Singer Kelly McGuire will take the stage for the next Alvin Live Summer Concert on July 10 at the K-219 studio. 

The Board of Regents reviewed the proposed budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year during their meeting on June 26.

The proposed $27.38 million budget could possibly include new positions, funding for a master facilities plan and some facilities improvements. Regents voted to approve advertising three instructor positions for Process Technology, Management and Psychology.

Regents are set to have a budget workshop on July 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the college.

Also during the meeting regents approved hiring new instructors, construction of a training site and more.

Read more about the meeting.

Regents will have their next regular meeting on July 24.

The Summer Concert Series is sponsored by the ACC Foundation. Funds raised from Alvin Live performances are used for ACC Broadcast Communications student training and scholarships.

McGuire is a local musician from Clear Lake. His music is heavily influenced by the life and culture of the Texas Gulf Coast.

His work as a songwriter earned him several awards. He also won the award for Album of the Year for Boat in Belize during the Texas Country Music Awards in 2008. He was also nominated as the Performer of the Year and Entertainer of the Year in 2008.

Ticket prices are $40 and $250 for a reserved table of four.

Visit the Alvin Live website to purchase tickets. Also check out the Alvin Live Facebook page for updates. 

Local children will perform in the classic Thumbelina during the Summer Children's Theatre Festival from July 28-31.

Thumbelina is a play based on the Hans Christian Anderson story about a tiny girl and her various adventures.  

Performances will be at 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday. There will be a 7:30 p.m. performance on July 31.

The Summer Children's Theatre Festival is sponsored in part by the ACC Foundation.  

For more information about the Summer Children's Theatre Festival, or to buy tickets, visit the Drama website or call 281-756-3606.

USDA Rural Development specialist Deborah Wright speaks with veteran Adam Jasso, of Pearland, about low-interest home loans during the Veterans Education and Benefits Fair on June 24.

Government agencies and local organizations were at the Fair to provide vets with assistance including the Wounded Warrior Project, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Military Veteran Peer Network and many more.

Studies are showing that a majority of veterans in the United States are faring well in college by completing their education. More than 50 percent of veterans who have signed up to use their educational benefits have graduated with a degree or workforce certification, a completion rate which is comparable to other students, according to the Student Veterans of America organization.

Read the full story at the college website. 

ACC Upward Bound students pose for a photo after winning the Gulf Coast Upward Bound Competition for the 10th straight year.

This is 10th consecutive win for the ACC Upward Bound team.

"This year our students worked hard to uphold an ACC Upward Bound tradition of winning," Director Regan Metoyer said. "I am beyond proud of them.  These students work hard year round and it has paid off."

The competition included Upward Bound programs from Texas Southern University, Galveston College, University of Houston-Downtown and College of the Mainland.  

The schools competed in several activities including math, science, athletics and dance.

Upward Bound seeks to motivate low-income and/or potential first-generation college students and help them develop the skills they need to complete secondary education and succeed at the postsecondary educational institution of their choice. The purpose of the program is to build confidence and self-esteem, while providing the necessary tools and guidance to foster academic success.

For more information call 281-756-3500 or visit the Upward Bound website.

ACC is now working with local industry and Workforce Solutions to create the Access Granted program, which provides free job training for those interested in the pipefitting and welding fields.

Workers interested in joining the oil and gas industry can apply for a spot in the program by contacting the Workforce Solutions offices.

There is an ever-increasing need for new welders as the industry is seeing a rapid pace of retirements. The average age of a welder now is 55 years. U.S. Labor Department projections show the number of welding jobs will increase by 15 percent over the next 10 years.

The Pipefitting program will take five weeks to complete while the Welding program will take 14 weeks.

There are 82 slots open in Pipefitting and eight available for Welding.

Classes will begin on July 7.

For more information about the programs, call assistant grant coordinator Tricia Park at 281-756-5714.

ACC catcher Caitlyn Gunn faces a pitch against Grayson College.

The women's softball team will be looking for a few good Dolphins during an open tryout at 10 a.m.  July 12 at Ruth Ryan Field.

Players must meet college eligibility requirements in order to try out.

Coaches will be looking at players' hitting, throwing and fielding abilities to determine if players are qualified.

The tryout is free and those wanting to make the team should bring their own gear. They will also need a copy of their most recent physical.

For more information call 281-756-3500 or e-mail rcantu@alvincollege.edu.