SPRING 2010 - The University of Texas-Pan American

RESEARCHThe University of Texas-Pan AmericanLOS ARCOSSPRING 2010Vol. 16, No. 1FESTIBA 2010Nelsen takes reinsPillars of Success41220Los Arcos 1

LOS ARCOSThe University of Texas-Pan AmericanSpring 2010, Vol. 16, No. 1Vice President forUniversity AdvancementDirector ofUniversity RelationsLos Arcos 2EditorWritersExecutive Director ofMarketing & Creative ServicesStudio Twelve01Art DirectorGraphic DesignersPhotographersContact Us:Mail:Janice OdomSandra Quintanilla-GuzmanMelissa VasquezGail FaganMelissa C. RodriguezMelissa VasquezAmanda PerezSandra Quintanilla-GuzmanJanice OdomDr. Kimberly SelberAaron CantuRoland AnzalduaRoberto CastroRamiro Rocky LozanoJosue D. EsparzaRamiro Rocky LozanoPhone: 956/381-2741Fax: 956/381-2416E-mail: vasquezm@utpa.eduThe University of TexasPan AmericanAttn: Office of University RelationsAB1291201 W. University DriveEdinburg, TX 78539-2999Los Arcos is published two timesa year for alumni and friendsof The University of Texas-PanAmerican by the Office ofUniversity Relations, AB 129, 1201W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX78539-2999The University of Texas-PanAmerican is an affirmative action,equal opportunity employer andinstitution. It does not discriminateon the basis of race, color, creed,gender, national origin, age,veteran status or disability.Individuals with disabilities wishingto acquire this publication in analternative format or needingassistance or reasonable accommodationsto attend any event listed,need to contact the ADAcoordinator at 956/381-2127.Message f r o m t h e Pr e s i d e n tDear Alumni and Friends:I grew up in a small valley in Montana with 85cows, 5 horses, a mother, a father, and 2 brothers.I couldn’t wait to get out of that valley. And now Ifind myself in a new valley, a valley that is magical,a valley where I feel at home, where the peoplehave opened their arms to embrace me and mywife, Jody. Our new friends kid me that I am juston old Montana cowboy, but I laugh and counterback every time: yes, but a Montana cowboy fromthe Rio Grande.I am honored and greatly humbled to be offeredthe opportunity and the challenge to lead The University of Texas-Pan American. Ihave huge shoes to fill—Dr. Miguel Nevarez guided the University to nationalprominence, and Dr. Blandina “Bambi” Cárdenas rejuvenated the student body, helpingus to retain and graduate more students than ever before. I cannot fill those shoesalone. I need your help; I need us to join mano a mano to help our students achievetheir dreams.The majority of these students, like me, are first generation students. Many of themhave to work, just as I had to work, to put themselves through college. They are hungryto learn and to succeed. We owe them the opportunity to be successful.If I may, please allow me to be personal. My wife and I lost our son a few years back.Each day I remember that loss. But as someone recently reminded me, I now have18,400 sons and daughters. And I take seriously my responsibility to work with youto ensure that their dreams and the Valley’s dreams come true.We will succeed because of the dedication of the faculty and the staff at this greatuniversity. We can justifiably take pride in Forbes’ magazine ranking us the 32nd bestpublic university in the nation and the 3rd best in Texas, but in the end, the students,the faculty, the staff, and the alumni are what make UT Pan American great. We facetough times ahead with the recent budget cuts and projected state deficit. But together,we can continue to build on this University’s tremendous history.Tell your friends about our remarkable story. Come back to campus and meet ourstudents and faculty. If you have not been here in a while, you may not recognize theplace. But you will feel as proud as I feel, and we will make you feel at home the wayI feel so much at home here. Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for being partof UT Pan American.Sincerely,Robert S. NelsenPresidentThe University of Texas-Pan Americanon the cover:Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, who became UTPA’s eighthpresident on Jan. 1, 2010, feels a real kinshipwith the Rio Grande Valley. A first generationcollege student, he grew up poor on a ranch inMontana, and now wants to ensure educationalopportunities for the young people of the Valley.Cover photo by Ramiro Rocky LozanoStudio Twelve01 Marketing & Creative Services

COMMUNITYRESEARCHMasters of the NightThe True Story of BatsMost of us have heard creepy storiesabout bats and how the blind, bloodsuckingsqueaky creatures like to attackhumans if they get in their way.But now the Valley community has anopportunity to learn the real facts about batsin an exciting new exhibit in The University ofTexas-Pan American Visitors Center throughMay 9.“Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats”is a touring museum exhibition produced byEvergreen Exhibitions that is designed to bringthe mystery surrounding bats out of the dark.The 2,500-square-foot exhibition dispels popularmisconceptions about bats and explains thatthey are actually gentle, beneficial little animals.It also describes their ecological importanceand gives visitors an appreciation of the truewonders of the bat world.UTPA administrators are excited aboutbringing an exhibit of this caliber to theUniversity.“We have a committee of staff and facultythat looks at popular and affordable exhibits ondisplay across the country and selects those theyfeel will educate not only our college studentsbut children in our public schools and families inour communities,” said Dr. John Edwards, vicepresident for enrollment and student services.“We look for exhibits that offer interactivedisplays and hands-on activities so that they canbe educational as well as entertaining and fun. Webelieve ‘Masters of the Night: The True Story ofBats’ fits our criteria,” Edwards said. “We lookforward to seeing many people come throughthe Visitors Center and enjoy this exhibition.”A Neo-Gothic portal leading into the exhibitprovides centuries-old examples of folkloreand mythic representations of bats by differentcultures.Once inside, visitors are introduced tomultisensory interactive displays. For example,they can try on a pair of bat ears allowing themto experience the sensitivity of bat hearing; theycan try to match the bats up with their favoritefoods and look for bats masked in a variety ofhabitats. Other fun hands-on activities helpspectators learn about echo-location, pollination,diet, flight and conservation. The exhibitionalso includes special effects, a Gothic castle, batfossils, a baby bat nursery and guano or wastematerial that interestingly contain seeds thathelp regenerate the rainforest.This exhibit is based on the highly successfuland much larger “Masters of the Night,” whichis 5,000 square feet and has stunned audiencesthroughout the United States, Canada, Mexicoand Europe. The smaller version on displayat UTPA was created in response to theoverwhelming demand from smaller marketswishing to bring this popular exhibit to theircommunities.free to the publicOpen through May 9, 20109 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Fridays9 a.m. to 2 p.m. SaturdaysClosed SundaysUTPA Visitors CenterFor more information and tours, please visitwww.utpa.edu/batsLos Arcos 3

