December 16, 2012 | SharkAdmin In this Issue: Message from Jackie Community: Dollars for Scholars – Give by Text Drive Synergy: NVC Alumni Spotlight / NVC and McNay Create Math Trail Caring: Business Leaders Talk “Real World” / Volunteers Needed Integrity: Homelessness to Hope – Former NVC Student Shares Story Learning: Prickly Pear Garage, Willie the Wildcat and more… Creativity: NVC Faculty Member World Premiere Openness: Military Friendly School / Vet 2 Vet Program Diversity: Duo Produce New Film / Faculty Member Retires Joy: NVC History Message from Jackie Hello NVC Alumni and Friends, Welcome to the winter edition of the NVC Alumni Update. Let me begin by saying thanks to all of you who have reconnected with us recently. During this season I am especially reminded of the many contributions that students, employees, donors, volunteers and alumni all make to the NVC community. This year, several of you have shared your inspiring stories to let current students know about the power of a degree. Others have participated in various events on campus and helped strengthen our growing community of NVC Alumni. This year, we also proudly awarded our first NVC Alumni Scholarship to a deserving student, thanks to your donations! Thank you all for continuing to carry on the Vista traditions of practicing respect and caring of one another, sharing knowledge through collaboration and offering the support that builds a strong community. I encourage you all to stay connected and hope each of you share the joy of the season. In closing, I hope you’ll check out our first community “Dollars for Scholars” give by text phone drive for NVC scholarships. You can text VISTA to 20222 on your phone to make a $10 gift. Details along with a message from NVC Alum and Dollars for Scholars Campaign Ambassador, Pam Tyler, are below. Happy Holidays! Jackie Claunch President Dollars for Scholars: NVC Launches Give by Text Drive You can now support NVC students by texting VISTA to 20222 Each text you send will make a $10 gift that goes directly to NVC scholarships. Donations will be added to your monthly phone bill. A Message from Pam Tyler NVC Alum and Dollars for Scholars Campaign Ambassador Isn’t this exciting—we can text and give to NVC at the same time! I loved my time at NVC and feel good when I am able to give back to the place that helped me in so many ways. Fellow NVC Alumni, please think about taking part in Dollars for Scholars, a new NVC give by text campaign to help provide scholarships for NVC students. It’s so easy—just pick up your phone, text VISTA to 20222 and that’s it. I’m happy to serve as our Alumni Ambassador for the campaign and hope you will join me in texting to give $10 for NVC scholarships for students. Oh, did I mention it’s only $10? And, thank you. Oh, one more thing—you can do it more than once (I had to mention that). Go Wildcats! NVC Alumni Spotlight Focuses on Power of a Degree Recently, as part of an on-campus movement to encourage student graduation, NVC Alumni have been featured on the front page of the college website. Plus, posters featuring NVC graduates are now displayed in classrooms throughout campus. It’s all meant to highlight NVC Graduates and show current students the Power of a Degree. Visit alamo.edu/nvc/alumni to read over 30 profiles. . If you’re interested in volunteering for future profiles contact Manny Martinez at [email protected] or call 210-486-4688. NVC and McNay Art Museum Create Math Trail NVC faculty members and students recently visited the McNay Art Museum to create a visitor-based presentation about math in visual artworks such as painting and sculpture. Called the “math trail,” activities direct guests through the museum and offer information to help students prepare for the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) test. Read more about the project and the faculty involved here. Business Leaders Talk “Real World” with Students Area business leaders met with NVC Business Student Organization members to talk about “real world” experiences. Program panelists spent the morning answering questions such as what they look for in a job applicant, if what they learn in class is relevant to the “real world” and the impact of ethics and character on a person’s career. Panelists included Brian Carter, director of communications and interactive marketing at SeaWorld San Antonio; Shelah Simmons, Ph.D., CEO of Genesis Professional Solutions; Luci Harty, owner of Luci Harty Advisors; and Tim Louton, vice president of Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q. Brian Carter and Shelah Simmons are active members of the NVC Business Council, which participated in planning the event. Pass on the Pride at Graduation – Volunteers Needed We need your help in making graduation a BIG night for the class of 2014. If you’re interested in volunteering as part of NVC Alumni and Friends contact Manny Martinez at 210-486-4688 or email [email protected]. Homelessness to Hope – Former NVC Student Shares Story Former Northwest Vista College