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The Richland Web team recently completed a major redesign of www.richlandcollege.edu. The new homepage has been slightly rearranged into intuitive groups or categories, making it more convenient for all target audience members.
Additionally, the new site incorporates a link called “Online Tools.” One click will bring the menu down, and allow you to access eConnect, eCampus, GroupWise and other services. A second click will close the menu. This header is not only accessible from the homepage, but from every page inside the website. For a guided tour of the site, view video below:
Below are helpful links that have not changed. Bookmarking these links (by selecting Bookmark in your browser’s toolbar) will allow you to easy access.
GroupWise: http://gw.dcccd.edu
eConnect: http://econnect.dcccd.edu/
eCampus: http://ecampus.dcccd.edu
Online Staff Directory: http://www.richlandcollege.edu/directory
Publicity Request Form: http://www.richlandcollege.edu/publicity
Room Reservation Form: http://www.richlandcollege.edu/rooms
Promotional Item Order Form: http://www.richlandcollege.edu/productorder
If a Web page needs updating, please e-mail 8WebTeam and include the problem link.
Applications are now being accepted for the Ann Priest Writing Scholarship. The award goes to a deserving Richland College student each fall and spring semester. Encourage your writing students to apply for the $500 scholarship to be awarded this spring. Download scholarship form.
Please notice the GPA and credit-hour criteria, and encourage your students to pay particular attention to the requirements the scholarship committee developed for the writing sample. A writing sample in the exact format described must accompany each scholarship application.
If your students would be willing to have their submissions considered for publication in Parallax, applicants need to indicate their permission in writing.
Students may obtain copies of the Ann Priest Scholarship Announcement and the required DCCCD Foundation Scholarship Application forms in our Financial Aid office, Room T130 in Thunderduck Hall. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Dec. 1. Applications, writing samples and faculty recommendation letters should be submitted to Janet James in room Alamito Hall, Room A218, or emailed to JJames@dcccd.edu. Once the scholarship committee reviews the applications and determines the recipient, letters will be sent to all applicants.
A GREENRichland tip
According to an article on www.greenlivingtips.com, there are several ways to get fit while conserving your environment. Tips include:
Walk or jog. Burn calories instead of gas by walking or jogging around your neighborhood instead of taking your car to the gym.
Riding your bike. If you have a greater distance to travel, consider cycling to work or to run errands.
Join a green gym. While the popularity of green gyms is still largely overseas, consider turning your home gym into a energy-making machine. To discover more from this YouTube video or read about human-powered gyms in Hong Kong.
For more fit and green tips, read more of the “Keeping fit and the environment” article.
Have a global warming action to suggest? E-mail them to greenrichland@dcccd.edu.
Richland College was mentioned in Valve Magazine, a national publication, in an article with quotes by former Richland College student Glen W Spielbauer.
The article states that two-year community colleges are the emerging training schools for the workforce of the future, not four-year schools.
Valve is published by the Valve Manufacturers Association and read by more than 27,000 engineers and managers in the valve, pump and flow actuator industry.
Shannon Ydoyaga and Jan Parrish of Richland’s Health Professions program were quoted in an a Nov. 18 issue of the Dallas Morning News. The article, titled “Growing health industry needs variety of workers”, cites the growth of the healthcare industry and its subsequent need for qualified employees.
Salvation Army Angel Tree
Now through Dec. 8
Room E040
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program provides holiday assistance for needy children and senior citizens. Stop by the SPAR office and adopt an angel (teen, senior or forgotten). Once you select an “Angel,” you make a promise that you will provide a gift for that person.
“David Kirkland: Milk and Honey” Exhibit
Lago Vista Gallery (Library)
Now through Dec. 12
Gallery hours: M-Th, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 12-4 p.m.
Mischief and Mayhem, An Evening of Improv
7:30 p.m., Dec. 1
Arena Theater (F108)
Adults Only
For reservations, call ext. 3733.
World AIDS Day
10 a.m. -2 p.m., Dec. 1
El Paso Hall
Wear a red ribbon. Sponsored by RLC Health Center.
ClayArts Pottery Sale
9 a.m.-8 p.m., Dec. 1-4 (closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 4)
Brazos Gallery
Pottery is handmade by Richland College students.
NAFTA Discussion
12:45-1:30 p.m., Dec. 4
E070
Rod Johnson, Counsul and Senior Trade Commissioner, will speak about U.S./Canadian Relations specifically related to NAFTA. For more details, contact to Chip Izard at cizard@dcccd.edu.
Holiday Lighting Party
6-8 p.m., Dec. 4
East Breezeway
Kwanzaa Celebration
11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 5
Brazos Gallery, Room C140
Event includes history of Kwanzaa, free African food, African martial arts demonstration and singing.
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, esigns, marquees and/or Web Calendar click here.
November 2008
Erin Boltrushek
World Languages, Cultures, and Communications
An excerpt from a congratulatory letter from Dr. Mittelstet:
Dear Erin:
Congratulations on being selected the Richland College Outstanding Employee for November 2008. Your award is well-deserved recognition of the exemplary service you have provided Richland College.
We recognize your service in several departments on campus, including Administration, Continuing Education, and now World Languages, Cultures, and Communications. Your supervisor cites your invaluable assistance, excellent problem-solving skills, and initiative in improving processes and procedures. Your colleagues know you as a delightful, conscientious, customer-service-oriented individual who supports their needs and lends a gracious, caring, and pleasant attitude to everything you undertake….
Richland College College Communications & Marketing staff received silver awards from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) District 4 Medallion Awards competition. Congratulations go to Richlanders Lisa Henson, John Pollock, Whitney Rosenbalm, and Kay Eggleston – Viewbook category; Patricia Benter - Class Schedule/Continuing Education category; and Leslie Wendling, Anitra Cotton, Randy Jensen, and Whitney Rosenbalm – Innovation in Technology category for their online gas campaign.
Raj Seekri, professor of mathematics at Richland College, was among 11 individuals and organizations that were recognized as the 2008 recipients of the Dallas Historical Society’s Awards for Excellence in Community Service. Seekri received the honor on Nov. 10.
The Awards for Excellence in Community Service recognize community leaders in several fields who have made singular contributions to the quality of life in Dallas and the surrounding area. Outstanding individuals are selected for this honor from nominations solicited from the Dallas community. Mr. Seekri is this year’s recipient in the field of education. Other honorees include renowned chef Dean Fearing and DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa.
To read more about Mr. Seekri and his award, view the press release on the Richland College news/media page.
On Nov. 6-8, several Richlanders participated in the 2008 Texas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TexTESOL) State Convention. Some 650 participants arrived at the Renaissance Dallas/Richardson Hotel for the event. Jean Conway, Diana Urrutia and Mary Peacock spoke at the conference. Zarina Blankenbaker was awarded the Outstanding TexTESOLer of the Year award. Jeana Remington served as the Equipment Chairperson for the conference and Barbara Dogger served as the Program Chairperson for the conference.
Barbara Dogger, WLCC, has been asked to serve on the Computer-adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System (COMPASS) Advisory Committee. This group will be comprised of post-secondary practitioners that have demonstrated a series of “good practices” and initiatives associated with the implementation and utilization of the COMPASS Internet system in order to help improve on institutional effectiveness.
Academic Enrichment Dean Carole Lester, was honored at the recent Community College Humanities Association (CCHA) conference on Nov. 6-8. Dr. Lester was named Regional Distinguished Humanities Educator for the Southwestern Division for 2008. CCHA is the only national organization that exclusively created to support and strengthen the humanities in U.S. community colleges.
Photo not included
Mathew Ybarra
Title: Student Services Specialist
Department: Upward Bound
Photo not included
Trent Price
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Department: RCHS
Iaan Lucero
Title: Student Services Assistant
Department: Admissions
Shantra Dotson
Title: Financial Aid Assistant I
Department: Financial Aid
To: Steve Mittelstet, Administration
From: Tom McClellan, Adjunct Faculty
Thanks for the birthday card. I’m grateful for the opportunity to tell you how very happy I am to be teaching at Richland College. Thomas Jefferson believed in the uncommon potential of the common man, and Richland College of the DCCCD continues that Jeffersonian tradition. Dallas once had the motto, “City of Excellence,” and the Dallas County Community Colleges in general, and Richland in particular, embody that goal of excellence, remaining one of the best community college systems in the U.S., if not simply the best. I do not need a Malcolm Baldrige Award to tell me Richland is a great place to work. I have first-hand experience with the Library, the Media Center, the Tutoring Center at Room M224, and my immediate supervisors Paula Eschliman (WLCC) and Andy Tubbs (ACCESS) to tell me how fortunate I am to be teaching, learning, and community building at Richland College.
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
Dear Dr. Steve Mittelstet (Administration),
Many thanks to you, Kay (Eggleston), and the entire Richland team for your unsurpassed hospitality and thoughtfulness in connection with our student visit to Richland. They came away very impressed with the quality array of services that Richland provides both students and your larger community constituency, I think every one of our Blockers would love the opportunity of being on the Richland team. They enjoyed every minute of their time with you and your hard-charging Thunderducks. Thanks again for your continued interest and support of our efforts to prepare the next generation of community college leaders. We appreciate your many gifts to us.
John E. Roueche
Professor and Community College Leadership Program Director, Sid W. Richardson Regents Chair
University of Texas at Austin
Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Jada (Mathematics, Science & Health Professions) and Devin Hill announced the arrival of their son, Scott McMullen Hill. Scott was born on Nov. 4, weighing 7 lb 1 oz. Mom and baby are doing well.
Congratulations to Ricky Hoyle (Facilities) and his wife on the birth of the newest thunderducklings, William Reed and Samuel Reece, who were born Sunday morning at 7:02 a.m. and 7:03 a.m., respectively. All are doing well.
Jennifer Plock, who worked in the Richland library for seven years until she moved to a position with Information Technology at the District Service Center, passed away suddenly in early November. Funeral Services were held on Nov. 7 at the Anderson Clayton Funeral Home in Mesquite.
The 2008 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) is off to a great start. The campaign, entitled “Find Your Passion,” began Sept. 29. For an update on how much has been contributed, visit www.richlandcollege.edu/secc. Our KPI target goal for the 2008 – ‘09 campaign is $115,000 college-wide. Check e-mail for current totals every Friday of the campaign.
SECC provides a way for employees of state agencies to donate to their favorite charities, through the convenience of payroll deduction. One time gifts, however, are also accepted payable via cash or check.
If you need additional forms or booklets please call Sharon Wright, ext. 6224, or Nancy Gomez, ext. 6194. If divisions meet their monetary and participation goal, they receive 50% matching funds from the college which can be used to purchase departmental supplies.
Workgroups who met their monetary goal with 80% full & limited full-time staff participation by Fri., Oct. 17, 5 p.m. receive 50% matching funds plus a workgroup lunch celebration. These workgroups are also announced via e-mail each Friday.
HINT: Matching funds will be based on your workgroup’s total donation, not just your goal. The more your workgroup gives, the more you will receive!
Other important SECC info:
The Richland Collegiate High School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering (RCHS) at Richland College recently received the “Tech Titan of the Future” Award at the Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC) Gala on Sept. 26. The award recognizes higher education institutions that foster and support students to choose careers in engineering and tech-related fields. MTBC, the largest technology trade association in Texas, presented the award to RCHS because of its innovative approach to “closing gaps in the K-16 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) student pipeline into our region’s engineering technology-related workforce.”
“Three years ago Richland College (RLC) worked with area chambers of commerce, business leaders, public and private schools, home schools, universities, civic leaders, and organizations like MTBC assessing area workforce needs in the engineering and technology fields,” explained Stephen Mittelstet, RLC president and RCHS superintendent. “In response, RLC applied for and received the first and, to date, the only charter school in Texas held by a community college. RCHS has exceeded our highest expectations and we are thrilled and honored that MTBC has recognized this innovative approach with the 2008 Tech Titan of the Future Award.”
Richland’s new LEED-Platinum-designed science building, scheduled to open for fall classes in August 2009, will be named Sabine Hall. Richland College’s President’s Cabinet consulted with campus focus groups to select and approve an appropriate name. All campus buildings are named for Texas bodies of water, so once the new building opens, the building currently named Sabine Hall will become Wichita Hall.
![](http://www.rlc8.dcccd.edu/thunderbridge/wp-content/uploads/keith-williams-hood07-295x300.jpg "\\"Hood\\" by Keith Williams, 2007")
The School of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts presents a solo painting show by faculty member Keith Williams through Nov. 21 in the Brazos Galley.
