October 1, 2010

Volume 67, No. 5

THE PAN AMERICAN

September 30, 2010

Professor displays freedom through art Page 10 Alma E. Hernandez / THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 2 - Big business might Alma Hernandez: No have packed their bags, but they guns never left on campus

Page 3New - JobsUniversity after graduation becoming scarce

provost announced

‘Machete’ co-writer, Page 11 - Holiday gift guide Valley native to visit STC Oct. 5

Conferencia Page 14 - Q&A with para volleyball player Rebecca Toddy a ayudar y apoyar futuros empresarios.

Lady Broncs on threegame winning streak

2

September 30, 2010 Vol. 67, No. 5

THE PAN AMERICAN

Commentary

Shooting the shooter is a lousy idea; guns are not the answer

Alma E. Hernandez Photo Editor Tuesday morning I awoke to texts about a shooter at the University of Texas-Austin. As a former UT student and Austinite, that school is near to my heart.

Thoughts of the shooting massacre by Charles Whitman immediately flooded my mind. In 1966 Whitman was an engineering

student who opened fire from his book, “More Guns, Less the top of the University tower, Crime.” The Statesman reported eventually killing 16 people before the talk was postponed and then cancelled according to a tweet being shot and killed by police.

The first thing I did after reading by the UT Federalist Society, one the texts was to check the Internet of the student groups involved in scheduling the for any news I visit. could find on Personally, I the incident. The do not believe in Austin Americanguns. I mean I Statesman website reported a shooter “ I do not believe the an- know they exist but I don’t want at the PerryCastaneda Library swer to violence is more to have anything on campus and violence, and I do not be- to do with them.

My dad has talked police were still searching for a live the answer to guns is about buying a gun and that thought possible second MORE guns! ” just terrifies me. shooter. As the day Although I don’t wore on updated live at home reports confirmed anymore, I do that the shooter occasionally spend had acted alone, the night. When turning the gun on coming home there in the early himself before hurting anyone else.

In a weird coincidence, author morning hours, the last thing I want John Lott had been scheduled to is a loaded gun in the same house as speak that day on campus about my half-asleep, jumpy mother.

I do not believe the answer to violence is more violence, and I do not believe the answer to guns is MORE guns! Statistics show a direct correlation between gun ownership/weak gun laws to gun death rates in the United States.

States with higher gun ownership have much higher percentages of gun deaths. Inversely, low gun ownership equals low gun death rate, according to a news report from the Violence Policy Center, based on data released for 2006 from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Louisiana leads with a gun death rate of 19.58 per 100,000 people, with 45.6 percent of households owning guns. Hawaii has both the lowest number of gun death rates at 2.58 per 100,000, and only 9.7 percent of households owning guns.

So no, I don’t believe the answer is the throw more guns at the problem.

Fewer guns lying around = fewer gun deaths. Sounds reasonable to me.

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Kristen Cabrera kmcabrera22@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR: Roxann Garcia roxx.gar11@gmail.com ONLINE/SPANISH EDITOR: Denisse Salinas dns_145@hotmail.com ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: Benny Salinas 9_benny_9@live.com SPORTS EDITOR: Sara Hernandez shernandez261@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Alma E. Hernandez alma.e.hdz@gmail.com SENIOR DESIGNER: Jennifer Tate jen489@gmail.com DESIGNERS: Alexis Carranza alexis091@aol.com ADVISER: Dr. Greg Selber selberg@utpa.edu ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE: Anita Reyes areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER: Mariel Cantu spubs@utpa.edu WEBMASTER: Jose Villarreal josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com Selvino Padilla selvinop3@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Steven Kennedy srkennedy56@yahoo.com

Delivery:

Thursday at noon Letters to the Editor

Elias Moran/THE PAN AMERICAN

The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com.

Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

September 30, 2010

Nationwide provost search ends Bronc Delaware deputy provost will assume position at UTPA Jan. 1

“I feel very fortunate to have been selected as the new provost to work and collaborate with this The search for provost and vice excellent and very welcoming president for academic affairs community,” he said. “I was very has come to an end. In a memo impressed during my visit to sent to students, UTPA with the faculty and staff students, faculty Tuesday afternoon, “Our primary goal will and staff that President Robert S. I met and with be to ensure that our Nelsen announced their loyalty and that Havidan commitment to students at UTPA are Rodriguez from this institution.” successful and are able the University Rodriguez, of Delaware currently deputy to make important was given the provost and position previously professor at the contributions to an occupied by Paul sociology and increasingly global and Sale, who resigned criminal justice April 1 to rejoin the department multicultural society. ” faculty. at Delaware, Rodriguez applauded the Havidan Rodriguez was one of three university’s New provost/VP final candidates efforts to selected by the maintain a strong search committee; partnership with they all visited campus earlier this the community. month to meet with the university “UTPA is an excellent community. He says he’s honored to institution of higher education have been selected out of a group that aims to continue to have a of successful and distinguished significant impact at the local, candidates. national and global level, while

By Alejandra Martinez The Pan American

continuing to serve the Rio Grande Valley community,” he stated.

Rodriguez believes that the provost plays a key role within the university community. He will be the one to make sure that the institution pursues its goals and strives for excellence in areas like teaching, research, creative expression, and service.

“As provost, I will focus on having extensive conversations with the university community that will allow us to focus on our strengths,” he said. “And on expanding our reach and impact as an institution of higher education.”

He plans to work closely with the president and other members of the university community to develop a number of academic initiatives that will explore interdisciplinary collaborations and diversity such as study abroad, undergraduate research, and service learning.

“Our primary goal will be to ensure that our students at UTPA are successful and are able to make important contributions to an increasingly global and multicultural society,” Rodriguez said.

He promises to bring a strong level of commitment to the new job and believes that his academic and administrative experiences will allow him to lead in a successful manner.

“I also believe that communication, coordination and collaboration are key factors for the growth, development and success of any institution,” he added.

Rodriguez has served as deputy provost since 2009. He has also had faculty and administrative positions at the University of Puerto RicoMayagüez. He has served as director of the minority affairs program for the American Sociological Association and has been part of committees for the National Academies of Science.

He received his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin.

The other candidates were John M. de Castro, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sam Houston State University, and Geralyn McClure Franklin, dean of the College of Business and professor of management at the University of Dallas. Rodriguez will assume the position of provost and vice president of academic affairs Jan 1.

VP Edwards announces departure

By Belinda Munoz The Pan American John Edwards, vice president for enrollment and student services, has made students his top priority since joining the University in 2000.

Now that he has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31, the changing of the guard on campus is truly in full swing.

The news of Edwards’ departure is a reluctant addition to the university’s list of retirees. To date, the university has already parted with former Vice President of Business Affairs Jim Langabeer, Dean Edwin Lemaster of Science and Engineering and Jane Lemaster from the Education Department.

Long-time chief of staff for the President’s Office, Carol Rausch, is also out.

Robert Nelsen, president of UTPA, has been on the job for nine months, and has worked closely with Edwards; he can already vouch for the veteran’s stellar reputation.

“His vision for UT-Pan Am and his commitment to this institution will make it difficult to find a replacement,” Nelsen explained. “Under his leadership, the University saw a 67.8 percent

increase in enrollment from approximately 11,000 students to nearly 19,000 students.”

The statistics denoting Edwards’ success in his decade-long stay at UTPA are likely no surprise for Dennis McMillan, associate vice president of enrollment and student services, who has worked with him here for the last eight years, and also in a past administrative life, so to speak.

“I worked with John Edwards at Texas Tech during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s and then since coming to Pan American in 2002,” McMillan recalled. “John has always been very imaginative and always ahead of his time. He actually got into trouble when he started the Office of New Student Relations at Texas Tech and started talking in public about recruiting students. Back then, many university officials had sort of an elite attitude and looked down on the idea that higher education may be promoted to all students.”

At UTPA, one of the things Edwards will forever be remembered for is his drive to help all students pursue their dreams. Due to this passion, he’s been responsible for a

succeed,” McMillan number of programs concerning students current/future students. To raise stressed. “He was the first person educational awareness, Edwards that I remember saying that we took the initiative to start the need to start talking about college Valley Outreach Center in 2009, in to elementary and middle school the hopes of granting admissions/ children. This was at a time financial aid information to all when virtually all college-going students interested in pursuing information was provided only to seniors in high school. Now we higher education.

“He has always advocated for realize that students need to be the students and it isn’t just our thinking about college much earlier in their educational students here,” career.”

