2 FreedomRidersVisitSPC

3 CentersofExcellenceCelebration

3 GatesFoundationGrant

4 WeldingCertifications

4 PhiThetaKappaShines

4 QualityTexasFoundationHonor

5 SilverStars,S.A.Missions

6 NewNetworkSecurityPrograms

6 IncomeTaxAssistanceProgram

6 SPCStrategicPlanning

7 MassageTherapyGraduate

7TwoWinSkillsUSAHonors

8EmpoweringMalesConference

8 Math,ScienceCampsFlourishing

Volume4,Issue3—August2011

“A Point of Pride in the Community”

President’s Newsletter

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E . . .

Governor Perry Signs Veterans’ Bill atSt. Philip’s CollegeSPC President Dr. Adena Williams Lostonhosted a senate bill signing ceremony at St.Philip’sCollegeonThursday,July14.

TexasGovernorRickPerrysignedSenateBill1736, which establishes the College Creditfor Heroes Program that provides academiccredit for military experience, education andtraining obtained in military service. The billwas sponsored by Sen. Leticia Van de PutteandRep.JoaquinCastro.

“Wearesofortunatetohaveleadershipatthestatelevelthatisadamantlysupportiveofthetremendous amount of talent and experiencethat our military veterans bring to highereducation,”saidDr.Loston.“SenatorVandePutte,StateRepresentativeJoaquinCastroandState Representative Ruth Jones McClendonaretobecommendedfortheirstrongadvocacyonbehalfofourveterans.”

“Wearealsoproudof theworkdonebyourVeterans Affairs Coordinator Javier Barron,who testified at hearings that led to this billcomingtofruition.”

Speakers at the event included Dr. Loston,Texas Workforce Commissioner RonnieCongleton, Sen. Van de Putte and AlamoCollegesChancellorDr.BruceLeslie.Presentattheeventwereanumberofrepresentativesof veterans’ organizations, including T.P.

125th Commencementthe Greatest EverThe125thSt.Philip’sCollegecommencementceremony May 6 at Freeman Coliseumfeatured the largest class of graduates everand an exhilarating student keynote addressby Juan Sepúlveda, director of the WhiteHouse Initiative on Educational Excellencefor Hispanic–Americans in the Obamaadministration. The college awarded morethan975degreesandcertificatestonearly700students, with 410 students marching acrossthestage.

From left: Alamo Colleges Chancellor Bruce Leslie; SPC President Adena Loston; SPC Faculty Senate President George Johnson; keynote speaker Juan Sepulveda; and Trustees Blakely Fernandez, Denver McClendon and Marcelo Casillas. (See 125th Commencement / page 2)

(See Governor Perry / page 2)

President’s MessageGreetings friends, alumni, faculty, staff and students.

Thanks to all of our wonderful friends and supporters, St. Philip’s College has grown in its ability to provide student scholarships. With 77 percent of our

students requiring financial assistance, fundraising becomes essential. This year our Annual Golf Tournament, the 70’s Soul Train Alumni Scholarship Dance and the Annual Women’s History Luncheon helped strengthen our coffers. Not to mention a necktie auction at our Good to Great management planning retreat, which raised more than $4,500.

And it is all for a good cause, student success. This year the success has manifested itself in many ways—our May graduation was the largest ever, with 410 students crossing the stage to receive more than 975 degrees and certificates. We proudly paraded our first graduates in power generation and alternative energy, earth science and environmental science. Our GED program held its first graduation ceremony and also established the first GED (pre) class with the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind.

Our program offerings continue to grow. We offer a new Associate of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, a new Associate of Arts in Earth Science and Natural Energy Resources and a new Associate of Arts in Statistics. A Network Security Analyst program has been added, and a chemistry research assistant program is in development.

As our efforts to better prepare our students grow, so do our efforts to upgrade our facilities. This year we added 10 Smart Classrooms and new college-wide signage. Television monitors across campus enable us to publicize student events through attractive digital signage, and our highly successful LVN program added four high fidelity patient simulators.

We continue to grow. And we want you, our loyal supporters, to grow with us. As always, I extend a warm invitation for you to come by and visit our beautiful campus and students. Our door is always open.

Best Regards,

Adena Williams Loston, Ph.D. President

AnoverflowWatsonFineArtsCenteraudiencewitnessedapresentationbytwooftheoriginal1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders who wereteenagers and front-line activists during thecivilrightsstruggle.

