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 Dr. Head Announced as New LSCS Chancellor
 On Tuesday, July 1, Dr. Steve Head, former president at LSC-North Harris, was officially named as the fourth Chancellor of the Lone Star College System. Many of you know Dr. Head, as he has worked in our system since 1984 in various capacities. He has served as a mentor to me in my six years at LSC-Montgomery, and I look forward to working with him in his new role. While Dr. Head has a lot of history and in-depth knowledge of our System, he is also a very forward-thinking, creative leader. I know that he will take LSCS to even greater heights.
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Convocation Datesavers
 Last week, it was announced that LSCS will return to having a Systemwide Convocation, which will be held on Monday, August 18, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast. I encourage everyone to attend this important event, as Dr. Head will share his vision for our System.
Likewise, LSC-Montgomery will hold its own Convocation the following day, Tuesday, August 19, beginning with my "State of the College" update at 10 a.m. in the theatre (Bldg. D). This will be followed by an all-campus faculty/staff lunch at noon in the Commons and outside area. Please clear your calendar for these important kick-offs to the new academic year.
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Sendelbach Selected as VP of Administrative Services
 As you know, we conducted a search for the Vice President of Administrative Services position this past spring. Special thanks to all who served on the search committee and to those who attended the open forums and provided feedback. I am proud to announce that Pat Sendelbach, who served as interim in this capacity since January 2014, has been selected to continue in a permanent role.
Pat has a long history with Lone Star College, and many of you already know her from her time here as both a faculty member and chair in the BASS division. She also has very relevant experience as a Certified Public Accountant prior to her time at LSC-Montgomery. Please join me in congratulating Pat as she begins this important assignment.
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Maverick Square Begins to Take Shape
 For the past two years, we have discussed the creation of an outdoor gathering space for students, faculty and staff. This location (between the Library Building (F) and the General Academic Center (G) will eventually serve as a square - Maverick Square - with lots of seating options. Phase I and II are underway right now, with some clearing taking place in the wooded area (see photo). Later this summer, we will install benches and tables, along with walkways leading in and out of the forested canopy. We also intend to install an outdoor grill that can be used for events such as our Maverick Appreciation Day cookouts. Phase III involves a more extensive outdoor space - a tiered amphitheater that can be utilized for outdoor performances, class lectures, as well as eating, studying and socializing. Tentatively, we are planning to complete Phase III during the spring or summer of 2015.
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Flyover, Traffic Prompts Expansion to Campus Exits
 Later this summer, an expansion of Maverick Way, the eastern-most campus entrance/exit will take place. This will provide an additional lane for exiting vehicles turning left toward I-45. Plans call for the project to be complete in time for the opening of the fall semester on August 25. This additional lane should ease traffic congestion on Maverick Way, especially with the upcoming completion of the Highway 242 flyover project, which should finish by December. The north-to-westbound flyover will land just before Maverick Way, and it will add an additional traffic signal to the existing four signals at that intersection. So, it's important that we do whatever we can to improve traffic flow exiting on Maverick Way. I will make sure to keep you updated as the construction for the lane expansion begins. Longer-range plans call for additional exit lanes at the LSC-University Center entrance and the West Campus Drive entrance. |
Craig Livingston Honored With Book Award
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Congratulations to Dr. Craig Livingston, who was recently honored for a book he authored last year. His latest book, From Above and Below: The Mormon Embrace of Revolution, 1840-1940 (Greg Kofford Books, 2013), was awarded the 2014 Best International Book by the Mormon History Association (MHA). Livingston was presented with this distinction - along with a cash prize - at the MHA annual conference in San Antonio last month.
From Above and Below tells the story of Mormon commentary on global revolutions from the European revolutions of 1848 to the collapse of Mormon faith in progress in the 1930s when revolutionary communist and fascist regimes exposed themselves as violent and repressive.
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Alice Cangemi Publishes The Darkness Before Dawn
 Congratulations also to Alice Cangemi, who recently published a novel, the first in a trilogy. Cangemi, professor of math, published The Darkness Before Dawn to warn people of the prevalence and severity of child-on-child sexual abuse.
"I had to let people know what it feels like to be the child being abused, to show them how easily it occurs and how it is just as easily prevented," Cangemi told the Courier newspaper about her reasons for writing the book. "I also needed to expose readers to the aftermath of the abuse, the way it lingers and manifests itself throughout the child's life."
Cangemi has spent much of the summer working to promote the book, which she says has been challenging.
"Writing the books has turned out to be the easy part," she said. "But, when you truly believe in something it is worth the work!"
"Romance novels are a popular genre, but this one is different. It gives insight on how to prevent child-on-child sexual abuse and depicts the aftermath this type of abuse can entail," Cangemi said. "It also shows that healing is not automatic when the abuse stops. It is a process, and this fact may bring comfort to the many victims of childhood sexual abuse who will also see that they are not alone in their own plights."