Nelsen said. “He’s Edwards’ belief advocating to get in stimulating a more and more young population students here.” of students has The VOC operates become a reality in collaboration with at the university the McDonald’s through the Corporation and Texas establishment of Guaranteed Student many important Loan Corporation, financial aid/ as a testament to scholarship Edwards’ focus on programs. early recruitment of “He is always students.

As many of Tammy Ayala/THE PAN AMERICAN trying to reach out with innovative, his colleagues new ideas,” Nelsen will relate, that dedication to students, is not limited stated.

One of those innovative ideas to potential college students.

“John’s work ethic is driven was the UTPA PAL Program by his boundless passion to help

SEE EDWARDS || PAGE 7

3

Alert!

Warning system should work, problem is lack of participation

By Roxann Garcia The Pan American

After Tuesday’s UT-Austin incident where 19-year-old Colton Tooley fired shots with an AK-47 assault rifle before fatally shooting himself, The University of TexasPan American is buzzing with questions. The main one: What would happen if a similar situation occurred here?

Whispers are circulating in different crowds as to what would be done if an active shooter were to take control of the Edinburg campus.

“It’s pretty scary because we’re in the same UT system,” 22-yearold Lucio Rodriguez said. “And because of that I feel like it hits closer to home.”

The marketing major from Edinburg noted that in the case of something similar happening at the library, he’s not exactly sure what protocol would be followed by administration and the campus police department, or the university community.

However officials at the university have actions, procedures and necessary protocols in mind to get through such a crisis. Campus PD along with the Environmental of Health and Safety department are doing what they can to emphasize cooperation so that things will run smoothly in the event of an incident.

According to Asst. Chief of Police James Loya, there are three avenues of communication used to reach students. The first is a campus-wide siren along with e-mails sent to every faculty, staff member and student. The next method is through TV monitors located in every building, and the final and possibly most important way of reaching folks through BroncAlert.

Still, though the process is in place, most people on campus would not get the message.

BroncAlert, headed by Richard Costello the director of DEHS along with IT Services, is an indoor and outdoor emergency warning system implemented in 2008 under former UTPA president Blandina Cárdenas.

During the initial implementation period, only 1,700 students were registered. Currently there are from 4,000 to 5,000 registered out of a campus community of 23,000,

SEE ALERT || PAGE 7

Page 4

NEWS

September 30, 2010

Faculty, students weigh in on merit pay increasing tuition and fees. In the past, high-achieving faculty have been rewarded for their perforAccording to the U.S. Depart- mance with bonuses, but they can ment of Labor, merit pay is defined no longer rely on the extra money.

About 30 percent of the UTPA as a raise in salary based on a set of criteria set by the employer; how- faculty staff used to apply for ever, the Fair Labor Standards Act merit pay. But with the necessity of giving back 15 percent of (FLSA) does not require it.

Different teacher unions have funds from the state over the next two years, the objected to merit pay university bebecause members do gan cutting not believe there is “Students are the ones all sorts of a reliable and fair programs and way to measure perwho taste the product. awards last formance.

TeachSince they are the year. ers’ pay is generally According based on educational ultimate clients, they to the Cost levels and years of should be deciding who of Education experience.

Committee, Nevertheless, the gets the merit pay. ” estimated tuU.S. Department of ition increased Education has been $150 for 15 pushing states and semester credit school districts to hours and $120 try merit systems, in continuing efforts to Baltazar Arispe for 12 semester raise student achieveUTPA professor credit hours.

After proposment. While this idea als by students is in play at the K-12 and faculty, levels, universities merit pay was eliminated. have their own system as well.

Back to the K-12 level; contraThe University of Texas-Pan American eliminated merit bonuses dictory opinions about the merit pay for the current year in order to meet system have risen since the improvea financial crunch, mainly to avoid ment on education was linked to it.

By Karen Velazquez The Pan American

On Sept. 21, a study reported ship between merit pay and imthat offering middle-school math provements in education.

According to Baltazar Arispe, teachers bonuses up to $15,000 did not produce better student professor of educational administration at UTPA, there is no contest scores.

The Project on Incentives in nection between faculty rewards and the educational Teaching (POINT) achievement level. was the first sciArispe stressed that entific test of the extra money will concept, done at the not assure enhanced Metropolitan Nashperformance. ville School System Arispe never apfrom 2006-2009 by plied for merit pay Vanderbilt Univerbecause he believes sity researchers. that faculty member The study was performance should based on the notion be evaluated solely that a significant by students. problem in Ameri“Students are can education can Baltazar Arispe the ones who taste be partly traced to the the product. Since lack of appropriate incentives for teachers to improve they are the ultimate clients, they should be deciding who gets the student outcomes.

Middle-school mathemat- merit pay,” the UTPA professor ics mentors voluntarily partici- said.

On the other hand, Shirley pated in the controlled experiment, which evaluated the effect Mills, assistant professor in the of financial rewards for teachers Department of Education at UTPA, whose students showed unusual says it is wonderful to be rewardscores on standardized tests, the ed for effort put in mentoring. But National Center on Performance she supports the elimination of the merit pay system because students Incentives reported.

Conducted in partnership with deserve accessible education, ecothe nonprofit RAND Corporation, nomically speaking.

Mills agreed with Arispe when the experiment showed no relation-

she said that merit pay has no relationship with the effort made by the faculty staff.

“Merit really plays no part in what I do. I do it because I love to teach,” said Mills, who has been at UTPA for almost four years. “I am always going to be a good professor, teaching-wise. Actually, there has been no difference in my productivity this year.”

UTPA students also have an opinion on the issue.

“It is good to recognize and reward professors effort, but since the evaluation on faculty members´ performance is not made by students, I think it is unfair,” said María Fernanda Cifuentes, a 23-year-old graphic design junior from McAllen.

Cifuentes believes that the educational system would be better if student’s opinions would be considered. Actually, their evaluations are a regular component of the annual review that all tenure-track faculty undergo from their various departments.

“I don’t see the point in giving bonuses to professors who apparently are doing a good job. They were hired because they are supposed to offer quality education,” said Juan Martinez, a 21-year-old computer science senior from Hidalgo.

September 30 2010

Advertisements

Page 5

Page 6

September 30, 2010

NEWS

HESTEC continues to bring in visitors

By Belinda Munoz, The Pan American Things have been hectic for Alyssa Reyna, 22, special projects coordinator for the Division of Business Affairs, Community Engagement as she and her team have scrambled to meet logistical demands for Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology week, which began Sept. 27 and wraps up Saturday.

“HESTEC was originally created in the Valley in collaboration with Congressman Ruben Hinojosa,” Reyna stated. “It’s a weeklong conference. We pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) initiatives and the importance of STEM.” Reyna feels that HESTEC is extremely important in order to influence Hispanic youth, grades K-12, about the importance of pursuing jobs in STEM fields, which will inevitably become the dominant careers of the future.

“A lot of kids don’t really know the importance of STEM fields,” she said. “Everything you go into ties in with science, math, engineering and some type of technology. It’s important to educate the younger students to know that. Everything is technology now. They need to know this stuff.”

In order to continue to ensure kids learn while attending

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

COMMUNITY - Students from Lasara Elementary gather in front of the Visitors Center on Wednesday for Latina Day at HESTEC. HESTEC, the appropriate sponsors to fund the event must first be

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

LATINA DAY - A school bus unloads students from the South Texas Preparatory Academy in front of the Visitors Center at UTPA for Latina Day at HESTEC on Sept. 29.

clearly decided.

Velinda Reyes, director of corporate and foundation relations for the Office of Development within the Division of University Advancement, believes the office works hard to make sure that HESTEC is properly sponsored by the right clients.

“Our focus is to fund raise for programs like HESTEC. I work with a team that coordinates the program,” Reyes said. “We identify the companies that we want to look at that have been past supporters and we try to cultivate new people that want to help out. We figure out ways that match with their interests. If HESTEC is a program that they want to support then we bring them in.”

Reyes stressed that the process of funding HESTEC can take several months to establish the right relationships with sponsors, such as Shell Oil, can inspire students and offer them future employment in STEM fields.

The GEAR UP program works through cohort groups that are nurtured for six years, with a focus on the education of Valley students from grades 7-12. GEAR UP is currently encouraging secondary education with its second cohort group, members of which will graduate in 2011.

By focusing on a chosen cohort group, GEAR UP works to bring

in the widest audience possible, for numerous HESTEC events.

