Bulldog Banner - October 2011

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Commencement ceremonies to be added pg. 3

Students earn credit with ACT scores pg. 3

Gillmore named player of the week pg. 9

October 2011 | Vol. 1, Number 1 The Clarendon College Newsletter

Did you Know?

Most college scholarship deadlines are Nov. 1?

It’s time to start thinking about your next step after CC.

Stop by and see Jamie Durham in the

Student Services Office for help with:

•Admissions•Financial aid and

scholarships•Transfer coursework

The Clarendon College meats judging team compet-ed at the American Royal Intercollegiate Meat Judg-ing Contest in Omaha, NE, on Sunday, October 16, and came home with a first place win.

The team won the contest by 100 points and con-sisted of individual placings from Carson Mitchell of Lamesa, TX, 1st high with 940 points; Nick Hardcas-tle of Wheeler, TX, 2nd high with 927 points; Clayton Krause of Canyon Lake, TX, 4th high with 912 points; and Kaitlyn Meyer of Temple, TX, 8th high with 894 points.

The alternates were Tyler Crafton of Henrietta, TX, 2nd high with 900 points; Luke Sellers of Denver City, TX, 3rd high with 893 points; Logan Mason of Mule-shoe, TX, 4th high with 883 points; Caetlyn Avant of Copeville, TX, 6th high with 873 points; Shelby McClain of Lodi, CA, 7th high with 872 points; and John Baker of Dumas, TX, 8th high with 866 points.

The Lady Bulldogs visited lady Broncos on their first day of basketball practice to wish them good luck in the upcom-ing season, and to share some inspirational thoughts.

Carson Mitchell

Find us on the web!

www.facebook.com/ClarendonCollegeTexas

www.twitter.com/CCdawgs

www.youtube.com/ClarendonActivities

Page 2 Bulldog Banner | October 2011

Constitution Day

Bulldog Spirit

“Shot of Reality”

Baseball

Softball

Volleyball

Students can earn course credit with high ACT scores

Students who present an ACT score of 32 or better on the English section of the ACT may be awarded six (6) semester hours of credit in English (ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302). Students scoring between 29 and 32 on the English section may be awarded three (3) semester hours in English (ENGL 1301).

A score of 27 or above on the mathematics section of the ACT may

qualify a student for three (3) semester hours in mathematics (MATH 1314).

Students are eligible for these credits after completion of 12 hours at Clarendon College.

See Jamie Durham in Student Services for more information or call 806-874-4837.

Two commencement ceremonies to be added

Clarendon College will be implementing two new commencement ceremonies starting this academic year.

Fall commencement is scheduled for Thursday, December 8 at 7 p.m. and will be held in Clarendon.

Students completing certificates in vocational nursing at the end of the year along with any students within 6 hours of completing their program of study will be eligible to participate.

An additional spring commencement has been added to the schedule for May 2012.

AS students will participate in commencement at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 4. RFO commencement will continue to be at 1:30 p.m. followed by

AA, AAS, and certificate commencement at 7 p.m.

There will no longer be tickets for each student and seating will be on a first come, first seated basis. Overflow seating will be in the Bairfield Activity Center where a video feed from the auditorium will be set up.

Receptions will be held immediately after each ceremony for the students, their families, and the college employees.


Life’s Less nsLessons being learned by

the Clarendon College men’s basketball team aren’t just being taught on the court this year.

The team is working to serve others and learn more about the game of life in the process.

“We feel like the message of being a servant and of having a servant’s heart is a lifelong lesson that maybe the kids can take with them.,” CC men’s basketball head coach Tony Starnes said. “They should give of themselves for the good of the whole.”

The idea of serving others applies also applies on the court.

“We tell the kids all time if they are more interested in serving their teammates that we will

not have to obsess over winning and losing, it will take care of itself.”

