| Law enforcement officers and firefighters from Florida and Texas attended a 3-day underwater evidence recovery training course through ACC Aug. 27-29. Their last day of training consisted of recovering "bodies" and "weapons" from a pond in Pearland. The course was taught by PSDA instructor Mark Phillips and ACC Law Enforcement Training Coordinator and PSDA instructor Ronny Phillips. |
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. |
| Regents Approve Budget, Keep Tax Rate Same
Increase Includes Funds for Growth, Step Increases for Employees | | ACC regents voted 4-3 with two abstentions to approve the annual Maintenance and Operations Budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year and 7-2 to keep last year's tax rate during a regular meeting on Aug. 26. The revised 2010-2011 budget of $24,510,968 represents a 3.8 percent increase over last year and includes funds for new positions and expenses to address growth and changing of one library part-time position to full-time. According to ACC President Dr. Rodney Allbright, the college is facing record enrollment again this semester.
The new budget also provides the annual salary step for faculty and staff and a 2 percent increase for part-time personnel and employees who have over 15 years of service and are not eligible for additional step increases. The M&O Budget is funded by three main sources, including state appropriations, local tax revenues and tuition and fees. This year, however, ACC has had to deal with reductions in two of the main sources.
For the full story, visit: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs003/1102393881324/archive/1103641743105.html. |
| ACC's New 'Alvin Live' Coming Soon
Venue to Create Memorable Live Music, Educational Experience |  Great music inspires people, especially when it is experienced live, up close and personal so every sense can be pulled into the moment. For this reason, musicians have been well-recorded and broadcasted over radio and television stations, and now the Internet, since the beginning. Realizing the importance of live music and the challenges it poses with live audio and visual production and various human factors, former ACC Broadcast Communications Department Chair Cathy Forsythe had a vision in 2006 to create a small venue that would serve as a unique training tool and, at the same time, a mode of inspiration for students - and the community.
Due to the efforts of the ACC Broadcast Communications Department and ACC physical plant employees and support from the Alvin Rotary Club and ACC Foundation, Alvin Live is planning to host its first public performance this fall on the ACC main campus. The small, intimate setting has already been compared to the well-known Austin City Limits production filmed at the University of Texas. In addition to serving as a place for public and private events, the venue's main purpose is to provide opportunities for ACC students to gain experience in television and radio broadcasting.
Alvin Live, which seats approximately 60 guests, held a trial concert on Aug. 3 to fine tune technical and aesthetic aspects. People involved in its creation were invited to listen and critique sound, visual and other characteristics of the experience. When the logistical details are worked out, eventually funds collected from ticket sales to various college-sponsored events and venue rentals will go toward ACC Broadcast Communications student training and scholarships. For information about Alvin Live, contact ACC Broadcast Communications Department Chair Bill Lewis at (281) 756-3767.
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| ACC Alumna Earns Perfect Score on State CNA Exam |
 Alvin resident Judy Shores (right photo, right) earned a perfect score on the state's certified nurse aide exam on July 27. Judy attended the ACC Certified Nursing Assistant course over the summer. She is shown with ACC CNA Program Director and instructor Bonnie Thibodaux. |
| College Welcomes New Student Ambassadors for Fall Semester
Program Helps Build Enthusiasm, Involvement in Higher Education |  To help promote involvement and enthusiasm for higher education opportunities and possibilities, a group of students are chosen each semester to serve as ambassadors for Alvin Community College. Some of the duties for the new ambassadors include: calling prospective students, providing campus tours, serving as new student orientation guides, greeting state officials, assisting the recruiter and departments at events, assisting with marketing materials, restocking brochures and rack cards throughout the campus, helping students on the first day of the semester and more.