“We invite educators from our 22 high schools on Monday for Educator Day,” Cantu said.

“Students participate on Tuesday for Student Leadership Day. Mothers are invited to attend with their daughters, on Latina Day, which is Wednesday, and our high school students compete on Thursday, Robotics day.”

According to Reyna, HESTEC 2002-2010 has seen an overall increase in attendance on Educators Day, Student Leadership Day, Latina Day, Robotics Day and even Community Day. While the attendance for students is increasing annually, it also varies, per day and event.

Reyna stressed that 700-1000 students attend HESTEC, daily, starting Monday and throughout Wednesday.

Both Reyna and Joe Castillo, education specialist for Region One, expect Thursday’s statewide Robotics Day competition to bring in 200 to 500 students. More specifically, Castillo also expects that this year’s HESTEC will lure 800 students for Leadership Day and 400 teams of mother and daughters for Latina Day. Also expected to be a big hit this year is the Career Expo for the general public/UTPA students, Friday from

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Even with high expectations for HESTEC week, no event seems to be more highly anticipated than Community Day, set for Oct. 2 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“Community Day is something that we look forward to because it is one of the biggest parts of HESTEC,” Reyna said. “Sometimes a lot of the parents have never been to a college campus. A lot of the kids have never been to a college campus. We give them a free event to come to, to view. We give them free entertainment.”

HESTEC remaining schedule THURSDAY Robotics Day NASA Reception 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at HPEII Bldg FRIDAY Career Expo 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Field House SATURDAY Community Day 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

September 30, 2010

NEWS

Page 7

Ray of light: TXU panels now in place

By Belinda Munoz The Pan American UTPA officials gathered in the ITT building Sept. 24 for a short lunch and quick presentation acknowledging TXU Energy for its donation of two 5KW solar arrays, which now sit in front of the building.

The arrays have been a long time in coming and are the result of a proposal from Marianella Franklin, director for the Office of Sustainability at UTPA, and Jaime Ramos, an electrical engineering professor. The innovative proposal was also aided by John Patton, a member of the Facilities Planning and Construction Department and assistant director for the Physical Plant.

“We got together with the College of Engineering and also with the facilities planning and construction group,” Franklin explained. “We started thinking how can we put together a proposal to see if there is someone out there that might help us with these very expensive tools. We put the proposal together and TXU, right away, said, ‘Hey, we want to help you all out.’”

The presentation opened with Martin Baylor, vice president for business affairs, who stressed that the arrays would provide an educational example of energy sustainability for

the Hispanic Engineering Science and Technology (HESTEC) week that would entice local community members to learn more about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The 5KW solar arrays, which display a large panel of connected solar cells, are expected to convert the sun’s power into electricity and provide an important educational role for students at UTPA. “I just think that it’s a fantastic introduction for the university community, but also for our community here in Edinburg,” Baylor said. “We need to start getting everybody to start thinking about sustainability and renewable energy. It’s the path we need to head down and it’s just a wonderful opportunity to just start showing everybody that.”

In addition to being highly beneficial to UTPA students, the new innovation, according to Robert Nelsen, president of UTPA, will help bring the whole community up to speed with the newest technology.

With HESTEC having begun Monday it is no surprise that the solar arrays will be part of the experience, widely experienced on Community Day, Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“In one event, which is HESTEC, we are going to have over 50,000

EDWARDS

solar panels and learn about renewable energy.”

At the presentation, Nelsen took the time to thank UTPA’s partner in energy sustainability, Kelli Rod, the vice president for community relations at TXU Energy, for her participation in acquiring the arrays.

According to Rod, TXU’s decision to donate them was based on the company’s stand on education.

“TXU energy has a program, we call it TXU Solar Academy, and we do that project through the National Energy Education Development project,” she said. “They develop curriculum around solar energy.

So it’s not just the arrays, but it’s the curriculum behind it. It’s an opportunity for all of us to

learn about solar energy.

It’s also an opportunity to take solar powered experience, to all the educators across the region and placing it here at UTPA.” According to Rod, the donated solar arrays cost well above $70,000, however, she stresses that along with curriculum, training, and seminars related to energy sustainability, the project is almost priceless in terms of future education for UTPA students.

“In all honesty, 5KW panels will not provide a lot of electricity for the actual university, what it’s going

t o provide is an educational opportunity to see how every moment, the sun’s power is converted to electricity,” Rod explained.

With the installation of the new arrays, students at UTPA will get a chance to see the process of solar energy unravel right before their eyes.

“The kids in engineering will spend a lot of time working with them,” Baylor said. “You know trying to understand the movement of the arrays, and trying to figure the ways to harness the energy and make it all work more efficiently.”

emphasizes the importance of signing up. It’s better for everyone to be registered.”

The 17-year veteran, who became assistant police chief in 2005, noted that currently the PD has 20 officers and about 17 security officers. Each of them patrol for three different shifts seven days a week. Thus, he said, due to the low number of personnel it’s imperative that everyone becomes informed about procedures to follow.

On the PD website there is a video link under the tab “web links” that demonstrates what a student or faculty member should do during an active shooter event.

“You’re going to do whatever to survive and this video, which came out shortly after the Virginia Tech incident, displays procedures needed in doing so such as barricading yourself from a shooter,” Loya said, referencing the 2007 shooting disaster that killed 32 people.

Another advantage the PD has is a mutual relationship with

the Edinburg PD, the Hidalgo County Sheriff ’s Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“One thing that I noticed many students referring to is they spotted ‘soldiers’ during the UTAustin shooting; those are SWAT team members and fortunately the Edinburg PD has a team to assist us if need be,” Loya said.

Nonetheless the departments are looking to improve procedures.

Later this year there will be a mock drill in which everyone will participate. According to both Loya and Costello, the drill will be more in-depth from the last one, which took place last Christmas.

Costello, who has a child enrolled at UT-Austin, had an outsider’s point of view during the incident. The director developed more urgency to get UTPA students up to speed with BroncAlert.

“I cannot stress how important it is to sign up with the alert system,” he said. “It’s fast to register; it only takes five minutes.”

For more information, log onto http://www.utpa.edu/emergency.

ALERT

continued from Page 3 (Preparation for Adult Living) created in 2001, which grants scholarships for foster children who want to pursue a college degree.

The program seeks to inform graduating high school seniors about important career/ college information by offering them support groups, training sessions, and assistance with financial aid issues. The PAL program is the result of close collaboration with the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.

Furthermore, Edwards initiated the creation of the UTPA Transfer Center, the Veterans Services Center, and the Scholarship Office, the latter of which having opened in Fall 2009. He also helped develop the Call Center on campus.

He developed the Child Development Center, which opened in 2005, so that students, faculty, and staff could receive quality care for their children, and advocated for the new Wellness and Recreation Sports Complex, which opened in Fall 2007.

With so many accomplishments throughout his career it is expected

community members come through,” Franklin said.

“They’ll have an opportunity to ask questions about t h e

continued from Page 3 that faculty would feel at a loss when speaking of the VP’s upcoming retirement.

“Every time you have a valuable team member leave, you naturally think it will be impossible to replace that person,” McMillan said. “All I can say, is we have some big shoes to fill.”

Even with one foot out the door of the role, Edwards will remain on campus long enough for his replacement to take the reins. In the meantime, he’ll continue to spend his time monitoring the offices of Student Services, New Student Services, Admissions, Registrars, Student Financial Services, Student Support Services, and the Dean of Students Office.

“At my request, Dr. Edwards has agreed to stay on until December 31 to assist us with the transition of a new vice president,” Nelsen promised. “In the next few weeks, I will be identifying an executive search firm in an attempt to find a replacement. A search committee will also be identified with the goal of having someone hired and on board by January 1, 2011.”

Costello noted.

“Right now students are not required to register to receive the alerts, but we are looking into implementing an opt-in procedure,” Costello continued.

With an opt-in procedure, students would be required to register when signing up for classes. The only way students could cancel the alerts would be by logging online and removing themselves from the listserve.

“There are different components that haven’t allowed us to do this, including extracting contact info,” he said. “There are privacy issues involved and it can get expensive.”

Loya, however, received some important information Wednesday morning. UT-Austin was not an opt-in campus last year, he said.

There were 8,000 people signed up with its alert system. But this year the university implicated the opt-in system, making registration mandatory, or in time for the shooter incident this week.

“There are now over 53,000 students registered,” the Valley native stressed.

