Sept. 25, 2003
Blinn Dental Hygiene Program Offers Free Sealants

BRYAN – Low income and uninsured children in grades 1-6 can get free cavity prevention on Oct. 4 at Blinn College’s dental hygiene clinic during “Sealants Across Texas,” a statewide campaign in observance of national Dental Hygiene Month. The local event is sponsored by the Brazos Valley Dental Hygienists’ Society and Blinn’s dental hygiene program.

Hygienists, students and faculty will apply the protective dental sealants 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the college’s dental hygiene lab, 301 Post Office Street, Bryan. For an appointment call (979) 209-7283. Walk-ins will be taken until 1:45 p.m. with priority given to those with appointments.

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Application is painless with no injections or anesthesia required. Sealants can last as long as 10 years, but should be checked regularly by a dentist or hygienist.

 

Sept. 12, 2003
Leadership training key to industry success
Blinn offers Dynamic Leaders program

Blinn College Leadership Institute will present Developing Dynamic Leaders I, a two-day seminar in Brenham on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2.

This seminar, intended for all levels of management, delivers supervisory and leadership training for a successful organization. Originally four days, this program is now offered in two parts to aid in budgeting and scheduling, said Dwayne Walters, assistant director of workforce education and coordinator of the institute.

“This program is all about improving organizations,” he said. “These organizations may be non-profit, corporate or family.

“This program teaches the actual skills needed to focus, plan, communicate and achieve success.”

Participants will be instructed in objectives, motivation and recognition, leadership and empowerment, performance management, communications, time management, ethics and the legal aspects of supervision, including equal employment.

The Developing Dynamic Leaders program is conducted by Larry Pitcaithly and George Jones, both experienced training program facilitators.

Pitcaithly has 32 years of leadership experience in the oil industry and is a former assistant professor of finance and management at Texas A&M University. He is a founding partner of The Capital Consulting Group.

Jones, an 18-year veteran of the financial services industry, was the chief executive officer of a midsize financial institution and has been a senior vice president in large- and mid-cap financial organizations since 1983. He is also a principal of The Capital Consulting Group.

“If you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting the results you have always gotten,” Walters said. “As Stephen Covey says in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to improve ourselves and our organizations we must take time to “sharpen the saw.”

The tuition for the training seminar is $395 per person. For groups of three or more the cost is $355 per person. The seminar will be held in Room 250 of the new administration building on the Brenham campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Lunch will be provided. For more information or enrollment call 979-830-4027 or e-mail dwayne.walters@blinn.edu.

 

Sept. 11, 2003
Nurse aide graduation held at Blinn College

Graduation and pinning ceremonies for five classes of nurse aide students in the Blinn College Workforce Development program were recently held on the college’s Bryan campus.

Included among the 39 graduates were 26 from Brazos County.

Graduates from Bryan were: Christy Newcomb, Nicole Espinoza, Adenea Carnes, Jamie Storer, Rebecca Buck, Crystal Rosas, Krystal Whitley, Therese Becka, Kimberly Garcia, Nicole Peña, Charlesmeca Cunningham, Sarah Newton, Leticia Ruiz, Shawn Manning, Lisa Palmisano, Judy Salazar, Erica Serrano and Felicia Thompson.

Graduates from College Station were: Crystal Garon, Ashley Hayes, Kellie Lockey, Victoria DeHoyos-Limon, Christan Ribards, Robbie Frazier, Jessie Awuma and Cheryl Zulkowski.

Other area graduates were: Elizabeth Jones, Hearne; Azucena Purdy, Brenham; Crystal Cooksey, Marilyn Taylor, Nakia Winn, Tarshish Thomas, Tara Gamble, Yolanda Barrientos, Lakeya Henderson, Jessica Steptoe and Sylina Calhoun, Navasota; Shamicka Waller, Plantersville; and Tracey Andrews, Caldwell.

Graduates of the 94-hour program are now eligible to take the Texas Department of Human Services registry exam to become a certified nurse aide.

Those who pass the written and skills exams will become certified to provide nursing or nursing-related services to residents in long-term or personal care facilities, hospitals or physicians’ offices under the supervision of a licensed nurse.

Blinn instructors for the classes were Suzanne Black, RN; Tauné Blackful, RN; and Karmen Stevens, LVN.

