can find answers from manager Eddie Gomez, who has been in the tattoo business for six years. He describes the Flaming Heart as a busy shop, but admits that some days are slower than others.

“We’re a pretty busy shop, we always have been,” Gomez said. “On a daily basis we do about three tattoos, but there’s days that we just sit around twiddling our thumbs. It Depends on the season.”

The Flaming Heart is in the early phases of the busy season and spring break bears the promise of more clients for the shop. Gomez said a majority of the people who come into the shop are younger adults.

“A good 65 percent of the people who come in here are college students,” Gomez said.

Even though a majority of the people who visit the Flaming Heart are college students, Gomez has not noticed a significant difference between the number of males and females who come in.

Despite the popularity of tattoos, some people worry about how safe they really are, regardless of gender. Gomez said the Flaming Heart does what can be done can to minimize contamination and emphasize customer safety.

“We don’t reuse anything that has to do with blood,” he said. “Needles get thrown away once the tattoo is complete.”

Because not all the equipment is disposable, the shop uses a device called an autoclave to sterilize instruments. The machine uses water to raise the temperature and sterilize the instruments.

The shop’s precautions and emphasis on safety have earned it the approval of the State Department of Health,

and as a result, the Flaming Heart has become a licensed shop.

Along with the concerns about shop safety, all shops have to deal with what happens when people decide their body art has to go. The idea that tattoos are permanent is not entirely accurate anymore. Linda Moncada, a laser technician at Valley Hand & Plastic Surgery PA in McAllen, has the know-how on tattoo removal.

Moncada said she sees many people come in to have their tattoos removed for a variety of reasons.

“Usually, it’s something they did when they were younger and now that they’re older they may have a job where they may not want their tattoo to show,” she said. “Sometimes they don’t want their kids to get tattoos and they remove their own so their kids don’t see it.”

Moncada said she sometimes treats Winter Texans who want to remove tattoos they got in their youth and no longer have a taste for. Despite the age range of her clients, she said about 50 percent of the people who want to have their tattoos removed are college students. She said that there are more females than males among her college clients.

Even though tattoo removal may seem like a simple solution for someone who has grown tired of their body art, Moncada said that it is a long and painful process.

“It’s very painful because it’s burning the skin. It’s a long ongoing process, not a quick fix,” she said. “That’s why people need to really think it through. You can get a tattoo in about an hour, but it takes up to a year to get it removed.”

This is one of the reasons Gomez said anyone looking to get a tattoo should weigh the situation carefully because it is a permanent artwork. And, he suggests they have some thinking done before they come.

“A lot of people come in here and kind of grocery shop, and ask ‘How would this look on me,’“ he said. “The best thing to do is talk to the artist and have an idea of what you want before you actually get something.”

Aside from being a yearlong process, tattoo removal can have an impact on a patient’s finances.

For small, uncolored tattoos, a person can expect to pay $200 for removal and up to $1,200 if a tattoo is large and colored.

“Colored tattoos are more complicated to remove because they require different treatments,” Moncada said.

So once a person has dished out money and endured pain for a tattoo removal, they have one more setback before the tattoo is out of sight and out of mind...the scarring.

“Scarring is 100 percent in tattoo removal,” Moncada said.

The area where the tattoo was will initially be pink and clients are told to avoid sun exposure. Eventually the skin may return to normal after the burning and blistering is past but it may stay darker than the rest of the skin.

With tattoos increasing in popularity and a steady number of clients looking to have them removed, the professionals who place and erase permanent ink strongly recommend that people seriously consider whether they really want to get a tattoo.

Celeste Y. Tello/The Pan American

Chris Deleon of the Flaming Heart tattoo parlor performs a cover up over the tattoo of a customer Wednesday.

January 16, 2003

Arts & Entertainment

Page 11

Arts & Entertainment

January 16, 2003

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REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW

All ‘About Schmidt’

By DÄGOBERTO PÉREZ The Pan American

Movie turns dull into delightfully funny

through the television channels “Johnny” isn’t here he sees a commercial in which anymore... Jack Nicholson has Angela Landsbury urges replaced his “Shining” persona viewers to sponsor a needy with the very methodical child. Warren feels compelled Warren Schmidt. Warren lives to do so, resulting in his at home with his wife, Helen sponsorship of a six-year-old (June Squibb), and is bitterly Tanzanian boy named Ndugu. coping with recent retirement.

Eventually Warren begins One night while flipping examining his life through the letters he sends to Ndugu.

He tells Ndugo all Starring: Jack Nicholson, about his wife, the “old June Squibb, Hope Davis, woman who lives in his Dermot Mulroney, Kathy house,” and of the way Bates, Howard Hesseman she requires him to sit when he urinates in Director: Alexander Payne order to avoid any MPAA rating: R, for messes (an example of language and brief nudity. her overbearing Running time: 125 personality). He also minutes tells Ndugo of his daughter, Jeannie Reviewer’s Rating: (Hope Davis), and that she is going to marry a bumbling waterbed salesman named out of 5 stars Randall (Dermot Mulroney), of whom

Warren does not approve.

Suddenly, Warren’s wife dies (in an unfortunate yet amusing manner), and he is forced to attend his daughter’s wedding alone. Deciding to make the most of his journey to the wedding, Warren hops in his Winnebago and visits places he lived as a child.

Eventually Warren ends up in Nebraska and meets he and his daughter’s future in-laws, the Hertzels.

Enter Roberta (Kathy Bates), the groom’s mother, who portrays the epitomy of raunch. As Warren sees the family that Jeannie has decided to join, he concludes that his life is a failure. He feels that he has not touched anyone else’s life and that his own life is meaningless. The events of his past have affirmed this, but at the end of the movie Warren receives a letter from Ndugo’s teacher, making Warren realize he has touched the life of at least one

BOX OFFICE STATS Last week’s results

1. “Just Married” - $17.5 2. “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” - $14.8 3. “Catch Me If You Can” - $14.6 4. “Two Weeks Notice” $6.8 5. “About Schmidt” $6.4 6. “Chicago” - $5.7 7. “Maid in Manhattan” $5.1

person.

Aside from Bates exposing herself and letting it all “hang” out in front of the camera, “About Schmidt” is entertaining and fun. All in all, Nicholson has truly captured the essence (or lack thereof ) of Warren Schmidt and it should come as no surprise if he receives a fourth Oscar nomination.

8. “Gangs of New York” - $4.8 9. “Antwone Fisher” $3.8 10. “Wild Thornberrys Movie” - $2.8

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 7

■ Gallery Exhibit . . . . 8-9 ■ Culture Club . . . . . . . 9 ■ Movie Review . . . . . 10

Around Town Book Discussion Jan. 18 at 3 p.m.

Place: Barnes & Noble, 4006 N. 10th St. Info: UTPA professor Dr. Rob Johnson will discuss his first collection of cuentos de fantasmas, titled “Fantasmas: Supernatural Stories by Mexican American Writers,” featuring 19 stories by various writers, many of which are Valley natives. Rene Saldaña Jr., also a UTPA faculty member, will read his story “El Bronco y La Lechuza.”

Music Fest 2003 Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.

Place: McAllen Civic Center Price: Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door and are available at the Rio Grande Children’s Home on N. Bentsen Drive in Mission, and all Valley Alamo Banks and Boot Jack stores.

The South Texas Conjunto Association and the UTPA Music Department joined forces to present “Accordeones de Texas En Vivo.” The festival was intended to detail the origins of conjunto music in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in the 1920’s. The musicians told stories to the audience of about 150 people giving the history of each of the instruments and how the workers and farmers incorporated them into the local Mexican music.

Photos by Celeste Y. Tello

Carrot Top Jan. 21 Place: La Villa Real, 1201 S. Bentsen Road Event: The infamous prop comic brings his unique perspectives to the Valley.

Phone: (956) 687-7121 for ticket information.

McAllen Symphonic Band Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Place: McAllen Civic Center Auditorium Event: The McAllen Symphonic Band presents “Gems of the Concert Band,” which will feature “Radetsky March,” “Anitshka” and “March from Symphonic Metamorphosis.

Phone: (956) 668-9740 Price: Admission donation is $5; tickets available at Melhart’s Music Center and McAllen Chamber of Commerce.

UPCOMING MUSIC DEPARTMENT EVENTS MARIACHI CONCERT

LATIN SALSA BAND CONCERT

Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium The nationally-known UTPA Mariachi will perform Mexican folk music in the traditional mariachi form, including “Sones” and “Canciones.” The new UTPA Mariachi Femenil, an all-female mariachi, and the Sol y Luna Dance Club will also perform.

Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. For more information, call (956) 381-3471.

Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium The UTPA Latin Salsa Band, joined by the UTPA Mariachi and UTPA Mariachi Femenil, will perform “tropical” and traditional “salsa” stylings, combining rhythms from Africa with melodies and harmonies from Spain. The Sol y Luna Dance Club will join the musicians on stage.

Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. For more information, call (956) 381-3471.

January 16, 2003

Arts & Entertainment

Page 8

January 16, 2003

Arts & Entertainment

Page 9

The

The University Gallery, located in the

CULTURE CLUB

Communication Arts and Sciences Building,

What students like to read, listen to and surf.

hosts the Master of Fine Arts exhibit “Love, Labor & Life: Existence through a neosurrealist style” by Manuel Saenz Jr. The exhibit runs through Feb. 4 with an artist’s reception tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. in the University Gallery. Admission is free.

Ernie Gonzalez Junior General Studies CD: “Blizzard of Ozz” by Ozzy Osbourne Book: “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger Website: yahoo.com

Darla Jackson Junior interdisciplinary Studies Photos by Matt Lynch

CD: “Up!” by Shania Twain Movie: “Meet Joe Black” Book: “Desperation” by Stephen King

Rick Rocha Freshman Criminal Justice Movie: “Just Married” Book: “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” by 2Pac Website: NBA.com

January 16, 2003

Arts & Entertainment

Page 8

January 16, 2003

Arts & Entertainment

Page 9

The

The University Gallery, located in the

CULTURE CLUB

Communication Arts and Sciences Building,

What students like to read, listen to and surf.

hosts the Master of Fine Arts exhibit “Love, Labor & Life: Existence through a neosurrealist style” by Manuel Saenz Jr. The exhibit runs through Feb. 4 with an artist’s reception tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. in the University Gallery. Admission is free.

Ernie Gonzalez Junior General Studies CD: “Blizzard of Ozz” by Ozzy Osbourne Book: “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger Website: yahoo.com

Darla Jackson Junior interdisciplinary Studies Photos by Matt Lynch

CD: “Up!” by Shania Twain Movie: “Meet Joe Black” Book: “Desperation” by Stephen King

Rick Rocha Freshman Criminal Justice Movie: “Just Married” Book: “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” by 2Pac Website: NBA.com

Arts & Entertainment

January 16, 2003

Page 10

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW

All ‘About Schmidt’

By DÄGOBERTO PÉREZ The Pan American

Movie turns dull into delightfully funny

through the television channels “Johnny” isn’t here he sees a commercial in which anymore... Jack Nicholson has Angela Landsbury urges replaced his “Shining” persona viewers to sponsor a needy with the very methodical child. Warren feels compelled Warren Schmidt. Warren lives to do so, resulting in his at home with his wife, Helen sponsorship of a six-year-old (June Squibb), and is bitterly Tanzanian boy named Ndugu. coping with recent retirement.

Eventually Warren begins One night while flipping examining his life through the letters he sends to Ndugu.

He tells Ndugo all Starring: Jack Nicholson, about his wife, the “old June Squibb, Hope Davis, woman who lives in his Dermot Mulroney, Kathy house,” and of the way Bates, Howard Hesseman she requires him to sit when he urinates in Director: Alexander Payne order to avoid any MPAA rating: R, for messes (an example of language and brief nudity. her overbearing Running time: 125 personality). He also minutes tells Ndugo of his daughter, Jeannie Reviewer’s Rating: (Hope Davis), and that she is going to marry a bumbling waterbed salesman named out of 5 stars Randall (Dermot Mulroney), of whom

Warren does not approve.

Suddenly, Warren’s wife dies (in an unfortunate yet amusing manner), and he is forced to attend his daughter’s wedding alone. Deciding to make the most of his journey to the wedding, Warren hops in his Winnebago and visits places he lived as a child.

Eventually Warren ends up in Nebraska and meets he and his daughter’s future in-laws, the Hertzels.

Enter Roberta (Kathy Bates), the groom’s mother, who portrays the epitomy of raunch. As Warren sees the family that Jeannie has decided to join, he concludes that his life is a failure. He feels that he has not touched anyone else’s life and that his own life is meaningless. The events of his past have affirmed this, but at the end of the movie Warren receives a letter from Ndugo’s teacher, making Warren realize he has touched the life of at least one

BOX OFFICE STATS Last week’s results

1. “Just Married” - $17.5 2. “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” - $14.8 3. “Catch Me If You Can” - $14.6 4. “Two Weeks Notice” $6.8 5. “About Schmidt” $6.4 6. “Chicago” - $5.7 7. “Maid in Manhattan” $5.1

person.

Aside from Bates exposing herself and letting it all “hang” out in front of the camera, “About Schmidt” is entertaining and fun. All in all, Nicholson has truly captured the essence (or lack thereof ) of Warren Schmidt and it should come as no surprise if he receives a fourth Oscar nomination.

8. “Gangs of New York” - $4.8 9. “Antwone Fisher” $3.8 10. “Wild Thornberrys Movie” - $2.8

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 7

■ Gallery Exhibit . . . . 8-9 ■ Culture Club . . . . . . . 9 ■ Movie Review . . . . . 10

Around Town Book Discussion Jan. 18 at 3 p.m.

Place: Barnes & Noble, 4006 N. 10th St. Info: UTPA professor Dr. Rob Johnson will discuss his first collection of cuentos de fantasmas, titled “Fantasmas: Supernatural Stories by Mexican American Writers,” featuring 19 stories by various writers, many of which are Valley natives. Rene Saldaña Jr., also a UTPA faculty member, will read his story “El Bronco y La Lechuza.”

Music Fest 2003 Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.

Place: McAllen Civic Center Price: Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door and are available at the Rio Grande Children’s Home on N. Bentsen Drive in Mission, and all Valley Alamo Banks and Boot Jack stores.

The South Texas Conjunto Association and the UTPA Music Department joined forces to present “Accordeones de Texas En Vivo.” The festival was intended to detail the origins of conjunto music in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in the 1920’s. The musicians told stories to the audience of about 150 people giving the history of each of the instruments and how the workers and farmers incorporated them into the local Mexican music.

Photos by Celeste Y. Tello

Carrot Top Jan. 21 Place: La Villa Real, 1201 S. Bentsen Road Event: The infamous prop comic brings his unique perspectives to the Valley.

Phone: (956) 687-7121 for ticket information.

McAllen Symphonic Band Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Place: McAllen Civic Center Auditorium Event: The McAllen Symphonic Band presents “Gems of the Concert Band,” which will feature “Radetsky March,” “Anitshka” and “March from Symphonic Metamorphosis.

Phone: (956) 668-9740 Price: Admission donation is $5; tickets available at Melhart’s Music Center and McAllen Chamber of Commerce.

UPCOMING MUSIC DEPARTMENT EVENTS MARIACHI CONCERT

LATIN SALSA BAND CONCERT

Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium The nationally-known UTPA Mariachi will perform Mexican folk music in the traditional mariachi form, including “Sones” and “Canciones.” The new UTPA Mariachi Femenil, an all-female mariachi, and the Sol y Luna Dance Club will also perform.

Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. For more information, call (956) 381-3471.

Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium The UTPA Latin Salsa Band, joined by the UTPA Mariachi and UTPA Mariachi Femenil, will perform “tropical” and traditional “salsa” stylings, combining rhythms from Africa with melodies and harmonies from Spain. The Sol y Luna Dance Club will join the musicians on stage.

Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. For more information, call (956) 381-3471.

January 16, 2003

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 6

Tattoos make mark on student bodies

By CELESTE Y. TELLO The Pan American They invoke fascination, they are the topic of small talk among young people, they are long-lasting expressions of personalities...they are tattoos. No matter how interesting they are, there are some details that not everyone knows about this age-old art form, and it wouldn’t hurt them to do some research.

The Flaming Heart tattoo parlor on Closner Street is one location near campus where those looking to get body art can find answers from manager Eddie Gomez, who has been in the tattoo business for six years. He describes the Flaming Heart as a busy shop, but admits that some days are slower than others.

“We’re a pretty busy shop, we always have been,” Gomez said. “On a daily basis we do about three tattoos, but there’s days that we just sit around twiddling our thumbs. It Depends on the season.”

The Flaming Heart is in the early phases of the busy season and spring break bears the promise of more clients for the shop. Gomez said a majority of the people who come into the shop are younger adults.

“A good 65 percent of the people who come in here are college students,” Gomez said.

Even though a majority of the people who visit the Flaming Heart are college students, Gomez has not noticed a significant difference between the number of males and females who come in.

Despite the popularity of tattoos, some people worry about how safe they really are, regardless of gender. Gomez said the Flaming Heart does what can be done can to minimize contamination and emphasize customer safety.