In recent weeks and months the team has a n s w e r e d

phones at the MDA telethon, served meals at Faith City Mission in Amarillo, served meals at the Community Care Center, read to kids at the elementary school,

put on basketball clinics in the area, participated in food drives, brought drinks to the Clarendon High School Football team after one of their practices, and much more.

“We have received a lot of positive feedback from people in town and the surrounding communities. There are such great people in Clarendon and in the panhandle,” Starnes said.

Starnes said it’s not just the players who benefit.

“The people we serve appreciate the help, but they really appreciate and benefit from getting involved with the college kids. They see it as a mission field and are very willing to be positive role models for these kids.”

Coach Starnes’ classes have even joined in on the action.

His sports officiating students gathered canned goods last week and donated them to the First Baptist Church’s Downtown Ministry Center.

To expand upon their volunteer work, the men’s basketball team began hosting guest speakers last week.

“Every Wednesday at about 2:55 p.m., we

have a guest speaker from the community that talks for about 5 to 10 minutes,” Starnes said. “The talks focus on being a success in life by being a good husband, a good father, and a responsible adult.”

Coach Starnes hopes to teach the players how blessed they really are through gratitude, selflessness, and an appreciation of others.

“I have learned that God has blessed me with an opportunity to play ball and get an education,” Men’s basketball player Barry Johnson, a sophomore from Lubbock, Texas, said. “I want to give back and be able to help others.”

If you know of a team or group that is doing something new or awesome let us know! We will

be featuring a different team or organization each month and your group could be next.

Contact Ashlee Estlack at 806-874-4808 or [email protected].


The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) announced recentlly the launch of Grad TX (pronounced “Grad Texas”), a program designed to help adults return to college and finish their bachelor’s degrees. Offered by eight Texas universities, Grad TX targets the over 40,000 adults in Texas who “stopped out” of college with 90 or more credit hours, but have not finished the 120 credit hour requirement to receive a bachelor’s degree.

The program’s website www.GradTX.org features an online transfer tool that allows returning students to enter completed coursework and preview how their credits would count toward a bachelor’s degree at a participating university. The website also connects returning students to counselors at each university who specialize in meeting the unique needs of returning students, such as determining how work experience could count toward a bachelor’s degree and helping returning students graduate faster. Grad TX includes information about paying for college and financial aid, as well as a section addressing the needs of Veterans.

“The THECB, working closely with our state colleges and universities, is focused on significantly increasing the number of college graduates,” said Commissioner of Higher

Education Raymund Paredes. “Encouraging and assisting our adult population to get back on track for a college degree is critical for Texas to become a national leader and global competitor.”

In addition to better preparing people for their career choices, a college degree leads to greater financial independence. According to a recent study by the Center on Education and the Workforce, the United States can reverse the growth of income inequality by increasing the number of college graduates. In 2010, the average weekly wage for workers without a college degree was $712. Workers with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $1,038.

THECB selected eight Texas universities to be part of the launch of this new program that offers specialized programs with online, compressed, and regular course offerings for returning students. The eight universities include:

• Lamar University• Midwestern State University• Texas A&M University Commerce• Texas Tech University• University of Houston-Downtown• University of Houston-Clear Lake• University of North Texas System• University of Texas at BrownsvilleThe Grad TX website features

stories of adult students at the

universities featured in the programs.

Teneka Duke, who received her BAAS in Business Administration from Texas A&M Commerce explains in her story, “When I had 21 hours left, I went to see an advisor who told me about the BAAS program. It was a perfect fit for me. I was able to apply my work experience and it enabled me to finish my degree in two semesters instead of two more years at the pace I was going.”

Hilda Flores, a graduate of UT Brownsville with a BAAS in Applied Business Technology, applauds her program in her story, “I didn’t have to start way from the beginning. I was able

Eight Texas public universities provide programsdesigned for adults to finish their bachelor’s degrees

In 2010, the average weekly wage for workers without a college degree

was $712. Workers with a bachelor’s degree earned

an average of $1,038.