For more information about the nurse aide program or other workforce education opportunities contact the Blinn College Office of Workforce Education in Bryan at 979-209-7205 or in Brenham at 979-830-4027. Program information is also available on the college website at www.blinn.edu/twe/.

June 2, 2003
Blinn Establishes Scholarship Honoring Accident Victim
   A scholarship in honor of nursing instructor Rhonda Vanderboom Debban has been established at Blinn College. Debban, 42, was killed Saturday in a head-on collision in Grimes County. Her husband, Tim, was critically injured.
   Debban, a South Dakota native, taught at Blinn’s Bryan campus for two years and was expecting her first child in August.
   Donations may be made to The Blinn College Foundation, 902 College Avenue, Brenham, TX 77833. Donations should include a notation that they are forthe Debban scholarship fund.
   For more information on the scholarship fund, contact the Foundation office in Brenham at (979) 830-4147 or in Bryan at (979) 691-8906.

Aug. 21, 2003
College Tech-Prep Program Cited for Excellence

The Brazos Valley College Tech-Prep Partnership received awards from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for excellence in leadership, participation and enrollment increase. The partnership also received a regional award for outstanding community leader from the Career and Technology Administrators of Texas.

The Brazos Valley College Tech-Prep Partnership based Blinn College is comprised of 23 public school districts. Tech-Prep is a program of academic and career-oriented courses that begins in high school and ends with a two-year college degree or certificate.

Aug. 15, 2003
Texas Association of Community Colleges Elects New Officers

Dr. Donald E. Voelter, Blinn president, will serve on the executive committee of the Texas Association of Community Colleges for the next two years.

The TACC is composed of the chief executive officers of the 50 public community and junior college districts that receive appropriations from the Texas Legislature.

Dr. David E. Daniel, president of Midland College, has been elected to lead the association for the next two years. Other officers are Dr. John E. Pickelman, chancellor of North Harris Montgomery Community College District, vice president; Dr. Millicent M. Valek, president of Brazosport College, secretary-treasurer; and Dr. William R. Crowe, president of Tyler Junior College, past president.

Dr. Larry Phillips, president of Angelina College; Dr. Cheryl T. Sparks, president of Howard College; Dr. Ismael Sosa, Jr., president of Southwest Texas Junior College; Dr. Ronnie Glasscock, president of North Central Texas Community College; Dr. Martha Ellis, president of Lee College; Dr. Steve Thomas, president of Vernon College; and Dr. Ramon Dovalina, president of Laredo College, will also serve on the executive committee.

Sept. 12, 2003
Blinn College Leadership Institute To Hold Classes In Schulenburg

Developing Dynamic Leaders, a two-day training program for new supervisors, others in leadership positions and those being considered for leadership positions, will be presented by the Blinn College Leadership Institute on Sept. 23 and 30 at the Schulenburg Civic Center.

The leadership institute, a component of the college’s division of workforce education, provides instruction in management, supervision and leadership development for business, industry, municipalities, non-profit organizations and individuals.

The classes will be held from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. each day, taught by Dr. Larry Pitcaithly and George C. Jones of The Capitol Consulting Group.

The program includes modules on performance management, legal aspects, communications, motivation and recognition, leadership and individual action plans.

“The information in these classes is incredibly valuable to those who apply it,” said Dwayne Walters, assistant director of workforce education for Blinn and coordinator of the institute. “With this information managers, leaders and team members can create a more effective workplace and better working relationships.”

The cost is $295 per participant. The regular of $395 has been reduced with sponsorships by the Schulenburg Economic Development Corp. and the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce.

The deadline for registration is Sept. 19. To register contact the Blinn College Office of Workforce Education at 979-830-4027 or dwayne.walters@blinn.edu.

Sept. 18, 2003
Taxpayer business seminar offered by SBDC at Blinn College

A representative of the State Comptroller of Public Accounts will conduct a seminar for taxpayer businesses on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 6-8 p.m. at Blinn College in Brenham.

The free seminar is sponsored by the Small Business Development Center at Blinn College.

Mike Stegint, from the state comptroller's Bryan field office, will focus on the state's record keeping requirements and the taxpayer's responsibilities, says Phillis Nelson, SBDC director.

"He will unlock the secrets of state sales tax," she says.

The seminar will be held at the SBDC's education center at 108 Blinn Blvd. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 979-830-4137.

