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Volume 88 Special Edition • April 30, 2014
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Grand Opening President Robert Zeigler and Lanny Sinkin, executive director of Solar San Antonio, visit after the unveiling of a mural created by artist Luís López, a Tobin Hills resident, April 22 at William R. Sinkin Eco Centro. In memory of Sinkin, former student and eco-activist who passed away earlier this year, guests wore green bow ties. Neven Jones
Unlikely student succeeds as college president By Bleah B. Patterson
bpatterson13@student.alamo.edu
S
tudents might be surprised to find that Dr. Robert “Bob” Zeigler thinks he wasn’t a good student in high school, that he was never the type to map out his future, nor did he intend to climb the proverbial ladder or dream of being a college president. “I wasn’t a good student,” he said. “I didn’t like school and I didn’t get anything out of it. I liked to fish, read and shoot pool. I guess you could say pool was my sport.” The college president said in an April 23 interview he found his path to success as a student of this college. As he fast approaches retirement by the end of this academic year, he stopped to reflect on his decisions and achievements. “The teachers here are the people who really inspired me to go into education,” he said, explaining he was a business major when he enrolled. “I realized after awhile it wasn’t for me; I was more interested in history and political science.” After attending Alamo Heights High School, he considered himself finished with school, so he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After his service stint, his father asked him to try just one semester. “I believe I had better teachers at SAC than anywhere else through my entire education,” he said. English Professor Arsenne Blondin made a big impression on Zeigler. “She was very interesting and very good,” he said. “She would work you hard, but I came out of high school unprepared.” Zeigler said he didn’t like school. “I just didn’t try,” he said. Blondin made students write and rewrite papers, which helped him to feel better prepared for college. Zeigler also recalled a history professor who inspired him. “Both teachers saw my love for literature, political science and history and helped me cultivate them.” That inspiration and preparation saw him through his bach-
President Robert Zeigler reads a passage from former President Ronald Reagan’s television address Jan. 28, 1986, about the Challenger 7 disaster during a memorial for the crew Jan. 30 in the Challenger Center. The shuttle exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven aboard, including Commander Francis “Dick” Scobee for whom the center is named. Carlos Ferrand elor’s and master’s degrees. He ultimately earned a Ph.D. In 1971, Zeigler returned to this college to join the history faculty. So how effective a teacher did the man who disliked school become? Zeigler laughed and said he likes to think he was a good teacher. “I was demanding, but I don’t think I was rigid,” he said. “I lectured a lot, and we wrote lots of essays — one for every test — but I also had them do a lot of group work and I asked questions.” Zeigler was not expecting the future he faced. “When I came here as a faculty member, I thought I’d spend
my life teaching, then I was elected to Faculty Senate and, eventually, Faculty Senate president.” With the arrival of a new college president in 1993, the thencurrent vice president decided to return to the classroom, and Zeigler was tapped as interim. “I thought it was going to be like a six-month gig, but, no, the opportunities opened up. I applied and got the job.” Through his tenure, Zeigler was present for major changes, technology being the biggest. “When we used to have registration, it would take three days in the gym, and we’d have punch cards. The computers we used took up whole rooms and couldn’t do nearly as much as your iPhone can now.” Zeigler praised the integration of technology into education for the ease it brings to a student’s journey through higher education. “Students can use technology to gain a wealth of knowledge,” he said. “The downside, though, is sometimes we rely on technology so much, we lose sight of the discipline that comes with the drudgery.” He said there is so much information accessible today faculty members are more important than ever to students, helping them discern the valid from the “junk.” “That’s why we need teachers. We can’t just rely on technology,” the one-time college telecourse coordinator said. “People forget that you need to use technology to achieve an end; technology is not the end.” He said in light of recent controversy over e-books replacing physical textbooks, he recognized the importance of technological advance, “but you have to be careful.” “There are benefits, but you have to be willing to deal with the pitfalls, too,” he said. Zeigler said he acknowledges the shifting environment in the
See PRESIDENT, Page 3
Special
2 • www.theranger.org 1959 A.A. in Liberal Arts, San Antonio College (1959-1961)