RESEARCHLos Arcos 4

ReadingUTPA invites you to joinRevolutiontheFESTIBA 2010 March 22-27Dr. Seuss, the wildly popular children’s book author, once wrote, “The more you read, themore things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!”That’s exactly what The University of Texas-Pan American’s annual event – FESTIBA(Festival of International Books and Arts) – is all about. Scheduled this year for March 22-27 with a “Reading Revolution” theme, FESTIBA 2010 will include a wide range of excitingattractions that not only celebrate the arts and humanities but also promote literacy by increasingthe interest of children, along with adults, in reading.This year, festival goers to the weeklong event will be able to hear from notable novelists andspeakers, pose with some of their favorite storybook characters, be inspired by a HollywoodTV star and enjoy a community day filled with family activities that are both educational andfun. The celebration will include encounters with poetry, drama, scholarly lectures, artisticexhibits, musical concerts, mariachi workshops, performances in dance, theatre and film, andmuch more.Organizers say these festivities promise something for the entire family.“The community is really excited about FESTIBA. It’s really quite a unique event because webring in academic scholars who are best in their field and world class authors to do presentations.We also bring in experts to talk about the importance of literacy and what we need to do asa society to improve reading and writing skills amongst our young people,” said Dr. DahliaGuerra, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. “At the same time, we have an awesomelineup of entertainment, so the variety is incredible.”Throughout FESTIBA week, children’s authors from around the country will visit localelementary schools to distribute books and curriculum guides as part of the Texas BookFestival’s “Reading Rock Stars” program. Also, a new component called “FESTIBA Hot Spots”will encourage teachers to bring their students to UTPA and engage them in hands-on activitiesthat are geared toward fostering students’ love for reading.Another first for 2010 FESTIBA is Educator Day, which will officially kick off FESTIBA onMonday, March 22. The day will include a Congressional Roundtable on Hispanic literacy inwhich panelists, including several members of Congress, UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen, andauthors and representatives of literacy programs will address issues on literacy to more than a1,000 educators and librarians. Educator Day guests will participate in breakout sessions wherethey will hear from authors, illustrators and representatives from organizations like Reading isFundamental.On Tuesday, March 23, the community will have an opportunity to sit in on presentationsby renowned Mexican authors including distinguished editor Jorge Hernandez of Mexico City,whose book Sun, Stone and Shadows, a collection of 20 Mexican short stories, was UTPA’s TheBig Read Program selection this year. Other sessions sponsored by the National Endowmentfor the Humanities (NEH) will focus on the impact of the Mexican Revolution on Mexican andLatin American art and other issues. In the evening, award-winning and critically acclaimedpoet and essayist Luis Alberto Urrea, who has 11 published books, will address the public as partof UTPA’s Distinguished Speakers Series.March 24-26, the community is invited to attend a number of other informative and livelyNEH-funded panel discussions on the impacts of the Mexican Revolution, which occurred 100years ago this year. Faculty and student presentations will also be going on, examining topics asvaried as the literary vampire to how better communication can improve your health. Mariachiworkshops and competitions will also be held on March 26.FESTIBA will conclude Saturday, March 27, with the Community Festival scheduled from4-9 p.m. on the UTPA campus. A festival highlight will be a special appearance by actress EvaLongoria Parker, who plays the role of Gabrielle Solis on ABC’s popular series, “DesperateHousewives.” Longoria Parker grew up in Corpus Christi and graduated from Texas A&M-Kingsville with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology. She will address spectators at 7 p.m.on the main stage in the UTPA Fieldhouse Parking Lot F.The fun-filled, art-infused day will also include performances by local singers and dancersas well as by the world famous Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Mexican-American LatinGrammy-nominated group Alacranes Musical.Kids will be delighted to meet some of the country’s most popular storybook characters andenjoy storytelling, poetry readings and art and puppet shows designed for the entire family.Visitors will also be able to enter the real world of bats at “The Masters of the Night: The TrueStory of Bats,” a touring exhibition produced by Evergreen Exhibitions, now on display at theUTPA Visitors Center. The free exhibit, which includes many hands-on, interactive displays, isdesigned for all ages and brings the mystery surrounding bats out of the dark.For more information on FESTIBA or a daily schedule of events, visit www.utpa.edu/festiba orcall 956/381-3361.Community Festival RESEARCHSat., March 27 • UTpa CampusBook Fair by FollettLocation: HPE II Building – Gym 118Time: 4-10 p.m.At this Dr. Seuss extravaganza, you will be able topurchase books at a discounted price, participatein storytelling time with a famous children’s bookcharacter, see puppet shows, and take pictureswith The Grinch and The Cat-in-the-Hat!Masters of the Night ExhibitThe True Story of BatsLocation: UTPA Visitors CenterTime: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.This touring exhibition teaches about theecological importance of bats and gives visitorsan appreciation of the true wonders of the batworld. Come venture into this exhilarating exhibitthat has special effects, multi-sensory interactivedisplays, environmentally lifelike settings and evena Gothic castle!Eva Longoria ParkerLocation: Main StageUTPA FieldhouseParking Lot FTime: 7 p.m.Originally from Corpus Christi, this extraordinarywoman has conquered Hollywood through hertalent, beauty and charisma. Longoria Parker willtake questions from our audience in an excitingQ&A session. See her live at the Main Stage!Mariachi Vargas de TecalitlanLocation: Main StageUTPA FieldhouseParking Lot FTime: 8 p.m.One of Mexico’s oldest and most precious musicaltreasures, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán willdelight attendees with their repertoire of mariachimusic classics.Los Alacranes MusicalLocation: Main StageUTPA FieldhouseParking Lot FTime: 9 p.m.Get your dancing shoes ready! Young andtalented, the contagious beat of Los AlacranesMusical will get everybody on their feet, dancingto their unique style of banda duranguense.Community Festival MC:Arlene SantanaLocation: Main StageUTPA FieldhouseParking Lot FVersatile actress and TV hostess, our very own ArleneSantana has hosted many high caliber entertainment,music and sport events. She’s also played severalroles including Maquillaje, in the independent film“Salud” and in ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” Raisedin La Joya, Santana continues to make her mark inHollywood.Los Arcos 5