To learn more about the books visit www.AliceCangemi.com or www.TheDarknessBeforeDawn.com. The Darkness Before Dawn is available in paperback and on Kindle through Amazon.
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Library & ELC Undergoing Enhancements
Over the past several months, the Student Success Management Team has developed plans to consolidate the services of the college's Learning and Testing centers into the Library on the first floor of Building F. This move will not only create efficiencies in operations of both these critical student services, but it will provide for additional space in Building C for other vital services for students.
Even though the bond referendum failed in 2013, our traffic in Building C has continued to grow. Serving more students with no additional space is a challenge. For several years, there's been a need to update and remodel the library with more of a focus on technology. There is a reduced demand for collections, and an increased demand for technology and service. I challenged the Student Success management team to blend the Learning Center into this new environment, and they've done an excellent job in doing so. This summer, these renovations will take place in advance of the fall 2014 semester. This will open up space on the 2nd floor of Bldg. C that can be used to address one of the major issues that came from our 2011 visioning sessions - lack of privacy with our advisors as they meet with students. Other functions that will move to the 2nd floor of Bldg. C will be Veterans Services, International Services, and Disability Services along with the existing TRAC Center.
Thus far, the library has been rearranged to accommodate the increased technology and some staff members have begun the transition. The completed moves are expected to be finalized quickly once the electrical work is accomplished by mid August.
This solution will save thousands of dollars in part-time salaries in both areas, give us greater ability to case manage students during the critical first year of enrollment, and allow us to shut buildings down on weekends and in the summer as appropriate, saving even more in efficiencies.
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College Participates in July 4 Celebrations | |
LSC-Montgomery participated in two Independence Day celebrations during the past two weeks. The weekend before July 4, the college had a booth at the Willis Independence Day celebration and concert, held at Willis High School. College representatives passed out information and giveaways to more than 1,500 attendees. The following week, on July 4, the college once again had a float in the the annual South County 4th of July Parade. More than 40 faculty, staff and students walked in the parade, passing out promotional cups as well as information about this weeks performances of "A Year With Frog and Toad"
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"Frog and Toad" Offers Families a Charming Story of Friendship
 The Mainstage Theatre at Lone Star College-Montgomery has been turned into a pop-up storybook as the drama department prepares for its summer musical production of A Year With Frog and Toad. This fun-filled, family musical follows the beloved characters Frog and Toad from the popular children book series of Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel.
A Year With Frog and Toad will play July 10-12, 2014, at 7 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre on the LSC-Montgomery campus, located in building D. There will be a matinee performance on Saturday, July 12, at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.LoneStar.edu/Theatre-Montgomery or at the box office on the day of the performance. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors (55+), and $7 for students/faculty/staff/children.
On July 9, there will be a special preview at 7 p.m. where tickets are discounted to $7 for general admission and free for all students/faculty/staff/children. A food reception will also be served at 6 p.m. and is open to everyone attending the preview performance.
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Closing the Loop Retreat
Last month, we held our annual "Closing the Loop" retreat, giving each college division and department the opportunity to share successes and updates with regard to their 2013-14 unit effectiveness plans (UEPs). It was very gratifying to see how ingrained the UEP process has become at LSC-Montgomery, as well as our Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) progress in all academic divisions. At the August Convocation, I will share the highlights of our most successful UEPs, and I will discuss the five overarching institutional priorities for 2014-15 that emerged from the retreat. These priorities fit nicely into our existing Maverick Way, which includes our Academic Plan, Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, and our Campus Master Plan.
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Dean Search Update: BASS
Finalist candidates for the Business & Social Sciences (BASS) division dean position will interview on campus next week (July 14-17). The interview schedule is being finalized and will be communicated later this week. Open forums with each of the candidates will be held in the afternoon time-frame, as well as interviews with the search committee and the Executive Council. Stay tuned for more details, but keep your afternoons available for the open forum segment.
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Staff Spotlight:
 For years, Jack Richardson worked with his family in real estate development, as well as for an apartment management company. However, in 2010, when he was looking for a career change, he took an opportunity to join LSC-Montgomery.
He brings his years of experience in repair and restoration to the campus as a maintenance technician. His duties take him all over campus as he works to maintain and preserve the buildings and structures.
"I enjoy working with the staff and students," he said.
Outside of work, Richardson often visits a local retirement company to talk with the residents or sometimes sing for them during a special event. He also enjoys working in the woodshop, going bowling, and just being outside.
Faculty Spotlight:
Amy Roberson
 Amy Roberson is a faculty counselor in the natural sciences and health professions division who works with fellow counselors, division members, and Student Services to guide students on their academic and career goals. "I try to provide the information students might need to make the best decisions they can for their future," said Roberson. "I also enjoy working with students who just need a listening ear or to be reminded of a tool or technique that can help them in an area where they might be struggling." Roberson is a licensed professional counselor and holds a master's degree in counseling. She has worked full-time as a faculty counselor at LSC-Montgomery for more than 11 years. "It is still so exciting to do what I love and work with students as they take their next steps."
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