‘Grad Tx’ Continued on page 8Page 5 Bulldog Banner | October 2011

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) announced recently that Complete College America (CCA) has awarded Texas a $1 million dollar Completion Innovation Challenge Grant. CCA funding gives Texas the opportunity to enhance developmental education efforts for students who are not college ready by significantly transforming remediation in math to close attainment gaps, boost college completion, and reach labor market goals.

“Complete College America’s generous investment in Texas speaks volumes about our collective efforts to fundamentally transform developmental education and improve student outcomes,” said THECB Chairman Fred W. Heldenfels IV. “Texas is quickly becoming a national model for innovation in this area. This is a direct result of the collaboration between the THECB and our universities and community colleges.”

"Complete College America recognizes the need for developing innovative, cost-effective strategies to help students graduate college in a timely manner, and recognizes Texas as a national leader in these efforts,” Gov. Perry said. “We’re ready to put this grant to good use, building on reforms to developmental education that we initiated during the 82nd Legislative Session.”

Through the CCA grant, THECB aims to reduce time-to-degree by allowing students to fulfill remediation requirements while also receiving college credit

for math within a single semester. This innovative instructional model has been developed and tested at Texas State University-San Marcos. For three years, Texas State’s Department of Mathematics – through the efforts of Dr. Selina Vasquez Mireles – has piloted a

state-funded developmental math bridge program. Initial data has shown promising results. The grant funding will help the THECB extend the new model to 15 community colleges throughout the state.

“Governor Perry gets it: doing more of the same will not boost student success or get Texas the additional college graduates it must have to be competitive,” said Complete College America President Stan Jones. “It’s long past time for bold innovation in higher education to remove unnecessary obstacles to success, fix broken policies that hold students back, speed achievement and redesign pathways to college graduation for the new majority of students who must balance work and school.”

Fifteen community colleges representing every region of the state will participate in this initiative, including:• Alamo Community College System• Central Texas College

• El Paso Community College District• Houston Community College• Lone Star College System• McClennan Community College• San Jacinto Community College

District• South Texas College• Tarrant County College District• Tyler Junior College.

The selected institutions are largely composed of students from low-income and underrepresented ethnic groups.

"Enhancing developmental education in mathematics not only helps ensure student success, but also aids in meeting the goals of Texas' Closing the Gaps initiative," said Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. "I am delighted that two colleges serving the South Texas region will benefit from this grant."

"Too often, the current model for developmental education becomes more of a stumbling block for students than a step ladder," said Representative Dan Branch, Chairman of the House Higher Education Committee. "I'm optimistic that innovative programs such as the one developed by Texas State and implemented by the Complete College America grant will give students the support they need while keeping them on a path

Texas is quickly becoming a national model for innovation in this area. This is a direct result of the collaboration between the THECB and our universities and community colleges.”

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Chairman Fred W. Heldenfels IV


to completion."In addition to

programmatic initiatives in developmental education, Texas is aggressively pursuing research and instructional improvements designed to increase success rates. Texas State is the first university in the country to launch a Ph.D. in Developmental Education with the goal of improving teaching and research in this area. The strategies implemented by Dr. Mireles and the university demonstrate the critical role institutional innovation will play in meeting the remediation challenge.

“When we admit a student to one of our institutions, we must do more than just hold the door open for them. We must do all that we can to help them earn the degree. To do otherwise simply wastes the state’s money, the student’s money and time, and causes us to be complicit in destroying their dreams,” said Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall. “I’m proud that Dr. Vasquez Mireles and Texas State have played a critical role in developing a successful program that can now be replicated throughout Texas.”

In Texas, math presents a significant barrier for college readiness and completion. In FY 10, 38 percent of students enrolling in a public community or technical college direct from high school failed to meet the state college readiness thresholds in math. The CCA grant will augment innovative strategies and programs already in

place at community colleges throughout the state.