The President’s Lecture Series program onJune 16 began with a proclamation praisingtheir actions, which was read by State Rep.RuthJonesMcClendon.AwelcomeforPatriciaDilworth and Hezekiah Watkins followed.Before the lecture, history and governmentstudents benefitted from classroom visits bythepair.

Watkins brought a unique message to youthin attendance at the lecture because he wasoneoftheyoungestteenagers(age13)inthe1961FreedomRides,makinghimamongtheyoungestofthelivingoriginalFreedomRiders.Dilworthwasonly18atthetime,andbothcanseetheresultsoftheirefforts.

“Lookaroundattheblacks,whites,malesandfemalesherefivedecadeslater.I’msurprisedittooksolong,fivedecades,togetthere.It’sacontinuousjob,likeamarriageyouworkwithandmoldeveryday.Ifyoudon’t,you’regoingtoslip,”Watkinssummarizedforareporter.

“Iwasverysurprisedatthepositivereception,evenbasedonthereceptionsFreedomRiders

havereceivedatothercollegesduringour50thanniversary observance,” an earnest Watkinsreflectedoncehisfanshadexitedthetheaterlobby.“Itwassoorganizedhere.Eachperson,littlekids,walkeduptometellingmehowIsaid something that got their attention andinspiredthem.Isaidtomyself,‘they’reheretoseeandhearwhatwehavetosay.’I’mreallytouchedhere.”

The Original Mississippi Freedom Ridersquestioned and challenged the use of race-specific waiting rooms, restrooms and lunchcounters in America’s train depots, airportsand bus stations. As a result, many of themwerejailed,includingtheRiderswholecturedatSPC.

The Freedom Riders presentation waspart of St. Philip’s College’s observationof Juneteenth, which also included a gamesponsorshipandfireworkscelebrationataSanAntonioMissionsbaseballgameonJune18.

President’s Lecture Series FeaturesFreedom Riders

Freedom Riders Patricia Dilworth and Hezekiah Watkins packed the house for the President’s Lecture Series on June 16.

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“Congratulations on behalf of EducationDepartment Secretary Arne Duncan, andPresident Obama!” the cheering graduatesheardsecondsintotheaddressfromSepúlveda,a lawyer and San Antonio resident whoworks for the U.S. Department of EducationWashington,D.C.

“St.Philip’sCollegeisanincredibleinstitution.The president is so proud of everything youhavedone.Youhavehelpedthepresident.He’slookingforwardtohelpingyouinthefuture,”thestudentsheardfromSepúlveda.

Thirty-fivepercentofthecollege’sstudentsarethefirstfromtheirfamiliestoattendcollege,saidSepúlveda, inacomment thatgraduatesandfamilymembersidentifiedwith.

“Graduation changes everything. I was thefirsttogotocollegeinmyfamily.Mymothersacrificedformetogotocollege.Wecannever

thankourfamiliesenough.Tellthenextsetofstudentstoreachashighasyouhave,foryourfamiliesandyourcommunity,”Sepúlvedasaid.

Sepúlveda concluded by celebrating thediversityofthecollege’sstudentbody,askingstudentstoriseandacceptcheersiftheywerethefirsttoattendcollege,ifanyspokelanguagesotherthanEnglish,ifanyhadtoworkortakecareoffamilymembers,orallwhohadtopayfor college themselves. Quickly, the specialsectionreservedforgraduateswasonitsfeet.Sepúlveda had connected with and inspiredthestudents,beforetheyproceededonstagetoaccepttheirdiplomasandcertificates.

Music for the commencement ceremony wasprovidedbySPC’sAcademyofFineArts’SanAntonioYouthWindEnsemble.

125th Commencement(from page 1)

125th St. Philip’s College commencement ceremony speaker Juan Sepúlveda (right), with student invocation speaker Meagan Kathleen McGeachin, student speaker Lovelace T. Kidd, Jr., and Faculty Senate President George Johnson.

Governor Perry(from page 1)

O’Mahoney, Chairman of the TexasVeterans Commission and students fromthe Military Training and EducationCampusatFortSamHouston.

GovernorPerryvisitedSt.Philip’sCollegeinJune2010tospeakonthesubjectthateventuallybecameSenateBill1736.

