Dear ACC Alumni, Supporters and Friends,
So you can stay up-to-date on what's going on at ACC and with students and alumni quickly and accurately, ACC E-News was created. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services to you. If you ever have any story ideas or suggestions, please send them to accnews@alvincollege.edu. |
| ACC Vigilant of Flu Outbreak
No Cases Reported in Brazoria County to Date |
Although signs of the flu outbreak reported mainly in Mexico and parts of the U. S. are not apparent in Brazoria County, the ACC Board of Regents and administrators are staying in contact with officials and carefully watching the situation in order to take appropriate actions to protect students -- especially during the numerous graduation events at the main campus in May. Any changes in upcoming events will be posted immediately on the homepage of ACC's website, www.alvincollege.edu.
Here is some helpful information from the Center for Disease Control about the recent flu outbreak and what you can do to help protect yourself:
If you have any questions or concerns, please call (281) 756-3594 during regular business hours or the ACC Police Department after hours at (281) 756-3700.
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| Regents Approve Tuition, Fee Adjustment
In-district Tuition $32 Per Credit Hour for Fall 2009 |
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ACC regents unanimously approved a $2 per credit hour adjustment, from $30 to $32, for in-district residents during a regular meeting on April 23. Tuition for out-of-district residents was also increased from $58 to $65 per credit hour and tuition for non-residents remained the same at $110.
Each year, a standing committee at ACC reviews tuition and fees for credit and continuing education/workforce development courses as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The last time tuition and fees were adjusted was in 2007.
To read more about action taken at the ACC board meeting on April 23, visit:
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| Reconstruction from Hurricane Ike Underway
College Aiming to be Back in Building A by July |
 Due to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) not covering a large portion of the damage from Hurricane Ike, ACC board members recently voted to allow the reconstruction efforts to be performed primarily in-house, by ACC staff and temporary employees.
Progress has been rapid since the approval and ACC Dean of Financial and Administrative Services Dr. Darryl Stevens is hoping to return displaced programs and departments back in Building A by July, including admissions, financial aid, registrar, library, Learning Lab and more. |
| Regents Working to Meet with Pearland Representatives on Their Own
Board Decides to Not Attend Sen. Jackson Workshop on May 1 |
| ACC Board of Regents recently decided to not attend a workshop called by District 11 Texas Senator Mike Jackson for May 1 and have been working to meet with Pearland representatives on their own in the near future. According to ACC Board Chair L. H. "Pete" Nash, the board's goal is to meet with Pearland representatives in a positive and mutually beneficial forum and believes it can do so better one-on-one with various groups in the Pearland community. |
| Three Teens to Graduate from ACC Before High School
Dual Degree Program Growing in AISD, PISD |
 In Alvin and Manvel, high school is no longer a place to only earn a diploma -- it's a place to earn a college degree. Due to a unique partnerhsip between the AISD and ACC, three teenagers are graduating with an associate degree in May -- nearly a month before graduating from Alvin High School. And there are many more to come in the future.
On May 12, Shauna Humbird, Kyle Gaddy and Suzanna Sanchez will participate in ACC's commencement. On June 5, they will receive their diploma from AHS. All three students will be able to enter a university as a junior, with a majority of core credits completed. The endeavor also saved them -- and their parents -- thousands of dollars in tuition, fees and living expenses. The dual degree program provides a detailed plan for high school students to follow and guidance so they can earn the required credits for high school and college graduation simultaneously. PISD students now have the same opportunity due to a partnership with ACC. The first students of the program have enrolled this year. |
| Fontenot Selected as this Year's Great Teacher Recipient by ACC Foundation
Honor Sends Instructor to Hawaii for Powerful Seminar |
 The ACC Foundation recently announced that ACC Associate Degree Nursing instructor Debra Fontenot (left) will attend the 21st annual Hawaii National Great Teachers Seminar on the big island Aug. 9-14. Since 1978, the ACC Foundation has sent one faculty member each year to a seminar to celebrate exceptional service, renew the instructor's commitment to teaching and provide the resources and tools needed to continue to inspire and stimulate students, as well as themselves. Debra was nominated for the honor by fellow faculty members and chosen by past recipients. The ACC Foundation funds the seminar through fundraising efforts throughout the year.
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| Dolphins Baseball to Compete in Regional Tournament on May 9
Team Shooting for National Championship Again |
 The Dolphins Baseball Team will compete for the Region XIV championship at the tournament on May 9 in Brenham. The Dolphins finished the season in third place, which secured them a position in the tournament. They are aiming for another shot at the national title. Last year, the team went to the JUCO World Series in Colorado, but came home early.
The Dolphins Softball Team ended their season recently with a record of 37-22 overall and 18-14 in conference, which is a school record for the most wins in a season. Despite their excellent season, they did not qualify for the regional tournament.
