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The ACC Process Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree recently received program recognition from the Texas Skill Standards Board (TSSB) for being integrated with statewide, industry-defined standards. The Texas Legislature established the TSSB in 1995 to "strengthen the ability of Texas's industry to be competitive in the global economy" by developing skill standards for "major skilled, sub-baccalaureate occupations with strong employment and earnings opportunities."

 

Photo: ACC Process Technology instructor Curtis Crabtree (left), who was instrumental in the degree achieving recognition, discusses principles with students during a recent class.

 

For the full story, visit: http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=908

 

The winds, rain and an associated tornado from Hurricane Ike affected every building and the athletic fields at ACC in some way and caused approximately $15 million in damage last September. Campus-wide, over 20 departments, 30 offices and 125 classes were relocated as a result of the destruction. However, the college has been able to substantially change because the storm. Shown is the library as it looks today. A year ago, it had quite a different appearance.

 

For the full story, visit: http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=893

 

ACC regents voted to keep staff acting as the general contractor for the hurricane reconstruction projects on campus during a regular meeting on Sept. 24. The college has been using funds from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Federal Emergency Management Agency, state appropriations, additional insurance claims and other sources totaling approximately $7.7 million to reconstruct the campus and recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ike last year.

 

During the meeting, board members also approved a donation of an ambulance from Manvel EMS. The ambulance will be utilized by the EMT Department to prepare students for careers in the field.

 

For the full story: http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=909

 

ACC enrolled a record 5,200 students this semester. According to Registrar Irene Montoya, this represents a 14.6 percent increase over last year and 10 percent increase over the last record semester in the spring of 2003. Contact hours also increased 17.1 percent over last year and reached nearly 950,000.

 

For the full story, visit:  

 

 

Photo: Maggie (Shannon Komlofske of Alvin), left to right, Julia (Lindsey Page of Santa Fe), and the bellhop (Corey Arabie of Santa Fe) are in awe at the presence of Max (Michael Bowen of Manvel) who they think is world-famous tenor Tito Morelli in a recent rehearsal of "Lend Me a Tenor."

 

 

To preview some of his pieces, visit: http://zikogiannis.com/.

 

 

To read his feature story, visit:  http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=915

 

 

All entry fees include the driving range, cart and green fees, lunch and dinner, admission to the contests and a goodie bag. To learn more, contact ACC Athletic Director and tournament director Dr. Jennifer Hightower at (281) 756-3696 or jhightower@alvincollege.edu.

The ACC Foundation held its annual meeting and swore in new officers on Sept. 22. Officers for the 2009-2011 term are: Cheryl Knape, president; Jay Hawkins, vice president; Dr. Rodney Allbright, secretary; Joel Marin, treasurer; and Wendy Del Bello, executive director. The ACC Foundation Board also consists of members: Shirley Brothers, Brenda Brown, Gretchen Copps, Dr. Jim Crumm, Michael Culling, James "Bart" DeWitt, Paul Doggett, Jody Droege, Joyce Ellis, Mark Ferguson, David Jircik, Dixie Jircik, Rene Mondragon, L. H. "Pete" Nash, Carol Nelson, Matt Rickaway, 'Bel Sanchez, Charles Stagg, Dr. Darryl Stevens, Doyle Swindell and Brenda Weber. 

ACC students participating in the U. S. Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corp) program recently received combat water survival training at the University of Houston and land navigation training at Challenger 7 Park in Webster. ACC partnered with the U. S. Army ROTC program at the University of Houston in 2007 to provide students an opportunity to gain valuable military training and/or work toward becoming an officer while attending college - and earn scholarships and stipends. ACC students participating in the program are: Cody Aldmon, Michael Headberg, Tonia Merchant, Gerald West and Michael Yore.

 

Watch the YouTube news video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ89Q7PHF8U

 

To give people interested in computer-aided industrial design an opportunity to learn basic computer-aided drafting and design techniques and about the various industries they are used, the Industrial Design Technology Department at ACC will offer a free workshop on Oct. 10, Oct. 24 and Nov. 7. The two-hour workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. To rsvp for the workshop of your choice, call (281) 756-3784 or register online at http://www.alvincollege.edu/drafting/workshop.html.