“This only

Page 8

THE PAN AMERICAN

September 30, 2010

September 30, 2010

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 9

Page 8

THE PAN AMERICAN

September 30, 2010

September 30, 2010

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 9

10

September 30, 2010

Artist, author finds Valley inspiration

Tony Danza, of “Who’s the Boss?” and “Taxi” fame, makes his way back to television educating 10th grade English students for his new reality show “Teach” premiering Friday on A&E.

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN PLAYIN’ AROUND - Lorenzo Pace, UTPA art professor, plays the flute as part of a private performance Sept. 28 of his children’s book, “Jalani and the Lock.” The book performance uses audience participation and various musical instruments. Pace’s next performance will be in Lima, Peru.

Zombieland’s Jesse Eisenberg stars in “The Social Network,” a movie based on the founding of popular website Facebook. The David Fincher film was adapted from nonfiction novel “The Accidental Billionaires” and hits theaters Friday.

Fairly new to the scene, Bruno Mars will drop his debut album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” Oct. 5.

After seeing significant success on his collaborations with Travie McCoy and B.o.B., Mars will hit the road with another big name, Maroon 5, this fall.

A 17-year-old boy admitted to brutally murdering his 10-year-old brother after being inspired by the Showtime hit television show ‘Dexter.’ Anthony Conley from Indiana said he “felt just like him.”

By Benny Salinas The Pan American Lorenzo Pace loves palm trees. He loves the look of them, their height and color, the weight of their leaves.

He’s especially fond of the way they look framed against a Texas sky, calling the effect “incredible.” He loves the trees so much, he’s decided to make their leaves and bark the subjects of his next art exhibit.

“I’ve always liked working with the native material of an area,” Pace said this week in his UTPA office, while holding a piece of bark from a palm tree that was taken from a stack of similar pieces, many of which are bent, shaped and molded as faces.

“They are beautiful.”

The love for such a common plant seems peculiar, but there aren’t many palm trees in New York, where up until 2007, Pace had spent the last 30 years of his life as a sculptor. There he had risen to national prominence as the artist chosen to design the memorial for an African-American burial ground in New York City.

Within the massive 300-ton memorial titled “Triumph of the Human Spirit,” is a bronze replica of the lock used to shackle Pace’s great-great-grandfather Steve Pace, into slavery.

“The lock has been in my family for over a hundred years,” Pace said. “It was my way of connecting my own family’s history with the history of the entire AfricanAmerican struggle.”

That lock is also the inspiration for his children’s book, “Jalani and the Lock,” first published in January 2001 and later released in French and Dutch.

It tells the story of Jalani, a boy from

Africa who is taken away to America to be a slave. He is eventually freed by “a tall man in a big black hat.”

“My first impetus for writing this book was when my daughter asked me, ‘Daddy, are we from slaves?” Pace recalled. “It’s such a taboo subject for us. How do you explain this sort of thing to your daughter?”

The idea was later solidified in 1991 when Pace’s father died and he went back home to Alabama for the funeral.

“My oldest uncle began telling our family history and he pulled out this lock that had been used on my great-great grandfather,” Pace said. “And the whole room just fell completely silent.”

The story became the basis for his book, with the main character named after his son Jalani. His performances of the book include music, drums, dancing, singing and shouting from Pace and especially the audience. Such a performance took place on Sunday at the McAllen Museum of Arts and Science.

“This is written for all people as American history,” Pace explained.

“All people come from Africa.

We’re all the same. We all bleed, we all cry. We need to cherish and embrace our diversity.”

Pace, who was born in Alabama in 1943, says he is the product of a segregated America. He believes that racism is impregnated in all of us. His views on race and unity may be part of the reason why he has acclimated so well to the Valley.

“We come from the same sort of racism,” Pace said of the Valley Hispanic population. “Everyone can relate to the struggle of freedom. We just gotta get past this color thing.”

Aside from the racial connection, The art department is focused on the Valley’s friendliness and the keeping people working together.”

University’s focus on collaboration Pace said the UTPA provost instilled have kept Pace teaching at UTPA far three principles in staff members: beyond his original post in 2007 as Collaboration between staff and a visiting professor. Still, when he departments; growth as individuals first received the call from former and as a department; and change art department or adaptation. chair Anthony Staffers were also Crisafulli, he was required to sign uncertain. a 10-point clause “At first I didn’t that demanded “I feel like I was sent here even think I’d go affability and for a reason. I believe we through with it. My creative support, colleagues thought a point that greatly can produce genius. We I was insane,” Pace impressed him. just have to dig down and said. “But then I Now in his got here and I fell fourth year at bring up the best in the in love with the UTPA teaching Valley. I feel inspired when place. The people art installation were so friendly and sculpting, I see people here with a and the skies were Pace believes similar environment as me incredible.” the Valley has Pace compares just as much doing something. I eat and first coming to artistic potential the Valley with breathe this now.” as other larger most people’s metropolitan first reaction areas. when they enter “I feel like New York City.

I was sent here Lorenzo Pace for a reason,” he He fell so in love Art professor with the Valley said. “I believe culture that when we can produce he was asked to genius. We just attend the 2008 have to dig down Beijing Olympics opening cer- and bring up the best in the Valley. I emony along with 300 other artists feel inspired when I see people here from around the world, he attended with a similar environment as me wearing a mariachi outfit. doing something. I eat and breathe He also embraced the this now.”

University attitude.

Pace calls himself a constant “At my old university, the Montclair student, he calls us all students. He State University, there was constant is learning from the Valley, from fighting and competition,” Pace Hispanics, from the skies and from said. “Here it’s completely different. the palm trees.

September 30, 2010

ARTS AND LIFE

Page 11

‘Machete’ not afraid to raise eyebrows

By Nadia Tamez-Robledo The Pan American

The revolution would not be televised. Rather, some film critics feared that the blade-wielding title character of “Machete” would leap off the silver screen and ignite a race war of brown against white when it opened in theaters Sept. 3. Three weeks later, there were still no “armies of Hispanics” taking to the streets as one critic predicted.

“Obviously the proof is in the pudding. There are no race wars. No one has been hacked to death in the name of Danny Trejo or anybody else,” said Álvaro Rodríguez, who co-wrote the film with director Robert Rodríguez.

Perhaps the assumptions made about the action movie at the time of its trailer release on Cino de Mayo were to be expected. Robert Rodríguez used the preview to denounce the controversial Arizona SB 1070 immigration bill. The furor was only about a month old when the preview introduced actor Trejo as the tattooed vigilante Machete, a former Mexican federale who is threatened with death unless he agrees to assassinate an antiimmigrant Texas senator.

“I was probably more separated from that than maybe other people,” recalled Rodríguez, who grew up in Edinburg and now lives in Austin.

“But there was definitely an awareness that people were talking about it as this wildly subversive movie that was a call to arms for Latinos and Hispanics and Mexicanos to rise up against their

white oppressors. And I was like, ‘Whoa, somebody is looking at this is a totally different frame of reference than anything that we had intended.’”

Rodríguez’s script “goes back to a very wild and over-the-top style of moviemaking and storytelling” and is filled with an array of gardeningtools-turned-deadly-weapons and fatal showdowns. In one scene, Machete cuts open the belly of a pursuer and uses his intestines to rappel down a building to escape.

“Even as violent as the movie is – and it is a violent movie – it is also done in such a way that it’s almost comical, and it really is like a live-action cartoon in a lot of ways,” he said. “That’s not to say that the movie doesn’t end up addressing more serious issues even in spite of itself, but it does it kind of fall under the umbrella of an exploitation film, something that’s going to extremes to deliver that story.”

Exploitation movies play off of an audience’s desire to see certain elements on screen, such as violence or nudity, Rodríguez explained. As a “Mexploitation” film, “Machete” accommodates viewers who want to see a Latino action hero.

“He’s certainly not Superman or running around in tights,” the screenwriter said. “But he’s definitely an action star in the same way that Charles Bronson became that kind of figure after ‘Death Wish’ came out in the early ‘70s.”

The film recruited a slew of big Hollywood names like Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba and Steven Seagal to

round out the cast. The gory flick began Rand Paul of Kentucky in June 2009.

“When we started writing this thing as a fake movie trailer in “Grindhouse,” a 2007 double-feature throwback to the was a few years ago, a lot of the kind bloody grindhouse movies of the ‘60s of stuff that’s become more topical now and ‘70s, directed by Robert Rodríguez wasn’t really at the forefront of the news at the time,” Rodríguez said. “It and Quentin Tarantino.

