May 16, 2014 | SharkAdmin In this Issue: Integrity: NVC President Announces Retirement Synergy: Acclaimed Sculptor and Olympian at Vista Caring: Share Your Experience – Be a Career Mentor Learning: Scholarship Breakfast 2014 Diversity: Wildcat Shout-Outs and Congratulations Joy: Path to Graduation: Anne-Marie Hager Community: Graduation 2014 – Volunteer Creativity: Give by Text and Support Scholarships Openness: In Memory: Miguel Munoz (Mike Sr.) Ways to Connect Message from Jackie Hello NVC Alumni and Friends, As some of you may have heard, I have announced my retirement effective August 2014. Throughout the past 16 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you and of course seeing each of you succeed in your goal to earn a degree from NVC. Individually, you have each contributed to the spirit that makes Northwest Vista what it is today. Collectively, your accomplishments radiate the true beauty and vision of this campus. For all that you have given NVC and for providing me with the opportunity to see your success, I thank you. But before August, there’s still a lot of Wildcat Spirit we can share together. I invite anyone interested in volunteering at this year’s graduation ceremony to get in touch with us. If you can, also please consider helping us raise funds for student scholarships by making a $10 gift by texting VISTA to 20222. Don’t forget to reply with ‘Yes’ If you receive a message asking to confirm your donation. And of course everyone is always welcome to catch one of the magnificent shows or exhibits taking place here on campus right now. Jackie Claunch President NVC President Announces Retirement Jacqueline “Jackie” Claunch, president of Northwest Vista College, one of the Alamo Colleges, recently announced her retirement effective August 2014. Known for her commitment to quality, Dr. Claunch has championed improving education both in and outside the classroom. She leaves a legacy of academic excellence, quality service and environmental conservation that grew NVC from 246 students in 1998 to an award-winning, nationally recognized institution serving over 16,354 students in Fall 2013. Want to send Jackie a message? email [email protected] or leave a comment on facebook.com/ NVCAlumni Acclaimed Sculptor and Olympian Visits Vista NVC will host works by acclaimed sculptor and Olympian Peter Schifrin, thorough April 25 at the Palmetto Center for the Arts. In 1984, Schifrin was a member of the U.S. men’s fencing team. For more than a decade, Schifrin was director of the School of Fine Art Sculpture at the Academy of Art University, where he is currently a faculty member. His body of work includes an exhibit at the 2012 London Olympics. Contact the Palmetto Box Office at www.alamo.edu/NVC/Academics/PCA/ or 486-4527 for more info. Share Your Experience – Be A CaTS Career Mentor The Career and Transfer Services Center (CaTS) is looking for NVC Alumni interested in sharing with students their “real-world” experiences on connecting career planning and educational goals. To participate, CaTS will need your business card, a list of degree/s and where you received them from along with a list of major/minors. As a volunteer mentor you can help students by participating in mock interviews, offering information on your respective field, and providing networking experience. Your profile will also be included in the CaTS Connect Career Mentor directory. Interested? Contact Jo Garcia at 210-486-4126 or [email protected] Scholarship Breakfast 2014 – “Someone Believes in Me” “It’s about knowing that someone else out there believes in you and what you want to do with your life.”-Peter Northrop, NVC scholarship recipient and Digital Video and Cinema Production major This past Valentine’s Day, NVC hosted its annual Scholarship Breakfast . The morning brought students together with the various donors who have made gifts to scholarships. NVC scholarship awardees,Mary Kate Crockett, a Business Administration major; Julissa Del Bosque, a Biology major planning to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon; and Sharman Castillo, a Music Technology major who plans to go into music ministry each thanked donors and shared their experiences at NVC. Randy Pawelek, chair and CEO of Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, discussed how his company has focused their giving primarily to scholarships. The company established the Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Endowed Scholarship in 2010 for students studying areas related to construction. Mr. Pawelek went on to surprise everyone by presenting a check for $5,000 to Dr. Jackie Claunch for scholarships and providing CDs of “Hollywood or Beach” by the Jaiy Randy Band, which he is a member of, to all in attendance. Robert Marbut, an NVC faculty member, also shared why he decided to start his own endowed scholarship for students seeking a career in public service. He announced a set goal of raising $100,000 for the scholarship and encouraged others to consider donating. Alumni Shout Outs and Congratulations Kimberly Redgate, class of 2013, was recently recognized as Most Outstanding Junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Virginia Reyes, recently graduated from Texas A&M at San Antonio. Congratulations! Santos Jimenez was accepted to the Masters of Health Administration program at the University of Incarnate Word. The Path to Graduation: Anne-Marie Hager “NVC helped me develop and find my identity… people here reminded me who I was.” Anne-Marie Hager, is a mother of two, who made