Volume 5, Issue 4—December 2012 President’s Message Greetings, friends, alumni, faculty, staff and students. As we “A Point of Pride in the Community” start a New Year, we have much for which to be thankful. We are fortunate enough to President’s Newsletter have a great commu- nity with great supporters who join us in forging collab- orative partnerships each and every year. Science Building dedicated Thanks to your contributions, we in honor of Dr. William continue to add innovative programs for students, secure grant and scholarship Conan Davis monies, and provide a place where students can be successful now and in the St. Philip’s College commemorated the renaming future. and renovation of the college’s primary science building on Oct. 19 in honor of Professor Emeritus This issue of the newsletter highlights Dr. William Conan Davis. some of our annual events that I take great pride in and am proud to celebrate. The 20-year-old and three-story tall facility This year, in conjunction with Homecom- formerly known as the Science Building was Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony participants included: ing, we honored one of our long-standing completed in 1992. The renaming is in recogni- Lacy Hampton, Denver McClendon, Dr. William Conan and most well-known professors Dr. tion of Davis’ 26 years of service at St. Philip’s Davis, Dr. Adena Williams Loston, Ruth Dalrymple and Mary Cottier. William Conan Davis on October 19 at College. the MLK Campus. The evening was a Artemisia Bowden, with the Bowden Building in great tribute to a man whose many accom- During the renaming ceremony hosted by St. 1954; Clarence W. Norris, with the Norris plishments and inventions have made a Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Technical Center in 1975; Garlington Jerome name for St. Philip’s College on an Loston, the new building lettering and dedication Sutton, with the G. J. Sutton Learning Center in international level. If you missed the plaque were both revealed. Davis became the 1979; Everett L. Turbon, with the Turbon occasion, it was both memorable and sixth person with a building at St. Philip's College Student Center in 1996; and Leonidas Watson, historic for him and his family. to bear their name and the first such honoree in with the Watson Fine Arts Building in 1996. 16 years. That list includes: founding president (continued on page 2) The Homecoming reception and dance following the building dedication was attended by more than 300 individuals. It SPC receives $5,404,878 “This supplement to our operational budget for was a magical night for all who attended critical college functions allows us to provide and will be remembered for years. Institutional Grant additional innovative resources for the success of our students,” said Loston. “It’s extremely Our other accolades outlined in this issue St. Philip’s College is among 97 Historically significant funding for the purposes of strength- of the newsletter will shine light on all Black Colleges and Universities strengthening ening our institution, with a focus on seven the wonderful things we have accom- academic resources, financial management areas to stimulate retention and graduation plished in the areas of quality instruction, systems, endowment-building capacity and physi- from an outstanding community college,” support for learners, business and cal plants as a result of a five-year $227.9 Loston said. industry responsiveness, and community million grant awarded to HBCUs by the U.S. engagement. These areas are also known to the St. Philip’s College as “Our Core Department of Education on Sept. 18. The activities at St. Philip’s College enhanced Competencies” and we hope that you will under the grant will consist of: student services; join us in ensuring our success in these The grants are used to strengthen and enhance Centers of Excellence in Mathematics and endeavors. Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Science; instructional labs; campus renovation; college’s funding for the first year of the Information and Communication Technology; Your input and continued involvement are five-year institutional grant is $5,404,878, institutes for teaching excellence and staff crucial to the success of this historic and explained St. Philip’s College President Dr. development and the Veterans’ Outreach and diverse institution. I encourage you to Adena Williams Loston and college Title III Transition Center. (U.S. Department of Educa- visit our website at www.alamo.edu/spc Director Erick Akins. tion contributed to this report.) and click on the “About Us” section to learn more about our Mission, Vision and Values. 