Alvin Community College E-News

Issue 80

March 2014

Dr. Christal Albrecht was named the lone finalist to become the next president of Alvin Community College by the Board of Regents on February 27.

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ACC Board Names Lone Finalist for ACC President

Albrecht set to begin on May 19

The Alvin Community College Board of Regents voted on Thursday, February 27 to name Dr. Christal Albrecht as the lone finalist for the president of ACC.

Her contract is set to be approved after a 21-day waiting period. Upon approval, Albrecht will begin work at the college on May 19.

"I'm thrilled and honored to be selected as the lone finalist for the ACC presidency," she said. "I look forward to working with and getting to know the Board of Regents as well as the faculty, staff, students and community members."

She said as college president she would also work to build relationships with local businesses and industry.

"I want to continue the good work of my predecessor, Dr. Rodney Allbright," she added.

Albrecht was chosen from more than 30 applicants for the position.

She will be the college's fifth president following Dr. Allbright, who is exiting the college after serving 38 years as president.

Dr. Allbright has been instrumental in establishing the Law Enforcement Academy, the Child Care Lab School, overseeing four accreditation reaffirmations with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, involving the faculty and staff to compile the annual budget and to create long-term planning for the college.

ACC Regent Mike Pyburn, who was chair of the Presidential Selection Committee, said Dr. Albrecht will serve as an excellent leader for the college faculty and staff.

"Dr. Albrecht was our top candidate from the very beginning," he said. "We believe she has the experience and the education to take this college to the next level."

Read the full story about her selection as well as her experience and education.

Nursing Director Sally Durand Says Goodbye
Durand retires after serving 33 years at ACC

Nursing Director Sally Durand, right, poses with Dean of Instruction Dr. John Bethschieder during a retirement reception on February 26.

Ballot Set for May 12 Board Elections

Two newcomers seek open positions

Board of Regents candidate Patton Ritter, center, draws the first position for the ballot against candidate Jody Droege, left, on March 3.

Two incumbents and two challengers filed for seats on the ACC Board of Regents election on May 10.

Incumbents Mike Pyburn and Cheryl Knape filed for Positions 5 and 6, respectively. Both will run unopposed.

ACC graduate Patton Ritter will face ACC Foundation President Jody Droege for the Position 4 seat. The spot is currently held by Brenda Brown who did not seek another term.

The winners will serve an unpaid, six-year term.

Early voting will be from April 28 to May 6. Election day is May 10.

For more information visit www.brazoriacountyvotes.com.

College Expands TDCJ Programs

Inmates can now earn degrees in management, substance abuse counseling

A TDCJ inmate receives his degree from ACC President Dr. Rodney Allbright in this ACC file photo.

Starting with the second spring mini-semester in March, ACC will be expanding its offerings to inmates in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to include an Associate Degree and certificate program in Management

In the summer, the college will begin offering courses in the Human Services-Substance Abuse Counseling program.

Both degree and certificate programs have been requested by the inmates and between 75 to 100 will start taking classes when they open at the units.

The ACC Management courses will be taught at the Ramsey Jester 3, and Clemens Units. The Substance Abuse program will be offered at the Stringfellow Unit near Rosharon.

Research has shown that the more education inmates attain before they are released, the less likely they are to end up behind bars again.

"It will help them be successful in whatever they choose to do," said Sara Bouse, who is a career counselor for inmates at Alvin Community College.

Read the full story about the TDCJ programs.

Pediatric Echo Program Receives Accreditation

Program is among the first in the country

ACC Pediatric Echocardiography instructor Sue Poston, far left, shows her students some of the details on the echocardiograph screen during a recent class.

The Pediatric Echocardiography program became the first in Texas and among the first in the country to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

The college received notice of the accreditation in January after a site visit by JRC-DMS representatives in April 2013.

"It's such a relief," said Jessica Murphy, Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography program director. "It was a lot of work but it was worth it. Now the program will be nationally visible."

The first class of Pediatric Echocardiography students graduated in Spring 2013. The first graduating class included Bailey Farmer, of Sugar Land, Ana Arreola of Alvin and Heather Williams.

Each graduate has successfully obtained their registry as a Pediatric Echocardiographer and is working in the field.

The college's Diagnostic Cardiovascular instructors chose to start a Pediatric program because of the unmet need in the healthcare industry for sonographers who specialize in dealing with children and congenital heart defects.

Read more about the DCVS Pediatric accreditation.

College Hosts Alvin ISD Science Fair

Junior high and high school students vie for scholarships

Alvin Junior High School student Kaytlynn Welsch, left, gets a little help setting up her Physics project at the Alvin ISD Science Fair on February 6.

More than 50 Alvin Independent School District high school and junior high students participated in the 19th Annual Alvin Science Fair at the Alvin Community College Gym on Feb. 6.

In addition to students receiving awards for first through third place and honorable mentions, four overall winners were announced and each awarded a $200 scholarship to ACC:

Manvel Junior High School student Cara Maxwell won first place in Chemistry for her project Making Plastic of Out of Milk?

Alvin Junior High eighth-grader Katlynn Welsch received first place for her Physics project Which Blade Creates the Most Energy?