“We don’t reuse anything that has to do with blood,” he said. “Needles get thrown away once the tattoo is complete.”

Because not all the equipment is disposable, the shop uses a device called an autoclave to sterilize instruments. The machine uses water to raise the temperature and sterilize the instruments.

The shop’s precautions and emphasis on safety have earned it the approval of the State Department of Health,

and as a result, the Flaming Heart has become a licensed shop.

Along with the concerns about shop safety, all shops have to deal with what happens when people decide their body art has to go. The idea that tattoos are permanent is not entirely accurate anymore. Linda Moncada, a laser technician at Valley Hand & Plastic Surgery PA in McAllen, has the know-how on tattoo removal.

Moncada said she sees many people come in to have their tattoos removed for a variety of reasons.

“Usually, it’s something they did when they were younger and now that they’re older they may have a job where they may not want their tattoo to show,” she said. “Sometimes they don’t want their kids to get tattoos and they remove their own so their kids don’t see it.”

Moncada said she sometimes treats Winter Texans who want to remove tattoos they got in their youth and no longer have a taste for. Despite the age range of her clients, she said about 50 percent of the people who want to have their tattoos removed are college students. She said that there are more females than males among her college clients.

Even though tattoo removal may seem like a simple solution for someone who has grown tired of their body art, Moncada said that it is a long and painful process.

“It’s very painful because it’s burning the skin. It’s a long ongoing process, not a quick fix,” she said. “That’s why people need to really think it through. You can get a tattoo in about an hour, but it takes up to a year to get it removed.”

This is one of the reasons Gomez said anyone looking to get a tattoo should weigh the situation carefully because it is a permanent artwork. And, he suggests they have some thinking done before they come.

“A lot of people come in here and kind of grocery shop, and ask ‘How would this look on me,’“ he said. “The best thing to do is talk to the artist and have an idea of what you want before you actually get something.”

Aside from being a yearlong process, tattoo removal can have an impact on a patient’s finances.

For small, uncolored tattoos, a person can expect to pay $200 for removal and up to $1,200 if a tattoo is large and colored.

“Colored tattoos are more complicated to remove because they require different treatments,” Moncada said.

So once a person has dished out money and endured pain for a tattoo removal, they have one more setback before the tattoo is out of sight and out of mind...the scarring.

“Scarring is 100 percent in tattoo removal,” Moncada said.

The area where the tattoo was will initially be pink and clients are told to avoid sun exposure. Eventually the skin may return to normal after the burning and blistering is past but it may stay darker than the rest of the skin.

With tattoos increasing in popularity and a steady number of clients looking to have them removed, the professionals who place and erase permanent ink strongly recommend that people seriously consider whether they really want to get a tattoo.

Celeste Y. Tello/The Pan American

Chris Deleon of the Flaming Heart tattoo parlor performs a cover up over the tattoo of a customer Wednesday.

January 16, 2003

Arts & Entertainment

Page 11

January 16, 2003

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 12

January 16, 2003

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 5

UTPA professor seeks knowledge

By ALEX GRAVEL Special to The Pan American

Now a sociology professor at the University of Texas-Pan American, Dr. Kelley Himmel, 52, had two things he wanted to do in his life: be a farmer and teach at the college level.

Born and raised on a cotton farm in Crosby County in West Texas, Himmel grew up working on the farm, raising plants and cattle.

After graduating from high school in 1968, he went on to Rice University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in sociology, which he earned in 1973.

While he was still young, Himmel wanted to fulfill his dream to raise cattle. He decided to head back to West Texas, to the farm his family owned since 1920. He wanted to do so because he felt that it would get him closer to his father, who didn’t want him to be a farmer in the first place.

“My dad didn’t want me to follow his footsteps because it didn’t bring a lot of money to the table,” Himmel said.

Himmel loved and lived the life of a farmer too much to listen to his father. He worked the land for 15 years before deciding to go back to school to further his education. During that time he married and had a son, Lee, who is now 28 and a cook in the U.S. Navy. Himmel could have been a farmer all his life but he had another dream to chase, the one of being a college professor.

In 1988, he enrolled at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, to pursue a master’s degree. Although already in his mid-thirties, he knew he wanted to continue his quest for knowledge. He just did not know what route to take. He considered the fields of English and

history, but after reading course descriptions in the university catalog many times, sociology seemed the most interesting. It was then that he knew he would be a sociology teacher.

During his time at Tech, Himmel enrolled in a class called “Indians of the Southern Plains,” taught by Nancy Hickerson.

“I didn’t really like the way she taught the class, but she was a really good role model for research,” he said. Hickerson wrote one book called “The Jumanos Hunters and Traders of the South Plains.”

While in the class, Himmel wrote his first paper on the Tonkawas and Karankawas, two 19th-century native tribes indigenous to Texas.

“As a child I read a lot about the Indians and was very interested in Texas history,” he said.

“I decided to combine the two interests.”

Even though he had a great interest in Native Americans, Himmel put the topic aside and wrote his thesis on another issue, and titled his work “Perceived Powerlessness and Pornography Use Among Men.” “The debate on pornography was a big issue back in the late 1980s, so I did my research for my thesis on that subject,” he said.

In 1990, Himmel enrolled at the University of Texas-Austin to pursue his doctoral degree.

Texas Tech University only offered history in its doctorate program and he wanted teach sociology, so he made the move to Austin. Still having a strong interest in Indians, Himmel started deeper research to discover more about the conquest of Native Americans in Texas in the 19th century and Immanuel Wallerstein’s World System Theory. This theory is based on economics and how humans could make choices and change events.

“I was interested in the role of people’s

cultural values and how they integrated in the World System Theory,” he said.

Gideon Sjoberg, a sociology professor at UT, was supervising Himmel in his dissertation.

“He let me do my own thing and let me write the way I wanted to,” Himmel said. “I really appreciated that and he really motivated me to keep going in my research. It is hard to be motivated when you don’t have the support of your professors.”

Sjoberg wrote several books, but the most popular one is titled “The Pre-industrial city,” published in 1950 and still in print today.

In 1995, Himmel finished his dissertation, but felt the finished product wasn’t as good as he wanted it to be. It was called “The Conquest of the Karankawas and the Tonkawas, 18211859.” He decided to push himself to finish the work he had started and finish what he had to say on the subject. In 1999, he published the book, which was a revised version of the dissertation.

“The book was really important to me to get tenure at Pan-Am,” he said.

Life in the Valley The University of Texas-Pan American is where Himmel ended up in the fall of 1995.

Two days after he interviewed with the university, he got a call on his way to the Valley.

“I went on interviews all over the United States and Pan-Am was my first choice and I was theirs, too.” he said. “I was very happy because I liked the campus, the people and the Valley.”

Today, Himmel teaches five undergraduate courses and one graduate course per year.

“I like to teach to students who are eager to

learn and I like interaction and the immediate feedback they provide,” he said.

In the meantime, he is working on a second book, but believes it will some time to get his newest work published.

“It took seven years from the idea to publication with the first book,” he said. “This one will probably take the same amount of time.”

The book will be about Texas history and a coal-mining town named Thurber, which was inhabited from 1880 to 1930, but is now a ghost town, Thurber was owned by the Texas Coal Company and when the company closed its doors because of competition from other companies, the town dried up, leaving nothing behind for the workers.

“My great-grandfather was a miner there in the 1900s and I heard a lot of stories growing up,” he said. “I’ve had an interest in the subject for a long time.”

His book will concentrate on ethnic and labor relations in the community, as well as the role women played in the Thurber community.

Himmel is in the early stage of the research process, still gathering data.

“I don’t have many problems doing the research but with all the time I spend teaching, there is a lack of time to devote to my research,” he said.

Now living in Weslaco with his wife and three dogs, Himmel plans on continuing his lifestyle of teaching and research for a number of years to come until his retirement.

“I like teaching a lot and I like to do research,” he said. “I want to write a third book and since it takes me seven years to get one out, I figured 15 more years of teaching would give me enough time for the next two!”

THE PAN AMERICAN

January 16, 2003

Campus VO I C E

Would you be interested in hearing Rudy Giuliani speak?

Armando Mariscal Criminal Justice Junior I would be interested to hear his suggestions to fix the corruption in Mexico and any suggestions he has for the Valley.

Gaby Barajas Public Relation/Advertising Junior I would go because I see Mayor Giuliani as a true leader who knows how to guide a city and a nation in times of crisis.

Ivan Barajas Finance Junior I wouldn’t go because he’s just not a person who seems interesting to me.

Page 4

Work on new RAHC under way

By ARIANNA VAZQUEZ The Pan American

By 2004, a new research facility promises to provide local college students the opportunity to make a difference in the health of Rio Grande Valley residents.