Aug. 18, 2003
Graduates Pinned In Blinn Vocational Nursing Ceremony

Pinning ceremonies were held for 17 graduates of the Blinn College Vocational Nursing Program on Aug. 6 in the campus student center in Brenham.

The graduates and their hometowns include: Graciela Alonzo, Cameron; Jessamarie Balita, Houston; Michele Brooks, Brenham; Teresa Clarke, Caldwell; Annette Cross, Bellville; Hope Dallmeyer, Round Top; Lois Dayton, Burton; Shelly Hitchcock, Caldwell; and Tammie Pavlu of Heampstead.

Others are: Sondra Shalow, San Felipe; Teresa Smith, Brenham; Jill Therien, Franklin; Michele Torres, Brenham; Mona tucker, Carmine; Daaiyah Ward, Kenney; Jeanette Willis, Bellville; and April Winkelmann, Brenham.

This year's class is the 41st to graduate from the program begun on the college's campus in Brenham in 1961. Since then the college has added a vocational nursing program, a licensed vocational nursing transitional program and a associate degree nursing program on its Bryan campus.

John L. Simms, president of Trinity Health Services Corp. of Brenham, which includes Trinity Medical Center, Trinity Care Center and the Trinity Foundation, was the keynote speaker for the evening.

Other speakers included: Dr. Donald E. Voelter, Blinn president; Dr. Ronald L. Johnston, vice president of academic affairs; and Dr. Thena Parrott, director of the college's associate degree nursing program.

Graduates participating in the program were Clarke, invocation; Hitchcock, reading Graduation Thoughts; Therien, introduction of speaker; and Ward, reading A Nurse's Wish.

Ina Eckert, RN, is the program director and is joined on its faculty by Michelle Marburger, RN, and Dene Allison, RN.

 

Sept. 5, 2003
New Hispanic Scholarship Deadline Nears

Blinn College students are eligible to apply for the 2003 Ellen and Federico Jimenez Scholarship, a program designed to help Latino students who have demonstrated commitment to serving the Latino community and who do not qualify for federal and/or state financial aid.

“Blinn College is pleased to support the matriculation of this growing student population,” Blinn admissions director Juan Garcia said. “The education of the Hispanic population is vital to the economic future of Texas and the country. This scholarship will help immigrant students, regardless of their status, the opportunity to realize their educational aspirations and goals.”

The $2,000 scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, and demonstrated involvement in and commitment to serve the Latino community. Students must be enrolled full-time at a Texas community college or state university (excluding the University of Texas).

Applications are available at www.maldef.org/education/scholarships.htm. All applications must be completed and postmarked by Sept. 15. It should include high school/college transcripts, letters of recommendation and an essay.

Aug. 4, 2003
Brenham Chorale Has New Director

The Brenham Chorale, the community choral group sponsored by Blinn College, has a new director.
Ronnie Sanders of Houston takes over the role with the departure of Joel Plaag, Blinn's former director of choral activities who also conducted the Chorale.

Sanders invites members of the community interested in choral music to attend the first rehearsal on Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Dr. W.W. O'Donnell Performing Arts Center.

Planned performances are Gabriel Fauré's Requiem and the John Rutter Gloria on Nov. 10 and Handel's Messiah on Dec. 6

Rehearsals will be Mondays from 6:30-9 p.m. Membership is open to all interested singers. For more information call 830-4239.

Sanders, who is an ordained minister and has served a Houston church for the last 15 years, studied with Kenneth Fulton at Southwest Texas State University, Milton Katims who served as assistant conductor to Arturo Toscanini at the NBC Symphony Orchestra in New York, Judith Clurman at the Julliard School of Music in New York and Charles Hausmann of the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston.

He served as the associate conductor of the San Antonio Choral Society for three years and conducted in London and Heidelberg. He was recently invited to conduct Houston's Symphony North Orchestra and was a featured conductor at the Texas Choral Director's Association convention.

Highlights of his career include performances of Gian-Carlo Menotti's opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, Handel's Messiah, Luigi Cherubini's Requiem in C Minor and Vivaldi's Gloria.

Sanders holds degrees from Charter Oak State University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston where he served on the faculty as a teaching fellow. He was assigned teaching and conducting responsibilities with the university's men's chorus and the chamber singers.

"The Brenham Chorale was founded in 1974 and has a rich performance history," said Sanders. "The group is made up of people from all walks of life from Brenham and the surrounding area who enjoy singing and who are committed to excellence."