"I am excited to be here today on behalf of TACC as we take another important step in helping all Texans achieve their educational dreams,” said Dr. Rey Garcia, President of the Texas Association of Community Colleges. “The Complete College America Texas project will be a

THECBvaluable resource for

institutions and policymakers as we work towards the common goal of more degree and certificate completions."

The Center on Education and the Workforce projects that the United States must add 20 million more postsecondary educated workers to the nation’s workforce by 2025 to be globally competitive. In Texas, 56% of jobs (7.7 million) will require postsecondary education by 2018. The initiative funded by the CCA award is the latest in a series of efforts underway to improve college completion rates in Texas with the goal of making the state a national leader and global competitor.

Established in 2009, Complete College America is a national nonprofit working to significantly increase the number of Americans with a college degree or credential of value. CCA grants were awarded to ten states that produced the best plans to deploy innovative, statewide strategies designed to substantially increase college completion for traditionally underrepresented populations.

Source: The Coordinating Board


‘Grad Tx’ Continued from page 4to build on what I already had [the associate’s degree] so that I was able to go back to get my BAAS… and now I’m a program coordinator. I couldn’t have gotten that position without my bachelor’s degree.”

“There are more than three million Texas residents like Ms. Duke and Ms. Flores who have

partial college credit, but not a college degree,” explains Dr. Van Davis, Director of Special Projects. “Grad TX puts a bachelor’s degree within reach for many Texans.”

Grad TX is part of the Generation TX movement to get all Texas students on the path to success in college and their careers. Grad TX specifically focuses on

returning adult students who want to advance their career by earning a bachelor’s degree. Grad TX is a project of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) with initial funding provided through a federal College Access Challenge Grant.

For more information, please visit www.gradtx.edu.

Source: The Coordinating Board

Mrs. McCoy’s English classes have just finished a summary of an essay which is about America’s use of the death penalty. This was the starting point for the class-room discussion and the research paper they are going to be doing about this current issue. Their research papers will be an argument either for or against the death penalty.

The students are finishing their Ap-plication Essays this week, which is the most practical thing they do all semester, as they might actually get to use them. If they are applying for admission to a uni-versity that requires an application essay or for a scholarship that requires one, they will have a solid, polished product to send in.

The classes will be working in Novem-ber on PSA’s, or Public Service Announce-ments. These are Mrs. McCoy’s favorite assignments, and often the students’ favorite too. (This is the assignment that is usually wall-papered all over the hall in November.

“I am so proud of what they do I can’t help myself,” Mrs. McCoy said. “I not only get posters from the students but also Power-Points and sometimes even video productions. They are awesome.”

Stop by the English bulletin board in the Instructional Center in November to check out the students’ PSAs.

from the English Department

Scam Alert!Clarendon College students are part of a group being targeted

by scammers. If you have a Clarendon College ID Card and have entered

your ATM or Debit Card information in response to an e-mail or phone call, please call the number on the back of your card immediately for further instructions.

Visit www.herringbank.com for more information.

Hector Beccera

Students celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving at Lunch on November 10.

The cafeteria will be hosting several special meals throughout the year.


Clarendon College’s Katie Gillmore has been named NJCAA Division I Volleyball Player of the Week for games Sept. 12 through Sept. 18.

Gillmore (5’ 10”) was the main source of offense last week for the Bulldogs who went 1-1 in two close matches. Despite

falling to New Mexico Military Institute in four sets, Gillmore threw down 26 kills on 57 attempts. Defensively, the freshman tallied eight digs. In a five set victory over Ranger College (Texas), the freshman recorded a double-double with 27 kills and 15 digs.

Sports Briefs

Four members of the Bulldog Baseball team were invited to participate with other top junior college players from New Mexico and Texas in the annual Fuddruckers Junior College All-Star Weekend.