A $20 million structure in Edinburg will be the future site of the Medical Research Division of the Regional Academic Health Center, or RAHC. The RAHC, in conjunction with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) will concentrate on diabetes research and the study of infectious diseases such as dengue fever and tuberculosis, as well as various forms of cancer.

On Dec. 11, 2002, officials from the Texas Congress, the City of Edinburg, UTHSCSA, and UTPA gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony on Van Week Street where the facility will be located. Construction is set to begin in February and is slated for completion in the spring of 2004.

Dr. Leo Vela, dean of the center, is looking forward to the completion of the facility to begin researching and finding cures and treatments for diseases affecting large populations of Valley communities, such as diabetes.

"Diabetes unfortunately affects the Hispanic population and it's not proportional to the entire country," Vela said. "We want to research the disease in terms of its underlying cause and how we can develop intervention."

Recent studies show that 20 percent of Valley residents will contract the disease at some point. Many more are at risk.

The research center and its developers hope

GIULIANI Nelda Perez Education Junior I would have loved to meet Rudolf Giuliani. I think he has become an important face in American history and I certainly would have loved to hear what he had to say.

Danny Quiroz CIS Junior I would attend based solely on all of his experiences. The advesity he has had to overcome both personally and professionally has proven that he is a brilliant leader.

continued from page 1

best leaders. They will have a chance to watch a tape-delayed version of the address on Edinburg’s local cable television channel. Still, to some, this is a repeat of last year’s situation with Schwartzkopf, when students heard he was coming but were unable to see the speech.

‘It’s seriously overpriced,” said UTPA freshman Joe Cortez. “He did a good job during 9-11 but it’s no reason for them to be charging that much.”

Even though most students will not have the opportunity to attend the dinner, Garza says many Valley residents will still attend because they are political conservatives who support Giuliani, a Republican.

LAB

to aid Valley residents by finding cures and treatments for a number of ailments, while also assisting UTPA students interested in the field of biomedical research. Upon its completion, UTPA students will be enlisted to assist RAHC faculty in performing research on the various types of diseases, as Vela commented.

"We envision that students will have the opportunity to engage in this very sophisticated kind of research," Vela said. "It will also give the opportunity to provide knowledge that will benefit people around the Valley and country."

Officials at the RAHC and UTPA plan to integrate the faculty of both programs in an effort to afford students at UTPA the opportunity to get involved in the research.

According to UTPA President Dr. Miguel Nevarez, the relationship between the faculties could help link students interested in research with a chance to participate and provide a helping hand to the medical research field.

"Having the biomedical research in campus gives us added advantage of staff and students using the facility and working together," Nevarez said. "Relationship between the faculties is going to make our students get involved."

Dr. William McIntyre, dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, said RAHC research will give undergraduates and graduate UTPA students the chance to explore different diseases which are more likely to afflict families living in the Valley.

"We are already feeling an impact," McIntyre said. "In our point of view, it is excellent to have people doing research because it stimulates opportunities and it gives students the chance to explore research."

“The leadership in the Valley is always conservative,” said Garza. “They’ll pay $600 because they have $600, and that’s who’s gonna go.”

In the past, the foundation was able to bring other individuals to speak to UTPA students.

Aldape says such speakers came to UTPA during Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology Week. During that week, speakers were able to motivate students into joining various technology fields.

Aldape hopes that in the future, organizations like the foundation can bring more leaders to UTPA so students can have the opportunity to hear them express their ideas.

continued from page 1

atmosphere at hospitals, Savoie and Munoz realized that hospitals are very busy and have a shortage of laboratory scientists.

The result is that there is not enough time to sit down and teach the students one on one and explain everything to them.

“The students tend to get the grunt work and are not a high priority,” said Savoie.

“This is not done intentionally it is just that there is not enough time.”

Munoz added that caring about people and a career is what is important and she is determined to make the time and effort for the students who will do their rotations at MSL. Elisa Diaz, microbiology supervisor and scientist at McAllen Medical Center, says that the scientists at MMC have to make the

time to sit down and teach because the students are their product.

“It reflects badly on us if they go and work for another hospital and they do not know how to perform a certain test,” said Diaz. “The question that will be asked is ‘Where were you trained?’”

Program director Karen Chandler says that she sends students to each of the major hospitals to do their rotation because that is where all the areas the students need training in their rotations.

“MSL as well as major hospitals have the departments is which the students need to do their rotations,’” Chandler said. “MSL does have a higher level of a microbiology department and is ranked at a hospital level.”

Sports

January 16, 2003

Page 13

SPORTS CLIPBOARD Road to Super Bowl 37

Bronc Forward Receives Red Shirt Chris Fagan, who has been sidelined with a stress fracture since the pre-season, will retain two years of eligibility due to the injury he sustained to his right foot.

Fagan, who was brought in to help strengthen the Broncs’ inside game, will be one of two players on the injured list who have been red-shirted due to injury.

Senior forward Andrius Sakalys, will return next year after undergoing a surgery this December to repair a torn ACL - an injury which he sustained during the offseason.

Brains and brawn The cumulative GPA of UTPA students went up .02 points between the spring and fall semester of 2002. The GPA of athlete/students was raised from

2.88 to 2.90, and several student athletes made Dean’s List First Honors.

Among them are: Filip Koziell, Jeremy Salvo, Stacey Gooden, Elisabet Mateos, Nicole Boychuk and Crystal Frazier

Hockey in the Valley The CHL hockey team, which is set to begin play next season in Hidalgo, was named during the winter break.

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees will join the league, and travel to compete against various Texas teams including the Austin Ice Bats and the Corpus Christi Ice Rays.

There have been no releases as to who will play for the Killer Bees, but tickets for individual competitions, as well as season packages, have gone on sale.

By BRIAN CARR The Pan American

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Philadelphia Eagles

Warren Sapp will look to strengthen his legendary career as one of the most feared defensive tackles to play the game. With a power house like Sapp on defense, offenses can look to be stifled.

Donovan McNabb has proven himself as a strong NFL quarterback. All he needs to do now is bring home the championship. Look for more big plays from James Thrash, and expect an exciting game.

Tennessee Titans Steve McNair and the Tennessee Titans are fresh off an overtime win against Pittsburgh, without Eddie George who was side lined in the first quarter with a mild concussion. They have the ability to play well under pressure, even with an injured roster.

TENNIS

Rich Gannon and Charlie Garner have demonstrated an immense amount of chemistry during the post season. The Raiders strong ground game coupled with veteran receiver Rice’s history of playing well in big games insures they will be a strong contender.

continued from page 15

the Lady Broncs, who saw only one player, sophomore Kathryn Waslen, advance to the second round of the shortened tournaments.

The last time UTPA and SMU met, the Mustangs swept the Lady Broncs, picking up all six possible points in the competition by winning 72 of 86 sets played. The Mustangs, who were then ranked 55th in the nation, had home court advantage and dominated in the first half of what was a doubleheader for SMU. In their second match up of the day, against Abilene Christian, the Mustangs gave up only one available point in the singles round - unfazed by the prior match up.

SMU retains every player who participated in last year's competition against the Lady Broncs, while UTPA has lost the only player to win at least two games in each of her losing sets, Celine Merlini, who did so playing in the number one spot.

Chapman and the Lady Broncs will also play without junior Julie Fife, who will miss the first few matchups of the spring schedule while she recuperates from surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

GRAVEL

Oakland Raiders

Regardless of holes in the Lady Bronc roster, Chapman looks to the depth of his squad to gain an edge in Friday's competition.

"Tennis is a game where no matter if you play at the number one spot or number six spot all the points count the same," Chapman said. "I'll be looking for contributions from everyone."

Senior Elisabet Mateos, who was defeated

by Nadia Vaughn while playing in the second spot last February, will be slated as the number one seed for UTPA. This will be her last semester as a Lady Bronc, and she hopes to go out on a positive note.

“I am very excited about the season,” Mateos said. “ I’ve been preparing all Christmas by lifting weights, and trying to find anybody to feed me tennis balls.”

Mateos, who made the Dean’s List First Honors for the Fall 2002 semester, will also compete at the number one spot in doubles along with partner Ana Pena.

There were no doubles competitions at UTPA’s last tournament with SMU.

continued from page 15

They had been in a slide all season before that.

"Different people are stepping up and scoring, which means the team is coming together,” Gravel said. “We have a lot of games left and we can still win a lot of them. We're just taking it one day at a time

and hopefully we'll get 10 wins in our last 13 games. That's our goal pretty much. At least, that's my goal."