In June the choir performed the Mozart Requiem in Carnegie Hall in New York.

"I look forward to working with the group and continuing its tradition of excellence," Sanders said.

Sept. 10, 2003
September 11 memorial ceremony planned at Blinn College

A memorial for the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks will be held on the Blinn College campus Thursday beginning at 9:10 and continuing for four minutes.

Classes will dismiss at 9:05 and students and faculty will proceed outside and gather at the flagpole nearest their building. The bell in Old Main will be rung to honor those who died at each of the four disaster locations: Towers 1 and 2 at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania.

No speeches will be made; however, participants are encouraged to join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance when the bell has ceased ringing.

All 9:25 a.m. classes will meet at their scheduled times.

The community is invited to participate in this ceremony. Campus flagpoles are located at Old Main on College Avenue, the Academic Building on Blinn Boulevard, the Student Center between Blinn Boulevard and Prairie Lea Street, at Leroy Dreyer Field on Blinn Boulevard and at Spencer Stadium on College Avenue.

All participants are encouraged to wear red, white and blue that day.

The event is sponsored by the Blinn College Professional Association.

Sept. 2, 2003
Dedication to Lawrence Hemann Scheduled for Friday on Blinn College Campus

A ceremony will be held Friday on the Blinn College campus in Brenham to dedicate an oak tree and plaque honoring Lawrence Hemann, a former agriculture instructor at the college.

Hemann and his wife, Ruth, and other family members are expected to attend the dedication ceremony organized by the Blinn Professional Association.

Hemann suffered a debilitating stroke in 2000 which ended his career in the classroom. On Oct. 22 of that year friends, colleagues and students held a community-wide fundraiser that netted more than $90,000 to help defray Hemann's medical expenses.

During a live auction at the fundraiser, the Blinn Professional Association purchased the oak tree, donated by fellow instructor Charles Heller, owner of Brenham Trees.

The plan to purchase the tree was spearheaded by the Professional Association on the Brenham campus, but other groups quickly joined in contributing funds to purchase the tree. These included the Blinn Professional Association - Bryan, the Blinn College Ex-Students Association and nine student organizations -- Ag Club, Ag Mechanics Club, Buccaneer Band, Naturalists Club, Phi Theta Kappa, MEDS Club, Baptist Student Ministries, Math Club and Student Government Association.

The tree has been planted in view of the Arts and Science Building, where Hemann taught and had an office, and a dedication plaque has been incorporated into the surrounding landscaping.

The ceremonies are set to begin at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The tree is located on Third Street between Prairie Lea and High streets. Parking is available at the Blinn College Student Center.

In addition to being an agriculture instructor, Hemann was also the chairman of the division of applied arts and was the college's director of transportation.

He was also involved with the Washington County Fair for 35 years and served as the entertainment chairman for 18 years. He was the fair association president in 1988-89. In 1996 he was elected president of the Texas Association of Fairs and Expositions.

The Hemanns are members of Grace Lutheran Church. They have two children and two grandchildren.

July 31, 2003
New Series Starts in September --
Blinn HVAC, Refrigeration Classes Have New Home

A new classroom and lab will be the setting for a new series of courses in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration skills offered by the Blinn College Division of Workforce Education beginning the first week in September.

The new facilities are located in the College Park Center on the college’s Bryan campus.

“The industry that includes HVAC and refrigeration is a field continuing to grow and demand quality, trained technicians,” said Jim Wright, Blinn’s director of workforce education and the program’s manager. “These courses are designed to provide workers with the necessary skills that are required for employment in the residential and commercial air conditioning, refrigeration and heating industry.”

The program curriculum, which provides the principles of air conditioning, refrigeration and heating, with an emphasis on troubleshooting and service, is designed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

“Most employers will consider the graduate an air conditioning technician,” Wright said.

The NCCER Construction and Maintenance curriculum is a standardized, nationally accredited and internationally recognized program, he said.

Students who successfully complete each level of the program are listed in a national database and are given a card to show curriculum completion.

“This card is widely recognized by employers as a sign of competence,” Wright said.

The eight courses are also offered on the Brenham campus.

“These courses are generally offered one after another -- in order -- therefore all courses are not offered each semester,” Wright said.

The courses are: basic construction and maintenance skills, refrigeration principles, air conditioning, residential air conditioning, gas and electric heating, troubleshooting, air conditioning systems design and commercial refrigeration.