During the annual Sports Banquet on April 24, Kenny Jackson was named Most Valuable Player and Outstanding Offense for baseball and Janie Juarez was named MVP and Outstanding Offense for softball. |
| Honors Student Presents Project in Nebraska
Allin Discusses Cowboys at GPHC Conference |
 ACC Honors Student Katherine Allin was selected to present her research project, "The Hollywood Cowboy: Truth or Tall Tales?", at the Great Plains Honors Council 2009 Spring Regional Conference April 3-5. The theme of the conference, which was held at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, was People and Perspectives of the Plains. The GPHC is an organization of college and university honors programs from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. |
| EMT Chair Appointed to International Committee
Stevenson to Serve on ITLS Global Development Committee |
 ACC EMT Chair Doug Stevenson was recently appointed to the International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) organization's Global Development Committee. The ITLS is one of two major EMS trauma training programs in the country. The committee will help shape and direct future endeavors on an international scale. Doug, who has been employed at ACC since 1998, has organized and taught trauma courses in Mexico, Peru, Ecuador and other countries. |
| Early Registration Begins for Kids' College
Numerous Fun Classes Available |
| Early registration for the upcoming ACC Busy Bodies Kids' College will be held at the Nolan Ryan Center on May 2 for session at the main campus and on May 16 for sessions at the ACC Pearland Center and Mary Burks Marek Elementary in Pearland. In addition to having lots of fun, kids will have the opportunity to gain skills in art, sports, investigation, cheerleading, history, social interaction and much more.
In June, Kids' College will be held at the ACC main campus June 15-18 and at the ACC Pearland Center June 22-25. In July, Kids' College will be held at the ACC main campus July 13-16 and at the ACC Pearland Center July 20-23. Classes will be offered at Mary Burks Marek Elementary Aug. 3-6.
Early registration on both dates will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Regular registration for all sessions begins on May 18 and will be held Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Nolan Ryan Center. Deadline to register for each session is four working days prior to the first day of the session. Registration must be done in person. The cost per child is $95 per session and T-shirts can be purchased for $10 each while supplies last. Students will wear a name tag and be escorted to and from classes. For more information, e-mail rmyers@alvincollege.edu. |
| Klentzman to Serve as TESA President in 2010
To be Sworn in as President-Elect in June |
 ACC administrative professional Wendy Klentzman was selected as president-elect for the Texas Educational Support Staff Association (TESA) following a statewide election in March. As president-elect, she will automatically be sworn in as president during the 2010-2011 term.
TESA is the only professional organization for education support personnel in the state and offers members professional development programs, scholarships, legislative representation, area workshops and many other benefits. |
| Students Honored by President Allbright
Presidential Scholars Named at President's Tea |
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ACC President Dr. Rodney Allbright honored Katherine Allin, Angela Hillebrand, Amber Hrynczyszyn, Mellissa Hurt, Angelia Lynch, Tobie Matusek, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Sutcliffe, Stephen Unruh, Clayton Wilkinson and Kristopher Zapalac as 2009 Presidential Scholars during the annual President's Tea on April 28. The scholars have completed at least 45 credit hours and maintained a minimum 3.90 grade point average. |
| Clark Receives President's Award
President Honors Student for Achievements |
 ACC student Charity Clark (left) was honored with the ACC President's Award during the annual Awards Day ceremony on April 27. Charity was chosen to receive the award due to her academic achievements, involvement in numerous student organizations, and leadership abilities. She was presented the award by ACC President Dr. Rodney Allbright. Awards Day is held each year to award scholarships and recognize the outstanding performance of many ACC students.
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| Foundation Announces Excellence Awards
Three ACC Employees Honored for Performance |
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 ACC Foundation Vice President Cheryl Knape (left to right) announced this year's Excellence Award recipients Eileen Cross, Dennis LaValley and Patty Balderas at the annual President's Tea on April 28. Each year, the ACC Foundation presents the Excellence Awards to an ACC administrative staff employee, faculty member and TSCM employee.The three recipients were nominated by college faculty and staff and selected by a committee. Each recipient receives a plaque and $1,000.
The goal of these awards is to recognize individual staff members who have not only achieved excellence in performance of their job over a sustained period of time, but have also provided exemplary service to the college and community. The ACC Foundation hosts events each year to raise money for student scholarships and these awards.
Eileen, who is the college's ADA counselor, received the Jo Bennett Excellence Award for administrative staff. She has been at ACC since 1983. Dennis, the college's Art Department chair, received the Joe Phillips Excellence Award for faculty. He has been at ACC since 1993. Patty, senior administrative assistant for the dean of academic programs, received the Ida Blanchette Excellence Award for TSCM staff. She has been at ACC since 1997. |
| Library Experiences Another Tragedy
Over 600 Books Destroyed in Recent Rains |
 The past seven months have been very trying for the ACC Library. Hurricane Ike dealt the first blow in September 2008 by flooding the library when the roof above it was damaged due to an associated tornado. Many of its books, materials and furniture items were destroyed. The staff moved what was left to the Student Center to make a temporary facility for students. Work required on the Student Center forced the department to move, again, to Building D in March. Since there was no room to store salvaged books, they were being kept at the ACC Pearland Center. Ironically, the ACC Pearland Center experienced damage during the recent heavy rains which destroyed between 600 and 700 more of the books.
If you would like to help the ACC Library in any way, you can contact ACC Library Director Tom Bates at tbates@alvincollege.edu or (281) 756-3561. | |
| Calendar of Events |
May 2: Kids' College Early Registration for Alvin Sessions
May 7: ADN Pinning Ceremony
May 9: ACC Baseball Competes in Region XIV Tournament
May 12: ACC Commencement
May 13 to 14: Children's Theatre Festival Auditions, 6:30 p.m., S-105
May 16: Kids' College Early Registration for Pearland Sessions
May 18: Kids' College Regular Registration Begins
May 20: GED Graduation
May 25: ACC Closed for Memorial Day
May 28: ACC Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Nolan Ryan Center
June 16-17: Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | |
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| Welcome to ACC
from the President
Dr. Rodney Allbright |
| It is our mission to serve the community by providing excellent educational opportunities for people of all ages, events and activities for the whole family, venues for other public and private events and a way to foster economic prosperity. |
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