Academic Affairs40 Years of RMuch has changed since Joe R. Martinez (’79) performed with the BalletFolklórico UT-Pan American in the late 1970s, including the group’sname. However, the feelings that folkloric dance stirs in his heart havenot.“From the first time I walked into the dance classroom, I was hooked,”Martinez said. “It gave me such pride and joy to belong to the group and performfor people.”Seeing the group’s progression more than 30 years later rouses strong emotions inMartinez – now a real estate agent in Harlingen – about the pastime he enjoyed somuch in his youth.“The professionalism and performance expertise of the dancers today are justamazing. There really is no comparison in the advancement of skillfrom the late 1970s to today,” Martinez said.Martinez, who met his wife of 25 years in a dance classat the university, said the historical and cultural aspects offolkloric dance are what he finds most fascinating.“Folkloric dance is part of our culture,” he said. “I lovedbeing able to perform authentic dances from the differentregions because it made me feel connected to my roots andproud of my ancestry. These feelings of pride in history areevident in the performance of the dancers today.”Founded in 1970 by the late Dr. Amilda Thomas, aprofessor in the Department of Health and Physical Education, thethen Pan Am Dancers started as an extracurricular activity for a smallgroup of students. The present day Ballet Folklórico UT-PanAmerican is composed of 30 dancers, 12 musicians– Mariachi Mexico Lindo – and six studentproduction crew members.Los Arcos 6

ich TraditionRESEARCHBallet Folklórico UT-Pan American 1970-2010Ballet Folklórico Artistic Director Francisco“Frank” Muñoz (BS ’75, MEd ’79, ‘81) andAdministrative Director Maria “Mary” OraliaMuñoz (BS ’78, MEd ‘82), a husband and wifeteam that took over after Thomas retired in 1987,said some people may not realize that Mexico hasdance that represents each one of their states.“Mexico is very rich in folklore and dance.Each state in Mexico has a traditional folk danceand each region within the state also has differentdance forms,” Mary said. “Through the ages, thepeople of Mexico created their own unique styles,rhythmical patternsand choreography,and that’s where weget our dancematerial from.”Although thehistory of Mexicandance has remained the same, the BalletFolklórico has changed a lot since it was started40 years ago.“The most noticeable changes are thedancers’ performance skill level, addition ofincreased costuming and repertoires and, mostimportantly, the quality of the overallproduction. We are more focused on theeducational and the artistic aspect of thedance company,” Frank said.Over the years they haveproduced ballets, concerts, zarzuelas andmusicals with the Valley Symphony Orchestraand the UTPA theatre and music departments.In 1999, the Texas House of Representativeshonored the Ballet Folklórico with a HouseResolution. The group traveled to Austinto receive the award and performed in theCapitol’s rotunda.In addition, the Ballet Folklórico hasperformed for numerous guest artists andpresented at many state, nationaland international danceconferences. In 2007 a pieceby Frank was selected asThe professionalism andperformance expertise of thedancers today are just amazing.one of the top 10 choreographies at the AmericanCollege Dance Festival.Frank and Mary said being selected to be on theTexas Commission for the Arts touring roster hasgiven the UTPA troupe the opportunity to becomemuch more visible throughout the state.This year, in celebration of its 40th anniversary,the Ballet Folklórico produced and presentedan innovative two-hour, 10-part show titledALEGRIA 2010, which featured the evolution ofdances from the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and wasenhanced by authentic costumes, special lighting,scenery and live musicalaccompaniment. Morethan 15,000 students,Valley residents andWinter Texans attendedthe concert series inFebruary.The Ballet Folklórico’s popularity and successcontributed significantly to the formation andimplementation in 2002 of a dance major and minorat UTPA, offering students a broad range of dancetraining. The first degrees were awarded in 2004 andthe program has since graduated some 25 majors.Frank said the majority of dance programs atschools across the Rio Grande Valley are headedby UTPA graduates and past members of the BalletFolklórico group.“It’s such a great feeling to see the students thatwe prepared teaching students in the local schools,especially when they decide to study at UTPA,”he said.Martin Hinojosa (BBA ‘90), teacher and folkloricdance director at PSJA North High School, saidhe loved being a part of the Ballet Folklórico fromDr. Amilda Thomas †Founder of Ballet Folklórico1987 to 2007 because they were like a family to himduring his time at UTPA.“I miss performing for the audience and beingon stage, but I feel really good about making adifference in these students’ lives. Many studentstoday don’t even know what folklórico is, so it’sreally important for me to educate them about thehistory and culture behind folklóric dance,”he said.Hinojosa said he is amazed at how UTPA’s BalletFolklórico has become more and more successfulduring the last 40 years.“I think dance is something that everyonecan relate to, whether you know how todance or not,” Hinojosa said. “There issomething about dancing that makesit easy for everyone to enjoywatching.”Frank & Mary MuñozLos Arcos 7

