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Volume 90 Issue 7 • Oct. 26, 2015
Yvonne Katz, District 7 trustee and non-committee member, explains how having small tuition increases over the years could have been a better option instead of a single 5 percent increase during the Oct. 20 meeting of the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee. Cynthia M. Herrera
Tuition increase forwarded to board Employees expected to receive one-time bonus.
Stand together
The Non-traditional Students Club members, together with students and faculty, hang up T-shirts Oct. 21 on the second floor of Loftin in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month after marching from the Empowerment Center to Loftin. Club president Katherine Alexander described her personal experiences and then led the crowd outside to release purple balloons in remembrance of victims lost to domestic violence. Danielle Kelly
Discussion regarding degrees coming to a close Regular board meeting Tuesday is open to faculty, students and community. By Melissa Luna
mluna132@student.alamo.edu
The board will decide the fate of the policy to remove designations from the associate of arts and associate of sciences degrees Tuesday during a regular board meeting at Killen Center. Policy E.1.3, which includes a “premajor designation (that) provides students with the greatest flexibility to customize their course schedule and program to meet both their academic interest areas and the specific requirements of their intended transfer institution,” would take effect spring 2016. “The biggest benefits for students are to save time and money and maximizing the amount of transfer hours,” Jo-Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor for academic success, said Tuesday at the Student Success Committee meeting at Killen Center. As part of the reaffirmation process, this college told the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges that students will be awarded degrees for transfer
rather than discipline-specific. Each advising guide will include a block of coursework providing students with skills needed for the workforce and also satisfy freshmen and sophomore requirements at a university. “We want students to gain marketable skills that are needed in the workforce,” Fabianke said in an Oct. 1 phone interview. “This is how we will teach students what employers want them to know.” Academic leaders will meet with employers in the community to figure out what marketable skills they look for in an entry-level applicant. Fabianke explained faculty would cross course competencies with sought out marketable skills, such as problem-solving and group communication, into classes and ensure those classes get into the advising guides. Using AlamoInstitutes and the new advising system, the goal is to create a direct pathway for students to complete a transfer program without taking extra courses. Incoming freshmen will meet with an adviser, choose an institute and pick a transfer plan for the university they intend to transfer to. Students will choose from six insti-
tutes: creative and communication arts, health and biosciences, advanced manufacturing and logistics, public service, business and entrepreneurship, and science and technology. The student is expected to follow the guide to university to ensure all hours count toward a bachelor’s degree. In the event students want to change majors, the adviser’s goal is to keep the student within their already chosen institute. If students don’t know what pathway they want, they will follow a generic plan until almost 30 hours are completed. Then a decision must be made. The transfer curriculum is similar to the core curriculum, but the student focuses on completing a baccalaureate degree and gaining marketable skills instead of just an associate degree. “It’s the same system we’re doing now, but we’re implementing it differently,” Fabianke said. “This is a way for faculty and Alamo Colleges to work directly with universities and their faculty.” Faculty Senate has been in discussion and debate since April 2014 when the college presidents and vice chancellors committee decided not to offer diplomas with specified majors.
District checks McCreless Hall air quality Two removed from offices following health complaints. By Richard Montemayor
rmontemayor15@student.alamo.edu
In September, one faculty member and one staff member reported feeling sick from being in their offices in McCreless Hall. Roy Brown, district and risk manager, tested the air quality and mold levels Oct. 12-16. Brown said he is working on the root cause of the problem in McCreless. Math Professor Hoan Duong said he was relocated from his office in Room 118 into Room 316 because of air quality and an unidentified black substance. “I’ve noticed it for a couple years, but I didn’t report it. There’s some, like black mold, or dirt dropping from the
air ventilation,” Duong said. Duong said he would sometimes come in over the weekend and find his desk covered with the substance. It started to smell bad and Duong started to have problems breathing while he was in his office; he finally had enough and contacted Brown, he said. “He came by so I took him to my office. He said yes, that the air smelled bad and that he was going to have an air sample collected and give me a personal report,” Duong said. David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said the report will arrive this week. Duong is not the only one feeling ill from being in his office. Computer support technician Frank Marcie has
reported the same issue with his office. “I emailed Roy Brown to see if he could come out and do an air quality sample on my old office,” Marcie said. Marcie said he doesn’t know if Brown checked his old office in Room 124G, but he believes the root of the problem was the flooding of the basement two years ago. During Labor Day weekend 2013, the basement of McCreless Hall was flooded in a “freak thunderstorm,” John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, said. The building was closed for the summer but reopened for fall classes. Marcie said he would feel sick when he would go in his office but loves his new office in Room 136A.
By Cynthia M. Herrera
cherrera151@student.alamo.edu
A 5 percent increase starting in the spring and a one-time employee bonus were sent to the full board for consideration after Tuesday’s executive session during the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee meeting Tuesday. The October regular monthly board meeting is 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at Killen Center. Proposed tuition increases would take effect spring 2016 and are expected to cost students an additional $3.50 per credit hour or $42 for 12 hours. This applies to in-district and out-of-district students. The last tuition increase was fall 2012 with a 3 percent increase, bringing it to the current rate of $480 per credit hour. To date there has been a $3.7 million investment in 45 advisers and an additional $1 million to be spent on software for advisers. This anticipated increase of $1.3 million changes the total operating budget from $328.4 million, which was approved in July to $332.1 million. Revenue is expected to be $2.4 million, which would be used toward providing every student with an adviser. An additional estimated $1.7 million would be spent for 20 new advisers and office space in 2017. Diane Synder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said the Alamo Colleges are currently $8 per credit hour under the state average for community colleges. Of 50 community colleges across the U.S., Alamo Colleges had the 35th lowest for in-district tuition in spring 2015. Alamo Colleges also comes in second for highest out-of-district tuition and non-Texas and international students in spring 2015. According to the PowerPoint,
taxes are main sources of funding for community colleges, while tuition, state appropriations and benefits have decreased. District 7 trustee Yvonne Katz said the district should have increased tuition at a smaller rate every year so it wouldn’t be so much all at once. Katz mentioned she did this while she was superintendent of Harlandale Independent School District. “Every year, we looked at going up on our taxes, every single year 2.999 percent, 2.999 percent, it’s a little bitty amount,” Katz said. “I sat on another board of directors at a university, a private university, and we go up on tuition just a little bitty bit every year ... It’s when you don’t go up a bit that you get to this point where you have to say ‘a big 3 percent or a big 5 percent’ … we need to adjust our thinking over the next few years.” District 4 trustee Joe Alderete told Snyder he would have liked to see more budgetary options. “It’s your responsibility, as a CFO, to come to us with a variety of budget plans and budget offers,” he said. Employee bonuses under consideration cost an estimated $2.5 million, $400 for full-time faculty and $200 for part-time and would be received in December. Bonuses were proposed to the committee to recognize employee work in increasing student graduates to 35 percent. District 8 trustee Clint Kingsbery wanted to make clear the tuition increase was not to fund bonuses nor does he want to see it occur year after year because they are unable to raise funds. “I’m not opposed to giving our employees a bonus, but I don’t want to see it as a trend … I want to make sure that it’s clear that the bonus is not why the proposal for the tuition is there,” he said.