Inhiscomments,GovernorPerrysaidthat“thisbillwillhelpustorepaytheenormousdebt we Texans owe our veterans. Thebillwillhelpeducatorsandveterans takeadvantage of the valuable and untappedexperiencethatourveteransbringandhelpthemtograduatemorequickly.”

SenatorVandePutte,chairoftheSenateCommitteeonVeteran’sAffairs,saidthat“our goal is to make Texas number oneinthecountryforactivedutymilitaryandtheirfamilies.”

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SPC Celebrates Opening of Centersof ExcellenceMore than 150 industry, education and civicleaderscelebratedthegrandopeningceremonyfor new science, math and alternative energyfacilities at the Southwest Campus of St.Philip’sCollegeonApril26.

The$17millionCenterofExcellenceforScience,theCenterofExcellenceforMathematics,andtheAlternativeEnergyLaboratorieswerebuiltthroughfederalfundingtoincreasethenumberofcommunitycollegestudentspursuingcareersin Science, Technology, Engineering andMathematics(STEM)degrees.

The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremonyand a tour of the facilities. Participantsincluded students, parents, faculty, industry,vendors, government officials and residents ofsurroundingcommunities.

SPC President Dr. Adena Loston, alongwith Alamo Colleges Chancellor Dr. BruceLeslie, Alamo Colleges Board of TrusteesJoe Alderete and Roberto Zárate, Port SanAntonio President and CEO Bruce Miller andCPSEnergyPresidentandCEODoyleBenebyprovided remarks. Ramiro Cavazos, chairmanof theHispanicChamber ofCommerce,madea donation to St. Philip’s College during theprogram.

“This event was an education and outreachopportunity to show San Antonians affordable

new paths to jobs in the science, technology,engineering,mathandgreentechnologyfields,”saidDr.JoDeeDuncan,DirectoroftheCenterofExcellenceforScience.

ThecentersandlaboratoriesevolvedfromSPCPresidentLoston’svisionforenhancedeffortsinSTEMareasandwerefundedthroughTitleIIIandCollegeCostReductionAct(CCRA)fundsfromtheDepartmentofEducation.Thecollegeopenedthe45,000-square-footcentersandthelabin2010.

An adjacent 10,000-square-foot library tosupport student and faculty needs at theSouthwestCampusopenedin2011.

FiveTexascommunitycollegesarecollaboratingaspartofanationalefforttodeviseandsharenewapproachestohelpmoreyoungpeopleobtainadegree,certificateorcredential.Theschoolswillsharea$500,000planninggranttolaunchthefive-year“CompletionbyDesign”projectinTexas.

ParticipatingcollegesincludeLoneStarCollegeSystemasthemanagingpartneralongwithAlamoColleges,DallasCommunityCollegeDistrict,ElPasoCommunityCollegeandSouthTexasCollege.St.Philip’sCollegewillbethepilotinstitutionfortheAlamoColleges.

The“TexasCompletionbyDesign”collegesareamongthosechosenfromfourstatesforthenationalCompletionbyDesignproject,whichissupportedbytheBillandMelindaGatesFoundation.ThecollegeswereselectedfortheirinnovativeideasonimprovingthecompletionratesafterarigorouscompetitionthatwasannouncedlastOctoberattheWhiteHouseSummitonCommunityColleges.

“St.Philip’sisproudtobeparticipatinginthisinnovativeprojectcommittedtoimprovementsinstudentsuccess,”saidSPCPresidentAdenaWilliamsLoston.“Studentsuccessisourreasonforexistence,sothisawardisespeciallygratifying,”sheadded.

ChristinaCortez,StudentSuccessTeamLeader,isthecoordinatorforSt.Philip’sCollege.

CompletionbyDesignseekstobuildonprovenstudentsuccesspracticesatcommunitycollegesfocusingonfinancialaidcounseling,courseschedulingandadvising.

AccordingtotheGatesFoundation,communitycollegesservenearly11millionstudentsnationally,includingmanyolderandpart-timestudents.Completion ratesare low,with federaldataciting that just22percentoffirst-time, full-time students in community collegegraduateinthreeyears.ForHispanicsandAfrican-Americans,theratesareevenlower,at17percentand14percent.

InTexas,only10percentofseventh-gradeHispanicstudentscompleteacollegecredentialwithinsixyearsafterscheduledhighschoolgraduation.Seventy-onepercentofallHispanicenrollmentsinhighereducationinTexasareincommunitycolleges.