The ACC Ambassador Program is sponsored by the ACC Foundation. To prepare the students for their new roles, they attended a training workshop on Aug. 19 which included learning about the college and their perspective duties, team building and leadership exercises. The ACC student ambassadors for the fall semester are: Dawn Walters, of Alvin; Derek Silva, of Pearland; Dillon Keels, of Pearland; Heather Butler-Nance, of Alvin; Hillary Hohn, of Alvin; Julia Theato, of Germany; Karen Leder, of Alvin; Katherina Byerly, of League City; Kristi Harrell, of Alvin; and Tim Gusey, of Alvin. |
| Child's Big Heart Leads to Big Lessons for ACC Child Lab Students
Johnson Uses Opportunity to Teach Valuable Life Skills |  When the Women's Center of Brazoria County held its annual fundraising event Aug. 12-15, 7-year-old Alvin resident Caleb Jones (right photo, center) knew he wanted to help. As a student of the ACC Child Development Lab School during the summer, he approached nutritionist Lynn Johnson (left) with a proposition to host a bake sale. Lynn decided to use the idea to involve other students and teach some important life skills through the project. In addition to experiencing the benefits that can come from helping others, the students learned about many business skills, including math, money collection, management, product promotion and packaging, teamwork and more. Through their efforts, the children raised $120 for the organization. Caleb is shown watching his fellow students Joselyn Saenz (third from left to right), 6, of Alvin, and Sage Barmettler, 6, of Danbury, prepare some brownies on Aug. 12 to raise money for the Women's Center of Brazoria County. Caleb is the son of ACC Child Development Department Administrative Assistant Sheila Jones.
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| College Offers Low Cost Massage Therapy for Limited Time
One-hour Sessions Available for $25 |  For a limited time, the ACC Massage Therapy Program is offering low cost massage therapy to the public. For only $25 per hour, participants can receive a relaxing and beneficial massage from students gaining hours to apply toward their state registry requirements. Reservations are necessary and should be made quickly. Appointment times are available Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For more information on ACC's Massage Therapy Program or to schedule an appointment, call (281) 756-3806 or e-mail sebert@alvincollege.edu. |
| Fitness Center Receives New Equipment
New ProMaxima Stations, Matrix Functional Trainer Available |  The ACC Athletic Department received new workout equipment for its newly renovated weight room on Aug. 18, including ProMaxima stations and a Matrix Functional Trainer. Due to the damage ACC sustained from Hurricane Ike in 2008, administrators and faculty were able to take advantage of the situation to make changes throughout the campus, including the Fitness Center which was renovated during the spring. The original 1,000-square-foot weight room was converted into a dance and aerobic exercise room and the original first floor women's and men's locker rooms were gutted to create the new over 3,000-square-foot weight room.
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| Chamber Welcomes Mr. C's Deli & Bistro
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held Recently |  The Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed new member Mr. C's Deli & Bistro during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 26. Mr. C's Deli & Bistro opened on the Alvin Community College main campus in February. It is open to the community. Mr. C's owner, Michael Carrasco (with scissors), is shown with numerous representatives of the chamber, community and college, in addition to the restaurant's staff.
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| Chamber Committee Tours ACC CEWD Programs
Economic Development Members Learn About Various Courses |  The Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee toured and learned about ACC Continuing Education Workforce Development Department programs at the main campus on Aug. 4. ACC Dental Assistant Program Director Leigh Davis (right photo, right) is shown discussing the new program with members of the committee. |
| City Holds Park Dedication Adjacent to ACC
Trails to Connect in the Near Future |  The City of Alvin Parks Department held a dedication ceremony for the new Bob Briscoe Park adjacent to ACC's main campus on Aug. 23. When the hike and bike trail in Briscoe Park is completed, it will be linked to ACC's walking/jogging trail which will add approximately a mile of trail that can be used. The bridge that will link the two trails was made possible by funds donated by the Tour de Braz Bike Club, which is vice chaired by ACC Math and Science Division Chair Dwight Rhodes.