Proposed tuition increases (In-district)
Semester hours
Proposed rate
Current rate
Increase
1-6 9 12
$504 $691 $873
$480 $658 $831
$24 $33 $42
SAConnected
2 • Oct. 26, 2015
www.theranger.org/calendar
Hip-hop Biology freshman Micaela Mercado rehearses a routine with Dance Performance 1 and 2 classmates Oct. 20 for SACtacular. They will perform a Works in Progress 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in McAllister. The recital will be $5 and proceeds will fund the dance program and dance scholarships. E. David Guel
Piano practice
Nursing sophomore Matt Klein receives help from Piano 1
Professor Madalyn Blanchett during class Oct. 20 in the music annex. After warming up with multiple scales, the students individually played a piece from the “Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook” for Blanchett to critique. Klein said he is taking the class for fun. Danielle Kelly
A DeLorean replica sits out front for fans to pose with at the midnight release of the new “Back to the Future” comic series at Heroes & Fantasies Oct. 20. In the store, prizes were given out and artist Ninjalnk, Tim Lim, signed copies of the newly purchased comic. See story online. Danielle Kelly
today tues SAC Event: Get Your Flu Shot 10 a.m-2 p.m. in mall. $30. Pre-register at www.healthyUexpress.com. Call 210-4860127. PAC Event: Generations FCU: Managing Your Money 11 a.m.-noon Room 130 of student center. Call 210-4863880. SAC Meeting: Hammock Club 12:15-1 p.m. and 9:3010:30 a.m. Thursday at picnic tables by Candler. 210-3106859. NVC Event: State Sen. Jose Menendez 12:30-1:45 p.m. in Palmetto Performing Arts Center. Call 210-486-4812. SAC Meeting: Campus Activities Board 2 p.m. employee lounge in Loftin. Call 210589-3845. NLC Basketball: Men vs. Palo Alto 8 p.m. wellness gym. Call 210-486-5404.
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NVC Event: Psychology Day 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Cypress Patio. Call 210-486-4682.
NLC Event: Halloween event with pumpkin carving and costume contest 11 a.m.-2 p.m. STCM mall. Call 210-4865404.
SAC Lecture: Carlos Cosín Fernández, chairman and CEO of Abengoa Water, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Sinkin EcoCentro. Call 210-486-1825. PAC Event: Wayland Baptist University recruiters 10 a.m.-noon student center. Call 210-4863131. SAC Meeting: NonTraditional Student Club 12:30-1:30 p.m. Empowerment Center. Call 210-815-4014. SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club 1:30 p.m. Room 203 of Gonzales. Call 210486-1436. SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for Christ 1:45-2:45 p.m. Room 002 of Chance. Call 210-486-1233. SAC Event: Super Smash Bros. WIIU tournament 2-6 p.m. Fiesta Room in Loftin. Entry fee is $3 and prize for top 3 winners. Call 210-4860125. ACCD Meeting: Board of trustees regular board 6 p.m. in Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan. Call 210-485-0030.
ture freshman Cesar Compean and dance sophomore Alondra Limon to kill some free time between classes Monday west of chemistry and geology. Kyle R. Cotton
SAC Event: Scare Fair 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in mall. Call 210-290-0865.
Juan Carlos Campos
SAC Event: Blood Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in mall. Call 210731-5555.
wed
Kickin’ it Criminal justice freshman Francisco Guerro kicks a soccer ball around with architec-
Campus Closed: Employee Development Day. No day classes. Evening classes will resume at 5 p.m.
SAC Event: Halloween costume contest noon Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-4860125. PAC Event: “Latina Ar tists Speak: Exploring Who We Are” film and panel discussion with Dr. Ellen Riojas-Clark, Adriana Garcia and Daniel Gonzalez noon-1:15 p.m. Ozuna Library. Call 210-486-3557.
Event: “Pope Francis’s Environmental Encyclical: The View From America” 7-9 p.m. Conference Room A University Center 36th St. near Culebra. Call 210-436-3327.
SAC Meeting: Social Work Student Association 1-2 p.m. employee lounge of Loftin. Call 210-309-1545.
SAC Basketball: Men’s vs. Palo Alto 8 p.m. Palo Alto Gym. Call 210-486-0125.
NVC Event: HalloVista Halloween party 4 p.m Live Oak. Two haunted houses, “Ghostbusters” movie and fireworks. Call 210-486-4689.
SAC Basketball: Women’s vs. Palo Alto 6 p.m. SAC gym 1. $1 for students $2 for nonstudents. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Event: Open mic coffee night with Halloween theme and costume contest 6-9 p.m. Loftin. Call 210-486-1436. PAC Volleyball: Women’s vs. St. Philip’s College 7 p.m. Gym. Call 210-486-3805.
fri
sat
PAC Event: Texas A&M University-San Antonio recruiters 9 a.m.-noon student center. Call 210-486-3131.
Event: StepOut: WALK to Stop Diabetes 7 a.m. Mission County Park, 6030 Padre. $5 donation minimum. Call 210281-1878.