DuringPhaseIoftheprogram,representativesfromeachpartnerschoolwillreviewbestpractices,createamodelpathwaytocompletionanddesigntheimplementationoftheprogram,whichwillsetthestageforfurtherfunding.

SPC Lead Alamo Colleges Institution for Gates FoundationGrant for Student Success

Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees members Joe Alderete, Roberto Zárate,SPC President Adena Loston and Chancellor Bruce Leslie led the ribbon-cutting at the dedication of the Centers of Excellence.

Ruth Dalrymple, vice president for academic affairs, received the Human Resources Service Star award from Associate Vice Chancellor Linda Boyer-Owens. At left is SPC President Dr. Adena Williams Loston.

The Phi Theta Kappa chapter at St.Philip’s College is reaping honorsafter years of hard work. It is amongthe top 100 chapters in the HallmarkAwards competition, an honor that PTKdetermines by averaging each chapter’sscorefortheDistinguishedCollegeProjectcategory, the Distinguished Honors inActioncategoryandCommunityService.

TheCollegeProjectrecognizeschapters’

implementation of outstanding CollegeProjectsaspartoftheFiveStarChapterDevelopment Plan, which is designed toestablishasupportiverelationshipbetweenthechapterandthecollegeadministration.SPC’s Psi Kappa Chapter’s CollegeProjectwaseducatingnewandreturningstudents about ACES-Banner. Membersof the chapter disseminated informationinthecommonsarea,answeredquestions,providedprocessstepsandprovidedfreedrinks.

The Distinguished Honors in ActioncategoryrelatestotheHonorsStudyTopic,The Democratization of Information:Power, Peril, and Promise. Honors inAction is an undertaking that provideopportunities for learning and growth inthe Society’s Hallmarks--Scholarship,Leadership,ServiceandFellowship.ThePsiKappachapterstudiedthetechnologyissue, exploring the digital divide andhowtechnologyhelpedtofillorcreateit.

The final area of consideration wascommunityservice.Thechapterprovideda total of 910 service hours during thespringsemester.

Welding Certification Testing Facility Earns RecognitionSt. Philip’s College has been recognizedasthefirstcommunitycollegeinTexastooperate as anAccreditedTestingFacility(ATF) for American Welding Society(AWS)weldingcertificationapplicants.

During the April 19 regular meeting ofthe Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees,John L. Mendoza, American WeldingSocietyPresident, presenteda certificateofrecognitiontoSt.Philip’sCollege,siteof the society’s first-ever accredited testfacility at a community college in Texas.The society is responsible for weldingcertificationaswellasfacilityaccreditationworldwide.

The staff at the college’s test facilityhas trained and tested four classes of 10candidates for certification to practice intheweldingindustrysinceNovember,andthe first successful applicant received hisAWScertificationcardonNov.30.Twelvestudents have since received certificationattheSPCfacility.

St. Philip’s College is joining a globalnetworkof80-plusAWSfacilitiescertifyingtheworld’swelderstothesafeststandards,explained Mendoza. “It’s a certificationthatisrecognizedoneverycontinent.”

“The applicants who were trainedand tested at our college made Texasworkforce education history when theytested for certification at our campus,”said Jose A. Ybarra, chair of the repairand manufacturing department whichadministers the welding program and thecertification.

The accreditation for the facility at thecollege was made possible through aTexas Workforce Commission SkillsCertificateAttainmentgrant.Ofnearly90testfacilitiesworldwide,onlythreeareinTexas.

TheSPCweldingprogramhas176studentsanda90percent jobplacement rate.Allcandidatesfortestingandcertificationarewelcometocontactthecollegetoenrollfortestingwithintherepairandmanufacturingdepartmentlabsatthecollege’sSouthwestCampus at 800 Quintana Road. Forinformationcall(210)486-7060.

Dr. Adena Williams Loston and members of the college’s leadership team receive recognition from Quality Texas Foundation. From left: Ruth Dalrymple, vice president for academic affairs; Sonya Valdez, coordinator for measurement and evaluation ;Dr. Karen Sides, dean of interdisciplinary studies; Dr. Loston; Lacy Hampton, vice president for college services; Dr. Sherry Lang, vice president for student success; and Mecca Salahuddin, director of institutional research, planning, and effectiveness.