1959
1962-1965 B.S. in history/government, Honors Graduate and Outstanding Student, Sam Houston State University (19621963); Graduate Teaching Fellow of history, Sam Houston State University (1963-1965); M.A. in American history/government; Honors Graduate Sam Houston State University 1960 El Alamo
1960s
Seal deal The president settles
1965-1967 Weatherford College: Instructor of history; Interdisciplinary Studies Committee, Academic Review Panel, Academic Standards Committee, Student Government sponsor, Curriculum Review Committee Faculty Assembly Implementation Committee (1965-1967); Teaching Fellow of history, Texas Tech University (1967-1971) 1969 “State Rights in Constitutional Law” presentation, Texas Tech Graduate Forum 1970-71 Outstanding Graduate Student, Texas Tech University (1970-1971); “The Cowboy Strike of 1886” presentation, West Texas Historical Association (1970); “Frederick William Maitland,” The West Texas Historian (April 1971); Professor of history, San Antonio College (1971-1986) 1972 Ph.D. in history, Texas Tech University; “The Cowboy Strike: An Analysis,” The West Texas Historical Association
1970s
Yearbook; “The Houston Worker, 1865-1890,” East Texas Historical Journal; “The Houston Worker in the 19th Century” presentation, East Texas Historical Association
1973 Social Science Department Professional Personnel Committee, San Antonio College (1973-1975); “Mountain Men: Romantics or Rogues?” presentation, KSYM Radio
on his conference room to display the displaced college seal. File
1986 Chairperson, Bookstore Committee, San Antonio College (1986-1995); Auxiliary Enterprise Committee, Alamo Community College District (1986-1994); Telecourse Oversight Committee; Alamo Community College District 1980s (1986-1988);
History Department Telecourse Development Committee, San Antonio College (1986-1987); Treasurer, San Antonio Youth Soccer Association (1986-1987); Judge, Speech Tournaments; Trinity University (1986-1988) 1987 Coordinator of Telecourse Programs, San Antonio College (1987-1994); Member, Downtown YMCA Board (1987-1989) 1988
Chairperson, Speakers Bureau, San Antonio College (1974-1978); “Franklin Roosevelt, A Perspective” presentation, KSYM Radio
Member, Alamo Heights High School PTA Board, senior play coordinator, Board of Trustees liaison (1988-1990); “The Alamo Community College District Telecourse Connection” participant, panel discussion, Cable Connections TV Show
1975
1989
“Radicalism and Streetcars” presentation, Texas State Historical Association
Faculty Senate member, San Antonio College (1989-1994); Faculty Senate Faculty Development Committee, San Antonio College (1989-1990); Faculty Senate Policy Committee; San Antonio College (1989-1990); “Telecourses an Alternative” presentation; Cable
1974
1976 “Teaching American History: A Community College Perspective” presentation, South-western Social Sci-ence Association 1977 “The Limits of Power: The Amalgamated Association of Street Employees in Houston, 18971905,” Labor History 1979 President, Alamo Heights-Fort Sam Houston Youth Soccer League (19791986); Coach, Alamo Heights-Fort Sam Houston Youth Soccer League (1979-1986)
85th anniversary gala File 1980-82
History department Professional Personnel Committee, San Antonio College (1980-1982); History department Screening Committee, San Antonio College (1980-1981); “The New Deal, an Overview” presentation, Texas History Forum, San Antonio College (1980); Co-chairperson, Alamo Heights Junior School Fun and Field Day (1981-1982) 1983-86 Judge, Alamo Heights High School Speech Tournament Hospitality Committee (1983-1985); Grant Review Committee, San Antonio College (1985-1986); Registrar, San Antonio Youth Soccer Association (1985-1986)
Connections Teleconference 1990 Faculty. secretary of Faculty Development Committee; San Antonio College (19901991) Mentor, Woodridge Elementary School (1990-1992) 1991 Piper Professor Nominee, San Antonio College (1991-1992); Screening Committee, Chief of the Department of Public Safety, Alamo Community College District; Screening Committee, Director of Human Resources; Alamo Community College District; “The San Antonio College Faculty Senate: Problems and Proposals” presentation, San Antonio College Faculty Development Seminar; Woodridge Elementary School SiteBased Management Committee (19911992); Adjudication Council, Alamo Community College District (19911994); Ad Hoc Committee, Curriculum Review, Alamo Community College District (199-1992); Faculty Senate (chair), San Antonio College (19911993); Tenure Study Committee, Alamo Community College District (19911992)
Pump the circumstance Administrators don regalia to promote graduation. File 1992 Faculty Service Excellence Award, San Antonio College (1992-1993); Partnership Mentoring Committee, San Antonio College (1992-1993); District Faculty Evaluation Committee (chair), Alamo Community College District (1992-1993); Faculty Senate Salary Committee, San Antonio College (1992-1993); “The San Antonio College Faculty Senate, Achievements and Challenges” presentation, San Antonio College Faculty Development Seminar; “The Alamo Community College Board: Issues and Answers” moderator, panel discussion, San Antonio College