S o p h o m o r e s (top to bottom in photos) Alex Howe of Unanderra, Australia; Alberto Morales of Bronx, NY; Wigberto Navarez of Bayamon, PR; and Sam Ouellet of St. Eustache, Quebec, took part in the games Sept. 30- Oct. 1 at Baylor Ballpark & Getterman Stadium in Waco, Texas.

T h e C l a r e n d o n College Golf team has been ranked #2 in the nation by Golfstat in h e a d - t o - h e a d standings for NJCAA men’s teams.

“I am extremely proud of the #2 ranking. I feel we have a strong team and have only competed in one tournament to date,” John Green, CC Athletic Director and Golf coach said.

The team is leaving for the NJCAA National Golf Preview at Swan Lake Golf Resort in Plymouth, Indiana, tomorrow. This preview puts the Top 20 teams in the nation against each other in fall competition.

“I felt we were “Top 20” material, but did not expect to be so highly ranked this early,” Green said.

The National Preview Team includes Steve Evans, Louis Laviscount, Chris Fletcher, Jake Bond and Alex Palomeque.

“These are not only outstanding athletes, but they have tremendous character,” Green said. “This team has great potential and I look forward to the coming year.”

The Clarendon College National Preview Golf Team: Chris Fletcher, Jake Bond, Steven Evans, Alex Palomeque, Louis Laviscount.


The

Myth:

F ind ing

a lump in

your breast

means you

have breast

cancer.

The Truth: If you disco

ver

a persistent lump in your

breast or any ch

anges in breast

tissue, it is very important that

you see a physician immediately.

However, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are

benign, or not cancerous. Sometimes

women stay away from medical care

because they fear what they might find.

Take charge of your health by performing

routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing

communication with your doctor, and scheduling

regular mammograms.

The Myth: Men do not get breast cancer.

The Truth: Quite the co

ntrary. Each ye

ar it is e

stimated that

approximately 1

,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and

450 will die. While this percentage is s

till small, m

en should also give

themselves regular breast s

elf-exams and note any changes to

their

physicians.

The Myth: A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

The Truth: A mammogram, or X-ray of the breast, is one of the best to

ols available

for the early detectio

n of breast cancer. It

CANNOT cause cancer to spread, nor can

the pressure put on the breast fr

om the mammogram. Do not let tales of other people's

experiences keep you from having a mammogram. Base your decisio

n on your physician's

recommendation and be sure to discuss a

ny questions or co

ncerns with your doctor.

The Myth: Having a family histo

ry of breast c

ancer means you will g

et it.

The Truth: While women who have a family h

istory o

f breast

cancer are in a higher risk g

roup, most w

omen who have

breast cancer have no family histo

ry. If you have a

mother, daughter, s

ister, o

r grandmother who had

breast cancer, yo

u should have a mammogram

five years b

efore the age of their diagnosis,

or starting at age 35.

The

Myth:

B r e a s t

cancer is

contagious.

The Truth: You cannot ca

tch

breast cancer or transfer it to

someone else's body. B

reast cancer is

the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your

own body.However, you can protect y

ourself by

being aware of the risk factors a

nd following an early

detection plan.

The Myth: Knowing you have changes in the

BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can help you prevent

breast cancer.

The Truth: While alterations in these

genes in men and women can

predispose an individual to an

increased risk o

f breast cancer,

only 5% to 10% of patients

actually have this m

utation. This

is not an absolute correlation. Like

your age or having a family histo

ry of breast

cancer, it's a factor yo

u just can't co

ntrol. But you

can let your physic

ian know, perform regular breast

self-exams, and focus o

n the fact your ch

ances of not

having this disease are greater than 90%.

The Myth: Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast

cancer.

The Truth: Researchers at the National Cancer Institu

te

(NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence

linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or

deodorants and the su

bsequent development

of breast cancer.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For more information, please visit:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/

factsheet/Risk/

AP-Deo.


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Bulldog Banner - October 2011