Nolan Ryan Junior High student Nikita Singh was awarded first place in Earth and Space for his project Electricity and Soil Fertility.

Nolan Ryan Junior High student Vishu Sadagopanwon first place with his Botany and Environmental project The Cool Science Behind Colorful Leaves.

During the science fair, students competed in five individual categories and one team category.

The funds for the scholarship are provided by the college.

Read the complete list of winners.

Gallery Owners Share Expertise to ACC Students

Galveston couple discuss best strategies to promote work

Steve Lanier, right, and his wife Elisabeth talk to students at Alvin Community College about the gallery business on February 10.

Steve and Elisabeth Lanier shared their ideas with students about how the gallery business operates and how artists can get their works on display on February 10.

When it comes to submitting art to a gallery in order to be considered for a show, artists have to do their homework about the gallery, Steve said.

"Don't take your work to a gallery that likely won't consider you," he said.

Before trying to get a show, artists should consider displaying their work in community art centers, juried art shows and even local art fairs, she said.

Artists can also get feedback from buyers about how they can improve their work.

"That is a really good way to get your work out there," she said. "They're willing to take chances that commercial galleries are not."

Read the full story about the Laniers' visit.

Baseball, Softball Teams Win Home Openers

The baseball and softball teams started their season off right at home, both winning their home openers.

The baseball team got off to a 3-1 start for the spring 2014 season over the January 31-February 2 weekend at the college baseball stadium.

They won their season opener against Vernon College 5-1. The Dolphins then pulled out wins against Temple College, 3-1 and Navarro College 3-0. ACC pitchers Ricardo Ramirez, Brian Belote, and Hunter Perkins teamed together to throw a no-hitter against Navarro.

The softball team swept Grayson College in a double header on February 8. The Lady Dolphins won 7-3 in the first game and won 10-1 in the second game.

Visit the ACC website to get a look at the teams upcoming schedule.

Pitcher Bryson Mitchell fires a pitch to a Vernon College batter during the opening game on January 31.

ACC catcher Caitlyn Gunn, of Clear Lake, hits a double during the Lady Dolphins home opener against Grayson College on February 8.

Solar Lighting to Be Installed on Jogging Track
Lighting will help make track safe while saving on energy costs

ACC environmental supervisor Scott Martin, left, goes over the plans to install solar lighting with Foundation President Jody Droege and Past President Jay Hawkins.

The Alvin Community College Foundation will begin construction soon of solar lighting around a portion of the jogging track.

Using $10,000 in funds from a Texas New Mexico Power company grant, a $17,000 donation from faculty member Nancey Lobb and $22,000 from the Foundation, crews will install 12 light fixtures along the trail powered entirely by the sun.

The grant funds will be used to purchase the lights and for installation.

The 100-Watt lights will increase safety for walkers and runners. It would have cost the college nearly $80,000 in capital and operating costs to install electric poles.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by summer.

"The jogging track is used by the entire Alvin community," Foundation Executive Director Wendy Del Bello said. "These lights will increase energy conservation while also providing added security for joggers."

The LED lights will stand 17 feet above the ground and will operate for five hours after dusk. They will then switch to motion sensors and activate when someone is using the track.

The 12 lights will be placed on a 1,750-foot portion of the track close to the Nolan Ryan Center. They are the first phase of the project to light the entire 2-mile track.

TNMP awarded the college a grant in September through a non-profit organization created by the company to foster conservation. The award was from TNMP's 30th Anniversary Grant which supports organizations serving and improving the environment in their communities.

"The TNMP Fund is pleased to be able to fund these worthy projects," TNMP President Neal Walker said. "We look forward to seeing these projects improving the quality of life in these communities that we serve."

Del Bello said the Foundation deeply appreciated the donation by Nancey Lobb.

"Without Nancey's gift, we would not be able to move forward with this project," she said.

Workshops Available to Improve Student Success

Workshops cover veteran transition, stress management and careers

Three workshops will be hosted in March to help students face issues that can hinder their success in college.

A workshop on March 4 will provide information for students to find a suitable career that is also in high demand in the workforce.

During the Boots to Backpacks workshop on March 6, counselors will discuss how veterans can make the transition between the military to the classroom.

One of the biggest issues all students face is stress. Dealing with the pressures of college and stress management will be the topic of a workshop on March 25.

All workshops will be in the Texas Room and will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit the Career Services website to sign up and reserve a seat.

ACC Art Instructor Dennis LaValley teaches Manvel High School students how to spin a pot on Feburary 14.

Art Dept. Hosts Workshop for Area Schools

Students get chance to work on their own pottery piece

On February 14, ACC Art Department welcomed students from Manvel High School for a day-long workshop.

After demonstrations and instruction, the students completed their own hand-built and wheel-thrown artworks.

"My students were overwhelmed with

LaValley shows students how to create a pot using horse hair during a workshop on January 31.

excitement," said teacher Drew Bettge. "They said it was the best field trip they have ever been on and I agree, it was the

best!"

On January 31, the Art Department held a workshop for Bay Area Christian School.

The teens got to flex their creative muscles during a fun morning of throwing pots on the wheel and hand-building masks.

The students also learned about the alternative firing methods, watching as instructor Dennis LaValley demonstrated the completion of a horse hair pot.

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