Summer 2012 • Volume 5 • Number 2 Timing is Money • Ironclad Optimism • School Shoes from the President Angelo State University Cover Story Dear Friends: Center of Attention .............................16 Summer 2012 Vol. 5, No. 2 16 Although the Texas Legislative season does not officially begin until 2013, public universities Angelo State University’s Multicultural Center enhances the have already begun to plan for the most likely topics of interest to our representatives. Clearly, Angelo State University educational experience for students and better prepares them Member, Texas Tech University System the concept of “efficiencies” in higher education will be at the top of their discussion list. ­Ef for life on a global scale. ficiencies are not simply about cutting expenses, but rather seeking ways to more fully utilize Board of Regents Jerry E. Turner, Chair, Blanco Multicultural Views .............................20 existing and new resources to support our core mission of educating and graduating students. Mickey L. Long, Vice Chair, Midland Larry K. Anders, Dallas From backgrounds a world apart, Devon Bolan and José Cano This edition of the Angelo State University Magazine highlights several new initiatives which L. Frederick “Rick” Francis, El Paso are finding common ground in the Multicultural Center. stretch the use of scarce resources to benefit our students. Debbie Montford, San Antonio Nancy Neal, Lubbock John Field Scovell, Dallas Probably the most important effort has been our recognition by the United States Depart­ John D. Steinmetz, Lubbock John Walker, Houston Features ment of Education (DOE) as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The designation is critical Jill Fadal, Austin because only HSIs may compete for the significant funding made available through DOE’s Timing is Money ...................................22 Chancellor Title V program. Over the past two years, ASU has received significant DOE grants, one for Kent Hance, Lubbock As a Hispanic Serving Institution, Angelo State is benefitting from U.S. Department of Education grants that are enhancing retention and the other to increase student participation in the fields of science, technology, Angelo State University President: Dr. Joseph C. Rallo services for all students and helping the university adapt to 22 engineering and mathematics (STEM). Although these grants result from DOE funding, their Joseph C. Rallo Interim Provost and Vice President tight budgets. use on campus has been led by an interdisciplinary committee composed of academic and for Academic Affairs: Dr. Brian J. May Vice President for Finance and student affairs professionals. As a result, all of our students benefit from the infusion of these Administration: Michael Reid Friends and Family ...............................24 Vice President for Student Affairs and new funds to the campus. Enrollment Management: Dr. Vance R. Valerio As one of the largest organizations on campus, the Association Vice President for Development: Dr. Jason Penry of Mexican American Students, or AMAS, provides Hispanics, Another very intriguing initiative is the evolution of a partnership between ASU and MedHab Angelo State University Magazine many of them first-generation students, an adopted ASU family on the development of an instrument to track physiological information for use in pre- and The Angelo State University Magazine is published three times a year by the to help them on the path to graduation. post-operative medical assessments. While such public-private partnerships are the norm in ASU Office of Communications and Marketing, ASU Station #11021, San Angelo, TX 76909-1021; large, research-focused universities, they rarely exist at institutions whose primary mission is 325-942-2248; Fax: 325- 942-2238; Tapestry of Life .....................................26 teaching. While the ability for ASU students to gain real-world experience in the design, devel­ [email protected]. Ironclad Optimism … School Shoes … Buy the Numbers … opment and use of such devices is invaluable, the city of San Angelo will also have an economic ASU Magazine Staff Road to Success … Greener Pastures … Embracing Cultures … benefit in the significant number of new jobs expected to be created by the new company. Editor: Preston Lewis From Yankee to Texan … A Different Perspective Associate Editor: Tom Nurre Jr. Director of Graphics: Michael Martin Finally, our first students will graduate from the doctorate in physical therapy program, which Graphic Artist: Gabrielle Miller 36 Design Assistant: Leonor Constancio Sections was established in 1999 as a master’s degree program and approved for the doctoral level in Photographers: Danny Meyer Tina Doyle 2009. As the discipline of physical therapy becomes increasingly important to so many aspects Writers: Roy Ivey President’s Message ................ Opposite Jayna Phinney of medicine, the need for doctorally qualified individuals who practice on an equal level with Rebekah Brackin physicians becomes even more critical. As ASU’s sole doctoral program, the PT degree builds Brandon Ireton Along the Mall ......................................................................4 Wes Bloomquist Partners in Step … Artsy Startsy … Korean Ties … First of the First … Capital Success … on our existing remarkable strengths in science, while focusing on the emerging careers avail­ Student Assistants: Kimberley Parker able to graduates in Texas and the rest of the nation. Olivia Navarrete Chasing the Red Rubber Ball … Briefs … Angelo Staters Austin Lopez Logan Reynolds Our focus remains the success of our students while on campus and after graduation. Your ef­ Graduate Assistants: Troy L. Sayles Athletics ...............................................................................36 Tommy Schield Room for Care … Football Palace … The Right Stuff … Sports Briefs … Hall of Honor forts on behalf of current and future students, whether as staff, faculty, alumni or community Alumni Association members, remain invaluable and most appreciated. Contributors: Erin M. Whitford Alumni Association.............................................................45 Melinda Springer Back on Track ... Change for the Better … Three-Star Success … Class Notes … Sincerely, AJ Lopez III In Memoriam … Donors © 2012 Angelo State University All Rights Reserved On the Cover: New ASU mariachi outfits modeled by music students Antonio Smith, Ashley Hagins and Editor’s Note: In this issue, ASU Magazine Chelsea Bravo reflect Hispanic growth on campus. (Photo by Danny Meyer; Backdrop courtesy of ASU Theatre.) examines the university’s multicultural efforts with an emphasis on Hispanics and their stories Back Cover: Shortstop Chelsey Walters of Odessa begins a double play to second baseman DeeshanaLynn as part of the ASU tapestry. Tafiti of Kalaheo, Hawaii, in a victory for the then No. 1 Rambelles softball team against St. Mary’s. Joseph C. Rallo (Photo by Kimberley Parker) President 2 SUMMER 2012 Angelo State University Magazine Angelo State University Magazine SUMMER 2012 3 news ALONG the MALL Partners in Step What began with entrepreneur Angelo, Ross turned to ASU’s Small Business years. Ross expects MedHab will ultimately fine tuning a business plan as they moved ing a clinic visit. Further, the data is secured Johnny Ross’s bum knee has evolved into a Development Center (SBCD) for local employ 150-220 employees in San Angelo toward production of the medical device. through a user-interface website that meets private- and public-sector partnership with assistance, which ultimately included ASU when the facility is fully operational. Though MedHab is headquartered in Fort all federal medical privacy requirements. Angelo State University, which provided the expertise from five departments. With key Ross said, “The importance of ASU to Worth, Ross wanted to locate a production fa­ The MedHab team also worked with specialized expertise to help resolve techni­ contributions in software development from our development cannot be stated enough. cility in San Angelo, where he had grown up Dr. Scott Hasson, ASU professor of physi­ cal, information management and indus­ ASU’s computer science program, the Fort MedHab’s chief technology officer and I and earned a Master of Public Administration cal therapy and member of the MedHab trial research issues necessary to develop a Worth-based company is close to producing started this process at a meeting in 2009 from ASU in 1989 after earning his bachelor’s advisory board, to develop appropriate new medical device. StepRite, a monitoring device that has four with President Rallo and David Erickson of degree from Texas Tech University. rehabilitation protocols for exercises and While rehabbing his knee, the co-found­ patents pending and a fifth proposed. the SBDC. Both shared our vision and im­ Consequently, Ross sought out Erick­ their measurements. er and chief executive officer of MedHab LLC Additionally, the San Angelo City Coun­ mediately offered their support. Moving for­ son and his SBDC staff for help with the Then, Dr. Kraig L. Schell became in­ realized that his physical therapists were cil earlier this year approved a business ward, I anticipate a very long relationship business plan and a financial model that volved for his industrial-organizational making subjective assessments of his prog­ incentive package for MedHab to locate its with ASU to help develop new releases of included investors and mezzanine financ­ psychology program to develop outreach