SPC Continues Quest, Recognized by Quality Texas Foundation AgainSt.Philip’sCollegecontinues itsquest forquality improvement inall itsprocessesandprograms.During2010theschoolpreparedanapplicationfortheTexasAwardforPerformanceExcellence(TAPE).SPCwasrecognizedforitseffortsattheTexasQuestforExcellenceConferenceJune27-28inIrvingwiththeAchievementLevel,whichacknowledgesSt.Philip’sCollegeforencouragingandrecognizingexcellence.

TheFoundationrecognizedthecollege’sachievementfor“Well-deployed,effective,systematicapproachestoorganizationalmanagement,withgoodperformancelevelsandtrendsevaluatedagainstindustrystandards.”

TheschoolreceivedtheEngagementLevelrecognitionin2010.

Theplanningeffortforqualityrecognitioneffort isspearheadedbySPCPresidentLoston,inconjunctionwiththeleadershipteam.

Phi Theta Kappa Chapter is Named Amongthe Top 100 Chapters Internationally

St. Philip’s College Welding FacilityMakes History!

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SPC cheerleaders and Philip the Tiger with SPC PresidentAdena Loston at the college’s sponsorship night for the

San Antonio Silver Stars.

Students’ Choice winner professor Albert Guerra threwout the first pitch at SPC’s Missions Fireworks night.

SPC - San Antonio Silver Stars Sponsorship Night

SPC - San Antonio Missions Fireworks Night

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The SPC Leadership Team and featured program representatives wave to the crowd at the Missions ballgame on June 18.

Dr. Loston, Silver Stars players and Girls, Inc. at Silver Stars Etiquette Dinner.

Different SPC program promoters turned out in full force at the San Antonio Missions Juneteenth fireworks game.

SPC leadership, Presidential Scholars, and Student Engagement Grant recipients.

St. Philip’ s College - Teams Up . . .

SPC Offering New Network Security ProgramEnrollmenthasstartedforanonline/on-campusnetworksecurityadministratoracademicprogramwhichoffersstudentsNationalSecurityAgencycertificationsuponcompletion.

Theprogram’scurriculumhasreceived100 percent certification from thefederalCommitteeonNationalSecuritySystemsforafive-yearperiodeffectiveApril 13.The formal titles of the twocertifications are Information SystemsSecurity (INFOSEC) ProfessionalsNSTISSI No. 4011, and SeniorSystems Managers CNSSI No. 4012.Studentsgraduatingfromthecollege’snetwork security associate degree andcertificateprogramsduring thisperiodwillbeauthorizedtoaddthetwoagencycredentialstotheirresumes.

“Ourstudentswillpaylesstograduatewith some of the top and best-paid credentials in the informationtechnology industry, along with thebroad knowledge and skills requiredfor transfer toa four-yearcollege.Theprogram is offered in online-hybridor face-to-face formats. We alsooffer our associate degree studentsa transfer agreement with TexasA&M University-San Antonio,” saidinformationtechnologyfacultymemberHaydarThomasSahin.Sahindevelopedthe curriculum and coordinated bothcourseware certifications for thecollege.

The certifications are also a premiumupgrade for the college’s networksecurityadministratorprogramforhighschool students. Under an agreementwith Harlandale High School, thecollege will admit 14 Harlandalegraduates into the network securityprogram.

To obtain information on St. Philip’sCollege network informationadministrator security degrees,certificates and certifications, contactHaydar Thomas Sahin at hsahin@alamo.edu.

St.Philip’sCollegestudentsprocessed$5.9million in2010 refunds for clients throughthe college’s 2011 federal income taxpreparationservice.

College volunteers prepared returns for2,964 local clients, said site leader andcollege business faculty member KennethBankston.The number eclipsed thesite’sprevious record of $3.6 million in refundssetin2009.New2011clientservicesthatwill carry over to 2012 include VolunteerIncome Tax Assistance Program trainingsessions and asset-and wealth-buildingeducationservices.

“We insured a conducive environment forour first ventures in classroom instructionforvolunteertaxpreparers,internshipandscholarship service students this year,”said Bankston. “Our core staff focusedon providing a broad new mix of tax andfinancial assistance, and this was wellreceived.Togetherwe set college recordsfor customer and community service, andwe are recruiting core staff for the 2012teamnow.”

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Thestudentstrainedduringwinterholidaysto prepare the site for returning and newclients.Volunteerseachprovided16-20ormore hours perweek in the center or off-campusdistributinginformationtopotentialclientsinworkforcecenters.

