Ryleigh Castell, of Alvin, won the annual Alvin Nursing Student Association Costume Contest at the 39th annual ACC Fall Festival on October 25. 

The Board of Regents received a presentation from a consultant about implementing an early exit incentive plan for college employees during their meeting on October 28.

Under the plan, certain employees could receive a tax-deferred payout for a percentage of their salary, depending on the number of years they have worked at the college. The plan would help reduce salary costs over the next several years, the consultants said.

Regents did not take any action on the plan but may consider it at their next meeting on November 20.

Dean of Academic Programs Drew Nelson also updated the board on the progress of the college's five-year report for reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. ACC has created a team of staff members to help compile the necessary documentation for the reaccreditation process, Nelson said.

The report is due to the Commission on Colleges by the fall of 2016.

In other action, regents approved the purchase of four High Definition cameras with robotic, remote control for the Communications Department. The cameras are will simulate the types of equipment they will use in the workforce and will cost a total of $28,480.

Regents also voted to:

-approve the tax sale for a property on County Road 305B

-approve a change in the pay date for employees

-approve monthly financial reports

Buck Reams and the Chuckwagon Cookers will be providing the dinner at the 15th Annual Foundation Christmas Gala on December 2.

ACC will don high heels and put their hats on straight for the Stetsons and Stilettos 15th Annual ACC Foundation Christmas Gala. The event raises funds for ACC student scholarships, staff development and other programs.

ACC student veteran Vinson Smith speaks to area veterans during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony in 2013.

The Veterans Day Ceremony will feature guest speakers including ACC President Dr. Christal M. Albrecht, student veteran Vinson Smith, a performance by the ACC Choir and a presentation of a memorial wreath. The events will take place at the Memorial Wall between buildings A and B.

ACC student Hannah James, of Bayou Vista, works her shift at the KACC 89.7 FM studio.

Citing the station's range of music offered, the Press states, "KACC earns its reputation as 'The Gulf Coast Rocker' several times over, with a song selection that cruises easily from the 1960s through the 2010s with few gaps in continuity or momentum."

Station Manager Mark Moss said he was surprised to learn that the station was awarded the distinction.

"It is such an honor that KACC was selected as Best Radio Station in Houston," station manager Mark Moss said. "As the radio station for Alvin Community College, and a laboratory for the Communications department, it is always nice when people outside of our service area recognize the college's commitment to broadcasting and education. We hope to continue serving in the public interest, and educating future broadcasters for years to come."

In addition to playing a wide selection of rock music, the station has also aired Alvin and Manvel High School football games for more than 30 years. The station also recently launched the ACCents program, which highlights college programs and departments.

KACC is a 5.6 Kilowatt station that first began broadcasting in 1978. ACC is one of only two community colleges in Texas with a student-operated radio station.

The station can also be heard online.

Students can soon begin preparing for the next semester during registration for spring 2015, which began October 29 . Registration for the spring 16-week and first 8-week mini semester will close January 13.

Spring classes will begin on January 20.

The first fall, eight-week mini semester will be from January 20 to March 10.

Registration for the second mini semester will begin on February 16 and end March 9. Second mini semester classes start March 12.

The 3-week Holiday mini semester registration opens on November 10 and closes December 15. All of the Holiday mini classes are online and will run from December 18 to January 7. Several courses are available including Composition I or II, American and Texas Government, American and Texas History, Algebra, Fitness & Wellness, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology.

Arrive Alive simulation facilitator Chris Emmory, right, shows an ACC student how to use the drunk driving simulator during the Dolphin Wing Fling on October 15.

The 2nd Annual Dolphin Wing Fling provided students with food and activities that included a drunk driving simulator and informational booths from the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol as well as the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

"The students had a lot of fun at the Wing Fling and they gained valuable information about staying safe in the driver's seat," said Amanda Smithson, Student Activities coordinator.

Students drove a simulator, operated by the nonprofit group Peer Awareness, that demonstrated how intoxication can limit a person's ability to drive on the highway. It also simulated the effects of texting while driving.

From left, Cassie Lafferty, Jacob Lewerenz and Jill Lewerenz, all of Alvin, look at a ceramic sculpture during a recent Student Art Show.

All of the works were produced by ACC students during their art classes throughout this semester. Many of the pieces will be for sale.

The works will include ceramics, painting, drawing, jewelry and more.

All of the student works will be on display in the ACC Fine Arts Gallery.

The Art Department also will sponsor a Pottery and Jewelry Sale on November 24-25 in Building J. Proceeds will help pay for art equipment and supplies.  

Local veterans attend classes to earn a certification in pipefitting as part of a new program funded by a grant.