RESEARCHMariachi20 years, world fameWith 20 yearsunder its belt andseveral trophy cases full ofawards, the UTPA Mariachitroupe could sit back and enjoyits many accolades. However, oncethese musicians step off stage, theyreturn to the practice rooms to find newways to improve and grow.Founded in 1989 by music faculty memberDr. Dahlia Guerra, the group has grown from10 to more than 45 students making up threedifferent mariachis — Mariachi Aztlan, themost veteran group, and Mariachi Femeniland Mariachi Juvenil, both formed later toaccommodate more students.At the time the UTPA Mariachi was founded,there was only one other Texas institution witha school-sponsored group. Guerra, now dean ofthe College of Arts and Humanities, recalls thegroup’s humble beginnings.“We started with black pants and whiteshirts, and we had red ties we bought at theflea market,” Guerra said. “It was not like theoutfits we have today. A few years later, westarted to add to our outfits. The parent of oneof the students made the first suits for us.”The group’s first public performance cameduring a Spanish symposium hosted by theUniversity, where they played for 30 minutes.“The audience was very receptive, and I wasjust thrilled with that performance,” Guerrasaid.Like all new groups, the Mariachi group tooktime to develop, selling chicken plates to raisemoney for equipment and supplies. The groupreceived much support from the music directorsat the LaJoya Independent School District,which had mariachi early on as part of its musicprogram, allowing UTPA’s performers to comeinto the troupe with some valued experience.“We took our students to workshops withother university mariachis and professionalgroups,” Guerra said. “It took a lot of workon the part of the students and the faculty tohelp them grow and improve. It was in 1996when I think they finally got to a competitivelevel. We took part in the San Antonio mariachicompetition and earned first place. That waswhen I knew they were really good.”Guerra’s perceptions of the UTPA Mariachi’scapabilities was confirmed when the groupwas invited to participate in workshops inSan Antonio with the world-famous MariachiVargas de Tecalitlán, the group that popularizedthe genre in the 1930s and 1940s and brought itto the forefront of cultural awareness.“Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán is the goldstandard for mariachis worldwide. We thenknew that was the bar we wanted to set. That iswhat we wanted to strive for,” Guerra said.The UTPA students have since played in manyvenues and with mariachi groups from across thecountry and world including Japan, France, Italyand Croatia. One of their most unusual venueswas a steel mill in Iowa, hosted by the plant’sowner as a gift to his workers, many of whomhad never heard mariachi music before. They’vealso sung at the state capitol in Austin and beenrecognized by both the House and Senate of theTexas Legislature for promoting the music andtraditions of the Hispanic culture.All three UTPA Mariachis have also madea name for themselves in collegiate-levelcompetitions, going up against such universitiesLos Arcos 8“Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán is the gold standard for mariachisworldwide. We then knew that was the bar we wanted to set.”

RESEARCHas Harvard, Notre Dame and the University ofCalifornia at Los Angeles, among others, andconsistently winning first place.“We used to have to go out and look forstudents and recruit members,” said UTPAlecturer Francisco Lorea (BA'98, MA '00), whofirst played with the mariachi as a student in1994 and today is its director. “Now they cometo us. We have so many who are interested injoining the groupthat we have tohold auditions.That’s one ofthe reasons whywe started theMariachi Femenil(one of a handfulof all-femalemariachi groups in the United States) andthe Mariachi Juvenil, comprised of freshmenand sophomores.”Group member Fernando Mendoza, a UTPAsophomore who sings and plays the violin,loves being a part of the team.“We really draw from the students who comein. They each bring new talents. Many of themhave already been in a mariachi group in highschool,” said Mendoza, who is also the group’sassistant director. “The kids can improvise andtranspose on the spot today. They’re bettermusicians. We develop them here. We can gocompete at any level.”Lorea described the competitions asvery challenging.“We always have to look for new ideas in the‘It’s not just the notes.It’s how you interpretthe music.’types of music we play. Now, we are lookingat style, the sabor, the flavor of the music. It’snot just the notes. It’s how you interpret themusic. We study old recordings to see how themasters did it. The music is still evolving andchanging,” he said.Freshman Vanessa Garza of the UTPAMariachi Femenil said she was in elementaryschool when she first heard UTPA’s Mariachiperform. It wasthen that sherealized she wantedto be a part of theprogram and laterjoined her highschool’s mariachito gain experience.“At UTPA, I’vegrown quite a lot,” Garza said. “Now, I’veimproved my skills on the guitar. I’ve learnednew styles of singing. It’s certainly at a muchmore demanding level than I was used to, but Iwas prepared for it. I look forward to learningmuch more with the UTPA Mariachi.”Approximately 600 students have gonethrough the program over its 20-year history.Many have gone on to become music directorsin the local high schools.“Not all of our mariachi members are musicmajors,” Loera said. “We have students withall majors. In fact, we’ve had members whoare now engineers, doctors, lawyers, schoolteachers, really from all fields. It just showshow the music attracts all types of people.”Los Arcos 9

RESEARCHFACULTY Q&AWITH DR. LEONIDES GOMEZ ´Dr. Leonides “Leo” Gómez, professor of curriculum and instruction, isconsidered one of the College of Education’s most innovative professors.His research and scholarly work on linguistic and academic issues thataffect language minority populations led to the creation of the 50/50 DualLanguage Enrichment (DLE) Model he co-developed in 1995. The model,which has been gaining in popularity for the last 15 years after its successfulresults in several Rio Grande Valley school districts, has been effectivelyimplemented in more than 60 school districts representing more than 440elementary schools across four states: Texas, Washington, Nevada andKansas. In Texas alone, as of fall 2009, this model is being implementedin 417 elementary schools.Tell us about your model of dual language learning.Dual language and enrichment learning recognizes that you get a better schooling andeducation if you learn in a language you understand fully. The 50/50 Dual LanguageEnrichment (DLE) Model, which I co-authored with my brother, Dr. RichardGómez, educates children in two languages in Pre-K through 5th grade. They learn50 percent of the content in their native language and 50 percent in their secondlanguage. The model also works for children who are native English speakers whoare learning Spanish.Why does the dual language model work so well?We found that the students who participated in dual language enrichment were notonly bi-literate, but were also cognitively enhanced. Studies show the more multilingualyou are the more creative you are because it stimulates your mind. It worksmuch better than the transitional bilingual program, which is designed to teachstudents English, but to decrease the native language learning as soon as they startlearning English. The problem with that process is that it takes seven years to becomefluent and develop a second language. When kids are in school they are not onlylearning language, but they are learning content as well. When we transition kids earlybecause they are learning the English language, they cease to learn the content andfall behind academically. If we continue on the old track of the transitional bilingualprogram, we are going to continue to leave many students behind, and this is evidentin the academic gaps as these students move through middle school and high school.How does it make you feel to know this model is being usedacross the state?It makes us so proud to bring the university credibility through the use of this model.But, I’m even more excited because I focus on results, and this model is making adifference for children. Our children are our future. These children will eventually bethe ones who come here to the university, so we are all in this together. I’ve alwaysbelieved that the Valley should be the experts, and the go-to area, on bilingualism— since we are a bilingual community for the most part. We should be doing thisbetter than anyone else. Over the last 15 years, we’ve put the Valley under a nationalspotlight as very progressive. In the field of dual language enrichment, the Valley isperceived as one of the most advanced regions in the nation.Why is it important that future generations of teachers knowabout dual language enrichment?I think about the future and what will happen after I retire. I would really like duallanguage enrichment to continue. We’ve been mentoring a lot of our young assistantprofessors to take over the reins and continue the advancement of a dual languagephilosophy and this model. And, our undergraduate and graduate programs at UTPAare philosophically in line with all of this. We are training teachers in which modelsare better and why, and maybe they can promote a new way of thinking when theyget into the classroom.Why is implementing this model so important?In Texas, Hispanics are now the largest minority group. By 2040, they are going torepresent more than 60 percent of the Texas population. If the largest group of thepopulation continues to perform the lowest because they are not well educated due tocontinued implementation of poor educational programs, it will increase the demandfor state services and reduce the amount of revenue for the state of Texas.Los Arcos 10

