June 16, 2013 | SharkAdmin In this Issue: Message from Jackie Learning: Graduation 2013 Recap Synergy: Alumni Scholarship Fund Grows at Graduation Creativity: Earth Day 2013 Brings Campus Together Community: Alumni Share Power of a Degree Openness: NVC News-Programs,Parking and Partnerships Integrity: Alumni Gets Congratulations from President Obama Joy: Walk NVC – Trail Offers Outdoor Activities Caring: Career and Transfer Services (CaTS) for Alumni Diversity: Alumni Profile – Sonny Escobar Jr. – Class of 2010 Message from Jackie Hello NVC Alumni and Friends, Our conversation this issue is centered on people, progress and success. Congratulations to the nearly 1,200 new graduates who now have the distinguished honor of calling themselves NVC Alumni. The steps of each graduate crossing the stage to receive a diploma represent accomplishment, and show the true spirit that moves Northwest Vista College’s mission -“Creating Opportunities for Success.” One example comes from two young women, who on graduation night inspired students with their stories of the hardships and joys they encountered on the path to earn their degrees. You can read more on what Daniela and Yvonne said in our Graduation Recap story. You can also, join me in congratulating the Class of 2013 by posting a note of encouragement or advice on the NVC Alumni Facebook or by sending it to [email protected]. Of course, I hope you’ll read the rest of this edition as well. There’s news on ways to connect, upcoming changes at NVC and Alumni services. I wish you all the best this summer season. -Jackie Jackie Claunch President NVC Graduation 2013 Recap This past May, 496 students walked the stage to become NVC Alumni at the 16th Northwest Vista College Graduation Ceremony held at the Freeman Coliseum. Commencement ceremonies included speeches by student speakers, Yvonne Anaya and Daniela Magnone. The two graduates shared with an audience of family and friends, the experiences they have overcome to complete their degrees. Graduate Yvonne Anaya told the story of how her family’s journey in the United States began with a handful of items that have influenced her life. “Four suitcases, a microwave and its box was all I had ten years ago,” she said. Yvonne added, “Now I have a home, a car, friends, a new family, a new culture, new beliefs and ideals, and most importantly, an education that will get me to that place my parents hoped I would find success.” Daniela Magnone shared how she found her passion for math. “I’d like to tell you a love story,” she said. “A story of how I fell in love with math.” Daniela credited the faculty at NVC, as well as her tutoring job at the college, for helping her discover a new found path. She encouraged her fellow graduates to find their gift, passion and purpose, and turn it into a story that matters. Congratulations to the Northwest Vista Class of 2013. Alumni Scholarship Fund Grows at Graduation This year’s Graduation Ceremony also featured the first NVC Alumni and Friends fundraising table. Throughout the evening, purple and white “Celebration Carnations” were available for $2.00 each. Proceeds helped raise funds for the NVC Alumni Scholarship Fund. Total contributions made by family, friends and supporters of graduates added $449 to the scholarship to be awarded in 2013-2014 academic year. Thank you for your support. Earth Day 2013 Brings Campus Together NVC held its annual Earth Day event in April. During the event, a silent auction benefitted the NVC Alumni Scholarship fund. Items for bid included birdfeeders made of recycled material and custom-built by NVC sculpture students. The college also announced plans to work towards earning the designation as a Tree Campus USA institution, a program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and administered by the Texas Forest Service. Other new programs included the addition of several collection boxes around campus to recycle rechargeable batteries and the addition of a water bottle filling station in Huisache Hall to help eliminate plastic bottle waste. Earth Day at NVC is organized annually to spread a message of caring about our campus and the environment. Alumni Share the Power of Degree NVC Alumni are the focus of an expanded college campaign this Fall aimed at promoting degree completion to current and future students. Posters featuring the faces of Alumni will be displayed in classrooms around campus. In addition, NVC is recognizing the achievements and stories of these individuals on the college website. If you’d like to be part of upcoming photo sessions and interviews contact us at 210-486-4688 or email [email protected]. NVC News Kids Summer Camps Now Enrolling Upcoming camps: Dance/Cheer Camp July 8-12 Around the World Camp July 15-19 Dinosaur Detectives Camp July 22-26 