Several improvements were recently made to the ACC walking/jogging trail, which was created in 1984, due to the efforts of the ACC Enrichment Committee and many college employees. The trail is now marked in quarter-mile increments with large geological specimens donated by ACC geology instructor Dora Devery and showcased by the work of ACC Physical Plant Director Bill Nielsen and his environmental team.

 

Brush on the trail's east side is also being cleared to make the future adjoining trial in Briscoe Park visible. The starting point of the 2-mile trail is at the basalt boulder just west of the Phillips Field concession stand and the 2-mile mark overlaps the start and ends at the next marker, two sandstone boulders located at the intersection of two circle tracks. 

The opening day of the new Cracker Barrel location near Shadow Creek Ranch was just as exciting for at least one of its employees as it was for the approximately 1,600 guests who flocked in to appease their palates. As the constant stream of customers kept the crew hustling throughout the day on Sept. 7, ACC Culinary Arts student Dawn Prather was doing her part in the kitchen to keep the food flowing and reveling in her first official day serving the public as a culinary arts professional. Eventually, she wants to open her own restaurant.

 

For the full story, visit: http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=903

The work and views of ACC instructor Joseph Gutheinz, Jr. were highlighted in the media worldwide last month. Gutheinz, who is an attorney and former U. S. government and NASA investigator, also teaches a graduate glass at the University of Phoenix. His university students have been investigating missing moon rocks since 2002. The story made the AP wire and was featured in publications around the globe.

 

He was also recently interviewed by National Geographic. That story is scheduled to appear in January. A guest commentary by Gutheinz was also published in the Austin American-Statesman on Aug. 28 regarding the recent high profile tarmac delay of a Continental ExpressJet flight.

 

For the story about the moon rocks, visit:  http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2009/09/14/10891186.html

For the story regarding the flight delay, visit: http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/2009/08/28/0828terminal_edit.html

The artwork of ACC jewelry instructor Diane Falkenhagen is highlighted on the cover of Metalsmith magazine this month. Metalsmith is published by the Society of North American Goldsmiths. Falkenhagen, who has an MFA from the University of Houston, began teaching at ACC this summer.

 

Although a Texas native and Galvestonian, Falkenhagen has lived in England, Brazil and Alaska. She is well-known for her "unconventional marriage of material and content" and her work has also appeared in The New York Times, American Craft, Southwest Art, Ornament magazine and several books, including some from the popular Lark Books series, 500 Brooches and 500 Necklaces.

 

For more information about jewelry making classes at ACC, call (281) 756-3605 or e-mail ACC Visual Arts Coordinator Cherie Richey at crichey@alvincollege.edu.  

To provide a fun evening for the entire family, ACC will host the 34th Annual Fall Festival & Carnival on Saturday, Oct. 24. The event will include carnival rides and games sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Alvin, moonwalk, arts and crafts, and approximately 40 additional activities and food booths sponsored by local businesses and campus clubs and organizations.

 

The Fall Festival & Carnival will also feature a haunted house, hosted by the ACC Student Government Association, and costume contest, hosted by the Alvin Nursing Student Assodication. The ANSA costume contest is open to kids of all ages. Prizes will be awarded in numerous age categories and one for best overall. 

 

For more information, visit: http://www.alvincollege.edu/announcements/pdfs/2009%20Costume%20Contest%20Flyer.pdf

 

In addition to housing the official exhibit of one of the greatest pitchers in professional baseball, the Nolan Ryan Center was designed to serve as a place for people in the community to gather for special events and meetings. Due to its size and pleasant environment, the Nolan Ryan Center has been host to wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations, bridal showers, parties, conventions, meetings, seminars and much more. The space is large enough for a variety of different events and can accommodate up to 185 people.

 

For more information, visit: http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=902