Along with the team's new attitude, the competitive Gravel has learned to adjust to the various new roles she has on the team as well as other facets of her game.

sports

January 16, 2003

Hoops teams up, down over break Lady Broncs win first two games of season during winter hiatus, Broncs continue to struggle

By BRIAN CARR The Pan American For most University of Texas-Pan American students, Winter Break meant gorging to the point of discomfort on festive feasts, drinking to the point of mindlessness in observation of the New Year, and generally avoiding any and all activities that might hinder one's ability to rejuvenate from a lengthy fall semester.

For the men and women's basketball teams, however, the break was limited to an academic hiatus, as the 200203 season continued through the holidays.

Unfortunately for the players, coaching staff, and fans of UTPA Bronc basketball, the break from educational rigors did not ensure stronger game-play and better results from either

program.

The men, who opened the season with two consecutive losses at the South Padre Island Roundball Invitational Tournament (S.P.I.R.I.T.), have not yet found the grounding to turn their season around.

Their limited success on the road is shown in their 415 record, but the Broncs have won 75 percent of their home games, losing only one home contest, a 85-79 loss to the Rice Owls on Jan. 8.

The Lady Broncs, who opened the season with 11 consecutive losses, came up with a huge win against Big 12’s Nebraska at the Bob Devaney Sports Center pm Jan. 5. UTPA, which had struggled with Division II teams both at home and on the road, defeated Nebraska 61-58 in what was a stellar upset. But despite the huge

win, the women’s basketball team has an abysmal 2-13 record, with only a single home win to its credit.

It now seems inevitable that both squads will finish the 2002-2003 campaign with a losing record.

In order for the Broncs to finish with a record of .500 they will have to win all 11 remaining games, which would put them at 15-15 for the season.

During the month of February, UTPA will play five consecutive home games, but with a injury-laden bench and limited options, head coach Bob Hoffman might not find much comfort in home-court advantage.

The Lady Broncs, who defeated Prairie View A&M in a home game Tuesday, could finish two games ahead of .500 if they can manage an 13-straight wins. But with

rival TAMU-CC and New Mexico State still ahead in their spring schedule, it will take some kind of fancy magic for head coach Tracy Anderson to pull off the incredible feat.

The Broncs, who have had to adjust their roster due to injuries sustained during the season and off-season, have seen great offensive contributions from Eric Montalvo and Kevin Mitchell, who have both stepped up their numbers due to lack of the Broncs’ inside game.

Alex Gravel, who missed the first three games of the season due to a reoccurring stress fracture in her right ankle, came into the season averaging 12.3 points per game, and even tied a singlegame record for threepointers (six) against Nebraska.

2002-2003 season stats

Page 14

Soccer tourney under way in Mexico

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American The much anticipated second tournament of the 2002/03 Mexican First Division soccer season kicked off last weekend, however, the off-season did not see a lot of stellar trades or transfers, but some clubs did do their best to reinforce their lineups in order to be able to compete with the stronger clubs of the Mexican League or to simply save their hides from relegation.

The team which fortified itself the most during the off-season was Monterrey who was in dire need of an offensive overhaul after being the worst goal-scoring club in the Mexican League last season.

The "Regios" obtained the services of Brazilian star striker and play-maker Alexsandro Fernandes from Morelia, last season's runner-up, which should make Argentinian head coach Daniel Passarella quite happy.

Monterrey also acquired Mexican forward Jesús Mendoza from Club América in exchange for its former Mexican national team striker, Antonio De Nigris, who had fallen out of favor with Passarella.

Rounding out the revamped offense was the acquisition of Luis Ernesto Pérez from Mexico City club Necaxa.

However, don't expect much this season from Monterrey since they have always had problems coming together and playing as a unified team. Since the new offensive crew is coming from three different clubs with different styles of play, they will need the season to get used to playing with one another to be effective.

Another team to watch this season is Santos Laguna. The Warriors managed to reach last season's playoffs despite a rough start and made it all the way to the semifinals under the leadership of technical director Luis Fernando Tena before being knocked out by eventual champion Toluca.

The momentum they had at the end of the previous tournament should carry over into the new season.

The Torreón club's biggest acquisition during the offseason was play-maker José Antonio Noriega from Morelia. Noriega joins a star-studded club that includes Paraguayan World Cup members Denis Caniza and Luis Romero, Mexican World Cup players Joahán Rodríguez and Jared Borgetti as well as the veteran Chilean spark plug Rodrigo Ruiz.

The Pumas of U.N.A.M. will try to improve from third place finishes the last two seasons, but may struggle because they will be participating in the Copa Libertadores for the first time simultaneously during the regular season.

Defending champion Toluca is always a club to watch out for, especially with its potent Paraguayan striker José Saturnino Cardozo. Last season, Cardozo shattered the short tournament single-season goalscoring record with 29.

The Red Devils will try to win their second title in a row, something that no team has been able to do in the twice-a-year short tournament season format instituted in 1996.

And finally, keep an eye out for Club America who will try to reclaim the title this season. They have one of the most solid lineups in the Mexican League.

During the off-season, the Eagles fortified their lineup with the acquisition of De Nigris from Monterrey.

Meanwhile, the other fight on the field will be for permanence in the First Division. Veracruz, Morelos, Chiapas and Puebla are all candidates for relegation.

During the break, the Atlético de Celaya Bulls moved to Cuernavaca, Morelos due to economic problems and will debut as the First Division's newest club now known as the Hummingbirds, but that may be shortlived if they fail to accumulate enough points during the course of the tournament to remain there.

The Mexican Football Federation recently changed the name of the two-a-year short tournaments from winter and summer (Invierno and Verano) to opening and closing (Apertura and Clausura). The Mexican Soccer League plays two tournaments a year and thus has two champions each season.

THE PAN AMERICAN

January 16, 2003

Officials explain budget policies

By JENNIFER TAPIA The Pan American

Several members of the Student Affairs Advisory Committee at the University of Texas-Pan American say that students might not be aware of how the money collected from student service fees is disbursed to the departments. Or to whom the majority of the dollars go.

According to Elvie Davis, Dean of Students at UTPA and adviser for SAAC, an interview with each departments account manager is set up. In this interview, the account manager has to explain to the members of SAAC why they need such funds for their organization.

“Every year around February, the university departments submit a budget request,” said Davis. “They come and tell us what they would like for next year.”

After a few days of meetings, Davis says SAAC makes a recommendation to the university president, who makes the final approval of the budget.

Miguel Nevarez, president of UTPA for the last 21 years, says during this process, he has to make sure that the amount of budget requested matches with the estimated budget of the following year.

“We have to predict how many students are going to be enrolled in September,” said Nevarez. “The student service fee is based on the enrollment.”

When balancing and approving budgets for the departments, Nevarez says

he looks for the recommendations of the department heads and SAAC. If the recommendations are different, he looks into the reason why.

“I also look into the recommendation of the Dean of Students,” says Nevarez.

“Over the years, we have disagreed, but it hasn’t been major disagreement.”

In the past two years, the student service fee budget shows that an estimated $3.5 million was collected per year. Devin Lacey, a member of SAAC, says from that collection, 47 to 48 percent goes to the Intercollegiate Athletics Department.

“Most people are glad that we have a basketball team and glad that we have a track and field team,” said Lacey. “But when students start complaining, they don’t know that sports is one of the reasons that other areas get cut for funding.”

Davis says that by law, the university is not allowed to give the athletics department more than 50 percent of the student service fee budget. She explains that most colleges with an athletic department are funded partially by student service fees.

Raul Betancourt, assistant athletic director for business operations at UTPA, says he was unaware of the fact that they get 47 to 48 percent of the student service fee budget. However, he is very appreciative.

“If the university wants athletics in division one, the funding has to come

from somewhere and it generally comes from student service fees,” said Betancourt. “I don’t see how we can survive without it.”

Betancourt adds that with the funds, the athletic department is able to field a variety of sports, including more women’s sports than ever before. The men’s basketball team get the largest amount of the budget, while the men’s golf team gets the least.

Although they do get close to 50 percent of the student service fee budget, Betancourt says it only supplies 60 to 75 percent of the total budget.

“It’s not the only component of our budget,” says Betancourt. “We get money from corporate sponsorship, donations from the athletic foundation, game guarantees and ticket sales.”

According to Davis, complaints have been made from several departments about the amount they receive in their budget.

However, Nevarez says although the university would like to provide every department with what it needs, this is just not feasible.

Lacey says the athletic department helps increase enrollment because it improves the university’s image, giving the community the chance to watch a Division I team locally. With the enrollment increase, the student service budget will rise, and eventually may be able to provide more for other departments in the future.

Organizations lack funding

By HILDA BARRIENTES The Pan American Times are tough for the University of Texas Pan-American as a number of departments are suffering from lack of funds this year. However those departments understand that the funds are not available partly because money from the state is not forthcoming because of a budget deficit.