“Progression and Flow,” features figurative and landscape works in oil on canvas. Mr. Williams earned an MFA from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2006, and completed his BFA in 2001 from Southern Methodist University. His previous solo shows include “Synthetic Dreams” (2008) at the Janette Kennedy Gallery, Southside on Lamar in Dallas, and “Bodily Systems” (2006) at the U.T. San Antonio Satellite Space. He has shown in exhibitions juried by Bill Fitzgibbons in 2005 (”Resolutions” at U.T. San Antonio Art Gallery), and Frances Colpitt in 2004 (”Fire in the Belly” at Blue Star Art Space, San Antonio).
Mr. Williams’ paintings are described as “expressive and squishy,” rendering the figure in occluded, swirling spaces. Frequent themes include the model, either human or animal in or near a water-based environment. The artist speaks of his own work in terms of the “dream-state” and “something very similar to a storyboard in movies.”
For more information, contact Gallery Coordinator Randall Garrett at 972-238-6339. Click here for more information.
A GREENRichland tip
Baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate, is a very handy non-toxic compound that can be used as a more environmentally friendly replacement for many harsher chemicals. Here are some practical uses for baking sodas:
1) Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in water in a microwave safe bowl, then bring to the boil in your microwave. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then you should easily be able to wipe out any baked on stains.
2) Instead of using harsh chemicals for clearing blocked drains, throw a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of jugs of boiling water.
3) To clean jewelry, use a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.
4) A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to bug bites can provide relief.
More baking soda tips here.
Have a global warming action to suggest? E-mail them to greenrichland@dcccd.edu.
GREENRichland hosted Dr. Matthew Sleeth on Sept. 24. Dr. Sleeth spoke on “Serve God, Save the Planet,” a reflection of the belief that environmental stewardship is a major responsibility of people of faith.
Richland College Fall Job Fair
9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wed., Oct. 22
El Paso Hall
“Dark Exodus: The Lost Girls of Sudan”
9:30-11 a.m. Thurs., Oct. 23
Brazos Gallery
Presented by African Student Union, Peace/Justice Club and SPAR.
Adjunct Faculty Recruitment Fair
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 25
Thunderduck Hall
Flu Shots
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tues., Oct. 28 and 2-6 p.m., Wed., Oct. 29.
Richland’s Health Center
$25, cash and check only. Open to the public.
972-238-6135
17th Annual Fall Thunderduck Classic golf tournament
12 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 30
Firewheel Lakes Golf Course
$45 entry fee. Hamburger buffet before tournament. Contact Paul Baldwin at pbaldwin@dcccd.edu to sign up.
Halloween Costume Party
12-1:30 p.m., Fri., Oct. 31
Cafeteria
NJCAA 2008 Men and Women’s Division III National Soccer Championship Tournament
Nov. 8-9, Richland Soccer Complex
For details, click here.
10th Annual American Indian Pow Wow
1-10 p.m., Sat., Nov. 8
Richland Gym, G101
Veterans Day Ceremony
12:30 p.m., Tues., Nov. 11
location TBA
Faculty Appreciation Week
Nov. 17-21
Fall 2008 Student Wall of Honor Ceremony
10 a.m., Wed. Nov. 19
Crockett Hall
Featured Teaching and Learning Practices Ceremony
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m., Wed., Nov. 19
Crockett Hall
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, esigns, marquees and/or Web Calendar click here.
October 2008
Raymond Choice
Facilities Services
An excerpt from a congratulatory letter from Dr. Mittelstet:
“Dear Raymond:
Congratulations on being selected the Richland College Outstanding Employee for October 2008. Your award is well-deserved recognition of the exemplary service you have provided Richland College.
As Grounds Foreman with the Grounds Maintenance department of Facilities Services, your leadership and dedication to maintenance excellence of the 243-acre campus landscape, lake, and sports fields have provided students, employees, and the community with an aesthetically pleasing environment for all who come to learn, work, and play at Richland College. You also capably installed all 17 western red cedar Peace Poles located throughout the campus and attentively maintain them as they display their important message for all to view.
During your 25 years of employment at Richland College you have distinguished yourself as an exceptional “hands on” supervisor. Because of your strong work ethic, attention to detail, varied skills, and good character, you have served as a mentor for virtually all new Grounds Maintenance employees, resulting in an exceptionally competent work group….”
John Carmichael, Academic Advisor, and Cindy Berry, Advising Director, attended the National NACADA Conference in Chicago, Oct 1-4, where John presented “Joys of Juggling in the Advising Process, Metaphors for Teaching and Learning” to enthusiastic educators from across the nation. One attended commented, “I loved this! How unique and refreshing. I will definitely take a lot from this and put it to good use in my advising practice and the freshman seminar course that I teach.”
student.”
Two of RLC’s deans, Sherry Dean and Carole Lester, recently served as keynote speakers for Normandale Community College’s Diversity Day Professional Development Series in Bloomington, Minn. Dr. Dean, Executive Dean of The School of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts, and Dr. Lester, Dean of Academic Enrichment, presented a workshop, “The Richland College Thunderduck Experience,” which included an overview of the college’s organizational values and vision, Global Studies program, International Education partnerships, GREENRichland, TOLI professional development opportunities, and introduction to Richland’s Intercultural Competence series.
Jody Cunningham
Title: Administrative Assistant to the Instructional Dean
Department: Distance Learning
Susan Mathews
Title: Administrative Assistant to the Instructional Dean
Department: WLCC
Natasha Crowe
Title: Student Services Specialist
Department: Upward Bound
Sarah Daniel
Title: Faculty – Visiting Scholar
Department: BPI
To: Richland College
From: Earlene Bond and Sue Jones, CRWHE
The weather was beautiful, the setting serene, the group delightful. Thanks to all of the Thunderducks and friends from around the DCCCD who attended the reception last week for the Center for Renewal and Wholeness in Higher Education, honoring Ann Faulkner, Garth Hill, Guy Gooding, Elaine Sullivan, Bill Tucker, and Bill Wenrich. We’d like to extend special thanks to all who made the reception possible: Chancellor Wright Lassiter, President Steve Mittelstet & ThunderTeam, Roy Bond, Maria Chobany, Suzy Hogue, Eddie Hueston & Facilities Services staff, Captain Baker & College Police, Whitney Rosenbalm & Marketing/Public Relations staff, Rainey Agent, and Jeremy Haldeman. It feels great to be at Richland College!
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
Dr. (Ray) Canham, Math, Science & Health Professions
As a manager of a department, I know too well that most times we hear of issues or problems with our staff – but I think it’s equally important to recognize those who do very well. I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude towards Professor Raj Seekri, whom I have had the privilege of having as my Calculus II instructor this past semester. Mr. Seekri’s experience and genuineness towards his students was extremely appreciated. It’s not often to come across instructors who do more than teach basics skills in the course, like Mr. Seekri. In addition, his nurture and inspiration towards all of his students is well recognized.
Thank you,
Christopher Zettle
Student
*Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Lt. Harry Chaney and Jamie Chaney are happy to announce the arrival of their new grandson, Tavien Aiden Hamilton, at 6:06 p.m. on Sept. 27. He weighed in at 7 lbs., 14 oz. and was 21 and 1/4″ long. Mother and baby are doing great.
The following is a message sent by Dru Bookout, co-chair for the Council for Community Building, to her fellow committee members:
I want to share the feedback I received from my students who attended Tuesday’s 15 Minutes of Fun. They all agreed that playing with the beach ball and parachute was a blast. One student shared that she had been seriously considering skipping her math class that afternoon. However, she said, “After playing I felt so energized I decided to go to class!” Of course I wanted to immediately get a recorder and tape this wonderful feedback! So… Fun-derDucks – Play on! Thanks for being such a great group and spreading JOY at RLC!
The next Fifteen Minutes of Fun will be a Carnival held on Wed., Oct. 22 at 12:15 p.m. in the East Breezeway. For more information, click here.
Know an outstanding faculty member or student? Give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for an award.
The Council for Teaching and Learning is accepting nominations for a creative or effective teaching and learning practice. This is an excellent opportunity to recognize faculty (full-time, part-time, credit, or continuing education) who implement innovation in the classroom. Please submit by Oct 1. Nominate a colleague or yourself. Click here for the nomination guidelines. Submit a nomination here. For more information, contact Becky Jones at BJones@dcccd.edu or by calling x6215.
The Council for Community Building invites you to nominate current or former students for the Fall 2008 Student Wall of Honor. Deadline is Oct. 1. This is your opportunity to recognize students with outstanding achievements and those who have made a difference in our community, made academic strides, and succeeded in the face of obstacles. Submit your online nomination form now.
All faculty, staff and students are invited to hear Dr. Matthew Sleeth’s thoughts on this question when he speaks from 10:10-11:05 a.m., Sept. 24 in Fannin Performance Hall. His topic, “Serve God, Save the Planet,” reflects his belief that environmental stewardship is a major responsibility of people of faith. A physician and evangelical Christian, Dr. Sleeth left his position as a hospital emergency room director and downsized his life in order to speak, write, and teach full-time about “creation care.” He has since authored a book and became U.S. Director of A Rocha, an international conservation organization. For more about Dr. Sleeth, click here.
Learn about a rapidly growing movement toward “simple living” through the 2008-09 Conversations series on Voluntary Simplicity, a book by Duane Elgin.
Simple living can include less materialism, stress reduction, sustainable living, locally grown food, spirituality, health consciousness and/or increased “quality time” for family and friends.
The group will meet from 1:45-3:45 p.m. on Sept. 29, Oct. 27, and Nov. 24 in the fall, and Feb. 2, March 2, and April 6 in the spring. Participants in Conversations must commit to attending at least four of the six sessions. Participants will receive a free study copy of Voluntary Simplicity.
Conversations provides a unique opportunity for Richlanders to think together, listen to one another, and address important issues in an inviting, low-stress, mutually respectful atmosphere. Conversations is open to all employees and can fulfill the professional development requirement for third-year employees. To register, call Susie Brown at 972-238-6134.
Join the Richland College Thunderduck team for the annual Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure/Sleep In for a Cure at 8 a.m., Sat., Oct. 18 at North Park Center.
This year individuals who are unable to race, are out of town, or simply want to avoid the crowds have the option to Sleep In for The Cure. The registration fee is the same and allows anyone to make a contribution to the cause.
The cost to register is $30 if done before Oct. 12, after that the cost is $35. Participants (racing or sleeping in) get a t-shirt and packet. Members of the team do not have to be RLC employees. Students are encouraged to join and can receive Service Learning credit for participating.
To join, click here. Click on “Join an Existing Team,” find the Richland College Thunderducks and you will be prompted to start the registration process. Participants have the option to “race” or “sleep in.”
According to its Web site, the Race is in its 26th year, and is part of a national 5K series sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The goal of the event is to heighten awareness and education about breast cancer as well as to recognize and celebrate breast cancer survivorship. The Race is also the largest fundraising event for local breast cancer screening, treatment, education and research.
RLC Rooms now has a new Web page to request conference rooms and classrooms for meetings and special events. Included on the page is helpful information on what to do once a room is confirmed, rooms that can not be reserved through the RLC Rooms Web page, a calendar of events for some of the most requested conference rooms, and more. Those who are requesting rooms for credit and CE classes do not have to use this page. For additional details, contact Bethany Wright at 972-238-6061.
Reservations are now being taken for the Richland College Theatre Department production of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, directed by Emily Gray. Reservations can be made by calling the Richland College Theatre Box Office at 972-238-3733.
Performances of The Taming of the Shrew are Wed., Oct. 15, through Sat., Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. nightly in Fannin Performance Hall. There will be a matinee showing on Thurs., Oct. 16, at 11 a.m.
Tickets will be available for pick up at the box office 45 minutes prior to the start of each show. Any unclaimed reservations will be released to the standby list 10 minutes prior to curtain.
A GREENRichland tip
Reduce the environmental impact from your clothes dryer
While a clothes line is the most eco-friendly way to dry clothes, it’s not practical for everyone. Here are some tips from www.greenlivingtips.com on how to use your dryer more efficiently.
1. Clean the lint filter regularly. A clogged lint filter can extend the drying time, so check often.
2. Don’t overload the dryer. Air needs to circulate easily between the clothes in order for drying to be most effective.
3. Open a window when using the dryer. A closed up laundry room gets very humid and that humid air just gets sucked into the dryer, decreasing its effectiveness.
4. Separate your loads. Heavier items should be dried separately from light-weight clothes.
5. Use the cool-down cycle. Many modern clothes dryers have a this feature which allows the clothes to complete drying with the remaining heat in the dryer.
View more clothes-drying tips here.
Have a global warming action to suggest? E-mail them to greenrichland@dcccd.edu.