“The trailer ended up on YouTube in was meant to be so extreme and comical some different version, so it was getting that it wouldn’t be taken seriously… but it just goes all these monster to show that, as hits and people much as you try to saying, ‘Ah, man, create a situation I want to see that “Really the subversive that would never movie,’” Rodríguez thing about the movie is happen, the truth said. “And when is stranger than ‘Grindhouse’ that it got people to talk fiction, I guess.” came out, I saw about something that they Rodríguez will at the premiere in discuss the making Austin that…the normally wouldnʼt talk of “Machete” at audience just went South Texas College crazy. They reacted about, or they wouldnʼt on Oct. 5. The event instantly to the idea think theyʼre going to see will start at 7 p.m. of a Machete movie, and is free and open and so it was always an action movie and end to the public. kind of there, and up sparking discussion “Even without it just continued to having a specific grow…” about immigration or intention of While the anything else.” exploring the ins writers did not and outs of the begin their work immigration debate, with the intention it still somehow of commenting becomes this vehicle on or parodying Álvaro Rodríguez for talking about it,” any figures from “Machete” co-writer he said. “Really the the immigration subversive thing debate, the final about the movie is product has some that it got people to stark similarities to real life. Its anti-immigrant politicians talk about something that they normally push for an electrified border fence to wouldn’t talk about, or they wouldn’t halt illegal crossings, an idea akin think they’re going to see an action movie to the electric underground fence and end up sparking discussion about proposed by U.S. senatorial candidate immigration or anything else.”

Theatre opens season with play examining Mexico

By Benny Salinas The Pan American

From Oct. 6 to Oct. 10 the University Theatre Productions at UTPA will run its first play of the season, “The Clockmaker from Cordoba,” by Emilio Carballido. The play will start at 8 p.m. during the week and its final performance will be Sunday at 2 p.m.

Carballido, one of contemporary Mexico’s most beloved playwrights, was chosen for the way his work addresses current relevant issues.

“This play touches on so many aspects important to the Valley and the Hispanic population,” said professor Eric Wiley, director of the play. “It addresses corruption, inequalities and poverty in a way that is celebratory of Mexican culture.”

The play, set in the Mexican state of Veracruz in the 1700s, is an especially large undertaking for the University Theatre. The put-together includes a variety of sets and props like a mountain, cathedral, skeletons and live burro. There are 40 roles

with 23 actors; the average show at UTPA has around 10 actors.

“This was a really good opportunity for new actors,” Wiley said. “We have lots of freshmen acting in their first play. There’s so much new blood coming in.”

Also included in the drama are two live musicians playing a wide variety of instruments, from guitars and drums to traditional instruments from Veracruz. The music, provided by professionals Leo Callado and Tizoc Trevino, is a combination of celebratory and atmospheric music. While performing during the play the duo will also play before the show and during intermission.

The play, while often critical of Mexican issues, is also a celebration of that culture. It is colorful and works from a “magical framework.”

At times during the show all 23 actors will take the stage, creating a frenzy of color and life often associated with Mexican culture.

Aside from the current issues raised, the event also has philosophical and moral undertones

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT - Graduate student Jorge Contretas and freshman Millicent Olivarez rehearse lines from Emilio Carballido’s play, “The Clockmaker from Cordoba.” The play opens Oct. 6 at the Jeffers Theater. highlighted in the actions and feelings of the characters.

“Though we want people to be entertained by the play, we also

want to do something deeper,” Wiley suggested. “Hopefully this play gets people to leave the theater and actually contemplate.”

Punk-rock show draws unique fans

By Lorena Balli The Pan American MCALLEN - Roughly 50 devoted punk-rock music fans showed up to support their local music scene last weekend for a lineup including Seafoam Green of Edinburg, plus McAllen bands Rumors and Headlines, Japanese to English, and Angela and the Ex’s, Japanese to English was the oddball of the show as the only alternativeindie rock band on a docket of straightup punk-rock musicians; yet punk fans still accepted them with open arms.

Punks and indie kids alike seemed enthused by JTE and the group gained the recognition of a new crowd.

The show was held Sept. 25 at Havok Record Shop located on 416 N. 10th St., with local group Angela and the Ex’s that drew the biggest noise. The all-girl, punk-influenced band ended the night with a bang as they sang and played aggressively to a crowd of pumped people. Their music is loud and proud, screaming lyrics such as, “STD’s are not for me!” referring to an issue the band members feel strongly about: practicing safe sex is on the list of topics discussed in their set.

Local all-girl band Angela and the Ex’s draws the biggest noise.

“Our songs are just silly, like our song ‘Social Cooter,’ is about my friend’s slutty cat,” said Letty Martinez, front woman.

Everyone giggled as the girls stood on stage heckling each other. “Shut up Letty!” shouted Ester Martinez playfully as Letty attempted to do a mic-check.

The band is: Letty Martinez, vocals and front woman; Angela Garza, guitarist and vocals; Ester Martinez, bass guitar and vocals; and Annette Magurean on drums.

The girls draw their name from the ironically comical situation that began when they first started jamming together, soon realizing that they are all ex-girlfriends of guitarist, Angela.

They now poke fun of the situation and see it as a good band name.

Havok Records plans to continue throwing shows for various different genres of music. Its punk attempt was solid, as the lead band got to explain its views on changing music roles.

“Punk isn’t about being tough anymore,” Garza said. “In fact, it’s the complete opposite. Punk has turned into the idea of being united and just living peacefully as friends with common interests – music and having a good time.”

12

30 de septiembre del 2010

Venneno: los nuevos exponentes de la música norteña Por Sergio Giron The Pan American

Para los estudiantes de la Universidad de Texas-Pan Americana que viven en un estado de permanente esfuerzo académico, existen ciertas cosas en este mundo que ayudan a mejorar el humor y hacen olvidar el estrés. La música es ciertamente una de ellas, que además de relajar, desestresa la mente y alegra el alma. La otra que reina entre todas las cosas a las que aspiramos, dándonos esperanzas y razones para levantarnos todos los días son los sueños.

Cuando se tiene la oportunidad de juntar ambas cosas, situaciones increíbles pueden pasar y es justo el sentimiento que un grupo de cinco jóvenes mexicanos está viviendo en estos momentos.

“A mí me prestaron un acordeón en el 2005 y me lo lleve con mis amigos y de ahí empezamos a sonsear con nombres de grupos. En unas de esas salió “Veneno” y así se quedo, pero después le tuvimos que añadir otra “N” porque ya existía un grupo veneno en Bolivia”, comentó Alberto Ochoa, mejor conocido entre sus amistades como

Beto. “Yo sabía que Igor tocaba el acordeón pero fue hasta principios del 2008 que me animé a comentarle que si empezábamos un grupo”.

El grupo “Venneno” con escasos siete meses de haberse seriamente formado, demuestra la pasión de sus integrantes al haber conseguido de maneras repentinas conseguir muchas de sus metas.

“Me ha hecho muy felíz tocar en el grupo”, afirmó Ochoa, que es también estudiante de rehabilitación en UTPA. “Nos ha tocado abrirles y convivir con grandes grupos como La firma, La Costumbre, Invasores de Nuevo León, y La Leyenda”.

Y no es para menos, ya que Luis “Wicho” Suárez (batería), Cesar González (bajo eléctrico), Jorge “Coco” Salinas (percusiones y animación), Igor Longoria López (acordeón) y Alberto Ochoa Salazar (bajo sexto), mas un staff comprometido con el proyecto formado por amistades muy cercanas de los jóvenes músicos.

Le imprimen más que una pasión; un amor muy grande y un júbilo aún mayor por el hecho de tocar su música favorita al lado de

Mayra Godínez/THE PAN AMERICAN

EN EL ESCENARIO - Beto Ochoa, vocalista y bajo sexto del Grupo Venneno, en una de sus presentaciones el viernes pasado en el centro.

Mayra Godínez/THE PAN AMERICAN

PASIÓN - Con apenas siete meses como grupo formal, los integrantes del Grupo Venneno demuestran al público su dedicación al estar en el escenario entregándose al cien por ciento. sus mejores amigos en distintas una carrera musical, que es el sueño locaciones ya sea el valle de Texas de todos nosotros”.

El hecho de compartir un o en la frontera mexicana.