For more information, including course times and costs, contact the office of workforce education in Bryan at 979-209-7205 or in Brenham at 979-830-4027 or go the technical and workforce education link at www.blinn.edu/twe/

July 14, 2003
Blinn College to Offer History Course at Caldwell High School

History 1301, a course on the history of the United States from pre-Colonial time to Reconstruction, will be offered by Blinn College in a night class at Caldwell High School this fall.

It will be held Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. beginning Sept. 4. The last class will be on Dec. 11.

This is a three-hour transferable academic credit class. The course is primarily intended for dual credit high school students, but community members may enroll also, said Dr. Beth Lewis, the college's dean of off-campus programs.

Those interested need to apply and be admitted to Blinn prior to Aug. 28. For more information on how to enroll at Blinn, visit the college website at www.blinn.edu or call enrollment services on the Brenham campus at 979-830-4042.

July 10, 2003
Blinn Football Ranked 15th in Preseason Poll

The Blinn College Buccaneers are ranked 15th in the 2003 National Junior College Athletic Association football preseason top 25 poll just released.

Dixie State College is ranked No. 1. Completing the top five are: Butler County Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and Joliet Junior College.

In addition to NEO and Blinn, other Southwest Junior College Football Conference teams in the top 25 are Tyler Junior College, No. 7, and Kilgore College, No. 17.

The Bucs, under second-year head coach Scott Maxfield, will open the season on Sept. 4 with a home game against Texas Lutheran College. Conference play begins on Sept. 27 with a home game against Kilgore.

July 8, 2003
Blinn Officials Call Schwartz 'Man of Vision'

The passing of Brenham Mayor Walter Schwartz, who had served as president of Blinn College from 1984 to 1994, is a great loss to the community, the state and especially the academic institution he served for more than 50 years, say college officials.

"Walter Schwartz was a man of vision," current Blinn president Don Voelter said this morning. "He was very instrumental in the growth and development of Blinn College to bring it to its present status among the elite of the state's two-year colleges."

Schwartz began serving the institution in 1948 as an instructor and coach and later became the dean of student services, a position which he held until becoming the 11th president of the college in 1984. When he retired in 1994 he was named chancellor of the college and held that title until his death Monday night.

"As long as I have known of Blinn College I have known of Walter Schwartz," college board president L.J. Lacina Jr. said this morning.

"I can even remember him from when I was a little kid growing up next door to the college.

"And as a former student I consider it an honor that I was able work with him in a leadership capacity for the institution.

"He was always a part of Blinn, and now he will be missed."

During his 10 years as president, Blinn's enrollment grew from 3,500 to more than 9,000 on its campuses in Brenham and at several locations in Bryan/College Station. Near the end of his presidency he was instrumental in the initial steps taken to consolidateline the Brazos County campuses into one unified campus at its current location there.

Also important to Schwartz was the development of the college's endowed scholarship program which consisted of six scholarships in 1984 and today has 132 scholarships valued at more than $6 million. Among them are four scholarships established either by or in honor of members of the Schwartz family.

Building projects on the Brenham campus during Schwartz' tenure included construction of LeroyDreyer Baseball Field in 1988, the Blinn College Student Center in 1990 and LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Hall, a residence hall for women, in 1993. Renovation projects included the restoration of the historic Old Main building in 1989, renovation of the Physical Education Building in 1992, and remodeling and renaming the former student center to the Bob Bullock Center for Business and Economics in 1994.

In 1988, Schwartz received the "Most Distinguished College President" award from Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor society for two-year colleges. The national award is given to the junior college president who has contributed the most to the junior college community.

A residence hall for men on the Brenham campus bears his name, and in 1990 the new student center was dedicated in his honor.

"Mr. Schwartz was for so many years a vital part of this college," Voelter said. "His absence from among us will be mourned, but his many contributions to the college will be celebrated for many years to come."

 

July 25, 2003
Simms to Speak at Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony

John Simms, president of Trinity Health Services Corp., which includes Trinity Medical Center, Trinity Care Center and the Trinity Foundation, will be the keynote speaker at the Aug. 6 pinning ceremony for graduates of the Blinn College Vocational Nursing Program in Brenham.