Blood Drive
12-7 p.m., Wed., Sept. 24
East Circle
Sponsored by the Health Center. For more information, call 972-238-6135. Donors will receive a free cholesterol test and t-shirt and have a chance at winning a pair of tickets to a Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Stars game. One grand prize winner will win a three-game ticket pack to either a Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Stars game.
“Serve God, Save the Planet,” Dr. Matthew Sleeth lecture
Wed., Sept. 24
Lecture: 10:10 a.m., Fannin Performance Hall
Reception/Q&A: 12:20-1:15 p.m., El Paso Hall, Room 070
Arno Rafael Minkkinen Reception and Book Signing
Thurs., Sept. 25
Lecture: 7-8 p.m., Arena Theater (F108)
Reception and Book Signing: 8-9 p.m., Lago Vista Gallery (Library)
For information about the artist, visit www.arnorafaelminkkinen.org
Faculty Appreciation Week
Nov. 17-21
Fall 2008 Student Wall of Honor Ceremony
10 a.m., Wed. Nov. 19
Crockett Hall
Featured Teaching and Learning Practices Ceremony
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m., Wed., Nov. 19
Crockett Hall
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, e-signs, marquees and/or Web Calendar click here.
Emily Gray, adjunct professor of Theatre at Richland College, was selected by the Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum for her outstanding performance in 2007-08.
Ms. Gray, one of eight actresses recognized on the annual awards list, was honored for her work in Season’s Greetings!, House and Garden, and Popcorn at Dallas’ Theatre Three.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum is comprised of print journalists in North Texas who work primarily in the area of theater criticism. The Forum chooses several favorites in each category, without singling out a winner.
Ms. Gray says she honored to receive the award and to be able to share her expertise with aspiring actors.
“I love teaching the Richland students because it constantly keeps me fresh and open to new ideas,” she says. “The young actor is a sponge and seeing people discover new ways of doing things or suddenly succeeding gives me so much joy. I love what I do as an actor professionally and being able to share that joy with young people is a double joy. Besides I’m not very good and stopping and sitting still!”
Kenya Gabriel
Title: Department Assistant I
Department: ACCESS
Amber Westmoreland
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Department: RCHS
Tatiana Matyushina
Title: Accounting Clerk C
Department: Business Office
Craig Ramsey
Title: Senior Rehabilitation Specialist
Department: Disability Services
Tony Fears
Title: Accountant
Department: Business Office
To: Various Thunderducks
From: Susan Wehe, WLCC
Dear MGRF – Thanks for all you did to support the visit from Cari Clements, Lindsey Morse, Quito the parrot, and the white-feathered red-tail hawk of Natural Encounters, Inc. For sponsor and ad support: David Henry and GREENRichland, Mitzi Werther and Emeritus, Bobbie Harrison, Wilfred Manyango, and Jay Wooldridge of SPAR, Suzy Hogue for putting in the info to Emeritus book seconds before print deadline. For room support: Jennifer Owen – for believing in this and not being scared of bird products, for your crew, thanks! For audience support: AECI/ILC profs – Anne Savidge, Phyllis Williams, Mercy Fernandez, Ludmila Smith, Scott Branks, Ronda Glasser, Cathy McDade, and my team – teacher Danielle Plauche and our great students. To unknown folks for cleaning up the sunflower seed and peanut shells from the stage – thank you all.
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
Hello Dr. (Bob) Mims,
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you, for the wonderful time I had while attending your lectures. The way you lecture, really had a significant role throughout my learning experience. I’ve been attending college for the past 2 years, and so far this has been the greatest class I’ve taken. Not only I learned a lot about geology, the universe, animals, lifeforms, geography, and so on, but I also learned to feel good about myself. What I thought would be another class to drop, became the most affordable to conquer. The way you teach was increasingly making me feel good about myself. Overall I had a feeling of “Yes I CAN do it”. . . .
David Edlund
*Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Mary Frances Gibbons’ (Institutional Effectiveness) mother passed away on Wed., Sept. 10. Services were held in Huntsville, Texas.
Patricia Benter’s (College Communications & Marketing) mother, Mary Benter, passed away on Fri., Sept. 19 in a Dallas hospital. Service to be held in the Clear Lake area are pending.
Richland College kicked off another school year at it’s 2008 Convocation program, held Aug. 22 in Fannin Performance Hall. The day was packed with awards for faculty and staff, new employee recognition, a video presentation, and keynote speaker, Dr. David T. Abalos of Seton Hall. Highlights of the day’s events are pictured in the slide show above.
2008-2009 Convocation Award winners:
Administrator of the Year Award
Ron Clark, Vice President for Business Services
Jean Sharon Griffith Student Development Leadership Award
Fred Martinez, School of Human and Academic Development
Innovation of the Year Award
Instructor/Course Profiles Team: Leslie Wendling, Mark Murray, Audra Barrett, Dan Dao, and Randy Jensen
Excellence in Teaching Awards
Full-Time – Dr. Fred Newbury, Economics
Adjunct – Anna Gann, ESOL
Continuing Education – Amber Reedy, Health Professions
Associate Faculty – Matt Hinckley, Journalism
Richland College will partner with KERA to present “A Dream in Doubt,” a community film screening and panel discussion on the first hate-based murder in the wake of September 11, 2001. The event will be held in Richland’s Fannin Performance Hall at 7 p.m., Sept 9.
The documentary touches on a hate crime that occurred four days after the 9/11 attacks. Balbir Singh Sodhi was gunned down at a Phoenix-area gas station by a man named Frank Roque. To Roque, Balbir Sodhi’s beard and turban—articles representing his Sikh faith—symbolized the face of America’s new enemy. Seeking retaliation for 9/11, Roque killed Sodhi and went on to shoot at a Lebanese American man and fired multiple rounds of ammunition outside an Afghan American family’s home. The film follows Rana Singh Sodhi, Balbir’s brother, as he attempts to fight the hate threatening his family and community.
For more information about the film, click here. Contact Carole Lester at 972-238-6110 or CLester@dcccd.edu about the screening. Download flyer.
Students may make appointments for non-crisis situations by contacting one of the counselors directly, visiting the Counseling Office (E088, 972-238-3771) or calling the Richland Health Center at 972-238-6135. More information regarding Counseling Services can be found here.
Journalism faculty member Tonya McMillion was featured in an issue of DART’s “In Motion” magazine. Read more here.
A GREENRichland tip
Gas Saving tip: Look at alternative transportation options — even if it’s just for one or two days a week. Walk, bicycle, carpool or take public transportation and leave your vehicle at home.
Have a global warming action to suggest? E-mail them to greenrichland@dcccd.edu.
September 2008
Van-Anh Do
Continuing Education/Workforce Training
An excerpt from a congratulatory letter from Dr. Mittelstet:
Dear Van-Anh:
Congratulations on being selected the Richland College Outstanding Employee for September 2008. Your award is well-deserved recognition of the exemplary service you have provided Richland College.
As a valued member of our Continuing Education registration staff, you are top notch when it comes to customer service. Your main priority is student success, whether making sure your information to students is always current and correct or not leaving at the end of the day until each student has been served. Because of your bi-lingual skill, students whose first language is Vietnamese seek your help with the registration system and enrolling in the correct classes. Always with a professional demeanor, you are calm and understanding even when challenging situations are involved.
Meeting Professional International-Dallas/Fort Worth (MPI D/FW) Chapter presented several Richland College Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management (TEMM) program staff and faculty members with industry awards.
On June 6, the Colleen Rickenbacher Leadership award was given to TEMM instructor Jim Monore. At the June 26th MPI D/FW Awards Gala, instructor Bill Reeser received the Lifetime Partnership Award and TEMM advisory board member Elizabeth Chandler received the President’s From the Heart Award. The Planner of Year award, which is the highest honor given by the D/FW Chapter, was presented to TEMM program director M.T. Hickman for her leadership and lifetime achievement in the travel and meeting industry.
MPI D/FW is an affiliate of Meeting Professionals International, the world’s largest association of meeting industry professionals with 24,000+ members in 80 countries with 69 chapters globally. The D/FW Chapter currently ranks as the 6th largest chapter in the world with over 950 members.
Laura Moguel
Title: Student Services Specialist
Dept.: Multicultural Center
James Thomas Jr.
Title: Testing Assistant
Dept.: Human And Academic Development
Betty Trueblook
Title: Instructional Support Specialist
Dept.: WLCC
Derrick Logozzo
Title: Director of Instrumental Music
Dept.: Humanities
Vicki Mayhan
Title: Faculty- Art
Dept.: Humanities
To: John Carmichael, Academic Advising
From: Susan Wehe and Ann Moy, WLCC
Thank you for making a special presentation of your “Juggling For Life” talk to our ESOL Learning Community class. Since many of our students work, and your regularly scheduled presentation was not during our class time, you agreed to make the additional effort to come to our class on a Friday morning and show us how juggling relates to life. I was so pleased when one of the shy, quiet students said, “There is a deep meaning in this,” in response to your lesson that “The toss is everything, the catch is nothing.” You grabbed their interest, and you got them all juggling! Thank you.
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
Richland College,
I sincerely wish to express my appreciation to Caren Tate. It was so rewarding to have a telephone call and welcoming introduction from this instructor.
I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Anthony C. Mathis Sr.
*Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Pablo Pascal (WLCC) welcomed son Arturo León Pascal on Aug. 16 at 7 lbs. 9oz., and 20″ long.
Carole Lester’s (Academic Enrichment Programs) mother, Mrs. Lucille Littman, passed away Saturday, Aug. 10 in Spokane, WA following a lengthy illness. A memorial service was held on Aug. 14 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Spokane.
United Nation Association Dallas Chapter in partnership with Richland College and the LeCroy Center for Educational Telecommunication recently received the Earl Eames Award for its progress and contributions in the use of electronic communication technology. The award was received at the UNA USA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Business. The ambassador and UNA USA President William Luers presented to Noeli Biggs, Jeana Remington, Diana Bustillos, the UNA Dallas Chapter, Richland College and the LeCroy Center with certificates. Click here for photos of the ceremony.
The award is based on the chapter’s resourcefulness and creativeness of “Going Global with the UN.” The project consists of 52 half-hour videos covering the work of the UN toward accomplishing its Millennium Development Goals and addressing issues of health and environment education; poverty and development; war and peace; and gender and aging. The UNA of Dallas, through its partnership with Richland College and the LeCroy Center, made the videos available through Dallas broadcast television, streaming video online, and the DCCCD media center.
Richland College and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) kicked off their ninth year of presenting Poetry in Motion, a celebration to support the love of literature featured in public transportation.
Fifteen poems will be highlighted this year including a poem excerpt by Richland College’s Poet Laureate, Professor Jerry McElveen. Richland Adjunct English Instructor Martha Heimberg’s poetry also will be featured in this year’s series.
from “A Trip Home” by Jerry McElveen
Since its founding 10 years ago, the U.S. program, inspired by a similar program in the London Underground, has expanded to 14 cities across the country, reaching 13 million people daily.
For more information, visit www.dart.org/poetry.
Richland College president Stephen Mittelstet was featured in June’s issue of D Magazine. The article speaks of how he has brought business principles to the education, leading the way to a Baldrige Award appointment in 2005. Read the article here.
Math faculty member Raj Seekri was recently named one of the recipients the 2008 Awards for Excellence in Community Service by The Dallas Historical Society. The award will be presented at a Nov. 10 luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel Dallas.
Selection committee chairperson Caro Stalcup had this to say about Seekri:
“….he is held in highest regard by administrators, colleagues and students.” “As one of his many admiring students has written, ‘His ability to translate the difficult subject of mathematics is surpassed only by his deep and devoted love for his students.’ ”
The Awards for Excellence luncheon provides substantial financial support for the stewardship and preservation of priceless artifacts and archives.
Click here to read the Dallas Morning News article featuring Seekri. To support the Awards for Excellence luncheon should call Nora Lenhart at 214-421-4500, ext. 106 or e-mail Nora@dallashistory.org.
GREENRichland tips
Not sure to do with your old cell phone, computer, or household appliance? Recycle it! There are variety of e-waste collection sites in the DFW area. Visit www.mygreenelectronics.com to find a site near you. You may also take advantage of the United States Postal Service’s free e-waste recycling program. The Environmental Protection Agency and eBay provide lists of organizations that accept donations of used electronics.
Have a global warming action to suggest? E-mail them to greenrichland@dcccd.edu.
Teacher Preparation Program Open House
Aug. 5, Two sessions: 1-2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.
Crockett Hall, Room C150.
