from the President Angelo State University Cover Story: Loyal Texan .................. 10 Through his strong work ethic and prolific output of textbooks Fall 2008 Vol.1, No. 3 and scholarly publications, history professor Arnoldo De León 10 Dear Friends: has helped shape what people far beyond his ASU classroom think about Texas history and Tejanos. Angelo State University Our third issue of the Angelo State University Magazine completes the first year of this Member, Texas Tech University System informative new publication. That cycle also coincides with a very successful transitional Board of Regents Features: year as ASU fully became part of the Texas Tech University System. Your support and F. Scott Dueser, Chair, Abilene Larry K. Anders, Vice Chair, Dallas Departing with ‘Flair’ .................................. 14 encouragement for both initiatives have been exceptional and most appreciated. L. Frederick “Rick” Francis, El Paso Mark Griffin, Lubbock With hundreds of his former students in medical and health Faculty define and shape a great university. Whether a new assistant professor fresh from John Field Scovell, Dallas care fields, retiring biology professor Alan Bloebaum has had an Daniel “Dan” T. Serna, Arlington impact that stretches from the classroom to the operating room. completion of a Ph.D. or a seasoned professional who has impacted generations of students, Windy Sitton, Lubbock Bob L. Stafford, M.D., Amarillo each represents the institution to a variety of audiences. This edition highlights two excep- Jerry E. Turner, Blanco Great Expectations ...................................... 16 tional members of the ASU faculty. Dr. Arnoldo De León’s impact on Texas and Mexican- Kelli Stumbo, Student Regent, Flower Mound Thirty years ago this fall, the Rams reached perfection on American history has been national in its scope. The retiring Dr. Alan Bloebaum can point Chancellor the football field, earning a national championship after an Kent Hance, Lubbock to more than 500 of his students who are now doctors and other health care professionals. undefeated – though not untested – season. 14 Joseph C. Rallo Together Drs. De León and Bloebaum represent the long line of dedicated faculty who have Angelo State University President: Dr. Joseph C. Rallo Second to None ............................................ 21 defined ASU over the years. Provost and Vice President for Academic Many believe that NCAA Division II sports are closer to and Student Affairs: Dr. Donald V. Coers Vice President for Finance and the ideals of intercollegiate sports than the higher profile Athletics also play a central role in the life of a university. This issue includes a retrospective Administration: Sharon Meyer Division I programs. Angelo State is a case in point. Vice President for Strategy, Planning on our 1978 NAIA National Championship football team, as well as a focus on our intramural and Policy: Dr. James M. Limbaugh program, so essential to the creation of a complete residential experience for our students. We The Games Students Play ............................ 25 Angelo State University Magazine ASU intramurals are growing in importance not only to the stu- also look at our athletics program within the NCAA’s new campaign “I Chose Division II” The Angelo State University Magazine is published three times a year by the ASU dents but also to the university in attracting students to campus. with its emphasis on academics as part of a competitive and winning sports experience. Office of Communications and Marketing, ASU Station #11021, San Angelo, TX 76909-1021; Alumni Honorees ......................................... 27 (325) 942-2248; Fax: (325) 942-2238, Finally, a great university applauds the accomplishments of its alumni, while also celebrat- [email protected]. Jerry Vandergriff … Drew Darby … Robert Duncan … ing the lives of its friends and supporters. So it is fitting that our initial honorary doctorate Kent Hance … Michael Patyrak … Col. Ernie Felts … ASU Magazine Staff of humane letters as a member of the Texas Tech University System is to be awarded to Editor: Preston Lewis Varren Parker … Carrol Payne Nokes … Gil Engdahl … Director of Graphics: Michael Martin Mary Ellen Hartje … Tom Bankston … Susan Keith Steve and Pollyanna Stephens at the December commencement, while TTUS Chancellor Graphic Artist: Bree Walker 16 Kent Hance, State Sen. Robert Duncan and State Rep. Drew Darby are to be recognized as Design Assistant: Leonor Constancio Photographers: Danny Meyer Honorary Alumni of ASU during Homecoming. Tina Doyle Writers: Tom Nurre Jr. Sections Roy Ivey ASU continues to build on its great traditions while preparing its students for the challenges Dave Wester Ronn Rowland President’s Message ................................................................. Opposite of the future. Your participation in that journey is appreciated and valued by all of us on Lynsey Flage campus. You are always welcome to visit and see first hand the excitement that is ASU! Along the Mall ........................................................................................4 Alumni Association Class Notes/Century Club: Julia Valles Plus One and Counting … Dynamic Duo … Cellular Engineer … King Cotton … Sincerely, Angelo Staters … Briefs © 2008 Angelo State University All Rights Reserved Athletics .................................................................................................34 Balancing Act … Size Matters Not … Close to Home … Spring Sports Recap … Editor’s Note: If you had to identify two common Fall Sports Outlook features of university life shared by all, then it would Joseph C. Rallo likely be faculty and athletics. This issue of ASU Alumni Association...............................................................................39 Magazine examines two faculty members whose Principal of the Matter … Major Gift … Ram Jam … Century Club President careers have touched thousands and then looks at athletics, both intercollegiate and intramural. In On the cover: History professor Arnoldo De León, here among the ruins of Fort Chadbourne, both instances, you will find more than you expect. has helped change the horizon of Texas History during his 35 years at Angelo State University. (Photo by Danny Meyer) 2 FALL 2008 Angelo State University Magazine Angelo State University Magazine FALL 2008 3 news ALONG the MALL year. The first of these programs now allows lish a College of Nursing and Allied Health Plus One ASU bachelor’s degree recipients in physics, to focus on the region’s health care needs math or chemistry to complete a Tech mas- in concert with the Texas Tech University Dynamic and Counting ter’s degree in physics or applied physics in a Health Sciences Center. ASU is requesting year. More such programs will follow. additional state funding to expand programs What a difference a year can make! ASU’s Honors Program has arranged that will help augment the region’s supply In the summer of 2007 Angelo State for students who successfully complete the of health care professionals and developing DUO University was scrambling to complete the program at Angelo State and who meet the new programs to address the needs of rural transition to the Texas Tech University Sys- stringent admissions requirements for the health care delivery. n the arena that carries their name and tem (TTUS). In the year since, ASU has law and medical programs at Texas Tech On top of that, ASU is working with on a stage where hundreds of Angelo been enjoying the benefits of that new sys- to be admitted early, with a guaranteed Texas Tech to offer new courses in the Hill State University students have accepted tem affiliation. place to both programs, and, in the case of Country through TTU facilities in Freder- Itheir diplomas since 2002, F.L. “Steve” and Many benefits have been visible while the medical school, to be admitted without icksburg, Marble Falls and Junction. Pollyanna Stephens will receive ASU de- others have been less noticeable, though needing to take the MCAT. Rep. Darby is pleased with the progress grees of their own this December. equally important. The most visible result Both the 4+1 and guaranteed acceptance in just a year. “The creation of a College of The Texas Tech University System has been the rise of Centennial Village, the program will benefit ASU students as well Nursing and Allied Health with a new doc- (TTUS) Board of Regents in May voted new 526-bed, $28.2 million residence hall, as Texas Tech, which will have a pipeline of toral program in physical therapy at Angelo unanimously to award doctors of humane on the western edge of campus. What was highly qualified students entering the sys- State is a huge, game-changing advance, letters to the San Angelo couple for long- a vacant lot under the old system became tem’s graduate programs. something that would never have happened standing support of Angelo State Universi- a beehive of activity under the Texas Tech The new system affiliation will also in the old system,” he said. “Automatic ad- ty. The couple will receive the recognition System, which was committed to having the help ASU’s Agriculture Department place mittance of graduates with good grades into during commencement exercises Dec. 13 in facility ready to house students this fall. interns in Washington, D.C. In the past, Tech’s advanced degree programs is anoth- the Junell Center/Stephens Arena. Photo by Danny Meyer Out of sight but not out of mind is finding affordable housing for interns