PAC Event: Ray Ellison family center mini fall fest 10 a.m.12:30 p.m. Ray Ellison family center. Call 210-486-3500. SPC Event: 3rd annual Monster Tech Fest 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 210-486-7112. PAC Event: Paloween with a costume contest 11 a.m.-1 p.m. student center annex. Call 210-486-3125. SAC Meeting: Asian Pop Society 2-5 p.m. Craft Room of Loftin. Call 210-452-6185. Event: Annual Fall Festival 5-9 p.m. East Terrell Hills Elementary, 4415 Bloomdale. Call 210-407-2800. SPC Event: 2015 Homecoming “Blue and White Masquerade Ball” 6-11 p.m. third floor of Sutton Learning Center. Call 210-486-2887. Event: E.T. film, trick-ortreat on grounds and dance party 5:30-10 p.m. McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels. Call 210-824-5368. Event: “Night of the Living Dead” film 6-9 p.m. Villa Finale, 401 King William. Call 210-223-9800.
Event: Hocus Pocus 5k and Trick-or-Treat Trot 9-11 a.m. Valero Headquarters, 1 Valero Way. Prizes for first, second and third-place winners. Register at www.carreraraces. c o m / H o c u s Po c u s R a c e r s . asp?ID=1271. Call 210-7649900 Event: Voices from the Grave: A Historic Cemetery Tour 11:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and noon City Cemetery, 517 Paso Hondo. $15 per ticket. Call 210-638-1338.
sun
Daylight saving time: Set your clock back one hour at 2 a.m. Event: Trinity symphonic wind ensemble concert 3-5 p.m. Ruth Taylor Recital Hall. Call 210999-7011. Event: Dia de los Muertos festivities with Los Olvidados 3-9 p.m. Rinconcito de Esperanza, 816 S. Colorado. Call 210-228-0201.
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SAC Transfer: Transfer Fair 9 a.m.-noon Fiesta Room in Loftin. Call 210-486-1500. PAC Event: Generations FCU: Building Credit 11 a.m.noon Room 130 in student center. Call 210-486-3880. SAC Meeting: Student Government Association noon1 p.m. craft room in Loftin. Call 210-496-0125. SAC Event: Onsite flu shots 9 a.m.-noon Room 218 nursing. Call 210-485-0191. Event: 8th Annual Dia de los Muertos fireworks celebration 6-9 p.m. Woodlawn Lake Park 1103 Cincinnati Ave. Call 210859-0665. Event: Urban-15 Carnaval de Muertos 7 p.m. Centro Cultural Aztlan, 1800 Fredricksburg Rd. Call 210-7361500.
File art
Blast from the future
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For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance. Visit theranger.org for more upcoming events.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Oct. 26, 2015 • 3
New cafeteria provider spikes food choices, prices Students prefer former food service company. By Cynthia M. Herrera
cherrera151@student.alamo.edu
Lancer Hospitality not only brought new food choices to the colleges but higher prices as well, causing concerns for students across this campus. The company started its threeyear contract with the Alamo Colleges Aug. 24 after the board of trustees approval July 28. They are headquartered in Minnesota and have 30 years of hospitality management experience. They specialize in dining services, catering, vending services to clients such as amusement parks, corporations and schools. A minute order provided during the July 28 regular board meeting states Lancer was chosen because it would provide affordable pricing; however, prices for menu items are higher than the previously contracted company, Selrico Services. Selrico was contracted with the Alamo Colleges for eight years. Engineering sophomore Rick De
La Garza noticed a difference in the size of pizza slices. “I thought it was pricey before. Now I really don’t want to buy anything,” De La Garza said, while eating pizza he brought from home. “I thought the food was better last semester. The pizza slices were a lot bigger for the same price they are now.” Pizza is $2.69 per slice. Sandwiches average $5.49 and $2.49 extra for chips or fruit with a small soda or half liter of bottled water. Selrico priced sandwiches at $4.59. Architecture freshman Ryan Norris said he enjoys the food served. The employees, some of whom were also employed by Selrico, are nice, he said. “I enjoy coming here. They’re really friendly,” he said “They give you what you want.” Gary O’Bar, director for purchasing and contract administration, said there are many reasons prices are different from the previous contractor. “We went out and surveyed the students and found out what they would pay for breakfast lunch and dinner. So we priced that accordingly.
Biology sophomore Gracie Rivera buys lunch Oct. 21 in the cafeteria of Loftin. A new contract says prices are affordable, but not all students agree. Derrick Patron We didn’t want to get a $10 hamburger if they were only willing to pay three bucks, so we accomplished that,” O’Bar said. “Why those prices are higher than Selrico, it could be a thousand different reasons. “They may have more labor working on the project,” he said. Nursing sophomore Alexis Lezama said she preferred Selrico’s services, but prices are about the same elsewhere. “It was healthier last semester, as far as the sandwiches,” Lezama said. “Most places off campus are probably the same price. I prefer last semester; they had more options.”
O’Bar said Lancer has a different strategy of handling its business. “We didn’t have the same business requirements as we did for Selrico. Why was Selrico selling things cheaper, I don’t know. Maybe that was a part of their marketing strategy, but I’ll tell you one thing, they don’t have the demands that Lancer has going forward,” he said. “What we try to do, of course, you know, the Alamo Way, always inspire, always improve, is the improvement part. We try to get a better product, a better service for our client, who is you, the student.” O’Bar also said Lancer employees receive benefits, which could be another factor for higher prices. He said the Alamo Colleges requires Lancer to be opened longer hours along with a wide selection of food. This college’s cafeteria is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and meals are available 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Selrico carried Coca-Cola products; Lancer carries Pepsi. Lancer sells 16-ounce fountain drinks at $1.59, a 24-ounce at $1.89 and a 32-ounce. at $2.35. However,
Selrico priced a 24-ounce soda at $1.39 and a 32-ounce at $1.69. O’Bar said another reason the Alamo Colleges chose Lancer over Selrico was because students were tired of old, stale food. “The students were fed up with Selrico’s product line. They were fed up with their offering. They were fed up with old, stale food. Cold food (and) food not available. So all of that has a bearing on the cost of the ownership for that company and then it’s reflected in the retail,” O’Bar said. Pete Viring, regional director of operations, said, “We’re very excited to be there, and one of the great things about our company is we don’t necessarily stay static. We listen to our customers’ needs and wants and try to react to it as quickly as possible and keep people happy. Our customers are the most important thing to our business. Without them we wouldn’t have one.” He said prices across the campuses are cheaper than other colleges they are contracted with and are working with the Alamo Colleges to adjust them.