All-Faculty Convocation
Aug. 21
5:45-6:45 p.m., Registration and Reception, El Paso Hall
7-7:50 p.m., Program, Fannin Performance Hall
8-9:30 p.m., Breakout Sessions, various locations
RLC Convocation
Friday, Aug. 22
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, esigns, marquees and/or Web Calendar click here.
Texas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TexTESOL), Region V honored Zarina Blankenbaker as its 2008 recipient of the TexTESOLer of the Year Award. Zarina is a long-term and loyal supporter of the organization, having served as the Region V board newsletter editor (1997-1999) and as president (2004-2007). Among her many accomplishments, she led an important revision of the organization’s constitution and by-laws, initiated discussion of revisions to the TexTESOL V website, promoted the professionalism of the organization, and assured the affiliate’s compliance with TESOL policies. Currently, although she is not serving on the board, Zarina continues to advise the 2008 TexTESOL State Conference planning committee.
The Richland Music Department announces the largest number of transfer students to four-year institutions in many years. Music students accepted to the University of Texas Arlington music program include: Jasmine Xavier, voice; Gary Beavers, oboe, (music scholarship); Matt Jones, bass violin, (music scholarship); Jason Lloyd, composition; and Drew Lawes, music theory. Composition student Chris Grow was accepted into the University of North Texas music program.
Many of these students have also earned scholarships. Voice students receiving scholarships include Roni Carrasco (Texas A&M Commerce, $12,000) and Taylor Hankey (Stephen F. Austin, $3,000). Instrumental students receiving scholarships include Charlie Gonzalez, (tuba, Southeast Oklahoma State, $41,000); Jeremy Hopkins (french horn, Louisiana Tech, full scholarship); Rafael Restrepo (percussion, Berkelee School of Music, $5,000); and NaYoung Jeon (flute, California Baptist University, $8,000).
Name: Flavia Caramori
Title: Department Assistant II
Department: Multicultural Center
Name: John Butler
Title: Classroom Technology Specialist
Department: Media Technology
Name: Erinn Farrell
Title: Academic Advisor II
Department: Academic Advising
Name: Scott Toups
Title: College Director of Athletic Programs
Department: PE
Name: Carl Lord Jr
Title: Electronic Tech II
Department: Media Technology
Not pictured:
Name: Jennifer Russell
Title: HR Specialist III
Department: HR
Name: Vicki Goux
Title: Secretary II
Department: Financial Aid
Name: Gregory Wright
Title: College Police Officer
Department: College Police
Name: Blake Walker
Title: Info Systems/Lan Support Specialist II
Department: IT Support Center
To: Various Thunderducks
From: Patricia Spence, Humanities
I cannot let the academic year get too far behind me without acknowledging, again, what a debt of gratitude I owe to Steve Dupuis and Joe Vines for being such a huge help with the videos sent by the online speech students.
The computers in the Multimedia center have software that is just magic when it comes to opening up videos that are sent to me and to the other online SPCH instructors. Joe and Steve add the support that is necessary to know how to use this software, so even the most “strangely” of formatted files can work. Deb Smith is also great about getting back to me whenever I have a question about the lab and what I can do there.
Also, I periodically have to use the digital cameras to play videos and, again, both Joe and Steve make themselves available to spend time with me to do this. The other SPCH online faculty know that they are there, too.
It is also invaluable to be able to have the link to the MM center on the SPCH online website and to be able to tell all SPCH online students that they can go to the MM center for assistance, if they need it, to transfer video to CDs/DVDs that can be sent to online faculty. That gives such great peace of mind to me and to the other SPCH online faculty. It gives our students a place to go for tech support the faculty cannot provide them. Thanks to your great staff!
More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
Oscar (Lopez), Cindy (Berry) and Zina (Gardner),
We sincerely thank each one of you for all that you did for our visit to your campus. Oscar, many thanks for coordinating and organizing our time with you and your staff. We also appreciate your care and concern for each detail and especially for the great food! We send our sincere appreciation to Vice President Summers for taking time out of a very busy schedule to inspire us with insightful words and welcoming us to Richland College. Many thanks as well to your staff who took the time to present and to interact with us. It was great to see their enthusiasm and joy.
Thank you once again and we look forward to building this exciting new relationship with all of you.
Best regards,
Matthew S. Hebbard
Director of Admissions and Registrar
South Texas College
If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear in Thanks T-ducks, please use this online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office.
Dan Dao’s (School of Business and Information Technology) mother passed away on July 8 in Plano Presbyterian Hospital. The funeral was held on July 11 at Restland Memorial.
David Canine, former deputy superintendent for the Richland Collegiate High School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering (RCHS), never imagined how cold air would feel on his bare head. He went bald last month after he promised to shave his head if the RCHS class of 2008 applied for and received $1 million in scholarships to colleges or universities in Texas and across the United States. Those students took him seriously, and their cumulative scholarship total to date is $2.5 million.
“$2.5 million is so far beyond anything I could have imagined! That’s almost $20,000 per student,” says Canine.
RCHS, housed at Richland College, was first opened in the Fall of 2006 as a unique program where 11th and 12th graders could complete their last two years of high school by taking college courses. Potentially, students could earn their high school diploma and their associate’s degree simultaneously. This spring, RCHS graduated its first class of 129 seniors. Of those students, 122 also received their associate’s degree.
With the $2.5 million in tow, many of these students will be transferring to major colleges and universities, both in and out of state, with at least 60 credit hours from Richland.
“The scholarships, the school’s [TEA] “exemplary” rating, and the 122 associate degrees the graduates earned demonstrate the quality of our students and success of the RCHS. More than half of the graduates earned a grade point average of “B” or better taking nothing but college courses. I am glad that the four-year universities recognized how hard our students worked to earn these grades and rewarded them for their efforts,” says Canine.
Richland Collegiate High School (RCHS) students completed their school year with the end of May Term. The 129 graduating seniors and their parents were honored on May 29 at the Senior Celebration held at the Atrium in Garland. In addition to congratulations from Board Chair Jerry Prater, RCHS Superintendent Steve Mittelstet, and RCHS Deputy Superintendent David Canine, the group heard from Valedictorian Caitlin Taylor and recognized Salutatorian Julio Molina. More than 70 RCHS seniors received Distinguished Achievement high school diplomas at the event. For a slideshow of the event, click here.
Applications for fall 2008 incoming juniors are now being accepted. For additional information, visit www.richlandcollege.edu/rchs or call 972-761-6888.
The Dallas City Council was hosted by Richland College for their second special community quadrant meeting on May 7, with a focus on sustainability. Mayor Leppert presented President Mittelstet a proclamation honoring Richland for its local and national leadership in sustainable community building through its performance excellence strategy, as recognized by the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Prior to the City department presentations on progress with their sustainability initiatives, Dr. Mittelstet welcomed the Council on behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of Richland College and RCHS and introduced GREENRichland co-chairs David Henry and Eddie Hueston.
A GREENRichland tip
Take a Green Vacation! The U.S. Travel Data Center estimates that 43 million American travelers are “ecologically concerned” when planning trips. One resource to help get started is www.greenhotels.com. This site has a list of eco-friendly hotels in the U.S. as well as some internationally. Another source that’s broader in scope is www.sustainabletravelinternational.org.
Have a global warming action to suggest? E-mail them to greenrichland@dcccd.edu.
RLC Rooms now has a new Web page to request conference rooms and classrooms for meetings and special events. Included on the page is helpful information on what to do once a room is confirmed, rooms that can not be reserved through the RLC Rooms Web page, a calendar of events for some of the most requested conference rooms, and more. Those who are requesting rooms for credit and CE classes do not have to use this page. For additional details, contact Bethany Wright at 972-238-6061.
In the spirit of Richland’s vision to build sustainable local and world community, Journalism/Student Media Program Coordinator Tonya McMillion was recently featured on KTVT-TV Channel 11 in a story about her new green lifestyle. She recently sold her car and now commutes everyday to work via DART bus, DART rail, and her bike. View the Channel 11 story on her commute to work here. She has also initiated a GREENRichland blog for the college where bloggers can share stories of their green lifestyles and practices.
Fonda Vera of Richland College has been appointed by Dr. James M. Turner, Acting Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to the 2008 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive.
As an examiner, Vera is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the Award. The board is composed of approximately 500 leading experts selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, education and health care organizations and government.
Those selected meet the highest standards of qualification and peer recognition. All members of the board must take part in a preparation course based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence and the scoring and evaluation processes for the Baldrige Award. More
Congratulations are in order for Cindy Castaneda. On May 10, she won a seat on the Garland ISD school board, At Large Position 4. Cindy is Richland’s Dean of Ethnic Studies, Social Science, and Physical Education.
In May, Alice Lee (World Languages) was installed as the 2008-2010 president of Richardson’s Delta Pi chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. The Society is a professional honor society of women educators that promotes professional development and excellence in education.
Ashley Franklin
Title: Circulation Assistant
Department: Library
Lawrence Chamberlin
Title: Carpenter II
Department: Facilities Services
James Seyer
Title: Groundskeeper
Department: Facilities Services
Shelly Key
Title: Director of Admissions/Registrar
Department: RCHS
To: Sharon Wright, Information Services
From: Institutional Research Office
We want to thank you, Sharon, for helping the Research Office complete an important printing project when we recently had a toner snaffu. You came through for us with a team spirit and an “always” friendly smile/great attitude. The PI office and all of us are blessed to have you here at Richland. Thanks again dear lady!!!
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
Dear Kay (Eggleston):
Thank you for your company’s sponsorship of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce 51st Annual Banquet, which featured Marin G. Foster of Blue Cross and Blue Shield as our keynote speaker. The event was attended by almost 500 people and we have received favorable feedback on the overall program. This would not be possible without the generous of you, our sponsors.
Support such as your enables us to continue our efforts to constantly improve the value we offer our members and to serve our member companies and community in effective and innovative ways. Thank you for joining us in working to create a business climate which benefits us all.
Sincerely,
William C. Sproull
*Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Congratulations to Laura and Matt Hinckley (Human & Academic Development) on the birth of 6 lb. 12 oz. Ian Archer Hinckley born Tuesday, May 20 at 10:38 p.m.
Doug Simoneaux’ s father, Malcolm Simoneaux passed away on May 14 at his residence in Groves, Texas. Funeral services were held May 16, at the Levingston Funeral Home in Groves.
Anna Engert’s (Humanities) father, Mr. Marko Gjenero, passed away in New Orleans on May 12.
Richland College (RLC) was recently selected as one of 15 colleges to participate in the three-year PLUS 50 initiative, which will develop and benchmark models for innovative programs for students 50 years of age and over. The project is funded with a $3.2 million dollar grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies and is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
The grant money will be used to further develop RLC’s Boomer program, a series of new and unique courses specifically for baby boomers, which kicked off in January 2008. Courses on relationships, retirement planning, computer skills, and parent care-giving are a few examples of the courses that have been offered.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with other colleges as we all expand and enhance our programs,” says Mitzi Werther, Boomers program director. “We look forward to the challenge of discovering and fulfilling the unique needs of this diverse group.”
For more about the PLUS 50 initiative, click here.
by Justin Justin, Richland College Sports Information
Photo courtesy of the Richland Chronicle
Congratulations are in order for Joe Wharton and his Richland College baseball team as his squad will have a chance to play for its fourth NJCAA Division III national championship since 2002 on May 17-22 in Tyler after the T-Ducks won their district tournament over the weekend.
Richland opened the tournament with a 12-3 win over North Arkansas College, which entered the tournament ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA Division III poll.
The T-Ducks, who didn’t drop a game during the double-elimination tournament, then beat Eastfield, 6-4, and Tyler, 12-3, in the championship game.
Tyler beat Richland four times in six games this season and was ranked No. 4 while Eastfield was No. 6. The T-Ducks entered the weekend ranked No. 4.
Visit the thundersports page for continued updates.
Nominations are being accepted now for the Richland College 2008-09 Innovation of the Year Award and Jean Sharon Griffith Student Development Leadership Award. Winners (or teams) of each award will be announced at Convocation in August and will receive $1,000 in the respective college budget.
Richland winners then will be reviewed along with other DCCCD winners to determine Districtwide recipients to be announced at District Conference Day.
Nominations for the Innovation of the Year are due by Friday, May 16. The Jean Sharon Griffith Student Development Leadership Award applications are due Friday, May 23. Please submit completed nomination forms to Maria Chobany. For forms and additional details, contact Maria at 972-238-6384 or mariac@dcccd.edu.
The Richland College Jazz Singers performed on April 24 at the prestigious 38th Annual University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival in Greeley, Colo. The Jazz Singers competed in the college division. Richland student Thomas Nanthavongduoansy won a Special Citation for outstanding musicianship in the vocal solo category.