The 17-year-old SPC Volunteer IncomeTaxAssistanceProgram site serves clientsearning $55,000 annually or less and hasaveraged 1,700 tax returns annually. Thepreparation service is free of charge on afirstcome-firstservedbasiswiththecollegeproviding space, computers, IRS–certifiedvolunteerpersonnelandequipment.

TheVITAsite volunteersattended the9thAnnualVITARecognitionDinneronTuesday,May17.AmongthevolunteerswereSPC’sthreeStudentEngagementGrantrecipients:Abby Mohammed, Kissiebabe Trejo, andAngelicaCourtney.Ofthe32VITAsitesinSan Antonio, the St. Philip’s College siteprepares themost returns. UnitedWayofSan Antonio and Bexar County recognizedeach of the volunteers with an InternalRevenueCertificate.

Income Tax Assistance CenterHelps Community

Good to Great Retreat Addresses Institutional EffectivenessMore than ninety St. Philip’s Collegeemployeesparticipatedinthecollege’sfourthannualGoodtoGreatretreatonMay18and19andJune15.

The goal of the gathering was to refinethe College’s strategic plan utilizing theBaldrige framework for organizationalexcellence. During the first meeting inMay, faculty, staff and administratorsperformedanenvironmentalscan,completeda SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses,Opportunities and Threats), reviewedinstitutional goals, and began developingstrategic action plans as well as a CollegeScorecard.

DuringtheJunefollow-upmeeting,thegroupbeganflowchartingtheCollege’sCoreProcesses,whichwillbecomeanessentialcomponentofthecollege’scontinuousquality improvementefforts.

Currently, the college’s leadership team is finalizing the College Level flowcharts of theinstitution’sCoreProcesses,whichwillserveasaguideforthedivisionsanddepartmentstofurtherdevelopandrefineprocessflowsintheirownareas.ThisactivitywillservetoaligntheCollegemission,visionandgoalsaswellasstrategicactionsandkeyprocessesthroughouttheinstitution.

Tracy Shelton was a happy participant in the tie auction. More than $4,500 for scholarships was raised during the retreat from fines, auctions and donations.

Two members of the first St. Philip’sCollege Alternative Energy and PowerGeneration associate degree programgraduating class (Spring 2011) rankfirst in Texas and third nationally in aSkillsUSA competition for a portablesolar power generator they co-inventedas a sustainability solution while theywerestudentsatSPC.

Lawton Smith and Stephan Engelearned the 2011 bronze team awardin the Sustainability Solutions OfficialDemonstration Contest after submittingtheir best-in-Texas ratedportable solarpower generator for examination byjudges in the 2011 SkillsUSA nationalleadershipandskillsconferenceheld inKansasCity,Mo.,June20–24.

SkillsUSA is a workforce evaluatingorganization which annually announcesperformancerankingsofexceptionalindividualcommunity college and high school studentsthrough separate competitions in 130occupationalareas.

Smith is completing an internship with solarfirm Tierra Verde, and he is interested in

furthering his education through the windtechnology program at Texas State TechnicalCollege. Engel completed an internship inelectricalpower,andhasbecomeajourneymanelectricianwithhisfather’sfirm.

SmithandEngelarethefirstfromthecollegetoplaceasateamatthestateornationallevelsinaSkillsUSAofficialdemonstrationcontest,and

thefirst in a green jobs event,whichfocuses on sustainability conceptsas energy savings or green buildingprocesses, recycling, alternative fuelsand alternative energy or powergeneration.

SmithandEngelareactiveSkillsUSAmembers enrolled in an academicprogram where green innovativetechnology techniques are standard.There were no SkillsUSA travelscholarships available, so the teampaidtheirtransportationandroomandboard in order to participate at thenationalchampionshipinMissouri.

Engel and Smith and the college’sgreen jobs academic programshave shaped how future SkillsUSAsustainability competitions will occur

atthenationallevel.Sustainabilitywillcontinueasanationaleventin2012.

For information on SkillsUSA at AlamoColleges,contactStacyScott(210)394-8580andemailheratstacyreneescott@hotmail.com.

71 Year Old Completes SPC Massage Therapy ProgramAnAirForceveteranandfamilymemberholdsthetitleastheoldeststudenttocompletethe500-HourMassageTherapyCertificateofCompletionprogramatSt.Philip’sCollege.