Vice president goes the distance against cancer David Mrizek’s lymphoma officially in remission as of Oct. 12. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
After beating a 2007 diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma, David Mrizek worried about a potential relapse. In May a relapse happened, and he was once again diagnosed with the cancer and underwent treatment. On Oct. 12, his doctor told Mrizek he was in remission. Mrizek has been working on a part-time basis since his diagnosis, scrambling to do whatever he can while in the office. “The thing that has helped me is my team, and the people I work with have been able to pick up the stuff I haven’t been able to do,” Mrizek said. “Fundamentally, I’ve tried to stay on top of things as much as possible, but as with any illness of that type, it takes its toll. You end up getting chemo, anti-bacterial drugs of
various types, and end up in the hospital twice.” “It kind of saps your strength,” he said. “I’ve gone 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali, so I’m not going to be popping back up as if nothing happened.” Mrizek said his most recent hospital stay earlier this month was for other issues. When he was discharged, he went home for a week. “I’ve been at home simply because being in the hospital is not restful,” Mrizek said. “So you have to take time to recover from that.” Mrizek said it’s a step-by-step process for him getting back as he slowly increases his workload. “My process right now is to slowly work my way back into working full-time,” he said. Mrizek noted how much help President Robert Vela was during this difficult time. “One of the things I’m trying to do is make sure David gets the rest that he needs,” he said. “We’re all kind of hardwired in a way that we can’t really disengage. Whether it’s at the hos-
pital or at home, he is kind of wanting to be in the middle of it. “So one of the things that I have said is ‘David let me carry some of that, let me carry the construction projects and let me do those things, so that you can rest and take your time getting back, so you don’t push so much that you can’t get well because you’re not resting,’” Vela said. Vela took over some construction projects and is ready to hire part-time construction managers if needed. “One of the things I said to David was, ‘You need to be my offensive coordinator in the press box. You don’t need to be physically here, but I need you connected so that you are aware of what’s happening,’” Vela said. “All this takes time. He can’t rush back because you don’t give your body time in order to cure itself,” Vela said. “So he knows that if all he can give is two hours, and that’s up to him, he can put in two hours and go home and we pick up whatever he needs to do.” Vela said administration’s involvement in decision-mak-
David Mrizek, vice president of college services, is back in his office Monday after his doctor said Oct. 12 there were no traces left of his mantle cell lymphoma. Kyle R. Cotton ing helped Mrizek pick up some slack. “We’re all stepping up for him, just to be there for him because he’s going through a difficult time, and we would do that for anybody to pull together to make it work,” Vela said.
Fletcher remodel for vice presidents estimated at $1.5 million Completion is set for the end of the month. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
Since April 27, the third floor of Fletcher Administration Center has been going through renovations to accommodate an additional vice president at this college. After former President Robert Zeigler retired in spring 2014, Dr. Robert Vela split the responsibilities of two vice presidents among three positions: vice presidents of student success, academic success and college services. David Mrizek, vice president of college services, estimates $1.5 million as the total cost of Fletcher’s renovation, with most coming from the last fiscal year’s savings. “We were able to identify dollars that weren’t spent in labor because of the enrollment decrease that we had,” he said. Mrizek estimated $250,000 of the $1.5 million came from
this year’s budget. Usually what isn’t used in a given fiscal year returns to district; however, Mrizek said the college was able to use last year’s budget by taking action with what was left. “The money was not earmarked from the beginning, but as we moved forward through the year, it was obvious that there were dollars that would be made available,” Mrizek said. “In other words, we efficiently used our budget as efficiently as we possibly could.” Mrizek said this includes architectural, demolition, construction work, system furniture, complete rewiring of the building and dealing with asbestos left from Fletcher’s construction in 1972. Mrizek said Fletcher’s construction should be done before the end of the month. “The key is that you have a
good team that has worked together for a number of years, and based on that — not being a contractor — you have to assume what they are doing is appropriate and being done well. “Delays are not uncommon, especially in renovation work, because you’ll take down a ceiling, and you’ll find stuff that you didn’t know was there,” Mrizek said. “This is the first time that (roof) area has been touched since the building was built, so things like asbestos have to be removed; you don’t know how much there is until you take it,” Mrizek said. “It was interesting when we took down the ceiling in the hallway. It looked like a rat’s nest up there of wires, so they had to figure out where they were all going, which ones were dead, which ones were live, bundle them together, or else you’re not going to pass electrical inspection.
“You end up with unanticipated things that have to be done that inevitably stretches the project a little bit,” Mrizek said. “We were looking at trying to get everyone back by the middle of September, but it just didn’t work.” Despite how old the other buildings are on campus and asbestos being cleared out, Mrizek said there were no plans to remove it from other buildings. “If you don’t touch it, it’s not an issue. When you touch it is when it allows it to become dust in the air; if you don’t touch it, there are no worries,” Mrizek said. “Same thing when you’re doing tile all over the campus. Whenever you do old buildings, when you take up the tile, there is asbestos in it because that’s what was used back then. “There’s probably buildings still that have asbestos in them, but it’s not dangerous until you
start mucking around in there,” he said. The renovation was necessary to accommodate the new organizational structure of the vice presidents, Mrizek said. “When Dr. Zeigler retired and Dr. Vela took over, it was already apparent that it was not to the college’s advantage to have a single vice president handling both arts and sciences and student services,” Mrizek said, highlighting the back and forth nature of the job between this college and district. “When that decision was made, we found ourselves one office short, so the question was who do we put in the office where the vice president sat before and the decision was that we really should have the vice presidents of equal status,” Mrizek said. “The vice president sitting right across the hall from the president, perception wise, is going to have more influence
than the one who is down the hall and in another office,” he said. Because of that, the vice presidents of academic success and student success offices were moved across the hall to the newly renovated public relations office. Then the issue was where to put public relations, Mrizek said. The office moved into the former location of the single vice president adjacent to the president’s office. Mrizek said after Vela looked at the changes around the president’s office that, “significant architectural discrepancies” became apparent, because the president’s office hasn’t been touched since the building’s opening in 1972. “It expanded (beyond its original costs) because we had the ability to do the whole thing and bring it all consistent across the board,” Mrizek said.