1993
1990s
Planning Council, San Antonio College (1993-1999); District MGT Steering Committee (19931994); Presidential Screening Committee, San Antonio College (1993-1994); SelfStudy Institutional Effectiveness Committee, San Antonio College (1993-1996); Community Outreach Council, Alamo Community College District (1993-1994); Alamo Community College District Calendar Committee (chair), Alamo Community College District (1993-Present); Legislative Committee, Texas Community College Teachers Association (1993-1994); Faculty Development Committee, San Antonio College (19931994); District Strategic Planning Committee (co-chair), Alamo Community College District (1993-present); “Report to the Colleges: The MGT Steering Committee” presentations: San Antonio College, St. Philip’s College, and Palo Alto College; “Report to the College, MGT” presentation, San Antonio College 1994
(1995-2001); Screening Committee; Dean of Student Services (chair); San Antonio College (1995-2001); Screening Committee, Dean of Occupational-Technical Education (chair); San Antonio College (1995-2001); “Computer Program for the Disabled: an Exemplary Program” presentation, American Association of Higher Education Convention
1996 Interim president, San Antonio College (1996-1997); Fee Structure Task Force (chair), San Antonio College (1996-1997); Arts and Sciences Council (chair), Alamo Community College District (1996-1997); Chancellor’s Council, Alamo Community College District (1996-1998); Region 20 Leadership Symposia (1996-1998); Edgewood School District member, Advisory Committee for Fine Arts High School (1996-1998) 1997 Executive vice president, San Antonio College (19972002) 1998 “Leadership” presentation, Alamo Community College District Employee Development Day with B. Larson, M. Hyde, R. Flores, and R. Torres 1999 Institutional Effectiveness Steering Committee (chair), San Antonio College (1999-present); “Budget Development: An Overview” presentation, Alamo Community College District Employee Development Day
Interim vice president of academic affairs, San Antonio College (1994-1995); College Academic Council (chair), San Antonio College (1994-present); Calendar Committee (chair), San Antonio College (1994-present); Excellence Award, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, Community College Leadership Program; University of Texas at Austin; Task Force on Faculty Advisement (chair), San Antonio College (1994-1996); Retention Task Force (partnership with Incarnate Word College), Alamo Community College District (1994-1998); San Antonio Urban Systemic Initiative Task Force, San Antonio College (1994-1997) 1995 Vice president; San Antonio College (1995-1996); Technology Committee (chair); San Antonio College
On air
Hot Mustard of KSYM morning show, “The Sauce,” taps the president for weekly updates on the college. File
Lighten up At The Ranger’s request, the president and police conduct a safety and lighting survey. File
Edition
April 30, 2014 • 3
with Betty Larson, Margaret Hyde, and David Mrizek (1999, 2000, 2001) 2000 “San Antonio College: An Overview” presentation, San Antonio Founder Lions Club; “Alamo Community College District Strategic Plan” presentation, Alamo Community College District Board of Trustees 2001 Outstanding Leadership Award, Texas Community College Instructional Administrators Association; Executive Committee, San Antonio Education Partnership (2001-present); Member, Howard Early Childhood Center, Site-Based Committee (2001-2005); “Essentials of Leadership” presentation, Texas Community College Instructional Administrators Association
Memorial The college halts to remember the lives lost in the Challenger. File We shall overcome Zeigler leads a delegation in the MLK march. File
2002 President, San Antonio College (2002-present); Member, Rotary Club of San Antonio (2002-present); Member, treasurer, president, Higher Education Council of San Antonio (2002-present)
2000s
2006
2009
“It’s All About Learning, Implementing and Evaluating a QEP for Faculty Development,” presented at the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools annual meeting with J. Rosenauer, B. McCombs and C. Price (December)
Honoree of the Year, Sembradores of San Antonio Educational Foundation; “It’s All About Learning, A Comprehensive Professional Development Institute,” presented at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development with J. Rosenauer (May)
2007 2003 Acting chancellor, Alamo Community College District (February); Ford Salute to Education honoree; Yellow Rose of Texas Education Award
Education Award, La Prensa Education Foundation; “It’s All About Learning, Assessment of a QEP for Faculty Development,” presented at the eighth Texas A&M University Conference with J. Rosenauer and S. Espinoza (February)
2010-12 Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, Phi Theta Kappa (2010); Alamo Colleges Department Structure Committee, Alamo Colleges (2011); Alamo Colleges Faculty Compensation Committee, Alamo Colleges (2011); Texas Phi Theta Kappa Hall of Fame (2012)