In addition to the performance and clinic, the singers attended a concert given by “Take Six,” a renowned male professional vocal jazz group.
Members of the Richland Jazz Singers include Kathryn Adams, Michael Berry, Roni Carrasce, Angela Cook, James Gonzalez, Taylor Hankey, john Johnsen, Molly Lunch, Joshua Miller, Yealim Moon, Thomas Nanthavongduangsy, April Putman, Victor Rimasch, Janscel Rivas, Dennis Vaden, and Susan Vaden. Michael Crawford directs and Bilianna Dimitrova accompanies the group.
Time to Shine
3 p.m., May 12
East Breezeway
David Canine to go bald after RCHS seniors earns over $2 million in scholarships. More…
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, esigns, marquees and/or Web Calendar click here.
Twelve members of the Richland Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa brought home top honors from the International Convention to Philadelphia in early April. Once again, the RLC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa had an impressive year and came home with top honors.
In their bid for International President, Keome Rowe made the finals but was defeated in the final ballot. He also received the “Most Distinguished Regional Officer Award.”
Other chapter awards include:
-Being named to the top 100 chapters in the international organization out of 1250 chapters
-Being named a Distinguished Chapter (Top 25)
-The Leadership Hallmark Award
-Aliene Pylant’s Paragon Award for New Advisors
-Larry Polk’s election as Secretary to the Association of Chapter Advisors. He’ll serve a three-year, rotating upward term. He is the only advisor in the history of the organization to be elected twice to this position.
Fred Sweet, Richland 3-D Art Coordinator, and advanced ceramics students Nathan Portnoy and Mark Westbrook participated in a special weekend clay and kiln wood-firing workshop in Edom, Texas sponsored by Tyler Junior College, April 11-13. Fred, Nathan and Mark helped fire more than 200 clay artworks, alternating stoking shifts through the entire weekend. The weekend event was a collaboration between the ceramics departments at Richland, Tyler Junior College and Montgomery College.
Richland Chronicle Photo Editor Tambra Sanders recently won Best of Show in the photography department’s Student Photo/Imaging Exhibition. In addition, Tambra and Tasleem Khan won Third Place in the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) Two-Person Photo Essay live competition on April 3, competing against junior and senior photojournalism majors from every major public and private university in Texas. While at the TIPA convention in College Station, Tambra was elected TIPA’s parliamentarian.
Randall Garrett, Gallery Coordinator at Richland College, built a solo installation as part of NFO-XPO, an art fair in Chicago held last month. Based on the Mahasukha (”Great Bliss”), a concept in Tantric art, the installation was a hybrid shrine, alleyway, and refuge to souls descendent, and adapts iconographies from various traditions. Garrett has curated, performed and shown work in Texas, Miami, New York, Puerto Rico, and Chicago.
Jack Fletcher III
Telecommunications Tech II
To: Whitney Rosenbalm and the Information Services staff
From: Kristyn Edney, RCHS
Dianna is awesome! I really appreciate all the work she has done for the RCHS program. Thank you for assigning her to work on our program needs.
I also appreciate everything you, Suzy, Anitra, Lisa, John, and the Web Team have done throughout the past two years. Your teams are great, and they have helped us to improve and grow.
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
To: President Mittelstet,
I want to thank you for the kind words of support and congratulations for my recent appointment. It is an honor to serve the school children and education community of Texas. As we begin the new year, I look forward to working with you in 2008 and beyond. Please feel free to contact me if I may be of assistance in the future.
Sincerely,
Robert Scott
Commissioner of Education
*Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Sen. Florence Shapiro, accompanied by Chancellor Wright Lassiter, visited the RLC campus and interacted with RCHS students, parents and staff. The tour was led by Superintendent Steve Mittelstet and included an introduction of staff by Principal Kristyn Edney. Shapiro heard compelling testimony from a group of RCHS students, PTA members, and high school administrators about the differences between Advanced Placement and Dual Credit. They also discussed the need for the legislature and TEA to “even the playing field” regarding incentives to high schools for offering Dual Credit, at least equivalent to the incentives currently provided for offering Advanced Placement. She was enthusiastic about what she learned and indicated she would assist community colleges in the next legislative session regarding dual credit offerings.
Richland College student, Dharmesh Patel, was one of 20 students named to USA Today’s All-USA Community College Academic First Team last week, which recognizes outstanding two-year college students. Patel received a $2,500 award and received trophies during a ceremony Monday at the American Association of Community Colleges convention in Philadelphia. He is only one of three students in RLC’s history to receive such an honor. His application also was judged Best in Texas and he will receive an additional $2,000 scholarship from Coca-Cola as a New Century Scholar.
More than 1,500 students from 849 community colleges in 50 states and beyond were nominated for the USA Today award. Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges that encourages academic excellence and promotes community service, administers the selection process.
Patel, 27, arrived in the U.S. from Zimbabwe as a Green Card Lottery winner. Each year the U.S. grants 50,000 permanent resident visas, drawn randomly from a selection of eligible residents from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. With only $50 in his pocket, Patel left his family and moved to Dallas.
“It was the first time I was away from home,” Patel said. “Initially, what I wanted to do was to go back.”
RLC career/academic advisor and instructor, John Carmichael, was featured in the March 9 Metro section of The Dallas Morning News and April 5 “Editor’s Note” for the Lake Highlands neighborsgo. The articles featured Carmichael’s “Juggling for Life” seminars and the valuable lessons it teaches students. To view the copy of the Metro article, click here.
A GREENRichland Tip
Drink Responsibly
Summer is coming and hot weather means drinking lots of water. What a perfect time to break the bottled water habit! Nearly 8.3 million gallons of water filled plastic containers in 2006, and related production and transportation took a heavy toll in energy use. You can keep carbon out of the air and chemicals out of your drinking water by using filters and reusable bottles. You’ll save money, too. The New York Times reports that, for the same amount of water per year, consumers will pay more than $1,000 in bottled water compared to less than $1 for tap. Check out sustainable options at www.consciousconsumer.org and www.shop.livingwatersdistributing.com
The Spring 2008 semester has been quite a busy month, full of activities and award ceremonies. See slideshow below for a brief overview of some of the events that have happened.
Teacher Preparation Information Session
April 23
Two sessions: 1‑2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.
C150
For more details, contact Emia G. Williams at 972‑238‑6917.
Richland College Theatre presents “Radio Show”
7:30 p.m., April 23-26 and 11:15 a.m. on April 25
RLC Arena Theatre
Admission free, donations accepted
Richland College Theatre presents “Mischief and Mayhem”
7:30 p.m., April 28
RLC Arena Theatre
Admission free, donations accepted
Must be 18+ to be admitted
RLC Graduation
7:30 p.m., May 2 and 3
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, esigns, marquees and/or Web Calendar click here.
April 2008
Thuy Anh Nguyen
Multicultural Center
An excerpt from a congratulatory letter from Dr. Mittelstet:
Dear Thuy Anh:
Congratulations on being selected the Richland College Outstanding Employee for April 2008. Your award is well-deserved recognition of the exemplary service you have provided Richland College.
Your co-workers cite your steadfast dedication to our students in working with instructional colleagues to make ESOL more meaningful to specific populations, such as creating career-focused learning communities for students planning to become health professionals or teachers. You are seen as a model of quiet strength and leadership, especially during peak registration, as you create more effective staffing deployments and adapt advising and testing processes to meet unanticipated demands.
You are capable, reliable, and focused on doing what needs to be done. Instead of fretting about how to stage campus events such as the Men’s Health Conference and several Asian festivals, with little or no funding, you enlist your network of community contacts to support each event. Your resourcefulness, creativity, and perseverance enable you to wring so much more out of the Multicultural Center’s small budget or the out-dated-yet-indispensable CARLOS system.
The Richland College Humanities Division, along with the University of Texas at Arlington Liberal Arts and Music Department, presented Olusanjo Daramola to the RLC campus. He is an internationally renowned Fulbright Music Scholar and authority on African and Islamic music. He also teaches and performs at Obafemi Awolowo University in the Osun State of Nigeria. Daramola’s lecture included demonstrations of African traditional music and a performance with the UT Arlington African ensemble.
Dr. Sherry Dean, Executive Dean, Humanities, served as a facilitator for the Dallas Dinner Table on March 19 at the Wilshire Baptist Church in Richardson. The Dallas Dinner Table, an annual city-wide event, promotes the sharing of diverse perspectives about the impact of race on the daily lives of Dallas residents. More than 900 people gathered at homes, restaurants and religious institutions in this year’s Dallas Dinner Table event.
The Richland Guitar Ensemble participated in the Third Annual University of Texas Brownsville/Texas Southmost College Guitar Festival and Competition. Professor of Guitar Studies Jan Ryberg and his students won first place in the large ensemble division. They also heard two world class concerts by members of the LA Guitar Quartet and attended master classes featuring students from around the country taught by Scott Tenant. The Brownsville Festival was the most rewarding student trip for the Richland Guitar Ensemble in the last four years.
Richland College hosted its fifth successful Carnival of Steel festival on April 19. Hundreds of community members enjoyed performances by the Richland Steel Band and World Drumming Ensemble, the Midwestern State University Caribbean Steel Band, and steel drum bands from Plano Senior High School, North Garland High School, Shields Elementary School, and Krum High School. The event also featured a professional group called Island Groove. The day-long outdoor festivities concluded with a Caribbean Carnival costume parade.
The Council for Community Building held is annual Wall of Honor ceremony on March 27. The event honors current and former students that have overcome major obstacles, excelled in the classroom, and displayed talents that help their fellow students and community. This year’s recipients are:
Alhaji F. Saccoh – Current Student
Babs King – Former Student
Elizabeth Haddon – Former Student
Keome Rowe – Current Student
Kyle A. Milberger – Former Student
For a biographical sketch of each recipient, click here.
Vonetta Cartwright
Title: Administrative Assistant
Department: ACCESS
Carol Sperry
Title: Student Services Specialist
Department: Upward Bound
Latisha Harrison
Title: Senior Academic Advisor
Department: Educational Transitions
Anthony Leand
Title: Department Assistant IV
Department: Educational Transitions
To: Various Thunderducks
From: Whitney Rosenbalm, Information Services
The Fall 2007 Student Wall of Honor was, as usual, inspiring and tear‑jerking. Larry Polk was gracious enough to fill in as emcee for the council. He was awesome, as he usually is at public speaking events! Thank you, Larry.
Thank you to the Anitra Cotton and John Pollock for all the hard work on the ceremony, as well as Jeremy Haldeman and Kris Hytinnen for their expertise. The Council for Community Building works diligently to bring this important event to our students, staff and faculty. Thanks especially to those members who are always visible and assisting during the ceremony: Bill Neal, Susan Barkley Gary Duke, and Simin Sadoughi.
Also, the ceremony could not take place without our faculty members who teach, learn and build community everyday. Thank you for your work with our students, and please continue to nominate those with inspiring stories.
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
Dear Delores (Elder-Jones),
Thank you so much for devoting your Sunday to come and speak to our refugees about higher education. You gave a wealth of information to teens and adults alike. All of your efforts are so appreciated by me and those at St. Patrick Outreach. Thank you also for the fabulous pictures you sent.
Again my heartfelt thanks to you for your willingness to serve those in need of help with college entrance requirements and financial aid. God bless you!
Mary-Ann Martin
St. Patrick Outreach
*Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Dru Bookout welcomed the birth of a new grandson on April 11. Jeffrey Paul Hulbert III arrived weighing 7 lbs., 12 oz. at 20.5”. Congratulations to Dru and her family.
This year’s Conference Day was held at each perspective campus throughout the District. Richland’s day included a talk from Dr. Mittelstet, a variety of breakout sessions, interactive group projects, and performances by RLC Theatre students. The day also included an unforgettable performance of the Richland ThunderDavas. For a video of their performance, click here. For a recap of the entire day, check out this YouTube video below:
A GreenRichland Tip
Think Globally, Eat Locally
Want to eat healthier, support the local economy, and make a dent in global warming emissions? Buy food grown within 100 miles of your home. Here’s why: it tends to be healthier because it is often grown organically; your dollars get “plowed” right back into the regional economy; and much less fossil fuel is used in producing and transporting it. You can even join a community supported agriculture (CSA) co-op and receive a box of food every week in exchange for buying shares in an area farmer’s harvest — and yes, there are CSAs in North Texas. Find farmer’s markets, CSAs, and other resources at www.localharvest.org.