Air Force veteran Marylyn Smith, 71, edges out the next oldest graduate, who was 62, said John S. Braxton,ContinuingEducationSpecialistforthecollege’sAcademyofHealthCareerTraining.

TheroadtoalumnilifeforSmithwasdifferentfrommostofthecollege’s12,000currentstudents.Smith’sstatusastheprogram’soldeststudentwasnotatopicoftextingorconversationasshewalkedthestageinthecollege’s125thcommencementceremonyMay6.Thetopicdidarisethreedayslater,whenSmithbeganherrequiredmassagetherapypracticum,whichconsistsofproviding40freemassagesasastudenttherapistinthecollege’spopularprogram.

“ItoldpeopletheywerelyingwhentheytoldmeIwastheoldest-everinthisprogram,”Smithsaidwithasmile.“Thegraduationceremonywasokay.Iwasnext-to-lastinline,promotingmassagestothecrowd.We’veseenclientsfromHondo,LaVernia,NewBraunfels...andwehadaladycomeinfromCulebraand1604.We’resopopularthroughoutthecityatthistimeoftheyear.”

ThenextprofessionalchallengeforSmithwillbetakinganational-levelexamtobecomeaLicensedMassageTherapist.

BorninMorganCity,La.,in1939,Smithsaidsheisgladshereturnedtocollegeforthefirsttimeinabout50years.Smithattendedaschoolforx-raytechniciansforoneyearbeforesheenlistedintheAirForcebywayofHouston.AhighlightofservingwiththeradiographyteamatWilfordHallfor18monthsduringthedawnofthespaceraceinthelate1950swasx-rayingallsixoftheoriginalastronauts,includingJohnGlenn.

To enroll in the 500-Hour Massage Therapy program, contact the Academy of HealthCareerTraining,WorkforceDevelopmentandContinuingEducationat(210)486-2071.

Massage Therapy graduate Marylyn Smith atwork. She is the oldest graduate of that program.

Stephan Engel (left) and Lawton Smith rank first in Texas and third nationally for a portable solar power generator they co-invented and demonstrated at a national SkillsUSA competition.

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Invention by Alternative Energy and Power Generation Students Earns Third in USA, Best in Texas Ranking from SkillsUSA

Howard, board member, San Antonio ISD.CommunityrepresentativesincludedMr.NippyBetzandMr.SmileyWilliams.

Separate grade-level-appropriate EMBODIprograms for students in grades 3-5, 6-8,9-12 and college were held. During theseparate programs, networking, informationaland educational activities assisted thesestudents with grade-appropriate reiterationor introduction of support programs, careeroptionsandopportunities.

The EMBODI program was presented bynational service organization Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc. St. Philip’s College andNortheastLakeviewCollege.

St. Philip’s College’s participation in theEMBODIConferencewaspartofthecollege’son-goingeffort toenhancethesuccessofmenof color. The 5th Annual African-AmericanMaleConferencewasheldinconjunctionwiththeevent.

Newsletter StaffEditor/Writer–JorgeA.Ramirez,InterimDirectorofCommunity&PublicRelationsWriter/Reporter–JohnDendy,PublicInformationOfficerEditorialAssistants–ConnieGarcia,DawnAndersonPhotographicSupport–PatrickEvans,MediaServices

Empowering Males Conference HeldSt. Philip’s College was the site of theEmpowering Males to Build Opportunitiesfor Developing Independence (EMBODI)ConferenceApril29and30.Theconferencewas open to all and aimed to promoteminority male empowerment and positiveself-image for students ranging from thirdgradethroughcollege.Morethan300youngmalesparticipated.

Journalist Cary Clack moderated a panelon the future of younger African-Americanmen. District 2 Councilwoman Ivy TaylorandPrecinct4CountyCommissionerTommyAdkisson attended along with school boardmembersfromvariousschooldistricts.TheseincludedMr.WayneHarper,boardmember,Judson ISD; Ms. Caprica Wells, assistantprincipal, Northeast ISD; and Mr. James

2011 Summer Math and Science ProgramsReach CapacityTheSanAntonioPre-freshmanEngineeringProgram(PREP)Year-1hostedatSt.Philip’sCollege’smaincampusandthecollege’sScienceandMathSummerAcademyatthenewCentersofExcellenceforScienceandMathematicsatthecollege’sSouthwestCampusarearegistrationsuccessstory,withbothofferingstotallyenrolledbymid-May.