Los “Venneno” como los conocen proyecto con amigos cercanos tiende sus amistades, han encontrado a atraer cosas positivas, promueve en lo que inicialmente fuera una el desempeño laboral, provoca distracción, un camino a metas ganancias en distintos niveles más grandes y a la realización de y sin duda alguna atrae grandes satisfacciones. sueños. “Ahorita “Definitivamente planeamos echarle todas las “Definitivamente cuando cuando me subo al escenario y ganas al proyecto a V e n n e n o ” , me subo al escenario y comenzamos afirmó con su empezamos a tocar, se tocar y la gente se prende y empiezan eterno buen humor, Igor siente una conexión y nos a cantar y bailar comentó Longoria López, damos cuenta que han contigo”, Longoria. “se siente uno de quienes iniciara el valido la pena los ensayos y una conexión que no muchas veces grupo. “Vamos el tiempo dedicado”. puedes sentir, y comenzando y cuando sucede eso, tenemos toda la te das cuenta que han energía puesta en Igor Longoria valido la pena los ello”.

Acordeón, Grupo Venneno ensayos, el tiempo Orgulloso de que le has dedicado los apresurados, y los problemitas que pero firmes pasos que el grupo ha tomado, Longoria, podamos tener como grupo”.

Con respecto a la buena vibra oriundo de la vecina ciudad de Reynosa, recalcó que ya se les han que los jóvenes de Reynosa irradian presentado varias oportunidades para para apoyarse mutuamente a la hora tocar con grupos grandes y cree que de tocar, Longoria, quien también estudia la carrera de español las aprovecharon muy bien.

“La gente ha respondido bien comentó que la verdad es que se gracias a Dios, ahora lo que sigue divierten mucho cuando están es grabar un CD y próximamente tocando y que otra cosa que le gusta estaremos estrenando nuevo álbum mucho es que se llevan muy bien para lanzarnos como grupo”, como grupo, “Nos conocemos desde hace mucho aseguró Longoria que aparte de ser músico, también estudia economía. tiempo, es como si estuviéramos en “Ojalá y la gente lo acepte y sigamos familia” agregó, “yo creo que esto

pasa porque definitivamente estamos haciendo lo que nos gusta”.

Cosas grandiosas apremian el honrado trabajo de aquel que se esfuerza, y no cabe la menor duda que el éxito que esta tocando la puerta de esta “vennenosa” banda de amantes a la música norteña seguirá visitándolos con regularidad para atraerles mas logros y satisfacciones, sin olvidar el buen humor que los caracteriza al tocar y en la vida diaria.

Lo mejor de este jóven, pero creciente proyecto musical, es la emoción, la enjundia y la visión con la que sus integrantes lo están tomando día a día. “Yo tengo grandes expectativas con el grupo, afortunadamente tenemos amistades que nos pueden brindar grandes oportunidades”, comentó Ochoa.

“Para mi éste es un gran sueño y espero seguir tocando toda una vida. Yo creo que todos esperamos tener una carrera larga dentro del medio de la musica y vivir de esto que es lo que nos gusta”.

El talento definitivamente existe y está presente en nuestra comunidad, simplemente se necesitan abrir ojos y oídos al escuchar una melodía de la preferencia y gusto personal y la verdad con un poco de suerte, apoyo y bendiciones esa banda que uno pudiera apoyar en estos momentos ya sea por amistad o gusto, podría ser el siguiente ganador de un “billboard”, un disco de oro o porque no, el cerrador del siguiente HESTEC en la universidad.

30 de septiembre del 2010

ESPAÑOL

Page 13

13 HESTEC logra un excelente comienzo September 30, 2010

Por Yngrid Fuentes The Pan American

HESTEC concluye su noveno año con una semana llena de actividades y oportunidades que promete superar el éxito de años previos.

“Me parece que tenemos el objetivo en la mira, este año ha sido muy exitoso”, dijo Jessica Salinas, directora de eventos universitarios. “Creo que el presidente, los decanos y el vicepresidente están satisfechos con el resultado, me parece que ha sido uno de nuestros mejores años”.

Ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería

y matemáticas son el enfoque de HESTEC, evento organizado por la Universidad de TexasPan Americana, institución reconocida en Estados Unidos por servir principalmente a hispanos, en conjunto con la oficina del congresista Rubén Hinojosa.

Con el objetivo de enfatizar la importancia del conocimiento científico, motivar a estudiantes para que consideren carreras en los campos de ciencia, ingeniería, matemáticas y tecnología (STEM, de acuerdo a las siglas en ingles), y promover la

educación universitaria; HESTEC ofrece seis días de actividades, talleres, conferencias y entretenimiento para estudiantes de UTPA, y la comunidad.

“Primero que nada, queremos dirigirnos al cuerpo estudiantil y a las necesidades de la comunidad”, comentó Dahlia Guerra, decano del colegio de artes y humanidades. “El propósito de HESTEC consiste en responder a la necesidad de tener mas estudiantes involucrados en los campos “STEM”, por lo tanto, estamos motivando a nuestros alumnos y a estudiantes de escuelas públicas para que esten al

Aprillynn Sanchez/THE PAN AMERICAN

LATINA AL MANDO - Durante una de las sesiones del Día de las Latinas, Leslie Lopez, intenta mover un carrito que hizo con papel, popotes, mentas y cinta que solo servía con aire, mientras que Justa Treviño observa.

corriente de las oportunidades y el potencial de esos campos educativos”.

También menciono que quieren motivar a los estudiantes para que asistan a la universidad.

Empezando el lunes 27 de septiembre con el día de educadores, HESTEC atrajo cientos de maestros, administradores y superintendentes a UTPA; ofreciendo mini conferencias, talleres, conferencistas corporativos e investigadores que proporcionaron la oportunidad de pulir el desarrollo profesional de educadores y sus conceptos educativos.

Continuando con el día de liderazgo para estudiantes, el martes 28 de septiembre, HESTEC introdujo a los estudiantes de preparatoria ante las oportunidades profesionales disponibles en los campos de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas a través de talleres dirigidos por hispanos que han tenido éxito como científicos, astronautas, jefes ejecutivos y ganadores del premio Nobel.

Enalteciendo el espíritu hispano, el miércoles 29 de septiembre madres e hijas compartieron experiencias juntas en el día de latinas.

Iniciando el día con Guerra, quien compartió parte de su vida y experiencias, colaborando y participando en actividades.

“Fue divertido, me gusto, aquí es donde quiero estudiar”, dijo Yara Nellly taprendan de ellas sean entrevistados para internados y tengan la posibilidad de ser reclutados para posibles empleos.

Más de 2,000 estudiantes de UTPA y otras universidades de Texas han participado en la Expo carrera.

Buscamos compañías interesadas en el Valle, en nuestra comunidad”, Salinas explicó, “buscamos gente que sienta pasión por el Valle y la

universidad. Lo importante es que la universidad sea vista como el centro de la región, lo importante es lo que UTPA hace por la comunidad”.

Para culminar HESTEC, el 2 de agosto se llevará acabo el día de la comunidad, donde se presentaran grupos y cantantes como Bobby Pulido, Jay Pérez, Marcos Orozco, Norte y Sur, además del famoso Grupo Duelo, empezando a las 4 p.m. y terminando a las 10 p.m.

“Esta vez es todo texano, estamos tratando de enfocarnos en la región y su música, queremos hacer un celebración de música texana”, explicó Salinas.

Aproximadamente 100,000 personas asistieron a HESTEC en el día de la comunidad en el 2008, y se estima una cantidad de personas similar para este año.

Comentando en el éxito de la semana y entretenimiento que proporciona HESTEC, Guerra enfatizó la importancia de las oportunidades que proporciona este evento anual.

“Sí, el día de la comunidad es divertido, pero aún mas importante que ese día, son las oportunidades que traemos, y el hecho de que estamos presentando el Valle a el resto del mundo” comentó Guerra “Esta gente viene de todas partes, patrocinadores corporativos vienen de todo Estados Unidos a UTPA proporcionándonos la oportunidad de demostrar lo que tenemos para ofrecer. Esta ha sido una semana maravillosa para el campus y la universidad, y HESTEC es un programa que va a ser duplicado através del país”.

Para más información acerca de los eventos ofrecidos contacte a Karen Dorado al 665-3361 o a través de correo electrónico a kadorado@utpa.edu.

otro componente importante para el buen funcionamiento de una empresa es la comunicación.