student, turned motivational speaker, Ray Juarez Jr., returned to campus and shared his personal experiences of overcoming domestic violence, homelessness and hunger. Juarez currently travels across the country – living out of a few duffle bags – to inspire youth, educators and parents about the message of hope, perseverance and the importance of education. Read more about his visit here. Prickly Pear Garage Now Open Anyone driving near campus off 1604 recently may have noticed the new Prickly Pear Parking Garage. The new parking structure was built to help alleviate parking and adds an additional 700 spaces. Prickly Pear Parking Garage is now the 12th building on the NVC Campus. Meet ‘Willie the Wildcat’ Put your paws up and welcome Willie the Wildcat! Willie is the first official mascot of NVC and has agreed to take charge in building Wildcat Pride on campus. Alumni Selected to Participate in Educational Conference NVC Alum, Nanette Lechner and Thomas Rux, were both selected by Texas A&M San Antonio to sit on a panel at the 2013 Critical Questions in Education Conference. Nanette and Thomas are part of the “Ready From Day One” teacher preparation program, which includes a rigorous process of interviews and essays resulting in 18 months of student teaching at a local school. The Critical Questions in Education Conference is a program of the Academy for Educational Studies created to establish a community of people interested in having thoughtful conversations about important educational questions and issues. Congratulations Nanette and Thomas! NVC Nano Students Win National Award The National Science Foundation recently selected two Northwest Vista Nanotechnology students as winners of the 2013 Student Award of Excellence. Chris Salinas and Jay Giuliani, attended the Advanced Technological Education Principal Investigators conference in Washington, D.C. to receive the award. NSF formally recognized both Chris and Jay for their achievements in nanotechnology. Only 50 students in the nation were selected for this award. Chris and Jay also visited the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) in Washington, D.C. to see cutting-edge laboratories studying genomics and the human microbiome. Congratulations Chris and Jay! NVC Helpful Links CaTS – Career and Transfer Services Help with job searches, resume and interview preparation or transferring to a university. NVC Library Search and use the Library. Diploma and Transcripts For information on duplicate diplomas and requesting transcripts. Northwest Vista College Alumni and Friends is now on LinkedIn Join the group at NVC Alumni and Friends – LinkedIn You can also find us on Facebook NVC Music Faculty Member Gets World Premier Congratulations to NVC music faculty member, Beth May, on the world premiere of her latest compositions – Three Pieces for Horn and Harp. One of the pieces was recently performed in New Haven, Conn. on Nov. 9. Written in 2012 for the classical music group, “Apple Orange Pair,” Beth’s compositions are an adventurous set of short pieces that highlight the many unusual, colorful sounds that each instrument can produce. Her pieces will also be featured on Apple Orange Pair’s debut album, “Seeds.” Here is a link to the 13-minute world premiere of one of Beth’s compositions. NVC Awarded 2014 Military Friendly Schools Designation The 2014 Military Friendly Schools® list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country doing the most to embrace and support America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses on campus. Read morehere. Vet 2 Vet Program Connects Students with Faculty and Staff NVC has launched the Vet to Vet Program to assist current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces transition to college. Through V2V, faculty and staff who are themselves veterans serve as advocates to provide students with information, resources and support. Read more about the program here. Duo Produce New Film Watch the new short documentary titled “Marshland” by NVC Alum, Mark and Angela Walley. Shot on location in Houston, Texas, the husband and wife duo, follow and document the process of Baltimore-based artist Gaia, as he creates the art installation “MARSHLAND” at the Rice University Art Gallery. You can watch the film and other documentary works by the Walley’s at www.walleyfilms.com/Gaia-MARSHLAND Longtime NVC Math Instructor Retires Anthony Coppin, a Math professor at NVC for over 10 years, recently announced his retirement. During his teaching career he has been the recipient of the Minnie Stephens Piper Award twice and the NVC STAR award. A former student of Mr. Coppin who recalled his class said, “If only all teachers could be this good.” The entire NVC community thanks him for his years of dedication in the classroom. NVC History Here’s a look from the air at the first four buildings on campus. How we’ve grown. Spring Edition: February 2014 – Have something to share? Send us your news Email: [email protected] Online: www.facebook.com/NVCAlumni Phone: 210-486-4688