FibeRio TechnologyCorporation becomesUTPA’s first spinoff companyFACULTY RESEARCHUtilizing new technology developedby two engineering professorsand a team of students, TheUniversity of Texas-Pan Americanannounced Nov. 16 2009 the launchof a company that could revolutionizethe production of nanofibersused to manufacture a wide rangeof products and help transform theRio Grande Valley into an emerginghigh-tech industrial and advancedmanufacturing center.The new company, FibeRio TechnologyCorporation, is headed byChairman and Chief Executive OfficerEllery R. Buchanan, an Austinbasedentrepreneur with more than25 years experience in strategic andexecutive management positions inhigh-tech companies.Using a new concept of ForceSpinningtechnology invented byUTPA mechanical engineering professorsDr. Karen Lozano and Dr.Kamal Sarkar, FibeRio will developand manufacture machinery thatemploys centrifugal force – ratherthan the more costly, current electrospinningtechnology – to createspace age nanofibers from a widervariety of materials than has neverbefore been possible.Jackie Michel, director of theUTPA Office of Innovation and IntellectualProperty, said by 2014 thenew company plans to create about110 jobs that pay in the range of$100,000, with even greater job creationpossibilities into the future.UTPA Provost and Vice Presidentfor Academic Affairs Paul Sale saidthe company’s launch symbolizesUTPA’s commitment to researchthat benefits not only students butthe regional economy.“Our University is well positionedto leverage our intellectual resourcesto advance manufacturing and materialstechnologies throughout thenation and, indeed, the world,” Salesaid.The professors who developedthe technology will be able to profitfrom their invention, receiving anequity position and 50 percent of theroyalties received, one of the highestreturns shared by any university inthe nation.Chairman and CEO Buchanan,who will receive shares in thecompany as his compensation, isputting together a management teamand finding investors.It is projected that between nowand 2014 the new company willgenerate gross retvenues of morethan $234 million and net a totalof nearly $84 million. Michel saidthat although the company willinitially start off with small, labscale devices developed by Lozanoand Sarkar for their research, itwill move quickly to developindustrial scale machines thatcan produce large quantitiesof nanofibers.Nanofiber is a term used to describefibers with diameters lessthan 0.5 microns that cannot beseen without visual amplification.They typically can be used in themanufacture of medical and filtrationmaterials, wipes, personal careproducts, clothing materials, insulation,energy storage applicationsand even cosmetics.The ForceSpinning process inventedby Lozano and Sarkar usescentrifugal force to push materialsthrough minute openings to createnanofibers. Because there isno electrical charge employed intheir technology, it can be used toproduce nanofibers from both thematerials that can and can’t be usedin the electrospinning process.Learn more about FibeRio atwww.fiberiotech.comPictured from left to right are Texas Gov. Rick Perry, UTPA PresidentRobert S. Nelsen, former Interim President Charles A. Sorber and AssociateDean of the College of Science and Engineering Miguel Gonzalez at the Jan.5 press conference to announce the TEFT awards.UTPA receives $3.25 millionEmerging Technology Fund awardGovernor Rick Perry traveledto UTPA Jan. 5 to announcethe awarding of a $3.25million Texas Emerging TechnologyFund (TETF) ResearchSuperiority Acquisition Awardthat will go toward helping theuniversity hire top-notch researchersfor a world-class advancedmanufacturing center.The TETF awards, were createdto develop and diversifythe Texas economy by expeditinginnovation and commercializationof research and bringingworld-class researchers to thestate. UTPA’s award will helpexpand the endeavors of theRapid Response ManufacturingCenter (RRMC).The RRMC is a center devotedto research and talentdevelopment in rapid responsemanufacturing and has assistedmore than 20 companies sinceApril 2008.UTPA has received a $44,000award from The Universityof Texas System to go towardthe commercialization of adiscovery by faculty memberDr. Yuankun Lin that providesa more precise, simpler andcheaper fabrication methodfor photonic crystals used insemiconductors.The award is among $374,000in grants presented Jan. 12 toeight UT System institutionsfrom the Texas Ignition Fund(TIF), which was created by theBoard of Regents in 2007 to helpspeed the commercializationof discoveries made at campus“The Rapid Response ManufacturingCenter is the kind offacility where new ideas takeplace,” Gov. Perry said. “Thisinvestment is intended to createa culture of innovation inthe Rio Grande Valley andthe state.”UTPA President Robert S.Nelsen said the award establishesthe University as a majorplayer and contributor to theeconomic future of Texas.This award is part of a largerpool of funding allocated bythe Texas Legislature last yearas part of the state’s efforts toinvest in emerging technologyand boost the economy withnew jobs. The emerging technologyfunds will be leveragedby the university and a privatecompany bringing the totalUTPA investment to more than$9 million.Faculty member’s discoverywins commercialization awardlaboratories and move theminto the marketplace.Lin, associate professor inthe Department of Physics andGeology, has a patent pendingfor the fabrication of a twolayerintegrated Phase Maskto create three dimensionalphotonic crystals.The TIF fund addressesthe challenge that researchdiscoveries and inventionsat UT institutions oftenrequire additional funding todevelop product applicationsthat can attract investorcapital to achieve theircommercial potential.Los Arcos 11