Wendy Welch, Richland Theatre faculty member wrote this e-mail to a group of friends in response to the suicide of a Richland College Theatre student last month. Dr. Mittelstet asked Wendy to share this communication with the RLC family as it exemplifies the ThunderValues of Cooperation, Considerate and Meaningful Communication, and Wholeness. The following is an excerpt of the e-mail:
Dear friends,
I want to report on my day yesterday in the hopes we might all learn from it…
Thursday morning after class we learned that one of our Theatre students committed suicide at home. Unbelievable. She was new this semester and well loved by her fellow students. She was leading the publicity crew for the show and was excited about that. Clearly, there were some deep issues in this young woman’s life.
The details, the e-mails, the Facebook entries, the messages left are too numerous and difficult to list. But suffice it to say, it was an exhausting day.
The students reacted in a huge way. The faculty were all on hand all day and into the evening. The students were mostly contained to the green room all day long, and four of Richland’s wonderful crisis counselors spent the day with us.
Our Theatre faculty is even more amazing than I thought I already knew them to be. It was triage, holding one sobbing student, and then running after another who went screaming onto the loading dock and collapsed, and then back inside to continue holding heads and hands, talking them up from the depths of despair, anger and sadness, ordering pizza and chocolate to comfort, all sitting together expressing our feelings, sobbing some more, and then finally going ahead with our read-through of “Guys and Dolls” in the evening, which they all wanted.
What I want to express in retrospect, and there’s been a lot of that today, is that we must slow down and notice each other, listen to each other, take time for the ones we love, forgive, reach out, and be thankful for each other and each new day we’re on this earth together.
From deep down in my heart,
Wendy Welch
Photographer Luther Smith exhibit and lecture
7-9 p.m., March 24
S163
Sponsored by: Richland College Photographic/Imaging Program
Luther Smith, TCU professor of art photography, will be showing his large format photographs and discussing the photography program at Texas Christian University.
Student Wall of Honor Ceremony
10:30 a.m., March 26
Crockett Hall
Real Estate Career Day
6:30-8:30 p.m., April 2
El Paso Hallway and Student Lounge
Sponsored by: Richland College Real Estate Department
Forty to fifty real estate companies will be attending with information about their career opportunities.
Spring Dance Concert
7:30 p.m., April 4
Fannin Performance Hall
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, esigns, marquees and/or Web Calendar, click here.
March 2008
June Cheatham
Humanities
An excerpt from a congratulatory letter from Dr. Mittelstet:
Congratulations on being selected the Richland College Outstanding Employee for March 2008. Your award is well-deserved recognition of the exemplary service you have provided Richland College.
With your service as an adjunct faculty member for over 13 years, your hard work and commitment were recognized when you were elected president of the Adjunct Faculty Association. Since then, in your work as Associate Dean in the Humanities Division for the past six years, you now manage a large number of History and Government adjunct faculty, schedule courses, and respond to student concerns. Your experience as a former adjunct History faculty member provides added expertise in assisting our Humanities adjunct faculty in serving our students. In addition, your skills as a caring listener enable you to respond effectively to student concerns, and your tact and sense of humor have capably diffused some difficult situations…
Professor Fred Sweet and 13 Richland College clay arts students donated 93 handmade bowls to the “Empty Bowls” Annual Luncheon at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on Feb. 22. The event drew more than 1,500 guests who enjoyed soups, bread and desserts from North Texas restaurants and food purveyors. The event raised $116,000 to fight hunger in North Texas.
Nearly 2,000 community members enjoyed the classic 1950 Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls” on Feb. 27 through March 1. A cast and crew of more than 40 Richland College students contributed to its success.
This Richland College production was especially noteworthy for the interdisciplinary collaboration between the college’s Music, Theatre and Dance departments. Contributors were:
Wendy Welch, adjunct Theatre faculty member
Dr. Michael Crawford, musical director
Glen Dawsons, choreographer
Chuck Sheffield, scenery designer
Cris Bay Anderson, lighting designer
Jennifer Owen, sound designer
Jean Conway, Vice-President of Student Learning, offered the following praise, “The production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ we saw on Friday night was outstanding. Every aspect of it was carried out superbly. Our friends, who joined my husband and me for this performance, said it was the best rendition of this musical play they had seen.”
Kevin Beard, lead faculty for Foreign Languages and Susan Barkley, dean of World Languages, Cultures & Communications, presented “Globalizing the Community College through Local and International Initiatives” at the annual conference of Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) on Feb. 25 in Long Beach California. The two spoke to more than 80 faculty members and administrators on Richland’s initiatives in internationalizing its curriculum, infusing cultural competency in employee professional development and connecting local and international students at home and abroad. Beard and Barkley also shared strategies for promoting global awareness and expanding multinational curricula through technology in online courses.
CCID provides opportunities for building global relationships that strengthen educational programs and promote economic development.
Yquichessia “Keysha” McCloud
Title: Senior Rehabilitation Specialist
Department: Disability Services
Mark D. Goff
Title: Police officer
Department: Police Dept.
Rosa Rosalia
Title: Accounting Clerk B
Department: Accounting Services
Marisa Patlan
Title: Planning & Organizational Learning Specialist
Department: TOLI
To: Gloria Washington and Bao Huynh, Institutional Research
From: Eddie Hueston, Facilities
The meeting you conducted yesterday to gather input on TOLI was one of the best-organized meetings I have ever attended at Richland. I felt everyone there had numerous opportunities to express recommendations for improvement, interact with other attendee’s ideas and genuinely felt comfortable that their thoughts were important. The outcome should reflect the quality of discussion you fostered.
Congratulations on a job well done.
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
John (Harwood),
I am the 72-year-old lady that you were so gracious to help get registered last May for summer school. I lacked two courses to get my degree from Baylor University. Well, I have done that and just wanted to thank you for your help and tell you I will graduate Saturday the 15th of December! I have tried to catch you on the phone but did not connect so I hope you receive this. You told me about Jerry Wallace who was one of my professors and you were right, he is a great guy! I enjoyed my experience at Richland — especially all the students I was able to interact with. They called me “Miss Betty” and thought I was their grandma.
Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Betty Oliver
*Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Redge (Media Center) and Claudia Graves (formerly of the Media Center and Muticultural Center) welcomed daughter Mia Teresa Graves on Tuesday, March 11. Claudia and Mia are doing well.
Former RLC student Crystal Simmons recently died of breast cancer. For more details, click here.
Chuck Sheffield’s (Humanities) mother, Gwen Sheffield, recently passed away. Her funeral was held on March 6 at the Blessing Funeral Home in Mansfield, Texas.
The Thunderducks stepped up for a good cause in the 2007 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC). Donations totaled $114,624 with 84 percent employee participation, the highest ever for the College. Workgroups that reached their monetary goal will receive a workgroup party from Café Max or Papa Johns and 50 percent Matching Funds from the District. Winners can be found here.
Remember, workgroups parties begin March 3 thru April 30, 2008. If your workgroup won an SECC luncheon, please have your designated workgroup leader submit your preferred top three times, dates and food preference via the SECC Luncheon Workgroup web form before or no later than March 15, 2008.
A message from our President:
Thanks to the dependable generosity of Richlanders and our colleagues throughout the DCCCD, many people less fortunate in our community will have happier holidays and a happier New Year throughout 2008. Thank you, everyone, for this and the many other ways day-in and day-out you serve our community. It remains a warm pleasure to work with and be inspired by you.
Steve
“Focus the Nation,” a national teach-in engaging students and citizens with political leaders and decision makers about global warming solutions, was well received and made quite an impact on the RLC campus last month. GreenRichland sponsored the event, which included panel discussions and webcasts.
* An estimated 1,500 students and staff attended the panel discussions (soon to be available for viewing at www.richlandcollege.edu/greenrichland), where they heard presentations by and posed questions to leaders from across the Metroplex.
* Almost 700 cast ballots on campus in the “Choose Your Future” referendum, along with many more who voted online.
* Dozens of instructors, from a variety of disciplines, incorporated the panels, referendum, or the “2% Solution” webcast (viewable at www.earthdaytv.net) into their courses.
GreenRichland representative David Henry said, “I think the quantity and quality of Richland’s participation speaks loudest about the event’s success. Both faculty and students thought it important enough to devote class time to attend the panel discussions and the students submitted thoughtful questions about global warming.”
For more information on Focus, click here to visit their Web site.
“Gennadiy Savkin: Sister City Saratov” exhibit
Gallery hours: M-F, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; running through March 13
Reception/Gallery Talk: noon-1:30 p.m., Thurs, Feb. 28
Brazos Gallery (C140)
Gallery Webpage
Exhibition Photos
25th Anniversary of the Annual Richland College Literary Festival
Feb. 26-28
This festival celebrates the diverse literary works of the Richland writing community.
Sponsored by: SPAR and WLCC
Richland Theatre presents “Guys and Dolls”
7:30 p.m., Feb. 27-March 1
Fannin Performance Hall
Free admission. Reservations required.
Call 972-238-3733 to reserve seats.
FREE HIV Testing for students and employees
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Feb. 28
Health Center, Thunderduck Hall
Other dates: March 6, 20, April 3, 17, and May 1
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, esigns, marquees and/or Web Calendar click here.
More than 125 Richland College art faculty and students and participants from the College Art Association National Convention gathered for a reception at the Latino Cultural Center (LLC) last Wednesday. As part of Richland’s 35th anniversary celebration, an exhibition of recent work from Richland art students was presented. The exhibition showcased 45 works from current students in drawing, painting, design, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and digital art. The closing buffet reception was held in conjunction with the 96th Annual Conference of the College Art Association, and in tandem with the LCC exhibition “Cardinal Points.”
Jan Ryberg, Richland professor of guitar studies, and the Richland classical guitar ensemble provided musical entertainment. Jean Conway, Vice-President of Student Learning and Sherry Dean, Executive Dean, Humanities were among those giving remarks.
In other news, two RLC art students took top honors in the 2008 League for Innovation Exhibition last week at Mountain View College. Jeff Parrott won first place and a purchase award for his work, “Nothing Is What it Seems,” while Mary Goad won fourth place for her work, “Double Stuff.”
Patricia Benter (Information Services) won two national-level Admissions Advertising Awards from Admissions Marketing Report for her work on the Continuing Education “Your Training Source” Class Schedule (Bronze) and a Workforce Development magazine advertisement (Merit).
The Admissions Advertising Awards is the largest educational advertising awards competition in the country. This year, 2,000 entries were received from more than 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools from all 50 states and several foreign countries.
To: Web Team (Leslie Wendling and Mark Murray) and spring credit schedule contributors
From: Sarah Gardenhire, Administration
The Richland Spring 2008 online schedule is now up and available to the public. Thanks to all who work so diligently in their efforts to provide students access to Richland class schedules as early as possible.
*More Thanks, Thunderducks . . .
Dr. (Cindy) Castañeda,
I am writing to thank you for the superb talk you gave at the Alcatel-Lucent Hispanic Heritage Event. I enjoyed hearing about your own life experiences. Your ability to weave them into a warm, informative, historical and clear message was outstanding. Your words on the importance of mentoring also struck a chord with me. Through mentoring, each of us can make a difference. (Not to mention – what we can learn from our mentees.)
Over the last week I have run into other coworkers who attended the event, and without exception, they all made very positive remarks about your talk. In our culture, the fact that people are still talking about you or your presentation, days later … is a real sign of success.
I also wanted to tell you that I appreciated your invitation to the Nov. 3 Adjunct Faculty Fair. I look forward to meeting you again some time in the future.
Best regards,
Alana Oldenburg
Project Manager
*Thanks Thunderducks and Letters now has its own special page. If you would like for a letter of thanks to a fellow T-duck to appear there, please use this new, convenient online form. Letters from outside Richland may be e-mailed to anitracotton@dcccd.edu or hard copies may be forwarded to the Information Services office. Thanks!
Don Partin’s (Educational Information Technology) father passed away early Feb. 26. The funeral will be Mon., March 3, in Longview, Texas, at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with the funeral service following at 1 p.m.
Rose Marie Pilcher’s (School of Business and Information Technology) sister, Evelyn Saleh, passed away Monday morning, February 25. Her rosary will be at 7 p.m., Wed., Feb. 27 at the Stewart Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas. Services will be Thurs., Feb. 28, at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Tyler.
Andy Tubbs gives the Leadership Garland Class XXVII a tour of Thunderduck Hall.
Last week, the Leadership Garland Class (LGC) XXVII visited Richland College as part of their Education Day program. The day completely focused on educational institutions and programs serving the Garland community. RLC was the first stop of a day that later included a tour of Garland ISD schools and support facilities.
The LGC class began their day with a tour of the RLC campus, starting in Thunderduck Hall. Andy Tubbs introduced the group to the “front door” of the campus and its student services area. RLC multimedia faculty Jeremy Roden and Dan Dao gave the group a demonstration of the multimedia and gaming/interactive simulation technology Richland teaches to students.