Art Explorers Camp July 29-Aug 2 Class Act! (drama)/Film Directing 2-Week Camp Aug 5-9 and 12-16 All-day camps are $150 per week. www.alamo.edu/nvc/children NVC Grad Gets Presidential Letter NVC Alumni Dustyn Taylor recently received his associate degree from Northwest Vista College. To show his gratitude for this accomplishment, Dustyn wrote a letter to the President of the United States. Dustyn, who said he tried to climb the IT corporate ladder but lacked a degree, told President Barack Obama thank you for his support of education and his policies that allow students like Dustyn to receive financial aid. To Dustyn’s surprise, he received a signed congratulations letter from the president along with a picture. The letter says, “Michelle and I extend our warmest congratulations on your graduation. We hope you take pride in this significant achievement, which speaks to the skills and knowledge you have gained across years of dedicated study.” Walk NVC – Trail Offers Outdoor Activity Northwest Vista College invites Alumni to visit the campus walking trail. The mile trail is open from daylight to dusk daily. The main entrance point is near the boardwalk portable buildings. Please exercise caution on the trail and observe signs. For additional information call 210-486-4612 or email [email protected]. To see a campus map click here. Do You Know What CaTS Can Do? The CaTS (Career and Transfer Services) Center is here to help NVC Alumni Resume Building Interview Preparation Transfer PlanningVisit the CaTS website or call 210-486-4126 for information. Alumni Profile: (Courtesy Photo) Sonny Escobar Jr. Class of 2010 Associate’s Degree – Criminal Justice, ‘10 Bachelor’s degree – Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement, Texas State University, ‘12 Share with us what you are doing now? During my last semester at Texas State University I applied with the Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Division. It has been a lengthy seven-month process and today I am blessed and pleased to say that I have been selected and approved to attend the B-2013 Trooper Trainee Recruit School. What stood out for you most at NVC? The core values set upon the Northwest Vista community in order to achieve excellence on and off campus. I remember my first day on campus in the fall of 2008 walking across the bridge between Manzanillo Hall and Huisache Hall and looking upon each value up on a light pole. I thought this was incredibly powerful in what this community valued and that soon I would implement this in my life. Who/What do you remember most about NVC? The faculty of Northwest Vista College opened me up to new ideas, communicating effectively, engaging in community service, and supporting my classmates, to name a few. All that I have learned I have tried my best to practice in all aspects of my life. Thank the following professors for their passion in the classroom. Kitty Brietzke-Criminal Justice Jose Castillo-Criminal Justice Brenya Buchalski-Criminal Justice Steve Philbrick-Criminal Justice Henry Meade-Criminal Justice Martha Bagge-Spanish Travis Prok-Kinesiology Monica Young De Cantu-Philosophy Edgar Garza-Communications Timothy Molina-Academic Advisor A special thanks as well to Windcrest Police Chief Al Ballew and Police Officers Maria Garza and Alex Orengo. (Sonny training with the San Antonio Park Police. Courtesy Photo) What has your Associate degree done for you, and How has NVC influenced your personal and career goals? Not only has it helped me to soon become one of Texas’ finest with the Texas Department of Public Safety, but it has helped me develop my character by continuing my higher education, asking questions, thinking critically, becoming social and environmentally responsible and having acceptance for differences. I will continue to learn in all that I do and be the best I can to all that surround me. I can only imagine what many opportunities are in store that will allow me to express my knowledge obtained from Northwest Vista with others. Do you have any advice for current NVC students? Keep pushing through. Never give up. A bright future is in store for those who believe, try their best, and appreciate the opportunities presented before them. What is your favorite Vista Value? Integrity has become a way of life for me since Northwest Vista. Life sometimes has its ups and downs, but with honesty in the classroom, workplace, and home, I feel life can continue to grow and expand into something great. No matter what happens in my life, I shall always do the very best I can to achieve all and to be true towards my family, friends, and colleagues. Connect with NVC Alumni and Friends. Fall Edition: September 2013 – Send in your stories Email: [email protected] Online: www.facebook.com/NVCAlumni Phone: 210-486-4688