RESEARCHLos Arcos 12

RESEARCHUTPA PresidentRobert S. NelsenJust an old cowhand (now) from the Rio GrandeSome might refer to the new president at TheUniversity of Texas-Pan American as a “Dallascowboy” based on his ever-present cowboy boots,his black hat, his western suits and his 18 yearsworking at The University of Texas System’s highereducation institution in that city.However, the line from the famous Johnny Mercersong, “I’m an old cowhand from the Rio Grande,”now more appropriately fits Dr. Robert S. Nelsen,who grew up poor milking and rounding up cowson a ranch in Montana.“I learned to milk a cow before I ever sat on ahorse,” he told a gathering on campus recently.Nelsen, who began his new position as UTPA’seighth president, Jan. 1, 2010, keeps reminders ofhis past close at hand, even displaying a well-wornsaddle in his office once owned by the Wild Westshow performer Calamity Jane.“It is an ice breaker,” said Nelsen, who alsodisplays Calamity Jane’s picture by the saddle, whichwas given to him by an old family friend, and can tellyou tales about the frontierswoman’s rowdy life.Nelsen was seen as a “perfect fit” to fill thepresidency here by those who know him best andurged him to apply. His longtime colleagues pointedto Nelsen’s humble upbringing, his affinity for bothstudents and faculty and his willingness to takeon challenges and get things done successfully, beit developing new academic programs, leading areaccreditation process or implementing a strategicplan. Additionally, he is fluent in Spanish, a subjecthe started taking formal classes in as a sixth grader.As a first generation college student, Nelsenstruggled financially to obtain a higher educationjust like many students do now at UTPA, where 70percent receive financial aid.“My parents were barely making it – we never atebeef, we ate venison. We had 85 cows on 1,000 acresat 20 cents a pound. You don’t make much money,”he said.At Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah,where Nelsen earned both his bachelor’s andmaster’s degrees in political science, his first jobamong several was going door to door spray paintingstreet addresses on the curb. He also worked as ajanitor from 3 to 8 a.m. buffing floors, then afterclasses went to his evening job at a sporting goodsstore. While working on his doctorate, he served asa university residence hall head so he could get freerent and food – an experience, he said, that made hisfirst month as president living in a residence hall atUTPA not feel that unusual.Nelsen has had his share of academic challengesand uncertainties, as well. Even though he wrote hisfirst story at age 4, studied with Nobel Laureates,such as Saul Bellow, at the University of Chicago,and developed and taught in the creative writingprogram at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD),he was found to be dyslexic in his childhood.“I reverse letters and things like that. It’s not a badcase. You just have to work a little harder,” he said.He also dropped out of school for a year, anoccurrence not uncommon in Valley students whoneed to help their families financially. Nelsen leftwith only six hours to complete to take a positionsetting up Western clothing stores in Californiaduring the “Urban Cowboy” era, he said. He wasurged to return to school by his wife Jody, whom hemarried in 1975.“Jody is my best friend. She knew I was anintellectual and was tired of not seeing me readingor writing anything during that year,” said Nelsen,who went on to earn his Ph.D. from the Committeeon Social Thought at the University of Chicagowith a specialization in modern literature, modernphilosophy and modern political theory.A faculty brat, Jody is the daughter of alaw professor and is an experienced universityadministrator herself, beginning her career at UTD.She is currently executive vice president for financeand administration at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where Nelsen also last worked asassociate vice president for academic affairs and aprofessor of English. The couple converses severaltimes a day, and she commutes every weekend to bewith her husband.“People are often surprised that I know so muchabout budgets. Well, if you are with a financial personevery day of your life, you better know about them.If I have a financial question, I ask her; she knowsthe answers,” he said.A passionate writer, Nelsen is an accomplishedauthor with numerous publications of fiction inliterary journals and has completed a collectionof short stories, Orphans, Bums and Angels, aswell as a novel that is currently under a publisher’sreview. Nelsen has an equal passion for teaching andmotivating students to succeed.“I am a very good teacher. Part of it is performance.I love turning people on, seeing them realize thatthey can do this (creative writing). All that theyhave to do is portray their emotions, and they can besuccessful,” said Nelsen, who in 2005 was awardedthe UT System Chancellor’s Council Award forOutstanding Teaching.Nelsen also became a faculty leader at UT Dallas,serving five terms as Speaker of the Faculty (head ofthe Faculty Senate), and remains a firm believer inLos Arcos 13Story by Gail Fagan (continued on page 14)