The group later met in the Brazos Gallery where they treated to a breakfast made by Delores Elder-Jones. They heard talks from President Steve Mittelstet, Luz Villegas, Ray Canham, Janet James, Tandy Dollar, Kon Kelley, Mitzi Werther, and Donna Walker on new projects and developments on campus.
Leadership Garland is a program offered by the Garland Chamber of Commerce to citizens who live or work in Garland or are members of the Garland Chamber. Its purpose is to provide corporate leadership training, to motivate and encourage civic leaders, and to develop personal leadership characteristics and skills within individuals. Participants are introduced to state, county, city officials, school board trustees, administrators, community leaders, community boards, and commissions. Each month, the class takes numerous field trips to experience all sectors of the Garland community and surrounding areas. For more detail, click here.
Noeli Biggs and Bill McMullen are among the current LGC XXVII class. The Leadership Garland Visit Committee was made up of several LGC class alumni including:
Luz Villegas – committee chair
Konley Kelley
Cindy Castenada
Celes Oppendahl
Tandy Dollar
Delores-Elder Jones
Other committee members include Noeli Biggs and Andy Tubbs. View the slideshow of the event below.
In celebration of Black History Month, Richland College hosted two free events last week.
Student Programs and Resources (SPAR) at Richland presented an event entitled “Portraits of Courage,” last Wednesday in Fannin Hall. The two-person show, produced by the nationally acclaimed Will and Company, highlighted real-life unsung black heroes and their contributions to American history.
The following day, the Richland African American Connection group and SPAR hosted the “African-American Read In.” The event featured readings of African-American literature, original poetry, and vocal and dance performances by RLC faculty, staff, and students.
For a recap, view the slideshow below.
By Justin Jones, RLC Sports Information
Bishop’s Player of the Week award credited to his drive and continued improvement
After a slow start to the basketball season, Richland College’s freshman forward Tony Bishop has found his groove.
The Garland native’s play in two games from Jan. 20-Jan. 26 earned him the designation of National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Player of the Week.
“This is a great honor for our program. Tony has done a tremendous job of ‘buying into’ our system and the way I wanted to run this program,” T-Duck coach Jon Felmet said. “This is an individual award for Tony’s efforts, but we have considered it a team award because all of the guys have worked equally as hard as Tony. That’s what I attribute our success to.”
Upcoming Events
Fifteen Minutes of Fun – International Bingo
2 p.m., Feb. 19
El Paso
Sponsored by: Council for Community Building
Reinventing Conference Day at Richland College 2008
Thursday, Feb. 21
8-9 a.m. – Registration check-in and continental breakfast in the small gym
9-10 a.m. – General session in the large gym
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Breakout sessions
11:45-3 p.m. – Lunch and activities in the large gym
RCHS Townhall Meeting
10-11:30 a.m., Sat., Feb. 23; registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
El Paso Lounge
This free information session will provide interested students and parents with details about the high school and the application process. Attendees should call 972-761-6888 to reserve a seat.
25th Anniversary of the Annual Richland College Literary Festival
Feb. 26- 28
This festival celebrates the diverse literary works of the Richland writing community.
Sponsored by: SPAR
FREE HIV Testing for students and employees
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Feb. 28
Health Center, Thunderduck Hall
Other dates: March 6, 20, April 3, 17, and May 1
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, click here.
Professional
February 2008
Dwight Riley
School of Business and Information Technology
An excerpt from a congratulatory letter from Dr. Mittelstet:
Dear Dwight,
Congratulations on being selected the Richland College Outstanding Employee for February 2008. Your award is well-deserved recognition of the exemplary service you have provided Richland College.
You have had a notable positive impact in the School of Business and Information Technology in your work as associate dean. Colleagues highly regard your leadership abilities and indicate that your calm and pleasant demeanor sets a worthy example for everyone to emulate.
As a Texas Award for Performance Excellence examiner, you use your evaluation experience to approach each work challenge as an opportunity to improve our processes. Applying your knowledge of the Baldrige criteria to organize the follow-up responses to and assessments of the business plans of each career and technical program prepared last fall, you created the career and technical eCampus site to post each technical program’s business plan and monthly reports for access by everyone to review.
Bill Neal’s (Ethnic Studies, Social Science, and Physical Education) contribution to wrestling in the Metroplex was honored last month with the First Annual Bill Neal Classic Wrestling Tournament at Kimball High School in Dallas. More than 80 boys and 60 girls from eight local high schools competed in the inaugural event. Bill also conducted a wrestling clinic.
Bill had a long and distinguished career as a wrestling coach, which included seven years as a coach at the Olympic Training Center in Squaw Valley and later Colorado Springs. Former students have gone on to wrestle in the Olympics and win national championships at the college level.
Richland Theatre professor Chuck Sheffield was named the “Featured Designer of the Year” by the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) at their annual conference in Dallas last month. TETA vigorously promotes the development of high quality theatre programs in Texas colleges and universities. TETA has made significant contributions to the development of the national educational theatre since its founding in l951.Chuck has served as chair of Theatre Department since 1976. He has worked as a director, designer, and consultant for numerous education, community and professional theatres, art galleries, shopping centers, hotels, churches, and schools. Chuck served as president for the Southwest Theatre and Film Association, he is a SWFTA College of Fellows member and has received the society’s Distinguished Service Award.
Martha Fleming
Title: Help Desk Analyst
Department: IT Support
Glenn Child
Title: Coordinator of Facilities Services
Department: Facilities Services
Teresa Love
Title: Community College Outreach Coordinator
Department: Emeritus Program
Gwendolyn Pool
Title: Division Secretary
Department: WLCC
Gloria Palomeque
Title: Sr. Academic Advisor
Department: RCHS
To: Jean Carter, Kristyn Edney, Leslie Wendling, Lisa Graef, Randy Jensen, Steven Taylor, Shannon Ydoyaga, and Anitra Cotton
From: Whitney Rosenbalm
My thanks to all of you who assisted with handing out flash drives at the AMC Firewheel opening weekend of Harry Potter. The promotion would not have been possible without your time and effort. It proved to be successful on its first time out, so we’re planning another similar promotion. Thanks so much for your valuable weekend time, your students, and assistance. None of it would have been possible without Randy Jensen’s ideas, input and hard work, and Leslie Wendling’s and Anitra Cotton’s assistance.
To: Sherry Dean
From: Mike Crawford
I want you to know how much I appreciate the work that Catrina Tobias does on behalf of the Music Department. Her help in generating time-sensitive purchase orders for me insures prompt delivery of needed materials. She is very adept at handling many varied tasks and remains calm and pleasant in the midst of a very busy office!
To: Steve Mittelstet
From: Lisa B. Eades
I wanted to bring to your attention another super Thunderduck! Last night I assisted in my first Medical Assisting Program Advisory Committee Meeting and I watched Program Director Shannon Ydoyaga in action. Shannon led the meeting in a timely manner and kept the conversation lively throughout the entire event. She represented RLC as a polished professional, yet at the same time, in a comfortable, friendly manner. Shannon has a great zest for the work she does in Health Professions and it came shining through in the meeting.Working with her on a daily basis I also see this passion for the students who are registered in her medical programs. Shannon wants all of them to succeed and she does everything within her power to make it happen. Watching her in action last night just hammers it home, the great asset she is to this campus and I knew you would want to know of, yet again, another “Super Thunderduck.”
Dear Oscar M. Lopez,
I want to thank both you and Dr. Mittelstet for your response to my concern with the online registration process. I have been out of town for two weeks but upon my return and finding your letter, I proceeded to test the solution. I was successfully able to registration for my fall classes and when it came to the ‘my receipt’ page, the tuition charges appeared, the ‘waiver’ was applied, and I hand no outstanding balance to pay.
Assuming this solution was applied systemwide and not just to my record, I think this will save work for the Emeritus staff, the registration personnel, and enable other seniors with similar requirements of registering for credit classes to complete the process.
Again I say ‘thank you’ for your efforts and please pass this on to anyone else who was involved.
Sincerely,
Dave Hall
Dear Sgt. Sprouse,
Officer Rebecca was kind enough to come in and speak to my class in the TRI (Total Re-Integration) Program regarding campus safety. Not only did she bring knowledge of the subject, but she brought friendliness and a spirit of openness and acceptance. This particular student population sometimes gets turned around on campus and Officer Rebecca addressed those issues and concerns, helped the students come up with possible solutions, with the greatest respect. I am so glad that we have Officer Rebecca as our Campus Safety Officer.Sincerely,Kathy Brock, M.A.
TRI Program
Dear Kay (Eggleston),
On behalf of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and the Education Committee, I want to thank you for being a Masters Sponsor for the 49th Annual New Teachers Luncheon. This year’s luncheon was such a phenomenal success. Over 520 teachers attended our event this year, and without your support, they would not have received the overwhelming welcome that they did.Words cannot express how grateful this organization and its representatives are that we have such caring, generous donors in our community. We hope that your experience with this event has given you reason to participate again next year. Thank you again for all your charity.Sincerely,
Randi Gordon
Richardson Chamber of Commerce
Manager of Special Events
Maura McGeagh (WLCC), and her husband David Allen, welcomed their daughter, Ella Mairead Allen, on Feb. 6 at 7:54 p.m. Ella weighs 8 pounds, 13 ounces and is 21 inches long.
To honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Richland Student Programs and Resources sponsored the appearance of Reverend Clarence Glover, a local diversity expert and civil rights activist who was involved with Dr. King’s initiatives. An overflow crowd of students, faculty, and staff filled the Brazos Gallery last Tuesday to hear Glover speak about Dr. King’s philosophy, activities, and marches to bring heightened awareness about injustices in our country. Glover asked students to discuss in small groups instances when they had experienced injustice and their responses to it, encouraging them to become involved in organizations whose missions are to eliminate injustice and provide equality for all individuals. A slideshow of the event can be viewed below.
Fulbright Scholar Anastasia (Stacy) Klenova from Saratov State University (SSU) in Russia has started her second semester with Richland College.
The Fall semester was very busy for Klenova. Besides teaching ESOL, she was actively speaking about history, culture and contemporary life in Russia within the college and Dallas community. She delivered her presentations to about 150 Richland students in various classes. Klenova was also invited as a guest speaker to the Jewish Community Center, True Lee Missionary Church and English Speaking Union.
Klenova will also be busy in the Spring 2008 actively working on implementing three joint RLC-SSU online courses with Fred Newbury, Carole Lester and Matt Hinkley and making other presentations to RLC students and for employees of the Multicultural Center.
Additionally, as a part of the annual Russian Winter Festival in Dallas, Klenova will make a presentation about life in contemporary Russia for all RLC employees and students next month. The presentation will take place on Feb. 28 in C-140 during a reception and opening ceremony of a photo exhibition about her hometown and Dallas’ sister-city, Saratov.
The Council on Community Building invites you to nominate current or former students for the Student Wall of Honor. This is your opportunity to recognize students with outstanding achievements and those who have made a difference in our community.
Please consider all students, credit and non-credit, RCHS, Emeritus, etc. Share their story of overcoming significant obstacles.
The next Student Wall of Honor ceremony will be held on Wed., March 26 at 10:30 a.m.
Submit your online nomination form before Feb. 10.
by Justin Jones, RLC Sports Information
Nearly midway through the Metro-Athletic Conference, Richland College’s basketball team is 11-10 overall and has a 2-3 league record, recently winning, according to T-Ducks coach Jon Felmet, a must-win home game against a tough Eastfield team.
The win, which snapped a two-game losing streak, is huge as the T-Ducks gear up to play on Wednesday against Brookhaven, the No. 2 ranked NJCAA Division III team.
After Wednesday’s road game, Richland will have a bye this Saturday before resuming play Wednesday, Feb. 6 on the road against North Lake College before hosting Mountain View College on Feb. 9 at 2 p.m.
Who’s hot
Having hit his stride as of late for Richland is Tony Bishop of Garland, who in the past three games is averaging 26.1 points and 12.2 rebounds. He also leads the team in field goal percentage at 51.3 percent.
Antwan Mullins of Katy, Texas leads Richland in scoring at 13.5 points per game.
Did you know
Although the T-Ducks have lost some close games down the stretch, Richland is still one of the most-feared defensive teams in the NJCAA Division III.
Entering Wednesday’s game against Brookhaven, the T-Ducks will be the No. 18 ranked squad in team defense, only allowing 68.1 points per game.
The 68.1 points per game is also best in Metro-Athletic Conference play.
Focus the Nation
Various times and locations, January 30-31
Click here for a detailed schedule.