The Texas Workforce Commission issued a $248,691 grant to ACC to fund training for local veterans and prepare them for the workforce.

The grant is from the Commission's Skills Development Fund which was created to help train skilled workers for Texas Gulf Coast plants and refineries.

ACC will be able to provide training to 131 military veterans in pipefitting and welding.

"The project will provide welding training to 81 veterans and pipefitter training to 50 as well as matching the graduates to jobs with area companies," said Joy Weiner, ACC Workforce Training specialist. "The training will allow the veterans to enter the workforce as quickly as possible."

The project is part of a $4.3 million statewide initiative by the Workforce Commission to ensure veterans across Texas have opportunities for great jobs in petrochemical fields, advanced manufacturing and information technology.

The program was recently featured in The Facts newspaper. 

For details about the program, including eligibility, veterans who are interested should contact Weiner at 281-756-3907 or e-mail jweiner@alvincollege.edu.

The Alvin Community College baseball and softball teams will host the 9th annual Athletics Dinner and Auction fundraiser on Thursday, November 13 at the ACC Gym. The event is sponsored by the ACC Foundation.

Proceeds from the barbecue dinner and auction will go towards scholarships, facility improvements and upgrades for player equipment.

The silent and live auctions will include sports memorabilia from baseball legend Nolan Ryan, tickets to area pro sports teams, gift baskets and more. One of the items up for bid will be seats from the Texas Rangers former home, Arlington Stadium signed by Ryan.

While the live auction will begin in the evening, bidders can come to the gym and place bids on silent auction items starting at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $15 each or $200 to sponsor a table of eight. Tickets can be purchased at ACC in the College Store, F-109 in the Gym and at the door of the event. They can also be purchased online.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday, Nov. 17, ACC will get an early taste of Thanksgiving at a unique event that will support our fallen heroes.

The ACC Thanksgiving Throw Down side dish and dessert cook-off is a chance for members of the ACC family to show off their culinary skills. Students, faculty and staff are invited to enter their best Thanksgiving dishes in the cook-off. Participants will have an opportunity to sample the delicacies and then vote for their top three in both categories. Winners will receive prize packs filled with gift cards donated by local businesses.

The cost to enter a dish, or participate as an official taster is $5. All of the money raised at the Thanksgiving Throw Down will go to Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that purchases and lays wreaths on the graves of veterans at the Houston National Cemetery.

"The ACC Student Government Association is committed to serving the students of ACC as well as our community. When we heard about Wreaths Across America and their mission to honor our veterans during the holiday season, we couldn't wait to raise money and help them," said Misty Jackson, ACC SGA president.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, SGA members will go to the Houston National Cemetery to help lay the wreaths on graves.

In addition to a large selection or side dishes and desserts, baked and smoked turkeys, which were donated by Academy Sports and Outdoors, bread and tea will be available for participants.

To purchase a taster's wristband, which allows entry to the Thanksgiving Throw Down, please go to the Office of Student Activities in the Student Center. Wristbands can also be purchased by SGA members.

ACC Culinary Arts students who participated in the Hops and Hogs event are, from left, Meagan Marchant, of Alvin, Zach Prihoda, of Damon and Amber Bradshaw, of Webster.

The competition theme includes dishes crafted around beer and bacon. ACC students created dishes in the chips and dip category and took second place at the event.

"We served candied bacon 'chips' with whipped maple syrup 'dip,'" said Chef Leslie Bartosh, ACC Culinary Arts director.

Bartosh said he was proud of his students and their performance in the event. The college received $1,500 from the competition that will go towards culinary arts scholarships.

ACC Process Technology students take part in mock job interviews with local employers on October 21.

There were 20 employees from area industrial firms participating in this mock interview session. Companies including Shell, LyondellBassell, INEOS, Ascend Material, Marathon Petroleum, Dow, Keeshan and Bost, Preferred Engineering, Kelly Services and former Process Technology department chair, Mark Demark volunteered at the event.

The objective of Project Interview is to give students an insight to their interviewing skills and take away a critical critique of their interviews.

"We discuss these interviews with students in class and they are very appreciative for the feedback the interviewers provide" Process Technology instructor Vic Kalsey said.

Read more about the Process Technology program at ACC or call 281-756-3785.

Rev. Gerald DeSobe, Ph.D. speaks with mental health professionals during the Mental Illness Awareness Week Community Conference at Alvin Community College on October 10.

Sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Gulf Coast Chapter (NAMI) and the ACC Peer Educators Group, the conference helped provide information on several issues facing mentally ill patients today.

"As with any event, NAMI GC hopes to eliminate stigma and get people talking about mental wellness," NAMI Gulf Coast Director Jeanette Taylor said. "This can be done in so many way that we can all benefit from."