Themath,sciencetechnology,engineeringandmathematics(STEM)basedPREPprogramfor2011,anationalprogramthatwaspioneeredasathree-yearcourseinSanAntonioin1979,isnowpartofafour–yearcoursetogroomstudentsforsuccessinSTEMstudiesandrelatedcareers.

“ItisimportanttoencouragestudentstocompletetherestofYear-1PrepprogramandtoinfluenceouryouthtomatriculateintothePREPyears2to4,”SiteDirectorDr.GloriaGuerrasaid.

ThecurriculumassociatedwithYear-1includesproblemsolving,logicandintroductiontoengineering,alongwitha researchand careerawareness component. Interested sixth througheleventhgradestudentscanapplyforPREPinthefallatwww.prep-usa.orgorbycalling485-2060.

TheweekdayScienceandMathSummerAcademyparticipantsaremiddleschoolandhighschoolstudentsages11-15.AcademyeventstakeplaceMondays-ThursdaysJuly11–28from9a.m.to4p.m.

Groupsof10students rotate throughseminars in theCentersofExcellence labsonmathematics,alternative energy, biotechnology, probability, geometry, ecology, chemistry and helio-science,explainedDr.CarmenNava-Fischer,associatedirectoroftheCenterofExcellenceforScience,wholeadsthecamp.

“Ouracademyexperienceprovidestheelementsnecessarytopromotethesuccessofdozensofseriousscience and mathematics students, with access to outstanding facilities, curriculum and seminarfaculty,”saidDr.JoDeeDuncan,directorofthecentersandthecamp.“WearepleasedthatstudentsofallagesarecomingtogetheratSt.Philip’sCollegetoengageinprojectbasedlearningandmeetSTEMrolemodelsfromindustryandacademiathissummer.”

ForinformationaboutSTEMprogramsatSt.Philip’scall(210)486-2470

STAFF COUNCIL OFFICERS,MEMBERS NAMEDSt.Philip’sCollegeemployeeshaveelectedstaffcouncilofficersforthe2011-2012academicyear.Theyare:President,DavidGomez;President-Elect,YolandaCrooms;Secretary,GinaJasso;Reporter,ErnestGonzalez;Parliamentarian,CarrieDixon;andTreasurer–MariaBotello.StaffcouncilmembersareReginaGraves,GregJones,KimThompson,RafaelSayago,CarolMesser,RichardBaldez,YolandaReyes-Guevara,MarshaHallandPatriciaHeckman.

NEW STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OFFICERS NAMEDNewofficersfortheStudentGovernmentAssociationare:ThomasHolstein,President;AricaChaney,Vice-President;LaurieAnnGarcia,Treasurer;andJackieArmijo,Secretary.

FACULTY SENATE OFFICERS, SENATORS FOR 2011-2012 NAMEDFacultySenateofficersfor2011,2012are:President,Dr.GregoryHudspeth;Vice-President,GeorgeJohnson;RecordingSecretary,WilliamBlanton;CorrespondingSecretary,SeanNighbert;Historian,JasonFabianke;Parliamentarian,SandraSnavely;andTreasurer,CynthiaKatz.Thesenatorsare:FrankArredondo,ProgramCoordinator,CardiovascularTechnology;ShirleyBass-Wright,ProfessorofPsychology,BehavioralSciences;WilliamBlanton,InstructorofBiology,NaturalSciences;JessicaCooper,AssistantProfessor,EarlyChildhoodandFamilyStudiesProgram;AnnaDelgado,AssistantProfessor /Librarian;MichaelDillard,InstructorofGovernment,SocialSciences;JasonFabianke,InstructorofHistoryandGerman,SocialandBehavioralSciences;ChrisGrayson,InstructorofSociology,BehavioralSciences;HermanHauschildt,AssistantProfessor,AutomotiveTechnology;Dr.GregoryHudspeth,ProfessorofGovernment,SocialSciences;GeorgeJohnson,Professor,Mathematics;CynthiaKatz,AssistantProfessor,Mathematics;SeanNighbert,AssistantProfessorofEnglish,CommunicationsandLearning;DavidC.Scott,AssociateProfessor,ElectronicsandInformationTechnology;SandraSnavely,AssistantProfessor,SocialandBehavioralSciences;JimWest,Counselor.

Men of Color of all ages posed proudly at the EMBODI conference.