RESEARCHNelsen (far left) is shown at age 12 with this father andtwo brothers. Mike is a police officer. His brother Randy(far right) owned a construction company and wasunfortunately killed in a backhoe accident. Nelsen’sfather delivered milk in the morning, worked sheet metalin the afternoon and labored on his smaller Utah ranchat night before moving his family to a 1,000-acre ranchin Montana.The 11-year-old Nelsen is atop Penny, one of the twocutting horses the family had on their ranch. Penny, bornon the famed King Ranch in Texas, was the horse usedto ride long distances to round up stray cows. In the rearis his family’s Montana house, where he grew up. It sitson property that was once a Pony Express post.A well-worn saddle in the executive office of Dr. Robert S. Nelsen exemplifies the new UTPA president’sunassuming nature as well as his upbringing on a remote ranch in Montana. The saddle, which once belongedto Calamity Jane, was given to Nelsen when he was a boy by an old family friend.While in Chicago, Nelsen and another parent ran a LittleLeague program that included more than 500 children.Nelsen is shown following a game, hugging the catcher,he and Jody’s only child Seth, who tragically died in2005 at age 25.Dr. Francisco Cigarroa (left), chancellor of The Universityof Texas System, visits with new UTPA President Robert S.Nelsen and his wife, Jody, after introducing them to theUniversity community in November. Nelsen was chosenby the UT System Board of Regents as UTPA’s eighthpresident at a board meeting on Nov. 11, 2009.Los Arcos 14>>Continued from page 13transparency and shared governance.“I think my experience as a faculty leaderwill make a difference here. I understand wherethe faculty is coming from. I understand theimportance of what the faculty is doing. Iunderstand the importance of teaching. When Iwrote the strategic plan at UT Dallas, I wrote itwith the contributions of more than 200 facultyand staff members. My goal is to build consensuson campus and a joint sense of purpose,” he said.Nelsen, who has kept up a busy schedule ofmeeting as many government, business, and civicleaders across the Valley as possible in his threemonths on the job, says he is impressed withthe regional mentality here and the “can do”attitude. He hopes to remain accessible to notonly community leaders but also to faculty andstudents. He has established 3-5 p.m. office hourson Fridays for students, so he can learn of theirconcerns and ideas personally.He is especially interested in securing morebuildings for the growing population ofstudents, particularly in science and engineering,and investigating the problem of sophomoreretention.“We are losing a huge chunk – 43 percent ofthe students between their sophomore and junioryears,” he said.If you ask about his vision for UTPA, Nelsenwill clearly tell you – to build upon the university’sstrengths to help the Valley.“I want the university to be a powerhousein these fields – advanced manufacturing/engineering, health care and research in healthcare disparities, education with a specialemphasis on bilingual education, and business,focusing particularly on border issues andentrepreneurship. All of them wrap around theValley – this is what the Valley needs,” he said.However, the new UTPA president believesthe process will require collaborations,cooperation, partnerships and what he calls atransdisciplinary approach.“Take health care for example. We can work onobesity and diabetes but not just confine it in theCollege of Health Sciences and Human Services.We are finding out that Type II diabetes isgenerated by behavior. So we have to involve thesociologist, the political scientist who can writelaws, the psychologist who can intervene, and themarketing people who will talk about sugar. Thewhole university has to rally around health care,”he explained. “We can’t build silos. We have togo beyond the normal disciplines so we can dothings new in the Valley that have never beendone before.”Up to the challenge as he gets used to his newsaddle as UTPA’s chief “cowhand,” Nelsen saidhe feels the “fit” his colleagues talked about andknows now what he’d like his legacy to be.“I want people to say that I was a great partner,”he said.

ON CAMPUSThe University of Texas-Pan American’sCollege of Science and Engineering(COSE) has made dreams cometrue for many students who have studiedhere since it opened its doors nearly15 years ago. People like Rick Ybarra,now an aerospace engineer for NASA;Victor Reyes, a mechanical engineer forBoeing; Marlen Ramirez, a manufacturingengineer with Northrop Grumman; and David Sanchez, an electricalengineer for Lockheed Martin, are prime examples.While the COSE has proven to be successful, it has also acknowledgedthe need for more graduates nationwide in the fields of science, technology,engineering and mathematics (STEM). In order to meet those needs,UTPA has taken the step to offer more opportunities to students by splittingthe college into a College of Engineering and Computer Science anda College of Science and Mathematics.According to Dr. Paul Sale, UTPA’s provost and vice president for academicaffairs, this change will allow the university to better serve the RioGrande Valley, the region and the state.“What we’re trying to do is position ourselves to build an infrastructurefor the Valley. We serve many local businesses, and we also serve thestate quite well by producing, engineers, scientists and doctors. But, bysplitting the two colleges, UTPA will be better positioned than if we hadchosen to keep it as a single college,” Sale said.Each college will stand alone and continue to operate in its existingfacilities. But because of a boom in student population, a proposed newbuilding, currently in the development stages, would provide much neededadditional space for both colleges.“The enrollment continues to climb. In fact it’s climbing so fast I wondersometimes if we can keep up with it especially with all the budget constraintsthat we’re currently under,” Sale said. “But I’m sure that workingwith the UT System and with our regional partners we are going to beable to keep up with our increased enrollment.”Sale also pointed out that with more business expected to move into thearea, the two colleges will be ready to help meet the demand for a qualifiedworkforce.“I understand there are more manufacturing companies comingto both sides of the border, and we are uniquely positionedto assist them as they prepare anddevelop their professional workforce,”he said.University administrators also believedividing the college will give studentstheir own identity and allow them to bemore focused on their studies. They’ll alsohave the opportunity to get to know theirclassmates better and have their own deanto come to in time of need.“It’s a matter of dividing departments, budgets and programs. The entirefaculty in the College of Science and Engineering seemed to be behindthis, so there was not a lot of debate. I think everybody sees the benefitboth to the college and our students, but also to the community and tothe state,” Sale said.Students also support the separation of the college. UTPA’s StudentGovernment Association President Ragu Puttagunta is a biology andchemistry major. He will fall under the College of Science and Mathematicsand receive his degree from there.“In terms of resources, in terms of time and especially in terms ofequipment, the split will definitely be a benefit. For the deans and the administration,I think it will allow them to provide a better focus to the individualpriorities of each department in both colleges,” Puttagunta said.“The real advantage will be for students because it will give them more ofan opportunity to share their concerns with their own dean who sharestheir own career focus.”Electrical engineering graduate student Faraon Torres-Lazos also looksforward to the change. “As long as the two colleges keep collaboratingand there’s essence of teamwork between students, research and professorsto make this university better, I completely applaud the effort,”Torres-Lazos said.“Our college presently produces about half of the research fundingthat comes to UTPA and research opportunities are increasing with moreemphasis on research that produces economic development and entrepreneurship,”said Dr. Edwin Lemaster, who currently holds the COSE deanposition but will be retiring in August. “I believe that our developmentin the sciences and in engineering can be stimulated by splitting the organizationand giving greater emphasis to both.”The split is expected take effect in fall 2010.Los Arcos 15