Kickin’ back
College administrators and faculty enjoy a relaxing evening of comaraderie at SAC Night at The Cove. File
PRESIDENT from Page 1
exchange with area nightclubs. Alamo Colleges. “It’s becoming more district and He was often at odds with Tobin Hill neighmore centralized.” bors over college parking and expansion of the He said he sees the benefits: “As colleges, campus, but he kept a vision of a “real college we’re able to bounce ideas off of one another campus” on track while maintaining lines of and see how other people are doing things.” communication. He worries, though, because each college When Zeigler was a student here in the early has a unique culture and personality, his college years at the current location, the college was a in particular. “There’s nothing wrong with being few buildings nestled along San Pedro Avenue different, and SAC is different from the other and the rest of today’s campus was still a thrivcolleges, just like they’re different from each ing neighborhood crisscrossed with streets lined other,” he said. with bustling family homes. “I just don’t want SAC The striking change since to lose its culture. We’ve those days is probably a factor There’s nothing always acknowledged the in his attention to the smallest wrong with being importance of the prodetails of this facility, as in askgrams we offer that othing groundskeepers to keep the different ... I just ers don’t. We have a strong flower beds fresh and blooming don’t want SAC to Student Government, a year-round and leading a charge lose its culture. strong and independent to ban smoking on campus. Dr. Robert Zeigler student newspaper, and Dr. Jessica Howard, who President strong radio-televisionserved as his vice president for broadcasting, art and four years, said Zeigler’s leadermusic programs.” ship was the kind that leaves an impression on The relative strength of programs relies on everyone he works with. internal and external factors, and Zeigler has “He pushed me to be a better leader,” Howard always made sure students knew they had his said. support, meeting regularly with SGA, guesting Today, she is president of the southeast camweekly on KSYM’s morning show, “The Sauce,” pus of Portland Community College in Oregon. and responding to the never-ending questions “Sometimes, I channel him, even today in my from reporting students at The Ranger. own presidency. He has a firm hand and is never Meanwhile in private, Zeigler was buffeted rattled by the constantly changing atmosphere with a barrage of complaints from those unhapof a community college.” py with their appearances in The Ranger. She punctuates the thought. “I would do anyHe politely explained how an independent thing for Dr. Zeigler.” newspaper functions to defuse those situations The president’s last semester has been while steadfastly defending the newspaper’s busy with controversy over district initiatives constitutional right to freedom of the press. to change the core curriculum by removing a Zeigler said being a college president has humanities course in favor of a second student been fun, and seeing the differences his team development requirement. has made and progress this college has been Other items in contention included initiaable to achieve has been rewarding. tives to standardize textbooks in courses across Among his victories is providing an appropri- the five colleges, to switch from textbooks to ate home to the Challenger Center and remodel- e-books, and to roll the cost of instructional ing and upgrading the Scobee Education Center’s materials like books into students’ registration planetarium, where Commander Francis “Dick” bills, thereby eliminating any chance of disScobee may have first dreamed of becoming an counted texts. astronaut. Dr. Jacqueline Claunch, president of Other achievements include neighborhood Northwest Vista College, who also elected to projects, such as Sinkin Eco Centro and Tobin retire this year, made her announcement to Lofts, along with engineering a win-win parking trustees hours after a contentious meeting with
’’
Post pizza Students crowd in to ask questions of the president at one of his regular forums. File the chancellor over her faculty’s opposition to the core change and the manner in which it was executed. The announcement of Zeigler’s retirement came at spring convocation. The board approved a retirement incentive for college presidents in 2013 that required retirements be announced by July 1, 2014. Of the four presidents eligible for retirement, two have already departed, and this summer sees the exit of the two remaining. With these retirements, the district loses all the presidents the chancellor found when he arrived in 2006. The college chief executives regularly found cause to oppose the chancellor’s attempts at combining services across the colleges, most significantly, his suggestion that perhaps Northeast Lakeview College’s trouble attaining accreditation could be neutralized by simply turning the five-college district into a five-campus college. That move would have threatened St. Philip’s College’s twin designations as an Historically Black College and Hispanic-Serving Institution. This college and Palo Alto also carry the Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. Zeigler said his leaving had absolutely nothing to do with the spring’s conflicts. “I was just telling someone yesterday that I wished I were staying,” he laughed. He went on to say that he loves a challenge, and that these controversies pose a challenge he would love to take on. Instead, he’ll leave that to