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| Hurricane Seminar Airs Regularly on Channel 16
Learn Preparedness Tips and Information | | To help people prepare for hurricane season, KACC-TV Channel 16 airs Brazoria County's hurricane preparedness seminar regularly. The seminar, which was coordinated by numerous organizations and local government entities to educate Brazoria County residents on hurricane preparedness, was held at ACC recently. The event was taped by the ACC Broadcast Communications Department to air on the local Comcast access channel as a service to the community. The televised seminar discusses the lessons learned from past hurricanes, including Ike, and plans for Brazoria County in 2010. The program airs everyday at 6 a.m. and every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at noon and 8 p.m. For more information about KACC-TV Channel 16 or this program, call (281) 756-3770. KACC-TV Channel 16 operates 24 hours a day and functions as a laboratory for ACC students desiring experience and careers in television broadcasting. |
| Employees Honored for Service at Fall Workshop
Benton, Cranford Recognized for 35 Years at ACC | | During the annual Fall Employee Professional Development Workshop on Aug. 24, numerous faculty and staff were honored for their years of service.
For 10 Years
Maurice Cook, Criminal Justice Department Chair; Deanna Dick, Math Instructor; Elizabeth Garcia, CEWD Administrative Assistant; Lori Harris, Child Development Lab School Instructor; Helen Kettler, Accounting Specialist; Cynthia Page, Mail Clerk; Patrick Sanger, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research; and Billy Sowa, TDCJ Instructor
For 15 Years
Jessica Barrios, Housekeeper; Ismael Gonzalez, Building Maintenance Technician; Sharon Hightower, Associate Degree Nursing Instructor; Amalia Parra, Foreign Languages Department Chair; Adriana Saenz, Child Development Lab School Instructor; and Veronica Smith, Switchboard Operator/Mail Assistant
For 20 Years
Karen Barnett, Legal & Public Service Division Chair and Legal Studies Department Chair; NanC Crawford, Executive Administrative Assistant for Provost/Dean of Instruction; Kennon Henry, Academic Advisor at Dawson High School; Johanna Hume, History Instructor; Irene Robinson, Registrar; and Pat Singletary, Music Instructor
For 25 Years
Bill Lewis, Broadcast Communications Department Chair, and Janet Schwebel, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Financial and Administrative Services
For 30 Years
Rick Cantu, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor; Jim Creel, English Instructor; John Duke, History Instructor; Sally Durand, Associate Degree Nursing Director; and Angela Fox, Testing Coordinator
For 35 Years
Gilbert Benton, retired English Instructor, and Bill Cranford, Court Reporting Department Chair |
| Free Cardiovascular Ultrasound Scanning Available to Public
Volunteers Help Students Gain Experience |  To give students an opportunity to gain experience and provide a valuable service to the community, the ACC Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography Program offers free ultrasound screening of your heart and vascular system. The screening is completely painless and a noninvasive procedure. A small transducer is simply moved over the skin and an ultrasonic image of your heart and blood vessels are created on a screen. The sounds that the heart and traveling blood make are also evaluated. To make an appointment, call DCVS Administrative Assistant III Susan Butler at (281) 756-5625. |
| Marketing Department Unveils New Dolphin Mascot
Facebook Contest Names Dolphin 'Blue' |  The ACC Marketing Department recently unveiled the new dolphin mascot at various events on campus in July and August. Through a contest on Facebook, the Dolphin was named "Blue." Blue is shown giving English instructor and Honors Program Committee Chair Dr. Ann Guess an apple at a recent event.
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| Calendar of Events |
September 6: ACC Closed for Labor Day
September 23: ACC Board of Regents Meeting, 7 p.m., Nolan Ryan Center
October 9-10, 14-16: ACC Theatre Presents 'Blithe Spirit,' Various Times
October 18: ACC Theatre Holds Auditions for Christmas Show
October 28: ACC Board of Regents Meeting, 7 p.m., Nolan Ryan Center
October 30: 35th Annual Fall Festival and Carnival, 5-9 p.m.
November 1: Registration for Spring 2011 Semester Begins
November 4: Annual Fall Fitness Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Building S
November 16-17: Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Texas Room
November 18: ACC Board of Regents Meeting, 7 p.m., Nolan Ryan Center
November 24-26: ACC Closed for Thanksgiving |
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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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