This years’ candidatelines and their hometowns include: Michele R. Brooks, Teresa Smith, Michele Torres and April Winkelmann, Brenham; Lois I. Dayton, Burton; Hope Dallmeyer, Round Top; Mona Tucker, Carmine; and Daaiyah Ward, Kenney.

Others are Annette Cross and Jeanette Willis, Bellville; Teresa Clark and Shelly D. Hitchcock, Caldwell; Graciela Alonzo, Cameron; Jessamarie R. Balita, Houston; Tammie J. Pavlu, Hemsptead; Sondra W. Shalow, San Felipe; and Jill L. Therien, Franklin.

The program will include the invocation by Clark, a welcome by Blinn president Dr. Donald E. Voelter, recognitions by Dr. Ronald Johnston, vice president of academic affairs, and the reading of Edra Weaver’s Graduation Thoughts by Hitchcock. Therien will introduce the speaker.

Following Simms’ address, Voelter will present certificates to the graduates while the pinning will be conducted by program faculty members Ina Eckert (director), Michelle Marburger and Dene Allison.

Dr. Thena Parrott, division chairwoman for allied health occupations and director of the associate degree nursing program, will make the closing remarks. Ward will read A Nurse’s Wish and the graduates will recite the Vocational Nurses’ Pledge.

Piano music for the evening will be provided by Joe Al Picone, dean of financial services.

The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in the Blinn College Student Center banquet room.

 

June 25, 2003
Training Grant Presentation
July 3, 10:30 a.m.
Tarlton Supply Company
3140 S. Horton
Brenham

Texas Workforce Commissioner Terrence P. O’Mahoney will present a $133,860 Skills Development Fund grant on July 3 to Blinn College, Blue Bell Creameries, Sealy Mattress Company, Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems and Tarlton Supply Company to provide job skills training for current employees.

Participating in the grant presentation will be Blinn president Dr. Donald Voelter, Blinn technical and workforce education dean Dr. Ted Raspiller, Blue Bell president Howard Kruse, Sealy Mattress vice president Ray Rodenbeck, Stewart & Stevenson training manager Kim Beane and Tarlton Supply president Bob Handley.

Following the check presentation at 10:30 a.m. at Tarlton Supply, participants will have lunch and tour the plant.

Blue Bell Creameries opened in August 1907 as the Brenham Creamery Company making butter for local sales. It began making ice cream in 1911. The “Little Creamery in Brenham” now sells ice cream in 14 states with production plants in Brenham, Broken Arrow, Okla., and Sylacauga, Ala.

Sealy Mattress Company, which began a century ago in Sealy, is the largest bedding manufacturer in the world. Sealy employs more than 6,000 people at 34 plants including the Brenham facility.

Founded in 1902, Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc. is a Houston-based company that manufactures, distributes, and provides service for industrial products and diesel-powered equipment to industries worldwide. The Sealy facility produces the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) for the U.S. Army, National Guard and U.S. Air Force.

Tarlton Supply Company provides machining services, electro/mechanical assembly and finished products to the oil and gas industry. Its Brenham plant opened in 1980 with a 14,000 square foot facility and eight employees. It has expanded to 120,000 square feet and 120 employees.

 

June 25, 2003
Admissions Director Elected to LULAC Post

BRYAN – Blinn College admissions and records director Juan Garcia was elected vice president for young adults at the League of United Latin American Citizens convention in Orlando June 16-21. Garcia will be an advocate for Hispanic students at colleges and universities.

Garcia’s duties will include addressing educational concerns at the national level, developing collaborative approaches to increase the percentage of

Hispanics admitted to colleges and universities and ensuring that Hispanic students have access to scholarships, internships and leadership programs.

LULAC is the oldest and largest Hispanic advocacy organization in the US. Its mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population.

 

June 26, 2003
Nurse Aide Students Graduate from Blinn Program

Twelve students graduated from the Blinn College Nurse Aide Program in ceremonies held on June 14 in the Dr. W.W. O'Donnell Performing Arts Center.

The program is designed for caregivers, individuals and non-licensed direct care staff seeking employment in hospitals, physician's offices, state schools or long-term care facilities. It also serves as a preparatory step for individuals entering one-year certificate or two-year degree programs in nursing or other allied health careers. The course was taught by Paula Ritter.

Those graduating from the 94-hour program were Zina Hirsch, Shalauna Johnson, Tracey Johnson, Terri Lee, Anita McAndrews, Tina Pitts, Pamela Prosper, Rose Robinson, Pauline Sanchez, Glynis Taylor, Anthony Watson and Wendy Ybarra.