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4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
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Scary, ‘spacey’ costumes to dominate campus
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Two events at this college will allow students and community members to don their scariest, funniest, most creative and most ‘out of this world’ costumes this week. The office of student life will have a Halloween costume contest noon-1 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria of Loftin Student Center. Scobee Education Center will host a Cosmic Costume Mission and planetarium show 7-10 p.m. Friday at Challenger Learning Center and Scobee Planetarium. “Students love to dress up, and I think it will be a fun day,” Carrie Hernandez, senior student success specialist, said of student life’s contest. “I’m very excited about that.” Judges will look for the most creative, funniest and scariest costumes. The top three will receive trophies and gift bags. The event also will recognize winners of the Oct. 15 pumpkin decorating contest. “There will be a little runway where kids can walk, and it’ll be packed because it’s a small space,” Hernandez said. “I wish we had the Fiesta Room, but we will be running our Día de los Muertos event from 8 to 10:50 a.m. that morning.” Hernandez said students can use nearby restrooms to change into their costumes. The event will include light refreshments. Challenger Learning Center celebrates its second anniversary Oct. 31, and the Cosmic Costume Mission will be a part of that celebration, said Rick Varner, Scobee center director. “There’s this mental visual that you can have of all these people dressed up like aliens and ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Wars’ … and we’ve just had conversations with people for the last year and they all want to do this,” Varner said. “They want to have a costume mission.”
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sac-ranger@alamo.edu
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By Hannah Norman
Guests will participate in a series of space exploration simulations and complete tasks to successfully accomplish the two-hour mission. Wine and cheese will be served before a 40-minute “Black Holes” show in the planetarium. Registration is $40 per person, and guests must be at least 21 years of age. Space is limited to about 30 people. Guests can purchase tickets on the campus’ website under the news and events tab. “Apparently SAC has a lot of students who are ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Wars’ fans,” Varner said. “I talked with some of the students who were running for Student Government Association last year, and several of them were Trekkies or ‘Star Wars’ fanatics.” To add to the ambiance of the sci-fi themed event, the 501st Legion (also known as Vader’s Fist) will be a part of the mission. The organization is composed of enthusiasts who share their passion for “Star Wars” costuming by appearing at local events for charity and volunteer work. For more information on the costume events, call 486-0125 or 486-0100.
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Students are encouraged to attend dress-up days for Halloween.
Paranormal pheno Ghostly encounters chill Moody and Koehler. By Richard Montemayor
rmontemayor15@student.alamo.edu
Do you ever wonder what goes on at this college after dark, when students and faculty have gone for the day? One librarian does, and she has made paranormal activity a hobby. Librarian Christina Petimezas said her grandmother, mother and sister are all psychic and have an interest in paranormal activity, which made her want to get involved in the family tradition. “I myself have seen three ghosts in my time, so it’s just an interesting area for me, kind of a crackpot,” she said. Petimezas has been a librarian at this college since 1970. One of Petimezas’ ghostly encounters happened on the fifth floor of Moody Learning Center. It was the spirit of a book donor who bequeathed the college a collection of books from the 18th century, she said. “I just saw her from the corner of my eye; its kind of chilling when you see a ghost, they kind of take the energy from you to materialize,” Petimezas said. Librarian Eileen Oliver said in December 2012 the
Alamo Colleges board approved giving the collection to Texas A&M University in College Station. “We got that collection in 1968 with the transfer in early 2013 to Texas A&M,” Oliver said. Petimezas said once the transfer was complete, the spirit disappeared from the fifth floor. But Petimezas is not the only one who has seen ghosts at this college. Ho u s e k e e p e r Amalia Vara, who has worked at this college 11 years, has got a tale or two to tell about her ghostly encounters working here. “In McAllister, I would hear like somebody whistling or you know, things falling,” Vara said. One of the places Vara avoids working at night is Koehler Cultural Center, a donation to the district in 1973. “We used to work at night,” Vara said. “The lady across the street would call the police on us
miere
Oct. 26, 2015 • 5
nted
omena roam campus and say how come we would always leave that lady on the porch.” Vara said nobody lived there while she was working there. On another occasion, while working the seventh floor in Moody, Vara encountered evidence of a baby who appeared out of nowhere, she said. “I had gotten wax on the floor (and)
several of us (employees) saw baby footprints,” Vara said, adding they did not locate a baby. So if you find yourself at this college after dark and sense you are not alone, just know it’s probably one of the many ghosts haunting these halls.
Juan Carlos Campos
Día de los Muertos brings culture, spirituality to Halloween season Dual events remember deceased loved ones and the Hispanic culture’s prevalence in San Antonio.