“I understand that sometimes money is tight,” said Charlie Caceres, coordinator of campus activities and sponsor for the UTPA Cheerleaders and Blazer dance team. “But right now I am running on a shoestring.”

Caceres says he is unable to purchase miscellaneous supplies for his cheer leading and dance team, such as megaphones, pompoms, uniforms, and recruitment letters.

“The only way I was able to get new pompoms last year was because we used a $500 gift certificate we received when we won second place at a competition,” Caceres said.

To increase their budget the UTPA cheerleaders and Blazers participate in various fundraising activities and try to raise the same amount of money approved by the university presidents. They sell posters of themselves to local businesses for donations and the UTPA Cheerleaders hold cheer leading camps for Valley girls. Caceres added that fundraising does take time away from his other responsibilities but believes it is something that needs to be done.

Caceres said he has a wish list of things that he would like to have for his cheerleading and dance team, including more money to spend on travel expenses so the teams can follow and support the UTPA basketball team. He would also like to hire choreographers and buy new uniforms for the teams to prepare for competitions.

“I feel the cheerleaders and the Blazers play a very important part in UTPA,” Caceres said. “They represent the university and recruit students so they can attend UTPA.” Cheerleading and the dance team aren’t the only organizations feeling the pinch. Director of Career Placement Services Enedelia P. Kidd agrees on behalf of students representing UTPA. According to Kidd Student

Employment Services set up a system of part-time jobs for students attending UTPA. But at the same time while the students are working with their employer, students are a reflection of UTPA. “I believe that when the student is working where we have placed them they are representing UTPA,” Kidd said.

“Therefore, I feel that they should have the proper knowledge of how to dress and the skill to be in a working environment.”

Kidd feels that a larger staff would help her organization and provide students any orientation or advisement needed for various jobs.

“Most of these students have never worked before so this is their first job,” Kidd said. “Some don’t know how to dress for an interview.”

Kidd would like to provide more information to students but feels her organization doesn’t have the budget or the resources to do so. She will try to apply for a federal grant and hopes that next year her request will be approved by the president of the university.

Tom Grabowski, designer and technical director for The University Theatre, feels that there will always be a need for more money but he decided to make due with what his organization has been funded.

“We are funded by the student service fee but we also rely on the revenue we get from the productions we do,” Grabowski said.

He added the money that is raised is spent on a scholarship fund, having a box office clerk, and on productions.

Costumes, set design and construction, printing the programs and paying for the rights to do the show are all expenses encountered when planning a production.

But university officials feel its not possible to satisfy every organization when formulating a fiscal budget. In years when a budget shortfall is encountered, UTPA administrators do what is necessary to produce a balanced budget, even if it means cutting the funding of organization or departments.

“Revenues and expenditures have to be same,” UTPA President Dr. Miquel Navarez said. “I have a responsibility to balance the budget.”

Page 3

Money Crunching : UTPA’s Revenues for Student Service Fees Fiscal Year 2001 (for year ended 8/31/01) Student Service Fee: $3,319,686.18 Less: SSF Allocation - Intercollegiate Athletics: $1,513,776.82 SSF Allocation - Student Services: $1,615,829.48 Uncollectible Registration Debt: $16,673.09 Total: $3,146,279.39 Net Revenues: $173,406.79 Fiscal Year 2002 (for year ended 8/31/02) Student Service Fee: $3,616,492.33 Less: SSF Allocation - Intercollegiate Athletics: $1,510,808 SSF Allocation - Student Services: $1,920,294.82 Tuition Discount: $225,696.14 Total: $3,656,798.96 Net Revenues: ($40,306.63) Source:UTPA

GET INFORMED! with the FREE News Source of the Valley Read The Pan American every Thursday

PAGE 2

2003

Celebrating 50 years 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 51th Year – No. 14

Editor Matt Lynch mlynch@panam.edu

News Editor Belinda Reyes beberay25@aol.com

A & E Editor Ashley Brooks Magrew2@hotmail.com

Sports Editor Brian Carr bc988@hotmail.com

Graphics Editor Gabriel O. Hernandez

Layout Designers Ashley Brooks Brian Carr Gabriel O. Hernandez Reporters Hilda Barrientes Amelia Garcia Adrianna Martinez Jennifer Tapia Celeste Y. Tello Cesar Trevino Arianna Vazquez Advertising Dagoberto Perez Advertising Coordinator Juanita Sanchez Adviser Dr. Greg Selber

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 university.

Letters policy The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues.

The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks.

Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, class/title and phone number.

Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office.

For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.

Thanks from a family Dear Editor, I would like to thank the University of Texas-Pan American for the help they provided for me and my family on the Dec. 14 graduation.

My son, Walker Smith, graduated from your outstanding University with a finance degree. His brother, Aaron Smith, was graduating on the same day from Steven F. Austin University in Nacadoches. Their mother and my wife of 30 years has terminal cancer. One of her goals she set when she found out was to watch her sons graduate. 550 miles apart and on the same day and her being sick presented an obstacle that without UTPA’s help would have made it impossible to see her sons walk across the stage.

With the help first from Dr. Cindy Brown and then the Provost it became possible. UTPA graciously agreed to let Aaron Smith walk across the stage with Walker. On top of that, when the graduation ceremony came, they put Laurie front and center and she got to watch both her sons graduate 30 seconds apart on the same stage not 20 feet from her. The smile on her face was one we had not seen for awhile.

They can talk about the “big”

letters

■

universities all they want. We have an outstanding university here in the Valley that may not be as “big” as some, but it has a big heart and that is an A+ in my grade book.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we are very proud to say our “sons” graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American.

Lamar and Laurie Smith

Remembering a teacher Dear editor, About four years ago, the deadline loomed for my final exam in reporting class.

We had an hour and a half to write a news story with information and quotes provided by the professor. A feeling of desperation seemed to set on the class, which dropped to about five students over the course of the semester, when the time allotted neared the end.

“In this business you live and die by deadlines, turn in what you have,” he said.

Incomplete, everyone turned in their stories. Bob Rollins was a hard-nosed, tough professor who never made excises or apologized for how he was.

He probably never felt compelled to.

Students didn’t take Rollins’ criticism and

editorials

■

cartoons

tough approach to teaching personally. He made sure they didn’t. Semester after semester, he told his students the same thing on the first day of class - “Check your ego at the door.”

I had the opportunity to enjoy a doubledip of Rollins. Working as a sports writer for this publication, I took in some extra Rollins - who was the newspaper's adviser at the time - after everyone went home.

On one occasion, Rollins made sure to point out a few mistakes I made on that day’s publication to the entire class. It goes without saying that I was embarrassed and a little mad at Rollins.

After class he made sure to remind me of his motto.

“If you're going to make it in this business, you'll need to be thick-skinned,” he said.

Rollins died three years ago, and to this day I'm glad I met him, even if it was for a short time. As a sports writer for the Valley Morning Star, I've had to deal with criticisms from readers, and at times entire communities, who disagree with my views.

Fortunately, my ego is still hanging in room 175 of the CAS. Eladio Jaimez

■ Student fees . . . . . . 3 ■ Faculty profile . . . . . . 5 ■ Tattoos . . . . . . . . . . 6

NEWS

New scholarship on tap

By AMELIA GARCIA The Pan American A new scholarship will soon be available for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in the College of Science and Engineering.

The George and Keturah Lenig Endowment Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students based primarily on financial need. The funds for the scholarship will come from two, 10-acre tracts of land located in Hidalgo County worth an estimated $130,000 donated by Deborah Yeakel, a retired teacher and granddaughter of the Lenigs.

According to Deborah Gonzalez, associate director of the Office of Development at the University of TexasPan American, with an endowment, donated funds are placed in a bank account. Every semester a certain percentage of the funds is awarded to recipients of the scholarship.

“Endowments tend to grow over time with the interest rates they collect in the bank,” Gonzalez said. “In essence they are there forever, which is great.”

She explained that the Lenig Endowment Scholarship differs from most others because it was donated in the form of real estate. The land must be sold before the exact value is known, but officials plan to award a scholarship this semester.

“All the paperwork is currently being worked on and we also need to inform

students and have them apply,” Gonzalez said. “Scholarships are not usually awarded right away after the endowment is received, but for this one it was part of the arrangement with the donor.”

Yeakel set up the Lenig Endowment Scholarship to honor her grandparents, who moved to Edinburg after their home building business in Akron, Ohio failed in

“

Endowments tend to grow over time with the interest rates they collect in the bank. In essence they are there forever, which is great.