the choice to return to college after a 10-year hiatus. During that time she worked several jobs in the service-industry while focusing on her family. “I felt like I needed to do something for myself,” she said. “I wanted a change.” During her first experience in college, Anne-Marie said she received little guidance from advisers, “I was just taking any class back then and there was little support, so I decided to work” While employed at a local restaurant, she explained how her co-workers mentioned they attended Northwest Vista College. Anne-Marie said this made her think, “What am I doing for myself?” With the support of her husband of 14-years and a strong desire to grow as a person, she was motivated to enroll in classes. Today, Anne-Marie is in the final stretch of earning dual degrees in Allied Health and General Studies at NVC. She plans to continue her education by enrolling in the Surgical Technology degree program at St. Phillips College. “I’m a hands-on learner and the medical field is where I belong,” she said. Anne-Marie added that her choice to pursue a medical career was based helping people and feeling a daily sense of accomplishment. While at NVC, Anne-Marie has volunteered as a Student Ambassador participating in activities such as Wildcat Days, Blood Drives and the Psychology Club. She thanks faculty and staff, such as Darryl Nettles, Andrea Anderson, Robert DiGiovanni and Lake Stith, who encouraged her success. Anne-Marie offers the following advice to fellow students, “find out how you learn, focus on your core and don’t be ashamed of needing remedial help.” She also encourages mothers who may be considering a return to college to just do it if possible. “I have seen a positive change in myself and my family,” she said. “It took time, but I am happy to have invested in myself.” Anne-Marie plans to walk the stage this May at graduation. Are you a student, or know a student near graduation that would like to share a story on the path to graduation? Contact Manny Martinez at [email protected] or 210-486-4688. Graduation 2014: Volunteers Needed (2013 NVC Alumni Scholarship recipient – Gladys Torres-Rodriguez) Last year, we raised nearly $500 for the NVC Alumni Scholarship fund through the sale of purple and white carnations at Graduation. We’re aiming to build more funds that support students this year, and could use a little help. Graduation is on Wednesday, May 14, at 7:00 pm inside the Joe Freeman Coliseum. Interested in helping us? Please let us know. Contact Manny Martinez at 486-4688 or [email protected] Texting for Scholarships More than 67% of the students at NVC receive financial aid and/or scholarships. Northwest Vista College announces Vista Scholarship Dollars, a new mobile giving campaign to benefit deserving students in need through general scholarships to NVC through the Alamo Colleges Foundation. Anyone with a cell phone can now send a $10 donation for NVC scholarships by texting VISTA to 20222. To confirm your donation, you must reply with the word “YES” after you get a short message from your wireless provider regarding your donation. Another way to give is by calling (210) 547-9722. You will get a text message asking you to reply with the word “YES” to confirm your $10 donation. Donors can give multiple times a month depending on your carrier. Donations are tax deductible, and pledges are billed through your monthly cell phone bill. Messaging and data rates may apply. Full details are available at www.alamo.edu/newsDetail.aspx?id=36699 The Northwest Vista College text giving program in cooperation with the Alamo Colleges Foundation is certified by the Mobile Giving Foundation and is administered through Give by Cell. In Memory: Miguel Munoz (Mike Sr.) Mr. Miguel R. Munoz (Mike Sr.), professor of Economics at NVC, passed away on Monday, Feb. 17. Mr. Munoz started as an adjunct instructor at NVC in the fall of 2002 and later became a tenured assistant professor of Economics. In a 2007 college profile on him and his two children, also instructors at NVC – Mike R. Munoz Jr. and Linda Munoz Zehr (Linda no longer teaches at NVC), he said that in order to be a good educator, he first and foremost needed to do a lot of learning. “You can talk about theory until the cows come home,” he said. “But it’s really world experience that becomes very important in education. That helps when you are trying to explain the theory behind what you are teaching.” Miguel, a Vietnam veteran, earned two Purple Hearts from the U.S. Army and eventually became a franchise operator of three restaurants. He also served as a Vet to Vet Advocate to current military and former military students at NVC. NVC President Jackie Claunch emailed the NVC community the day of his death with the following statement. “I fondly recall my interview with him and the many times we chatted together. I never heard him say an unkind word to or about anyone.” NVC Students took to social media and sent messages that included: “I loved having Prof. Munoz, he was definitely a talented human being and will be greatly missed.” “He was one of the greatest professors that made a difference in my life. He will be missed. Thank you for making us laugh in class.” “He was a great instructor and will always be apart of the journey to my degree.” Miguel Munoz Sr. was loved by not only his family and friends, but the many lives he touched in the classroom. Connect with NVC Alumni and Friends Summer Edition: June 2013 – Send in your stories. linkedin.com facebook.com/NVCAlumni [email protected] 210-486-4688