s Campos
Juan Carlo
“There is always some sort of cultural tradition or celebration regardless of your culture to remember loved ones,” Gonzales said. An altar is traditionally built as a way of paying By Courtney Kaiser tribute to family members or important people in sac-ranger@alamo.edu one’s life who have died. Students, staff and faculty can honor their ances“We do ask that when bringing in photographs or tors this week with traditional arts and crafts from a things, people bring in a copy,” Gonzales said. “We centuries-old Hispanic holiday. don’t want anything to happen to their originals.” The mortuary science department and office of Altars are composed of photographs, foods, flowstudent life are hosting two events in celebration of ers, memorabilia and papel picado banners to celDía de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. ebrate loved ones. The first is at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Fiesta Room “Marigolds are the most popular flower used on of Loftin Student Center for the altars and people often bring a construction of a traditional altar. I prefer to think about it deceased one’s favorite food dish The second event begins at 8 or pan de muerto,” he said. Pan as the day of the living a.m. Oct. 29 and includes activide muerto is a sweet bread in a celebrating the dead. ties such as papel picado, skull variety of shapes and decorations. Felix Gonzales, decorating and an overview of “It’s their way of remembering mortuary science chair Día de los Muertos or grieving,” Hernandez said. “It “I think for us it gives an means a lot to people.” opportunity to provide a cultural aspect set apart from Papel picado, skull decorating and an overview of Halloween,” mortuary science Chair Felix Gonzales Día de los Muertos are scheduled for Thursday. said. “So many young folks know about Halloween, but Papel picado is a folded and cut paper similar to not the religious or spiritual aspect of this time of year.” tissue paper, Hernandez said. When it is opened, it The tradition has been observed for the past six reveals intricate designs. years, occasionally taking place in the department, “We’ve been running around like crazy trying to Gonzales said. Halloween has always dominated the gather all of the supplies for the event,” she said. end of October so scheduling the Día de los Muertos For skull decorating, students receive a cardboard event can be challenging. Last year mortuary science mask and different paints and embellishments to decwas unable to secure a room outside the department, orate it. When they are finished, they can take it home. Gonzales said. “I’m excited for the event and am hoping I am This year they were able to get it located where able to sit down and participate this year,” Hernandez everyone on campus has better access, said Carrie said. “I think students will really enjoy it.” Hernandez, senior student success specialist. Thursday’s activities will end with a PowerPoint “We couldn’t have it on Nov. 2 because the room presentation on Día de los Muertos history, tradiwas unavailable,” Hernandez said. tions and the use of specific colors for meaning. Traditionally observed Nov. 2, Día de los Muertos “I prefer to think about it as the day of the living has been celebrated for more than 500 years. Deeply celebrating the dead,” Gonzales said. rooted in the Hispanic culture, the day traces all the The events are free and open to anyone on campus. way back to the Aztecs. Call the mortuary science department at 210-486-1137.
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SACtacular called on account of rain Neighborhood fair postponed to Nov. 6. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
With a 100 percent chance of rain forecast for the weekend, this college has postponed the third annual SACtacular block party. The event was moved from Friday to Nov. 6. President Robert Vela said the decision was made because of
how easily parts of this college can flood. “It floods real easy there and we don’t want to put people in danger,” he said The neighborhood event features food and other product vendors, animal exhibits and a petting zoo from the San Antonio Zoo, live music and a boxing match. Vela said moving the event to Thursday night wasn’t an option because it would be difficult to
have all the vendors change their schedule on such short notice. He also said moving it inside wasn’t an option because this college doesn’t have the space. “Even if we were to move it inside, everything would be so spread out (between buildings at this college) that people would still be in the rain and we don’t want to put them at risk,” he said. Call public relations at 210486-0880.
Editorial
6 • Oct. 26, 2015
.org
the
ranger
www.theranger.org/editorial
Editor Cynthia M. Herrera
Managing Editor Melissa Luna Assistant Managing Editor – News Kyle R. Cotton Assistant Managing Editor – Features Richard Montemayor Calendar Editor Alyssa Zapata Staff Writers Cassi Armstrong, Matthew Cuevas, Alejandro Diaz, Ryan A. Flournoy, V.G. Garlisi, Giselle Guadron, Ty-Eshia Johnson, Robert Limon, Tress-Marie Landa, Roberto Martinez, Hannah Norman, Courtney R. Kaiser, Wally Perez, Evelyn Reyes, Gabriela Rodriguez, Kyle Sanders Photographers Daniel Carde, E. David Guel, Danielle Kelly Photo Team TiffanyAnne Bermea, April Dawn Genao, Derrick Patron, Hillary E. Ratcliff Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Alexandra Nelipa Production Manager Katherine Garcia Copy Editor Carlos Ferrand Distribution Manager Shelly Delgado ©2015 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-3941. 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 Mondays 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 (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available by phone 210-4861765 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. Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-3941 or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
Alexandra Nelipa
Pre-majors a bureaucratic joke Chancellor Bruce Leslie and the board of trustees are deciding whether to award associate degrees with “premajors” or no major at all before students transfer to a four-year institution. The problem is the term pre-major turns an already insane list of steps students must go through — as required by the state of Texas and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges — just to enroll in the Alamo Colleges into something completely pointless. If pre-majors are approved, students who enroll in this college in the 2016-17 academic year will meet with an adviser to discuss a prospective occupation, pick a four-year transfer institution and select one of six Alamo Institutes. They would not pick a pre-major until they are 30 credit hours into their
time at Alamo Colleges. All this does is create a conveyor belt of undeclared students forced to stay in line and not deviate from it. The district is more focused on getting students out of here quickly, rather than making sure each student is accomplishing goals that can change at a moment’s notice. It discourages students from exploring options outside their Alamo Institute. Plus, imagine a student putting “premajor” on their résumé; they would be laughed out of their interview. The board’s heart is, in all likelihood, in the right place, but pre-majors do nothing but herd students like cattle into a specific Alamo Institute. Then you have chairs not only handling their entire departments and
pointless Covey training, but making time to meet with local business leaders to figure out exactly what “marketable skills” are. For those in fields with direct examples, such as engineering, students might as well go to trade school to get those skills than have “pre-major” on their résumé. For the inexact fields, such as philosophy, English and history, who are those department heads supposed to speak to? Fellow philosophy professors? High school English teachers? Nobody hires these majors with just an associate degree anyway, so what good would marketable skills be? Students are human beings with the right to change their mind. Let them.
Work-study should benefit all students Labs could get more hours with more student workers. This semester, 40 students at the Alamo Colleges will have a chance to work with nonprofits through off-campus work-study positions. This seems like a well-intentioned partnership between the colleges and local nonprofits; however, it doesn’t benefit students as much as it should. First, the Alamo Colleges pays 100 percent of work-study wages from federal funding, while nonprofits don’t have to pay anything because the Alamo Colleges are designated Hispanic-serving institutions.