Upon successful completion of the course, a student is qualified to take the Texas Department of Human Services Registry Exam to become a certified nurse aide.

For information about the next nurse aide course, contact the Blinn College Office of Workforce Education in Brenham at 830-4027 or in Bryan at 979-209-7205 or e-mail dwayne.walters@blinn.edu.

June 23, 2003
Finalists for Excellence in Business Recognition Announced
   Twelve local businesses are finalists for this year's Excellence in Business (EeeBee) recognition sponsored by the Small Business Development Center at Blinn College.
This is the third year the SBDC will celebrate the contribution of small businesses to the Washington County economy.
   Those who are finalists for the top recognition are: AMA Home Care Inc., ATS Irrigation Inc., C&P Plastics Inc., Day Star Christian Bookstore, Designing Landscapes Inc., Hermann Furniture Co., High Cotton Bakery Inc., Main Street Coffee & Trading Co., Must Be Heaven, Sidekicks Martial Arts, Step In Out Youth Fashions and Washington County Tractor Inc.
   Recognition of the businesses will be given at a reception Thursday evening at The Ranch House in downtown Brenham.

June 4, 2003
Nominees for Business Excellence Award Announced

The nominations for the third annual Washington County Excellence in Business Award are in, and 34 local businesses have been honored, according to Phillis Nelson, director of the Small Business Development Center at Blinn College, sponsor of the award.

The Excellence in Business award, known as the Eeebee is given each year to the small business that makes the greatest impact in the county. Previous winners were Tarlton Supply/Trepan Tools in 2001 and Brenham Collision Center in 2002.

Nominees for this year's award include: AMA Home Care, Ant Street Inn, Appel Motors Inc., ATS Irrigation, Best Western Inn of Brenham, Brenham Collision Center, Brenham Restaurant Supply Inc., Brenham Sausage Co., The Brenham Toy Co., C&F Plastics Inc., Day Star Christian Bookstore and Del Sol Food Co. Inc.

Others are: Design Pro Signs & Graphics, Designing Landscapes Inc., Discount Trees of Brenham, Glasco & Company Landscaping Inc., Glasco's Gardens & Gifts, Hermann Furniture, High Cotton Inn Bakery, K&H Portable Toilets Inc., Main Street Coffee & Trading Co., Must Be Heaven and Safeguard.

Also nominated are: Sidekicks Martial Arts, Simple Treasures, Step-In-Out, Take 3 Truck-N-Trailer, TFE Co. Inc., The Ink Link, Unity Theatre, Van Dyke Rankin & Co., Volare Italian Restaurant, Washington County Tractor Inc. and Westwood Travel Center.

The winner will be announced at a public celebration on June 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. at The Ranch House. Tickets are $25 per person and available from the SBDC at 108 Blinn Blvd. or by calling 836-4137.

 

May 20, 2003
Nominations Sought By May 30 --
Third Annual Eeebee Awards To Be Presented June 26
   The Excellence in Business Award for Washington County's top small business will be presented by the Small Business Development Center at Blinn College on June 26. This is the third year for the program that recognizes small businesses that make the greatest impact in the county.
   Previous winners of "Eeebee" are Tarlton Supply/Trepan Tools in 2001 and Brenham Collision Center in 2002.
   "We are seeking nominations of businesses for this year's award," said Phillis Nelson, director of the SBCD at Blinn College. "We are looking for businesses that impact the stability of our economy.
   "As depicted in the award trophy, a business, though small in size, as a single drop does send ripples to make a far-reaching impact on the whole community.
   "The award is an investment in the future success that every American company should be seeking through best practices and results achieved. Applying for the award is the path to excellence in business."
   Anyone may nominate a business -- vendors, customers, friends or business associates, said Nelson.
   Self-nominations are welcomed and encouraged, she said.
   Nominated companies will receive an application to submit competition information. There is no application fee. The deadline for nominations is May 30. The deadline to submit applications is June 13.
   In addition to receiving a trophy, the award recipient can use the designation of Excellence in Business Award 2003 in all advertising and promotion of their business.
   To qualify for nomination, a business must have between one and 100 full-time employees, have a business address, headquarters and/or division of operation in Washington County and demonstrate through the application process one or more of the following: innovation or progress, business growth, community involvement, efficient and effective process management and employee satisfaction.
   To obtain a nomination form, contact the SBDC at 979-830-4137 or pnelson@blinn.edu. To submit the nomindation, send it to SBDC at Blinn College, 902 College Ave., Brenham, TX 77833, drop it by the SBDC office at 108 Blinn Blvd. or fax it to 979-830-4135.
   The winner will be announced at a public reception on June 26.