Focus the Nation is a national teach-in engaging millions of students and citizens with political leaders and decision makers about Global Warming Solutions.
Portraits of Courage
noon-1:30 p.m., Wed., Feb. 6
Fannin Hall, room 102
This two-person show, produced by the nationally acclaimed Will and Company, highlights unsung black heroes and their contributions to American history.
African-American Read In
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 7
Fannin Hall, room 108
This event will feature readings of African-American literature, dance performances and more.
FREE HIV Testing for students and employees
10 a.m.-6 p.m., February 7 and 28
Health Center, Thunderduck Hall
Other dates: March 6, 20, April 3, 17 and May 1
Reinventing Conference Day at Richland College 2008
Thursday, February 21
8-9 a.m. – Registration check-in and continental breakfast in the small gym
9-10 a.m. – General session in the large gym
10:30-11:30 a.m.- Breakout sessions
11:45-3 p.m. – Lunch and activities in the large gym
Attendance at Conference Day completes three hours of mandatory ThunderWater credits.
RCHS Townhall Meeting
10-11:30 a.m., Sat., February 23; registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
El Paso Lounge
This free information session will provide interested students and parents with details about the high school and the application process. Attendees should call 972-761-6888 to reserve a seat.
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the ThunderBridge, click here.
Aliene Pylant in Disability Services was recently awarded third prize in a national poetry contest. Her submission, “Girl in the Fire,” can be accessed here. In addition to writing poetry, Aliene writes one-act plays.
Claudine Spearman
Title: Instructional Specialist III – Temporary
Department: WLCC
Jasmine Nguyen
Title: Department Assistant I
Department: HR
Andrew Lazo
Title: Human Resources Specialist III
Department: HR
Adam Gordon
Title: Instructional Specialist III – Temporary
Department: WLCC
Jesus Hinojosa
Title: Groundskeeper
Department: Facilities Services
To: Sherry Dean
From: Mike Crawford
I want you to know how much I appreciate the work that Catrina Tobias does on behalf of the Music Department. Her help in generating time-sensitive purchase orders for me insures prompt delivery of needed materials. She is very adept at handling many varied tasks and remains calm and pleasant in the midst of a very busy office!
To: Information Services
From: Steve Mittelstet
You guys do a terrific job on the ThunderBridge . . . with all its lively e-connections . . . how inspiring it is to read/view/hear/feel the Richland College/RCHS heartbeat with each edition. Please pass along my compliments to your entire staff!
To: RLC Theatre Department
From: Sherry Dean
Congratulations to our theatre department faculty and staff for a successful run of Eugene Ionesco’s absurdist play, “Rhinoceros,” October 10-13. The show was produced by Debi Ruiz Esparza and involved many late night practice hours by a devoted student crew and production staff including Chuck Sheffield, Jennifer Owen, and Cris Bay-Andersen. We are especially proud of our student actors who gave stellar performances.
Theatre production work is grueling business, folks, and Debi, Chuck, Jennifer and Cris make it look easy. Kudos for a Rockin’ production of “Rhinoceros”! You are the BEST!
To: Michael Crawford
From: Vickie Allen
Was that a choir I heard yesterday afternoon? I was leaving campus around 1 p.m. to go and take care of some business and thought I had stop by heaven.
Dear Kristyn (Edney),
I am writing this to let you know how much I enjoyed teaching this class. The students were all wonderful. They completed all their work and were excited about learning. I taught in public schools for 15 years and became very frustrated because of uncaring students, behavior issues, etc., etc., etc. This class has renewed my faith in teenagers and “our” future! These students are still chatty teens, but WHAT A JOY THEY ARE!
Shirley Hawkins
Howard (Clapper),
Thank you very much for helping me with financial aid. I truly appreciate it. There are not a lot of people who would have helped me like you did. Thanks!
Regards,
Catalina Muñiz
Dr. (Tony) Summers,
Thank you so much for your help with registration advising today! You went out of your way to help me and I appreciate your kindness! There are also some other people I would like to commend for their thoughtfulness. The nice lady at the information desk (I unfortunately don’t have her name) and Edna at the advising desk both went the extra mile to point me in the right direction.
Thanks again and God bless you!
Lindsey Teel
The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine named Richland, along with the other six schools in the DCCCD, to their “2007 Publisher’s Picks List.” The list includes colleges and universities from all over the U.S. in which Hispanic students are thriving. The list is shared with more than 3,500 high school counselors nationwide. To read more, visit hispanicoutlook.com/scholar.htm.
Richland’s Media Technology department has a new web page that has been completely redesigned and expanded, including guides to searching the collection and an online request form for media setups. These new pages can be found here.
The web pages describe each of the primary areas of Media Technology and provide a much-needed guide on how to locate movies and films for classes in the District Library Catalog. They are also introducing an innovative online request form for media equipment and video deliveries for classroom and meetings at RLC. You can now submit your request online at any time with your Novell login (as long as it is at least 24 hours in advance of your need or, by Friday for Monday request). Confirmation emails will be sent in reply to online requests.
Visit the “Seaching Tips” link for help in locating video titles at Richland and throughout the District.
Media Technology would like to thank the Web Team and Sharlee Jesser Skaggs for their help in assembling the information to make these new resources available to the Richland community.
Richland’s new Baby Boomer classes, in addition to Richland’s current Health Professions and Teacher Certification programs, were featured in a Dallas Morning News story on Jan. 3. Click here to read article.
Cooperation – We work with students and employees to achieve common goals–looking beyond self-interests. We offer both support and challenge, remain helpful and forgiving in difficult situations, help build consensus toward positive results, and help one another shape meaningful lives.
The following is a note from Patricia Spence of how RLC faculty and staff used cooperation to solve a problem.
Each time I read the Thunder Team minutes I note the opening recognition of Richland Thundervalues. I offer this as an example of stellar cooperation.
Last Saturday an incident occurred in the classroom of one of the Adjunct SPCH 1311 online faculty, the first in a series of interactions with an intruding Humanities student.
As this story unfolded and was finally resolved, I marveled at the calm, patience, sustained care and concern with which this troubled student was treated by everybody involved. This configuration of faculty and staff knew just what to do at the moment they came in contact, sequentially, with the student’s drama.
When events like this occur I am always in awe of how a random set of Richlanders can come together, while operating seemingly separately, to do just the right thing.
Like everybody else on this campus, I celebrate the good marks we, as an institution, get from outside agencies and the visitations from experts, but it is incidents like this that make me feel deeply the success of who and what we are.
Thanks for listening,
Patricia Spence, Humanities
Please forward examples of our organizational values in action to anitracotton@dcccd.edu for publication in this e-newsletter.
T-Ducks get first conference win
by Justin Jones, RLC Sports Information
Richland College grabbed its first win in Metro-Athletic Conference (MAC) play on Wednesday when the T-Ducks beat Mountain View College, 76-64.
The road victory comes after Richland opened MAC action with a tough home loss to North Lake College.
Next up for Richland is a home game at 2 p.m. on Saturday against Cedar Valley College.
Reinventing Conference Day at Richland College 2008
Thursday, February 21
8-9 a.m. – Registration check-in and continental breakfast in the small gym
9-10 a.m. – General session in the large gym
10:30-11:30 a.m.- Breakout sessions
11:45-3 p.m. – Lunch and activities in the large gym
Conference Day allows you to complete three hours of mandatory ThunderWater credits. To register, visit www.richlandcollege.edu/conference2008.
If you have any other events you’d like to have publicized in the Thunderbridge, click here.
Women’s soccer coach Rex Rayfield and men’s soccer Sean Worley coach were both named National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) regional Coach of the Year.
Worley was named the Northwest Region Coach of the Year while Rayfield was the South/Central Regional Coach of the Year.
Entering this season, Worley had compiled a 164-43-16 record while Rayfield was in his first season as head coach.
By becoming a regional Coach of the Year, Worley and Rayfield are candidates for the NSCAA Division III National Coach of the Year.
“Caroline or Change,” staged by Theatre Three and starring Richland adjunct Wendy Welch, was recently named in the Dallas Morning News Guide Live as the number one show in Dallas/Fort Worth for 2007. The play is Jac Alder’s production of life in the American South during the fight for civil rights.
Cedric Merritt
Title: Department Assistant II
Department: Career Services
Javier Lozano
Title: Sergeant, College Police
Department: College Police
Herminia Clawson
Title: Academic Advisor II
Department: Skills Training Center
Deborah Hill
Title: Academic Advisor II
Department: Skills Training Center
Scarlett Hill
Title: Instructional Specialist III – Temporary
Department: WLCC
Amy Boltrushek
Title: Instructional Specialist III – Temporary
Department: WLCC
Ann Friederich
Title: Instructional Specialist III – Temporary
Department: WLCC
To: John Polluck, Information Services and Kris Hyttinen, Cable Production (LeCroy)
From: Dru Bookout, Humanities
Great Gobs of Humongous THANKS for capturing our first 15 Minutes of FUN! The film and photos are wonderful. You can’t help but smile when viewing!. . .Thanks a million. You are the BEST!
To: Michael Brantley, Facilities
From: Sherry Dean, Humanities
I want to extend a sincere thank you to Michael Brantley for his work this weekend in the Performance Hall. As you know, we’ve had persistent moisture problems in the Performance Hall causing some buckling in the stage floor as well as curtain shrinkage. Late Friday afternoon I alerted you and Michael of the continued problem. We needed to control and contain any damage before Wednesday’s performance of “Rhinoceros.”
Jennifer Owen tells me that Michael spent over 10 hours this past Saturday monitoring the moisture levels in the Performance Hall and containing the situation. Happily, things seem drier today. Debbie and Chuck are working to fix the buckling in the stage floor.
Michael clearly went above and beyond the call of duty in helping the theatre department this weekend. He deserves Thunder Applause!
To: Suzy Hogue and Whitney Rosenbalm, Information Services
From: Mike Crawford, Humanities
I want to let you know how much I appreciate Suzy Hogue’s work on behalf of the Choral Music Department at Richland! She always is able to come up with fresh new graphics ideas that present our groups in a most positive light. And, as you know, Suzy is a joy to work with! We are fortunate to have talented individuals such as Suzy Hogue on our staff!!
To: Lisa Henson, Information Services
From: Whitney Rosenbalm, Information Services
Thank you so much for all of your help this past month. I know it’s been difficult being down a full-time employee in Graphics on top of the schedule and viewbook deadlines. I really appreciate your assistance, counseling and willingness to take so much on for the recent banner and logo requests. You’re always a joy to work with.
Molly (Bewley) & Jean (Carter),
On behalf of Teen Graffiti Magazine and Teens Reaching Teens, Incorporated, I want to extend a heart-felt “thank you” for your love and support of our organization and it’s 4th annual “Keepin’ It Real! Youth Empowerment Summit”. This event would not have been a success without your partnership! You could have chosen to do many other important things on a Saturday morning, but you chose to volunteer your time and talents to empower our youths. Again, I thank you for past and current support. I also want to encourage you to make this a beginning rather than an end. In so doing, please continue to support us with your time, talents and resources as we continue to empower the youth.
Please let me know when each of you are available to do a closeout meeting for to the conference!
I can’t wait ’til “Keepin’ It Real! 2008″
With much love and appreciation,
Sharon Jones-Scaife
Publisher
Teen Graffiti Magazine
Dear Dr. Mittelstet,
I am a DCCCD employee in the District Office and my commute from Plano is long. Reading the poetry on the Poetry in Motion posters is always a refreshing break from the monotony of ads and PSAs. I didn’t know who to thank, but I needed to thank someone. Please continue to help support this endeavor: It’s greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Colleen Lin
Good morning,
My name is Teresa Hixon. My son Timothy is a junior [at Richland Collegiate High School]. I just wanted to pass on a word of appreciation for all the help Ms. Beverly Gaither has been in our transition to RCHS. She has been flexible, informative and kind to both me and my son. He has commented on several occasions how nice she is when he goes into the office. I know this is a busy time of year in a school office and I just wanted to let you know what a great job she is doing representing your school and making moms as well as students feel comfortable asking questions.
Thanks for everything you do,
Teresa
Brian Fleming’s (School of Engineering and Technology) father, Morgan Fleming, passed away December 23, 2007. The funeral was held Thurs., Dec. 27, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cisco, TX.
Vickie Allen’s (Admissions and Student Records) father, Emmanual Allen, passed away on Friday, Jan. 11. Funeral services were held on Thurs., Jan. 17 at Hamilton Park Baptist Church in Richardson.
• What’s on the DCCCD Board of Trustees meeting agendas?
Click here.
• What’s on the DCCCD Board of Trustees meeting agendas?
Click here.
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