The only beneficiaries of this partnership are the nonprofits and the 40 students. But how does it serve the rest of students who attend the Alamo Colleges? Sure, students can gain experience working for a company, but students can also gain experience from the college in one of its various labs. If the Alamo Colleges are going to pay $9 an hour for 40 students working a maximum of 15 hours a week for 16 weeks, more students should benefit. It is great that the colleges are looking out for students, but the colleges should also look out for themselves before worrying about outside organi-
zations. Keeping work-study positions on campus benefits all students. For example, if more students are hired to work in the SLAC lab, then the lab can increase its hours and perhaps even be open on Saturday. Nonprofits should offer their own internships — paid or unpaid. Offering work-study opportunities for 40 students out of the 48,000 at all five Alamo Colleges seems like a small effort. Offering more work-study positions on campus will have a larger benefit for students. Help the many, not the few.
letters online Nothing fun about alcohol awareness
Editor: Tress-Marie Landa does a great job explaining the alcohol awareness event hosted by the SAPD Oct. 5, but the event was portrayed a little too much on the entertaining side. From personal experience, I lost my uncle in 1993 to a drunk driver. Also, my aunt, who was a passenger in the same vehicle, broke her left leg in several different places. Consequently, from a biased point of view, I do not take alcohol
awareness and/or drinking and driving awareness lightly. I cringed when I read the quote, “it’s fun” from Mary Dayton, San Antonio College’s health promotions adviser and coordinator, as she described the event. I understand Ms. Dayton is only trying to get her point across, but fun? Surely another word could express the seriousness of awareness. Data, provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proves that in 2004
and 2013 the percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes, who were alcohol-impaired, was highest in the 21-24 and the 25-34 age groups. Events such as this one need to raise awareness to college students, but certainly do not need to be portrayed as amusing or enjoyable. Armando Contreras History Sophomore
Read more letters on theranger.org.
Katelynn Alexa Garcia,
News
www.theranger.org/news
Oct. 26, 2015 • 7
Volunteers spruce up community garden Future Garden Days may be in the works. By Wally Perez
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
At least 18 volunteers, including members of Students for Environmental Awareness, got their hands dirty and their thumbs green doing tasks in the community garden Saturday at EcoCentro. Whether the task was pulling weeds, harvesting crops or moving mulch, volunteers primped the garden during the first Garden Day. The project is a partnership between EcoCentro and the Green Spaces Alliance, a local nonprofit whose mission is to sustain the natural environment and enhance urban spaces through conservation, community engagement and education. Michelle Gorham, community gardens program manager at Green Spaces, was helping out and promoting the garden, whose seed was planted two to three years ago as the two groups brainstormed ideas. “It took a while, but it’s finally coming together, and all that is being done here is a win-win situation for us and them,” Gorham said. The garden is adjacent to EcoCentro, northeast of the building, and started in spring 2015. The garden is about 3,000 square feet of demonstration beds, which include tomatoes, asparagus, sweet potatoes and leafy greens. Community members plant the vegetables and the harvest is distributed to them accordingly. Steven Lewis, director of the service, trade and industry center, said
Environmental science sophomore Jess Mayes shows volunteers where to lay cardboard for a soil bed so the soil lies evenly on the ground. Sinkin EcoCentro hosted Garden Day Oct. 17 for volunteers to rebuild the community garden. TiffanyAnne Bermea the garden demonstrates local production. “We want to show and facilitate local food production and the idea of producing in a close vicinity to where it’s consumed,” Lewis said. In the earlier hours of the day, volunteers were seen harvesting okra and cleaning up the existing beds. Charles Sumerset, system analyst at Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital, had been harvesting and trimming stalks of okra 2-3 feet tall. Sumerset lives nearby and learned about Garden Day through the Tobin Hill Community Association. “I’m hoping to get involved with the garden here and plant some of my own vegetables in the future,” Sumerset said. “I’m from Georgia, so I’ve enjoyed growing my own food and plants, which I’ve found hard to accomplish here. If I intend to use the garden, I want to do my part, which is why I’m helping out today.” Other folks loaded concrete slabs onto a tractor for a berm, an elevated area that gradually slopes downward, creating a divider for a garden bed.
Brian Perez removes a tomato plant to replant it during Garden Day. TiffanyAnne Bermea
Volunteers David Cantu and Bill Richardson move boulders onto a tractor to use as dividers for the soil. TiffanyAnne Bermea Environmental science sophomore Jess Mayes thanked EcoCentro for days like this. “They’ve helped my ideas become a reality, and it’s been a catalyst for me.” Mayes described a permaculture technique that used handmade pipes for sub irrigation they had implemented into one of their future garden beds in the center of the garden. “We’ve created a swale, which is basically a ditch that will harvest water and concentrate underneath the area on the side of the bed,” Mayes said. “We then laid large piec-
es of logs underneath the soil, which will absorb the water and distribute it among the roots and soil.” Mayes and crew will add a worm compost tea to break down the soil and wood and boost microbiological activity with bacteria and fungi. Throughout the morning, volunteers took breaks and did stretching exercises led by Paul Rezaei, a personal trainer and founder of Work Out Help Out, a nonprofit. Work Out Help Out pairs exercising and volunteer work. “I had been a personal trainer for a while when I realized I could combine workout routines and stretches with actual work,” Rezaei said. His volunteers visit events that include physical labor, nonprofit work or tasks for the elderly and incorporate a gym-style workout. Rezaei brought about five volunteers to help while promoting proper stretching techniques. He encouraged potential
volunteers to visit www.meetup.com/ Fit-Community-in-San-Antonio/ members/76462142/. As the day progressed, volunteers were moving mulch with wheelbarrows, and some were drilling holes into future irrigation pipes. Lisa Cervantes, SEA president and environmental science sophomore, talked about the importance of the garden and what it represents. Participating in the garden shows volunteers techniques they can take back to their homes, she said. “Something available to our campus is important; we’re so displaced from these practices due to the convenience of grocery stores that we forget about self-sustaining lifestyles,” Cervantes said. “People complain that eating healthy is expensive, but the fact is they don’t consider growing as an option.” For information, call Lewis at 210486-9253.