May 21, 2003
Blinn Alumni Lettermen Golf Tournament To Benefit Buccaneer Athletics
   An 18-hole golf tournament sponsored by the Buccaneer Alumni Lettermen Association to benefit the Blinn College athletic programs will be held June 13 at The Falls Golf Club and Resort near New Ulm.
   All former Blinn students and well as friends of the college are invited to participate. The entry fee for the three-person modified scramble is $300 per team or $100 per individual. The cost includes one banquet ticket, green fee and golf cart. Beverages and snacks will be provided throughout the day.
   The tournament will have a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams and to the winners of the longest drive and closest-to-the-hole contests.
Following the tournament, a steak dinner banquet will be held and prizes will be given away. Additional banquet tickets are $10.
   The deadline for tournament entries and/or banquet reservations is June 10. For entry forms or more information, call Blinn athletic director Don Wilhelm at 979-830-4171, Nathan Winkelmann at 979-830-1619, Tommy Lange at 979-836-0200 or The Falls at 979-992-3123.

April 3, 2003
Blinn Offers Computer Camp to Area Educators
    Brazos Valley educators who want to become more proficient on computers may attend free workshops this summer at Blinn College. Blinn and the Brazos Valley Tech Prep Partnership will offer the 5th Annual Computer Surfing Adventure Camp June 9-12 and 16-19 on the Bryan campus.
     During the four-day sessions, area school teachers, administrators and counselors will be shown effective methods for searching the Internet as well as how to use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint to create documents such as exams, assignment boards, charts, newsletters, flyers and certificates.
     The registration deadline is May 30. To register or for more information, call (979) 209-7207

May 1, 2003
Blinn Professional Association Awards Scholarships
   BRYAN – The Blinn College Professional Association awarded the BPA Memorial Scholarships to two students whose roles as wife and mother played a large part in their decision to attend college. The association awards the scholarships to students on the Bryan campus who display remarkable dedication to their education, their families and their community.
   Wendy Marquardt, a Baylor University graduate enrolled in Blinn’s Associate Degree Nursing program, and Janice Lapaglia, a Blinn library technician assistant, each received $500 scholarships.
    After earning her degree in psychology, Marquart chose to be a stay-at-home mom. In her scholarship application, she wrote that with maturity her career goals became clearer. She chose to follow her mother and grandmother into nursing because she recognized the rewards of helping people.
    Maturity also brought Lapaglia to college with her sights set on turning a lifelong love of books into a master’s degree in library science. She said taking on the responsibility of being a wife and mother at a young age caused her to put her dream on hold and also made her realize the financial constraints resulting from not having an extended education.

May 6, 2003
Teaching Excellence Award Winners Announced
   The Blinn College Professional Association selected instructors of Spanish and nursing as well as the director of Blinn’s alternative teachers certification program for this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards.
    Foreign language instructor Mary Cooley Lorenzo received the award in the academic division on the Bryan campus. Associate degree nursing instructor Cathy Hansen won the award in the technical division.
    On the Brenham campus, the association gave the award to Becky Garlick who directs the Teacher Education Alternative Certification Host (TEACH) program and is the division chair in parallel studies.
    The college and the association give teaching excellence awards annually to faculty who communicate knowledge and experience while motivating and developing students' intellectual abilities and academic talents.

May 12, 2003
Bucs, Sonic Complete Home Run Challenge

The Blinn College Buccaneer baseball team and the local Sonic Drive In teamed up for the second year in a row to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County.

Sonic manager Justin Tomachefsky, back row right, hands a check for $1,000 to Shondrell Richardson, a member of the Boys & Girls Club staff, representing $25 for each of the 40 home runs hit by the Bucs this season.

Pictured with club members around him is Isa Garcia, Buc second baseman who led the team with eight home runs. Surrounding him, from left to right, are Tyler Blackshire, Randall Clark, Aubre Hadley and Krissy Hall.

This is the third year that the team has paired with a local business to raise the funds.