“Saber comunicarse con inversionistas, empleados y demás colegas es base del éxito de cualquier negocio”, comentó Torres, quién además compartió que la clave del liderazgo es saber enfocarse en las necesidades de la compañía y en cómo mejorar. “Si eres un buen líder, todo lo que tienes que hacer es enfocarte en lo que debes mejorar”.

Torkelson añadió que es importante el nunca dudar en las expectativas y las metas propuestas.

“Estar seguro de uno mismo, además de creer firmemente en los proyectos personlaes es una clave más para alcanzar el éxito professional”, dijo Torkelson, quien ha visto sus ideas crecer satisfactoriamente.

Comenzando con una sola escuela en el año de 1998 en la ciudad de Donna, Torkelson contempla que para el año 2012 habrá 22 escuelas

IDEA en el Valle del Sur de Texas.

Ambos expertos en los negocios concluyeron que lo mas importante es llevar a cabo las ideas y luchar siempre por los objetivos planteados. Rodearse de personas con experiencia fue otro consejo de los empresarios, quiénes opinan que contar con consejeros es simplemente esencial.

Los estudiantes del “Valle mágico”, como lo nombró Robert Nelsen, presidente de UTPA, quedaron satisfechos y se mostraron muy interesados durante toda la conferencia.

“Estuvo muy bien porque aprendí cosas nuevas, además de que hablaron de cosas que he visto en el negocio familiar”, dijo Jesús Benítez, estudiante de negocios internacionales en UTPA. Torres y Torkelson aclararon dudas e invitaron a todos los estudiantes a trabajar por el crecimiento del Valle del Río Grande.

Conferencia de empresarios ayuda futuro de estudiantes Por Karen Velázquez The Pan American

Debido a la creciente necesidad de preparar a los estudiantes para un futuro éxito laboral, siendo más que sólo empleados de grandes compañías, el miércoles, el Colegio de Negocios ofreció una conferencia sobre las altas y bajas del mundo empresarial.

El fundador y jefe ejecutivo de las escuelas públicas IDEA, Tom Torkelson, y Alicia Torres, presidenta de Rosebud Solutions, firma de softwares para el cuidado de la salud, alentaron a los estudiantes de la Universidad de Texas-Pan Americana a aventurarse a convertirse en empresarios sobresalientes.

Torres, quién cursó su educación universitaria en UTPA, dijo sentirse muy felíz de estar una vez más en las aulas que un día fueron parte de su crecimiento intelectual y profesional. Confesó estar muy agradecida con la universidad y una manera de demostrarlo es ofreciendo su apoyo económicamente.

“Primero que nada, me siento lo más importante además de haber honrada de estar aquí. El hecho tenido una brillante idea, fue haber de que he sido realizado una exitosa, me investigación de ha permitido mercado, y haber “Me siento honrada de escrito un buen plan regresar ahora a la universidad”, empresarial, seguido estar aquí, no solamente dijo Torres. por encontrar quién le agradezco (a UTPA) ”No solamente invirtiera en el

le agradezco proyecto. brindándole mi tiempo brindándole mi La exitosa si no que quiero ofrecer tiempo, si no que empresaria de quiero ofrecer mi orígen mexicano apoyo financiero para apoyo financiero dijo que el mejor ayudar a los estudiantes para ayudar a consejo que ella los estudiantes podría dar era que está ahora donde yo que están ahora que cada empresa donde yo estuve debe contra con estuve años atrás ”. años atrás”. un consejo de La creación y asesoramiento. “Si el éxito obtenido estas dirigiendo por parte de una compañía, no Alicia Torres pienses que lo sabes la compañía Presidenta de Rosebud Solutions R o s e b u d todo”, expresó.

Solutions, se Por su parte, debió en parte al programa empresarial el portavoz de la frase “¡no que siguieron. Torres compartió que excusas!”, Torkelson, dijo que

14

September 30, 2010

Broncs finish ninth after Kirakossian’s hole-in-one

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American

The week started with Kevin Kirakossian’s hole-in-one for the UTPA men’s golf team at the ORU Shootout Monday in Broken Arrow, Okla., where the Broncs eventually finished ninth of ten teams with a score of 959.

Monday, the Broncs finished the first 36 holes in ninth place with 632 hits. Kirakossian, Brandon Reyna and Nick Wongchindawest led the team in fifth, 28th and 34th respectively.

During Day Two, every Bronc except for Kirakossian and Reyna improved their spot in the rankings, and the team stayed in ninth place.

First-year assistant coach Sean Reeve, who traveled with the team, mentioned that although they started off positively, the accuracy started decaying and a few mistakes affected the overall concentration of the team.

“I think we had moments of balance and at other moments we struggled to get the ball going,” said the McAllen native. “They started with all the confidence and they saw a bad shot here and there and their confidence level went out of the window.”

This is Reeve’s first year as coach after graduating from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, where he was a student-athlete from 2003 to 2005.

Kirakossian said that even though scoring the first ace of his career was exciting, it was hard to carry on after making some errors from which the team had trouble recovering.

“The first day we were doing good, I was playing well,” he said. “On the second day we ran into some problems; the team struggled more than on the first day, we’re going to practice the next couple of weeks because we’re not ready yet.”

The sophomore finished tied in 19th with 227 shots, Reyna trailed tied in 27th with 231 and Wongchindawest tied in 40th with 239. Walker Barret and A.J. Gonzalez ended 58 and 59.

Texas State University won the ORU Shootout with a total of 885 hits and Louisiana Monroe’s Gustaf Kocken captured the individual title with 210 hits.

This was the team’s second tournament of the year; the men competed at the UTA Waterchase Classic Oct. 20 and 21, where they got 19th place.

After a week of practice, the Broncs will head to Huntsville, Texas, for the SHSU Harold Funston Invitational before traveling to San Antonio to compete at the Lone Star INvitational.

“We want to win and make people know that we have a good program and that we’re striving to get better,” Reeve concluded.

Kenyans inject spirit in cross team

By Sara Hernandez The Pan American In 2009, Judith Chumba arrived to UTPA from Kenya to be part of the cross-country team knowing little about the place and the culture of which she would be a part for the next four years.

Today, after Chumba became a key part of the Lady Broncs’ squad as a freshman, juniors Lillian Lagat and Mathew Kotut arrived to strengthen the men’s and women’s team. They are also from Kenya by way of Rend Lake College in Illinois, and both had been top finishers at the Junior College National Meet.

Besides bringing talent to a mostly locally based group, the African athletes have brought a different kind of unity to the Broncs and Lady Broncs.

“The team really opened their arms and has welcomed them, they bring a tremendous positive attitude,” head coach Dave Hartman said. “Lillian is a very vocal and outgoing person and she has brought that vibe to the team. And although Mathew is quiet, his work ethic and determination to be a better runner rub off on his teammates.”

Lagat and Kotut have also provided a sense of familiarity for Chumba, whose struggle to get used to the new culture in America was greater than that experienced by this year’s newcomers because it was the first time she’d been away from home.

The sophomore said that although she has become accustomed to the area, the arrival of her two new friends has helped her feel more at home.

“For me it’s a very good experience,” Chumba said. “I didn’t have anybody from home, so I’m glad they’re here. Having someone to talk in our own languages (Suahili and Kalejin) and talk about home, I don’t miss home as much.”

Chumba is from Eldoret located in Western Kenya while Kotut and Lagat are from different towns in the same country, Timboa and Kitale, in the east.

The east African country has a story of successful long distance runners. Kenya has won 75 Olympic medals since 1956, when they first participated in the summer Olympics; 68 of them have

been in track and field and the other seven in boxing.

The first Kenyan athlete to earn a gold medal was 1,500-meter runner Kipchoge Keino in 1960, who was also the first African winner of a gold medal. In the summer Olympics of Beijing in 2008, Kenya earned 14 medals, all in track and field.

All Kenyan Olympic medalists in the sport have participated in long or middle distance events such as the marathon, the 800-meter run, the 1,500-meter run and the 3,000-meter Alma E. Hernandez/The Pan American steeplechase. loud and clear - Lillian Lagat is one of two new Kenyan additions to the cross country Friday, the three team; head coach Dave Hartman said she’s a vocal motivator for her teammates.

Kenyan were the top rano in 13th. One spot behind Serrano UTPA; for the men UT-Arlington and finishers for the team UTSA followed UTPA with a 49- and at the Islander Splash hosted by Texas came sophomore Frank Garcia.

Hartman mentioned that this year’s 50-point difference each.