2015
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
C m in LS m s at 6 p t r a t s t 8:45 p n to -MAN a T N Padding A g showin Screen Outside
Departmental Showcase
Rescheduled for
Olympic-Style Boxing Paddington Movie Marvel’s ANT-MAN Movie ovie Live Music Michael Jackson Impersonator Food Booths/Trucks Planetarium Shows
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Animal Show Game Zone Bungee Run Gladiator Joust Sumo Wrestling
Pulse
8 • Oct. 26, 2015
www.theranger.org/pulse
History Professor Mike Settles shoulder presses 120 pounds. He qualified to compete in the world powerlifting meet for his age group and weight by winning the USA Powerlifting National meet in San Antonio last year. Winning also gave him a spot on the U.S. National Powerlifting Team. Melissa Luna
Powerlifting Passion Freak accident, kinesiology course keep history professor pushing himself to excel in competitions and classroom.
“I was curious what the (bench press) records were for my age and weight, and when I looked them up, I said, ‘Well, hell, I can do that,’” Settles said. The enthusiasm Settles has for powerlifting also stems from a By Matthew Cuevas comment his daughter made to him a few years back. sac-ranger@alamo.edu “My daughter is an occupational therapist, and she told One second is all it took. Taking his eyes off of the massive me, ‘Dad, as you get older you’re going to get weaker. Every bull for a split second was the last thing history Professor Mike decade after you turn 30, you’re going to lose 15 percent of your Settles remembered. strength,’” Settles said. When he woke up, his brother who helps Settles out at his “Well, I knew that I would not be as fast or as quick, but I was ranch in Jourdanton, was crouched over him. determined that I could stay as strong,” he said. “I felt like that “I had this bull in (the pen), and where two gates come was something I could control.” together, there’s a pin that goes and connects the two so (the The first competitive powerlifting meet Settles entered was in bull) can’t get out,” Settles said. “And I just took my eye off him 2007 at Brooks City Base. He said he didn’t even know the rules. for an instant to look down at that pin, and I mean just at that The rules for a successful bench press at a sanctioned powinstant, he hit that (gate) and just slammed me erlifting meet are: Your head must stay on the up against the back wall of the pen.” bench during your attempt, your feet canI was curious what The bull hit the gate with such force it struck not move, your butt cannot come off of the the records were Settles on the left side of his chest and knocked bench, the bar must touch your chest, and for my age and him unconscious, breaking his scapula. Outside once you begin your press the bar can only weight, and when of a major automobile accident, a broken scapmove upward. I looked them up, ula is uncommon, but Settles knows things He cleared his goal of 264 pounds but was I said, ‘Well, hell, I could have been much worse. disqualified for lifting his head. Settles learned “If that gate had hit me right in the head like quickly. He hasn’t lost a meet since. can do that.’ that, I’d be dead,” Settles said. Things changed last year when the USA Mike Settles, The accident in 2008 left Settles with a new Powerlifting National meet was held in San history professor perspective on life and a realization that things Antonio. Settles won, automatically qualifying can be taken away in a hurry. him to compete in the world powerlifting meet The injury did not keep him from continuing to teach history for his age group (70-74) and weight (183 pounds), which came at this college, which he began doing in 1970 after discovering with a spot on the U.S. National Powerlifting Team. a love of learning as a student here. He later earned a bachIt was an accomplishment he wasn’t sure he wanted. elor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s “I never took it all that seriously,” he said. “But after I won from Trinity University and a doctorate from Texas Christian the state championship, I wasn’t going to travel anywhere to do a University. national championship, or anything bigger than that. You know, But the accident did back-burner one of his major passions it was no big deal. I just won the national because it was here in — powerlifting. San Antonio and I didn’t have to travel for it,” Settles said. Settles had won his first state powerlifting competition in “But by winning (nationals), and I didn’t know this, but by bench press in Corpus Christi only nine days earlier. winning, it qualified me to be on the United States team for the He was unable to lift for an entire year, and even then, he was worlds,” he said referring to the world meet. unsure if he’d ever be able to compete at the same level. It was an offer Settles was ready to turn down until it turned He eventually was able to heft his way back to his competi- out he wouldn’t have to travel far. tive level through hard work and determination and competing “By pure chance, the world championships were in Denver at smaller local meets. Settles always had been active, playing so I didn’t have to travel to Europe, or Eastern Europe, or South in a city softball league or working on his ranch. But he found Africa or any place like that. So I said, ‘Yeah I can do that,’” Settles something that sent his competitive juices flowing in about 1995. said. So at the 2014 World Powerlifting Championship in Denver, That is when he met retired kinesiology Professor Ron Settles competed in his first international competition and won Culpepper, who taught a class that would change Settles’ life. easily with a lift of 300 pounds. The class in advanced weight training was so addictive for He wasn’t happy with his showing. Settles he took it three times a year for 17 years — 51 times in all. Unable to break the world record because of pressure from Along the way, he and Culpepper struck up a friendship that his coaches to just clear weight that would win his age group for continued through Culpepper’s retirement and move to South the betterment of the team, Settles left Denver unsatisfied. Carolina. The more success Settles had in Culpepper’s class, So now Settles has April 2016 circled on his calendar. That’s the more he began to enjoy powerlifting and decided to look up when the next world championship will take place, this time in records. Rodby, Denmark. There he hopes to break the world record for
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Settles shares a moment with his coach, Gene Bell, who is also a world champion in powerlifting. “He makes me wish I could lift like that and make it look like no problem,” said Bell, who is helping Settles train for the next world championship in April in Rodby, Denmark. Melissa Luna his age group, 344 pounds. Settles had to again qualify for the world meet by winning the national meet in Scranton, Pa., in August. He broke his own record at national competition with a lift of 298 pounds. With goals he still wants to achieve in a sport he loves, Settles isn’t sure if he will slow down any time soon. “I really don’t know the answer to that. I mean, assuming that I’ll break the world record, I’ve got no more targets to shoot at,” he said. He continues to work out at Olympic Gym, 8611 N. New Braunfels Ave., three times a week. His coach, Gene Bell, a former world champion in powerlifting, has Settles go through a routine of bench pressing while increasing the weight with every set. Whether he continues powerlifting competitions, he will continue to approach teaching with the same intensity that sets him apart in the weight room — the intensity heightened by the swing of a gate seven years ago. “That’s how I am with my teaching,” Settles said. “My class is really, really hard, and I don’t have a lot of sympathy for the kids who just show up and don’t give a damn. But if I’ve got a kid that wants to learn and wants to work hard, man, I’m going to help them out all I can.”