a new president. “I want to leave while I still love it,” he said. “I’ll have more time with my family and more time to visit my children. I don’t want to work forever.” Zeigler explained that his wife retired three years ago, and he’s ready to join her. Son Todd owns a public relations firm in Washington, D.C., and his daughter, Sara, is dean of a college in Kentucky. He’s excited about more time to spend with them. An unexpected relationship also gives the president more reason to open up his schedule. Two years ago, he and is wife were approached by long-time family friends expecting a baby. With no living parents, the couple honored the Zeiglers by asking them to step in as their child’s grandparents. They accepted, so the Zeiglers plan to spend more time with Greta as she grows up. “Some of my retired friends said to me I’d know when it was time,” he said. “And it’s true; my time came.” Along with more family time, Zeigler said he wants to stay involved professionally by joining some boards that promote and support education. He declined to identify any organizations but said he’s excited to have the chance to continue serving the community in a way that’s less demanding of his time. He’d like more time for reading, fishing and playing with 4-month-old Maggie, his yellow lab puppy.
Editorial
4 • April 30, 2014
www.theranger.org/editorial
Alexandra Nelipa
Giddy up, Dr. Z! .org
the
ranger Editor Mandy Derfler Managing Editor Katherine Garcia News Editor Cassandra Rodriguez Premiere Editor Adriana Ruiz Opinion Editor Bleah B. Patterson Social Media Editor T.L. Hupfer Web Editor Carlos Ferrand Web News Editor Neven Jones
Photographers Daniel Carde, Riley Stephens Illustrator Alexandra Nelipa Production Assistant M.J. Callahan
This special edition of The Ranger is paid for by the San Antonio College Office of Public Relations. ©2014 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger. org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sacranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210-486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.
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hat does a man who sacrificed so much for continue to log onto theranger.org. this college do for himself in retirement? He can keep up with the “progress” of EDUC That is the question Dr. Robert Zeigler will 1300 and other initiatives. face soon. HSimplify our favorite recipe. As Zeigler creates a new — and less taxing — On occasion, members of College Council to-do list, The Ranger would like to offer a few were treated to Zeigler’s homemade rum cake. suggestions for building an effective and sucWithout the damper of surveillance cameras cessful retirement. everywhere, skip the cake and let the rum flow. HGo fishing. But remember, drink responsibly. As president, Zeigler was HGo shopping. required to attend board of We’ve all seen hints of trustees meetings, so sitthe president’s colorful ting still for long periods side. waiting for something to Now that his afternoon happen will not be a new schedule has been cleared, experience for him. it’s a perfect time to visit HHave pizza with the the mall. president. Grab a Cinnabon and Twice each year, stubrowse the sock aisles of dents were bribed with a your favorite menswear slice of pizza to question departments. the president directly on HGo abroad. any topic. Dr. Jacqueline Claunch of Northwest Vista, Dr. Patricia With all his newly freed With no more students to Candia of St. Philip’s, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzmán of Palo Alto time, Zeigler should travel answer to, it’s Zeigler’s turn College and Dr. Robert Zeigler of San Antonio College at a beyond our borders to see for pizza with the president board meeting Dec. 12, 2003. File what the world has to offer. of his home enterprise, And who knows, in some Mary Zeigler. exotic destination like Spain, China or Saudi We bet she’ll pick the topic, though. Arabia, he might run across Alamo Colleges HRead a good book. trustees. Keep running. After years of countless repetitive reports, Of all the choices Zeigler has once he retires, enervating emails and officially documented the first thing ought to be reflecting on his detritus, Zeigler can read purely for enjoyment. accomplishments, service and stalwart leaderIf the good doctor likes edge-of-your-seat ship at this college. thrillers, murder mysteries, unpredictable charThank you, Mr. President, and may you live acters and tales of the heroic underdog, he can happily ever after.