5 Minority Enterprise Development Award Best Regards, 2Inside Presidential this Scholars issue… 6 President’s Lecture Series 3 Students Artwork Benefit Nonprofit 6 Students Earn National Recognition 3 Employee Ideas Net $10K 7 H-E-B Commits $250K In Grants 4 New Associate Degrees 7 Scholarship Roundup Adena Williams Loston, Ph.D. 4 SPC Designated Military Friendly School 8 Best-In-Nation Choir Student President 5 ‘College Credit For Heroes’ 8 Silver Stars Etiquette Dinner Dr. Davis (from page 1) Davis is best known for discovering a process Proclamations and greetings for Davis and his for “instantizing” mashed potatoes and the family were read by Congressman Lloyd sugar that gives frozen desserts their texture. Doggett, State Senator Leticia Van De Putte, While working on how to keep wood saws from State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon, “gumming up” when sawing wood, he was part Bexar County Commissioner and college alum- of the team that discovered a wood sugar that nus Tommy Adkisson and San Antonio Council- is now used to produce industrial glue. His woman Ivy Taylor. Now on display, the college present work is in hydrology, recombinant observed its tradition of commissioning a DNA, and fuel cell technology. portrait of the honoree. St. Philip’s College alumnus Howard Rhoder work was selected by Davis retired from St. Philip’s College in Dr. Loston to create Davis’ portrait. Dr. Loston and Dean Cottier unveil the new August of 2009. When the college conferred entrance to Dr. Davis' office. its fifth honorary associate of science degree to Davis, he became the second member of his The event concluded with building tours led by “The building where I taught so many students family to receive this honor. During the current students of St. Philip’s College Eureka has been renovated to serve a new genera- college’s 100th anniversary, Davis’ older Science Club. tion,” Davis said with a smile at the ceremony. brother, the late actor Ossie Davis, became the “I’ve observed the students and the faculty at first recipient of an honorary degree from St. work as I’ve walked the renovated halls.” Philip’s College. 2012-2013 Presidential Scholars announced Five St. Philip’s College students are recipi- ents of the 2012-2013 Dr. Adena Williams Loston St. Philip’s College Presidential Scholarship. The non-endowed Presidential Scholarships are funded through money raised during the annual St. Philip’s College Scholarship Golf Tournaments. The recipients for the 2012- 2013 academic year are: Physical Therapist Assistant major Hecdris Collier; Health Infor- mation Technology major Patricia Lamson; Business Administration and Culinary Arts major Markus Lopez; Restaurant Manage- ment and Culinary Arts major Joey Moczygemba; and Network Security major Julian Rios. Each recipient is awarded an annual scholarship of $3,000. Dr. Adena Williams Loston congratulates this year’s Presidential Scholars (from left to right) Hecdris Collier, Joey Moczygemba, Markus Lopez, Patricia Lamson and Julian Rios. The Presidential Scholars scholarship has been one of the most prestigious elements of participate in structured community engage- culinary arts skills to Meals on Wheels in the St. Philip’s College experience since it ment activities and to meet with the president ways that result in nutritious meals for both was established by St. Philip’s College Presi- of the college for mentoring opportunities. the homebound and the disabled. dent Dr. Adena Williams Loston in 2008. Each scholar gives back. Collier’s commit- Pleasanton resident and a former public “It is one of our college’s highest honors, one ment as a volunteer program coordinator with school superintendent Moczygemba serves in which I give personal attention,” said Habitat for Humanity allows families in need local youth food from personally prepared Loston. “Each of these individuals embody at an opportunity to build their own home. menus at Our Lady of Grace Academy and the highest level the essence of what it means Rios, a 2011 Harlandale High School gradu- to earn and achieve a presidential scholar- Through her summer clinical rotations at ate, gives back by assisting in facilities main- ship.” Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital, Lamson’s tenance for families in residence at Ronald administrative health care skills assist veter- McDonald House Charities. The scholarships are awarded to students ans and military families during times of with a 4.0 grade point average and individual deployment. To support the Presidential Scholarship fund, histories of community service, leadership contact Gloria Hernandez at (210) 486- and engagement. Recipients are required to Lopez lends his business administration and 2498. HOMECOMING 2012 Two employee ideas garner $10K payday St. Philip’s College employees Larry Medina and Sandra Gonzalez-Lamb are recipients of $10,000 each for contributing innovative ideas to the Alamo Ideas employee suggestion program that reduces expenses at Alamo Colleges. Both were recognized at September’s monthly Board of Trustees meeting. Medina is the coordinator for the First-Year Experience Center and Gonzalez-Lamb is a grant writer. Medina’s idea reduces electrical use during 41 holiday break days and associ- ated weekends at a first year savings of $142,000. Gonzalez-Lamb’s idea achieves water savings by replacing landscaping with drought-tolerant plants and xeriscaping at a first year savings of $112,000.