- Deborah Gonzalez,

Assoc. Director of the Office of Development

“

January 16

OPINION

sports

January 16, 2003

1933 during the Great Depression. After relocating to the Rio Grande Valley, George Lenig found work as a bus driver for the Edinburg School District and also worked for Coen Construction Company into his eighties.

According to Yeakel, George Lenig helped build many local homes, churches, the Edinburg Hospital, and some buildings for Edinburg College, now UTPA.

The Lenigs also farmed land and at one point held 120 planted acres. They attempted to grow citrus orchards several times, but freezing climates killed the trees. After fighting a losing battle with the elements, the Lenigs then concentrated on cotton and vegetable crops.

George Lenig, who lived to be 95, and Keturah Lenig, who lived to be 90, also planted roots in the Valley for their family. They had five children, 15 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.

“The Lenigs’ work ethic, their friendliness to all, and their constant generosity were and are, a source of great respect and inspiration to the children, their descendants, their friends, and their neighbors in the Valley,” Yeakel said.

She said she understands the challenges many students face when having to work to pay for college. She hopes the endowment will help by removing some of the financial burden, allowing students to achieve their academic goals.

“The George and Keturah Lenig Endowment Memorial Scholarship for students in financial need is intended to honor the lives of these Valley pioneers in a lasting way through the University of Texas Pan American,” Yeakel said.

According to Gonzalez, the paperwork is being processed for the scholarship, but e-mails will be sent to students and signs will be posted with more information. For more information, contact the College of Science and Engineering at 381-2404.

Page 15

Senior Alex Gravel rebounds from injury Despite mounting injuries, Gravel continues to play role in Lady Bronc success

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American The work of senior Alex Gravel isn’t quite done yet.

The Lady Broncs' 5-foot-8 Canadian-born guard has worked hard to get back in the lineup after a long series of leg/foot injuries.

She red-shirted last year and missed the first three games of 2002-2003 while recovering from another injury.

But now, she’s back and making a difference for the team.

She’s scoring nearly 13 points per game, but has yet to get back into tiptop shape after the long layoff.

“At the beginning it did (affect me) because I was out of shape. I was doing bike workouts and it’s not the same as running up and down the court, but now it's getting a lot better,” she said of the injury she suffered last season. “I play 30 minutes a game, but I can't play more than 4-5 minutes at a time."

The Lady Broncs still have nearly half a season to play, 13 games to be exact.

Their most recent game was a 64-48 victory over Prairie View A&M Jan. 14, which improved the record to 2-13.

Gravel, who is averaging 12.3 points per game, scored seven points in the game as

she continues to adjust to her new role as playmaker on the team.

"We did really good in the first half building a lead, but there were six to eight minutes in the second half that was just ugly,” Gravel said. “They brought up their intensity and we just leveled instead of bringing it up.

With like three minutes to go we finally brought it up, too, but we'll take the win."

Prior to her injury, Gravel had established several UTPA’s women basketball records, and was close to breaking more.

She is the most prolific three-point shooter in school history and is high on the scoring list as well.

More importantly, in an era known for selfish, mefirst athletes, Gravel is a refreshing change: To her, individual records aren’t everything.

“I don't really think about it when I play. I just try to get out there and do what I have to do,” she said. “If I break them, that's something else I can tell my kids. I'm just trying to get out of here, win games and start building up the program.”

Despite her injury, Gravel has tried to rehabilitate her way back into mid-season form while taking on new roles within the team.

She has led the women in

scoring in six of the 12 games she's played in this year while scoring a seasonhigh 22 points on two occasions, once in a 60-50 loss to Montana in the Lady Griz Classic on Dec. 28 of last year and again on Jan. 5 in a memorable 61-58 win over Nebraska.

The Vanier high school graduate couldn't contain her obvious satisfaction when asked about the upset victory over Nebraska, a big-time school from a bigtime conference.

"It was awesome to win in front of 3,000 people that are screaming against you, but for us, it was just another team. We knew we could beat them because we worked really hard,” she said. “And against a good team you always go out and want to beat them real bad and we just played well.

For us, we knew we could do it and we were getting better so, it's like beating any other team, but it's exciting because it's the Big 12 and everything."

The game against Nebraska appears to have been a turning point for the Lady Broncs, who gained a tremendous amount of confidence with the victory which has propelled the team to a 2-2 record over their last four games.

See GRAVEL page 13

Photos by Matt Lynch/The Pan American

Got Control: Alex Gravel drives down the court during the game vs. Prairie View.

Lady Bronc tennis team gears up for SMU UTPA women’s squad prepares for opening match against Southern Methodist

By BRIAN CARR The Pan American

Photos by Matt Lynch/The Pan American

Gearing Up: Elisabet Mateos and Laura Boskovich warm up during a recent practice.

The second half of the women’s tennis schedule begins Friday against Western Athletic Conference tennis giant Southern Methodist University in neutral territory, at Corpus Christi.

SMU, which will travel to Corpus to compete against both UTPA and Texas A&M Corpus, begins its season against the Islanders Friday morning before meeting the Lady Broncs Friday afternoon.

The spring season, which strongly contrasts the mainly blind competition tournaments of the fall, pits school against school - matching six individuals athletes and three doubles teams in exclusive school-on-school competition.

SMU, which did extremely well during the fall season, is a strong favorite in the matchup, but UTPA head coach Todd Chapman hopes to

capitalize on familiar conditions and a fatigued SMU squad.

"We get enough wind [at UTPA] that most of the girls will be used to the conditions [in Corpus],"Chapman said."

SMU will be a tough first match, but because of expense we always practice outdoors, where as SMU has on-site indoor courts. I keep telling my girls that the colder and windier it is, the greater our advantage becomes."

Both UTPA and SMU attended the Omni Hotels Southwest Regional in October. Sophomore Ana Pena of McAllen was the only Lady Bronc to compete against a member of the SMU tennis team, losing in two straight sets to junior Nadia Vaughn.

There might have been more chance meetings between the two teams, but the tournament was cut short by inclement weather – and subsequently all consolation rounds were canceled. It was an unfortunate turn of events for

See TENNIS page 13

PAGE 16

Drive-by Cowboy

S PORTS

■ Gravel Feature . ......... .15 ■ Hoops Review . . . . . . .14 ■ Sports Clipboard... . . . 13

Lady Broncs down Prairie View A&M UTPA Women Edge Second Victory of the Season; Momentum Changing for Lady Broncs

Mariucci Out

After six seasons with winning records Steve Mariucci has lost his job as 49’ers head coach. Owner John York has expressed dissatisfication with Mariucci’s inability to bring a championship to San Francisco. Mariucci’s dismissal comes less than one week after the 49’ers 31-6 loss to Tampa Bay, which ended their hopes of advancing to the Super Bowl. York is expected to choose from a short list of available candidates including defensive coordinator Jim Mora, and other assistants from Mariucci’s remaining staff.

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American The UTPA Lady Broncs notched their second victory of the season by rolling over the Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers 64-48 Jan 14, led by Amanda Carlow who picked up a career-high 21 points. The win is their second in four games, and marks a drastic momentum change for the Lady Broncs who opened the season with 11 straight losses.

UTPA began the turnaround at the beginning of the month after an abysmal start to the season by upsetting highly-touted Nebraska, 61-58. The team hopes that its recent performances are a sign of things to come.

"We're going to be in every game from here on out and that's going to make us tough down the stretch," interim head coach Tracy Anderson said.

The women’s hoopsters pressured Prairie View throughout the first half by playing an aggressive, fast-paced style of basketball that forced several turnovers. The Lady Broncs cashed in those turnovers.

UTPA charged to a 19-2 lead midway through the first half and went into the intermission with a lofty 36-13 advantage thanks to Carlow's 16-point first half contribution. In the early minutes of the second half, the Lady Broncs mounted an impressive 32-point lead over Prairie View, 4715.

But the Lady Panthers upped their intensity and level of play in order to chip away at the UTPA lead. The fast-paced offense of the first half had apparently taken its toll on the Lady Broncs, who slowed down and began to turn over the ball. Prairie View took advantage of the Lady Bronc fatigue and used a 16-0 run to cut the lead to 10 points We’re going to with be in every game 3:18 left in from here on out, game.

The and that’s going to Lady make us tough Broncs

Women’s basketball Schedule

“

down the stretch - Tracy Anderson, Lady Bronc head coach

Date Jan. 18 Jan. 21

eventually composed themselves, adding 10 insurance points in the process to improve to 2-13 on the season.

"It was a good win for us,” Anderson said. "We don't tend to handle athletic teams very well and we needed a win here at home because we've been struggling to do that.”

Carlow, UTPA's leading scorer, credited the team for her season-high performance. "My teammates set me up real good so I've got to give credit to them,” Carlow said.