A&M Corpus-Christi where the men At last year’s edition of the Islander got second place and the women third. results at the Islander Classic are a The Kenyans enjoy from a team that success in different ways. Although Splash the men finished sixth with 148 has adopted them as leaders, and re- the rainy day made the already tough, points compared to this season’s 46 points, joice in the fortune of having each oth- hilly course more challenging, every and the women got seventh with 212 er to rely on in making UTPA a home athlete that had run the course last year points improving to 77 points this season. improved their time. Both teams beat “It’s a good sign… it’s important to away from home.

“We’re really helping each other, it’s UTSA overall when last week only see good data but our main focus is to do all good together,” said Kotut, a nursing the men had been able to defeat the well later in the season,” Hartman said.

The cross country programs now student. “We’re like brother and sisters.” Roadrunners at the Ricardo Romo/Fiesta Texas Classic in San Antonio. Both prepare for the Chili Pepper Invitateams finished closer to TAMUCC, an tional in Fayetteville, Ark., Oct. 15 beTHE RACE RESULTS fore hosting the Great West Conference Chumba and Lagat led the way area rival and conference foe.

“It was nice to beat UTSA, that was Championships at the end of the month. for the Lady Broncs with fourthFreshman Serrano mentioned that and sixth-place finishes and times of a squad that was far ahead from us last 18:13 and 18:17 in the 3-mile run. year and beat us last (week), that’s a their hopes are high as the upperclassSophomore Hilda Galloso of Edin- great sign of progress,” Hartman said. men have been an example for newburg was another top-20 finisher in “I respect (TAMUCC) as a team and I comers; the unity and chemistry of the 18th followed by Michelle Zamora, think by the end of the season we’ll be team shows in the results so far. up there with them.”

“The team is pretty good, they help also a sophomore, in 26th.

TAMUCC won the event in both us a lot, they communicate with us and Kotut got third place overall with a time of 25:33 in the 5-mile run. The the men’s and the women’s competi- help us telling us how to race,” the Ednext Broncs to cross the finish line were tion. On the women’s side UT-Ar- inburg North graduate said. “I want our Edinburg North exes, senior Omar lington trailed and UTSA got fourth team to win conference and to finish on Doria in ninth and freshman Luis Ser- with 102 points, 25 points behind a good note with regionals.”

WRSC OCTOBER EVENTS EVENT

LOCATION

DATE

TIME

Lunch Express Optional (lunch-hour workout)

Month of October

12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Flag Football All-Star Week

Outdoor fields

Oct. 11-15

Varies

Nik e ReUSE A SHOE (donate your shoes)

Donation Box in Oct 4 - 29 N/A WRSC Lobby

“Super Size Me”

Conference Room

Oct. 8

WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE Six-week program designed to introduce different aspects of wellness to

12:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

elay Certification B The Rock Belay Certification (Part 2)

Oct. 14 Oct. 16

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Group Exercise: Instructor Development Program

Aerobics Studio #2

Oct. 19 - Dec. 2 10 a.m.

Rock of Horror

The Rock

current UTPA faculty/staff including stress management, healthy eating habits and exercise.

Wednesdays Oct. 6 - Nov. 17 12:10 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Administration Board Room 3rd Floor Rm 316

Oct. 28

3 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

New attitude brings new results for volleyball

Page 15

SPORTS

September 30, 2010

By Dionicio “Nune” Rodriguez The Pan American

As you can recall, the start of the season brought mental slip-ups and a season ending injury to starting middle Don’t call it a comeback. Also, blocker Maria Kliefoth that had The don’t look now, but the slow starting Broncs scrambling to readjust. Now, Broncs have caught some steam with thanks to some fine-tuning and a a three-game winning streak and are higher comfort level on the court, we not looking to slow down any in The are starting to see the team that was Great West Conference. expected to fire out of the gates at the The Broncs (3-1 in Great West start of the season.

Conference, 6-15 overall) hit the road “The team played well as a whole this past weekend to do battle against and that is how we won,” fourth year the New Jersey Institute of Technology head Coach Angela Hubbard explained. and Chicago State in which they came “They kept the energy high even when out with dominate victories sweeping we were down 5-11 in the third set both matches. against Chicago State. They stayed The Broncs give credit to a steady, kept the errors to a minimum new outlook on the season as to and fought back to eventually win the why they have turned it around on set and match 25-20.” the court.

It is as if The Broncs have found a “It’s a new attitude, the atmosphere big “reset” button to press and are now is totally different. It’s like we’ve playing in conference the way they found the missing piece to the knew they could have played since the puzzle,” Rita Gonzales the senior beginning of the season. from Phoenix, AZ., exclaimed. “We “We’ve realized that we are now in owe it to ourselves for believing in one conference play and it’s a fresh start,” another and also to our fans that have Ariana Bermea the senior from Laredo, been with us through the worst and admitted. “We’ve had some tough now the best of times.” games in the past but they are all over now.

We have a chance to have success in our conference and Great West Conference we want to do the most we can to win,” Offensive Player Bermea added. of the Week The Broncs have this week off

Marci Logan

Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN

COMING TOGETHER - The Lady Broncs say to have found unity at the beginning of conference play; their record is 2-1 and they have accomplished a three-game winning streak. to get their mind and body right and continue on this winning streak that the home game fans always knew was possible. Juan Landa Jr. a.k.a “Uni,” a loyal Bronc sport’s fan, says he is not surprised that they are turning it on when it counts the most.

“They improved every game, even when they were not winning,”

Landa stated. “Us fans know they needed the support through their tough stretch and that is why we were there to support and cheer them on as much as possible.”

Now riding a tsunami of confidence The Broncs know they need to stay focused and driven through out this week to be ready to step on the court

and handle business. Next week brings a two-game Great West Conference road trip against North Dakota and South Dakota.

“We have this week to work hard in practice and fix flaws in our game,” Bermea noted. “We can’t let the two wins this past weekend get into our head. We have focus on our next game.”

Men’s tennis shows off at Baylor, hopes to attract fans with results

After a solid beginning, Broncs say they will give the UTPA community a reason to support them at home next semester.

By Dionicio “Nune” Rodriguez The Pan American

Judy Chavez/THE PAN AMERICAN

BRAND NEW - Newcomer Ricardo Hopker from Brazil began his career at UTPA winning a doubles match with partner Abdou Riani. He continued to win in the singles Saturday at Waco.

Tennis in The Rio Grande Valley is not exactly the most popular sport; it’s rare to see a full house at one of the Broncs’ home tennis matches at the Orville Cox Tennis Center.

However, this year’s team is doing everything in its power to bring prestige to the program, and net more fans in the process.

Last weekend brought positive results in both singles and doubles performances for the UTPA men at the Baylor Invitational in Waco. With a combined win total of seven, the Broncs flexed a little of that muscle they been training so hard for.

“Since this is the first tournament of the year we did not know what player we were actually playing,” said head coach Chris Taylor. “We just prepared hard and made sure we were ready to play good tennis against whoever it was we might match up against.”

Match up they did. Dominating the doubles matches by goose-egging the competition, the Broncs came out with an impressive 4-0 record for the weekend.

“We knew what it was going to take hope to continue this momentum to to beat them because we’ve been play- fill some of the empty seats at home ing them a long time,” stated Beau matches.

Bernstein, a junior from Sugarland.

“Even if you are not interested in “You have to maintain respect for your the sport you are missing out on some opponents but competitive highalso have conquality tennis,” fidence in your Taylor expressed. game and I think “Our only homewe did both this court advantage is “Our only homecourt that we don’t have weekend.”

Last weekto travel. We need end, the Broncs advantage is that we donʼt The Valley and opened the fall campus communiseason at the have to travel. ” ty to come out and Islander Open, be loud and cheer hosted by Texas on our athletes.”

A&M-Corpus Bernstein Chris Taylor agrees with TayChristi.

FreshTennis head coach men newcomlor, but he thinks ers Victor Alves victories will be from Brazil and the biggest tool in Sebastien Job attracting fans. from Belgium represented UTPA at “I’m confident the fans will be enthis tournament. gaged when they see how competitive Alves made it to the second round the matches really are,” he said. while Job lost his first match. In the The Broncs heads to Tulsa for the doubles, the duet made it to the second ITA All-American Championships round by default. this weekend where they will fight for Conference play will not start till a spot at the ITA Regionals, to be held next spring for the Broncs, but they at College Station Oct. 23-26.

Page 16

the pan american

September 30, 2010