Naima Williams

VOICE

Would you be interested in hearing Rudy Giuliani speak?

January 16, 2003

An Inside Look: News ............................................2 A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■ ■

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

Giuliani visits

Page 4

With the victory over Prairie View, the team has won two of their last four games and appear to be on their way to turning around their sub-par season.

UTPA began to turn the tide Jan. 5 by upsetting Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. Alex Gravel scored 22 points while hitting 14 of 14 free throws to lead the upset.

"That's one of those wins as a coach that I'll never ever forget,” Anderson said. "We played flawless basketball on both ends.

It was just a huge monkey off the kids' back.”

On Jan. 9, the momentum from the victory over Nebraska carried the team to a 12-point lead over Air Force, but they failed to hold on and eventually lost the game, 64-61, at the Field House. On the upside, Naima Williams led the team in scoring for the fifth time, notching 17 points.

"We made some really poor decisions down the stretch and didn't shoot free throws well," explained Anderson about the heartbreaking loss to Air Force.

On Jan. 11, the orange and green nearly came back to defeat Lipscomb at Allen Arena. UTPA's rally in the second half came up short as they fell 57-49. Junior Mary DeCock stepped up and led the team in scoring with 15 points.

"If we can just play the whole 40 minutes instead of playing just 36 minutes. I think we can turn the whole season around and get some more wins. I see a very positive finish on the season," commented Carlow on the team's outlook for the remainder of the season.

"We're working a lot better now as a whole than we were before," Gravel said.

"Offensively, we're pretty solid. Defensively, we've got some work to do. I think we're still giving up too many easy baskets,” Anderson said.

"We have a tough stretch coming up with New Mexico State and the two trips to Arkansas so, we're going to have to cover shooters better and continue to finish in the paint,” Anderson said.

The Lady Broncs are on the road from Jan. 18-23 against New Mexico State, Arkansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock.

Their next home game will be on Jan. 25 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 7 p.m.

“

Cowboys reserve defensive back Dwayne Goodrich was released from jail Wednesday after posting a $50,000 bond.

Goodrich was being held on two charges of felony manslaughter following a hit-and-run in Dallas. The hit-andrun claimed the lives of two Plano residents who were trying to rescue a man from the aftermath of a previous accident. The penalty for each manslaughter charge is a sentence of two to 20 years and fines up to $10,000. Police were still considering other charges upon Goodrich’s release.

THURSDAY

Campus

Opponent

Site

NM State

Las Cruces

Arkansas State

State Univ.

Jan. 23 ARK.-Little Rock

Little Rock

Jan. 25

TAMUCC

Fieldhouse

Jan. 28

Oral Roberts

Tulsa

Feb. 1

Centenary

Shreveport

Feb. 3

LA-Lafayette

Fieldhouse

Feb. 8

TAMUCC

Corpus Christi

Feb. 13

IPFW

Fort Wayne

CAMPUS ■

Comedic Stylings

Comedian and actor Kyle Cease entertained students in the Student Union Food Court Wednesday night with his clean comedy.

Known for his role as Bogey Lowenstein in "Ten Things I Hate About You" and the slow clapper in "Not Another Teen Movie," Cease is touring the country and performing at various colleges.

"I prefer colleges because the audience is closer to my age and they can identify with me when I talk about Nintendo and Britney Spears," 25-year-old Cease said. "Plus I've made teen movies so they know who I am."

Cease’s show included audience interaction, something the students seemed to enjoy.

"It was like he was a part of the crowd," Chris Baiyeri, a freshman computer science major, said.

"That made it different.

He was great and really funny."

Cease answered Baiyeri's cell phone during the show and played a joke on his friend who was on the other end. Cease also pulled Chris Florez, a freshman criminal justice major, from the audience to assist him with a few songs.

"It was really cool even though he was teasing me. I hope he comes back to give us another show," said Florez.

The University Program Board was responsible for bringing Cease to campus.

Noelynn Gillamac, a sophomore nursing major and movie committee chair, said the decision to invite Cease was made as a group.

Former mayor to speak at Fieldhouse tonight

By JENNIFER TAPIA The Pan American

Celeste Y. Tello/The Pan American

HISTORY— Time marches on as workers continue the demolition of Jody Ramsey Stadium on Tuesday.

Major changes in store for microbiology

By HILDA BARRIENTES The Pan American Because of the shortage of scientists a local laboratory will be opening its doors to offer clinical rotations for students who are in the University of Texas PanAmerican Clinical Laboratory Science program.

A spokesperson for the Microbiology Specialty Lab in Edinburg says that they will now be able to offer clinical rotations for the students because they will be moving into a new office on Jan. 27.

A clinical rotation is when the student is sent to a laboratory and is placed in each department for six weeks at a time.

The departments in which they do there rotations are hematology(the study of blood), chemistry (serum chemical analytes), coagulation, (blood clots), urinalysis (urine), immunology (antibodies), and microbiology (microorganisms).

While making the architectural plans for the new lab, MSL said the aim was to make special accommodations for the

students to have a classroom-like atmosphere.

“We are now going to have room to have the students come here and achieve hands-on experience,” said Celia Munoz co-owner of MSL and a clinical laboratory scientist. “I love to teach and that is one of my favorite things to do. “ According to Teresa Savoie another coowner and scientist, MSL is a laboratory that draws blood from patients referred by area doctors, receiving specimens sent by local doctors’ offices. MSL performs the various tests ordered by the doctor on the specimens and they are analyzed by high-technology machines and by scientists on staff. MSL then reports the results to the doctor’s offices so they can inform to the patient of the results.

“MSL opened four years ago and has grown a lot,” Munoz said. “It is important to me that these tests are performed right because it is a patient’s result and our reputation that is at stake.”

After experiencing the work

See LAB page 4

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will present a speech tonight at the University of Texas-Pan American Field House, in which he is expected to talk about his leadership in New York and how he plans to clean up Mexico City.

As part of its Outstanding Leadership Series, the UTPA Foundation will host the speech at a private dinner at 7 p.m. The highdollar dinner costs $600 per person, or $1,000 per couple.

UTPA President Miguel Nevarez is glad the foundation was able to bring someone like Giuliani to the university, and hopes that it can continue to bring such speakers to campus in the future. Last year Desert Storm commander Norman Schwartzkopf gave an address at the school.

“We are very honored to have him here,” said Nevarez of Giuliani. “He is Time’s Person of the Year, I don’t think we could’ve asked for a better individual.”

Although the mass media will not be able to attend the private dinner, the foundation will hold a press conference Friday at which the media will be able to meet briefly with Giuliani.

Giuliani and his consulting firm have been hired by Mexico City officials to cut down on crime, after he was instrumental in lowering the crime rate in New York City by 65 percent, cleaning up the city streets, and taking charge during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

According to an article in the San Antonio Express News, Giuliani, who will be paid $4.3 million, is optimistic that his zero tolerance policy can work in Mexico City, a massive city of 18 million residents where corruption and crime are rampant. He visited there this week, even amid rumors of a possible kindapping plot by Colombian rebels. This might be just the beginning of his troubles, according to some observers.

Juanita Garza, a history professor at UTPA, says Giuliani may have a difficult time cleaning up Mexico City because of his lack of knowledge about the people,

culture and the politics.

“If he is going to try to clean up Mexico City, he should know about the people,” said Garza.

“We may have similar laws, but the way that they play them out may be different in Mexico.”

According to Sylvia Aldape, director of Stewardship Annual Giving at the University Development Office at UTPA, and coordinator for the event, the money that is raised will go to scholarships for students. Generous supporters of the event will make such fundraising possible.

“In the past we have had highlevel speakers come to campus,” said Aldape. “We are thankful because we have had a lot of support from the community.”

Aldape says such supporters donate anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000. The supporters are labeled by the foundation as Five Star Sponsors down to Two Star Sponsors, depending on their donation. All sponsors will have recognition in a special advertisement to appear in the Sunday edition of The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, and the Brownsville Herald.

Although not many students will be able to attend the dinner, Aldape says that some student groups from UTPA will have the opportunity to see the man who rallied a nation after Sept. 11. One such group is the UTPA Student Ambassadors.

“We do have three student groups involved in the event,” said Aldape. “The groups are helping us with the event.”

However, Garza says that students should be granted the opportunity to see Giuliani because they should get to hear his ideas.

If students are able to hear Giuliani speak, she noted, they will have the chance to compare his ideas from the others and make a choice out of it.

“That is what higher education is,” said Garza. “It’s about making choices, and how are you going to make choices if you don’t get a variety of ideas?”

Around campus this week, many students have wondered why they are not going to get a chance to learn from one of the country’s

See GUILIANI page 4