RESEARCHStudent Successcreativity celebratedA Poet EmergesLauren Espinoza, a senior English major, was chosen as one of25 young poets in the nation to be featured in an anthology titled,“Time You Let Me In: 25 Poets Under 25,” edited by awardwinningpoet and writer Naomi Shihab Nye.“I was so excited to find out that my poetry had been selected,”Espinoza said. “I immediately called Emmy Perez, my poetryprofessor, and thanked her so much for all her help. Findingout my poetry was going to be published really humbled me andmade me feel like what I was doing was worth it.”The 24-year-old McAllen native said she felt very fortunate tohave the opportunity to take graduate courses as an undergraduatestudent, which she feels helped her in her writing.The anthology was published in February by Greenwillow,an imprint of HarperCollins. The book is available for order atwww.amazon.com and www.harperteen.com.Emmy Perez, assistant professor of English said, “It isn’t veryoften that work by such young writers is selected for publicationby such a well-accomplished editor/poet at a major publishinghouse.”Nye has written two acclaimed novels for teens and was aNational Book Award finalist for her poetry collection, “19 Varietiesof Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East.”“I hope weachievedwhat weset out to do...”“Finding out my poetrywas going to be publishedreally humbled meand made me feellike what I was doingwas worth it.”A Day in the ParkThree UTPA students were recognized for their work as authors andillustrators of a children’s book that first started off as a class assignmentand now can be found in some local libraries.Beatriz Guzman Velasquez, senior art and English major from Mission,illustrated the book while Bonnie Garcia of Mission, an English graduatestudent, and Jose Canales of Pharr, a recent graduate with a degree in English,wrote the 17-page storyline titled “Little Louie’s Big Adventure.”The book tells the story of a kingfisher and the migrating bird’s excitingjourney through the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission ashe searches for his cousin who lives there.Area librarians and state park officials honored the student’s accomplishmentsat a ceremony on Dec. 3, 2009.The students said the project became more than just a class assignmentand a learning experience. It also taught them about the importance ofcommunity service. In this case, it was to help raise awareness for the statepark. Garcia said they had their audience – the children – in mind throughoutthe whole process of writing the book.“Having the opportunity to actually go out and see how we can benefitthe community was great,” Garcia said. “I hope we achieved what we setout to do, which was to get children interested in the park. If children followthe map in the back of the book and walk through the same path, theywill see everything that is portrayed in the book. The book has a connectionto some place local that few books tend to have.”A few copies of the book were printed and distributed to local librariesfor children to enjoy and learn about the park.Los Arcos 16

RESEARCHPa n o r a m a,UTPA’s student-produced magazine, continues to win awards. In late February, the 2008-2009 edition sweptthe student awards categories at the annual American Advertising Federation Rio Grande Valley competition –winning eight gold ADDY Awards, the Best of Student Entries award and a Special Judges’ Award for creativeteamwork.Editors-in-chief were graphic design majors Jennifer Terazas and Alexis Carranza. Esmer Olveras, also agraphic design major, was design editor, and Santa Hernandez, a communication major, was assistant designeditor. Panorama is co-advised by Department of Communication faculty members Dr. Kimberly Selber andDonna Pazdera.Eight of the area winning entries from the 2008-2009 Panorama have been forwarded to the Regional ADDYcompetition, with winners to be announced April 14. Since 2004, the magazine has won more than 80 local, regional,national and international awards.Reel-2-RedHeart-felt EMMYThe University of Texas-PanAmerican’s student internship program,Reel to Red Productions, hasreceived a Lone Star EMMY for itsdocumentary “The Heart of Experience,”which follows 38 UTPAstudents as they journeyed intoEastern Europe in 2008 on a studyabroad excursion.The results were announced atthe 7th Annual Lone Star EMMYAwards ceremony in Dallas onOct. 17, 2009.Initiated by Dr. Kenneth Buckman,Minnie Stephens Piper Professorand director of the Rafael A.“Felo” and Carmen Guerra HonorsProgram at UTPA, “The Heartof Experience” features the impactand transformative experience thatstudying abroad has on students.Student filmmaker Hilda Del Rioof Edinburg recalls the excitementof it all. “I was bombarded withtwo things,” Del Rio said, “workingand then taking everything in.I was enjoying the view, but then Iwas filming it, too.”Reel to Red Productions, a multiaward-winning,student-operatedproduction internship programis housed in the UTPA Office ofUniversity Relations. In additionto this recent honor, the studentinterns also received an EMMY fortheir dramatic film “Dead Letter”in 2007. Their production, “GoingNowhere,” which was nominatedfor an EMMY in 2005, garnered anational Telly Award for the groupthat same year.Altogether, the student internshipprogram has earned 13regional and national awards,and its works have been shownin film festivals as far awayas Germany.“I wasenjoyingthe view,but thenI wasfilming it,too.”GalleryThree students at The Universityof Texas-Pan Americanreceived Gold Circle Awardsfrom the Columbia ScholasticPress Association for theirpublished submissions in theGallery, a student literary artsmagazine at UTPA.The national awards fromthe School of Journalism atColumbia University attractedover 8,000 entries in the morethan 243 categories.Brandon Shuler of Pharr,who is pursuing a master’s inliterature at UTPA, placedsecond in the humor categoryfor magazines with his essay“How Jonathan Swift SavedMy Marriage.”Beatriz Guzman Velasquezof Mission, a senior majoringin art and English, receivedtwo certificates of merit forher poetry “Santa de las Embarazadas”and her portfolioof illustrations and artworkfor the magazine.Amanda de la Fuente of Edinburg,a junior majoring insociology, received a certificateof merit for her page design forthe magazine.Speaking on behalf of thethree winners, de la Fuentesaid, “These prestigious awardsnot only legitimize Gallery inthe national venue, but also theimportance of UTPA’s studentvoices and perspectives on theworld.”Work in the Gallery is chosen,designed and published byUTPA students enrolled in theENG 3334 (Gallery) class.Los Arcos 17

ATHLETICSHaring namedassociate ADAndrew Haring, former assistantathletics director fordevelopment at The Universityof Texas at San Antonio,has been named associateathletic director for externaloperations at UTPA by AthleticDirector Chris King.Haring previously served as assistant director of athleticdevelopment at Northern Illinois University (NIU), wherehe was involved with the completion of the private fundingportion (over $7.4 million) of an academic and athletic performancecenter. He also helped increase annual giving to theNIU athletic scholarship fund by more than 50 percent, surpassing$1 million for the first time.Haring earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’sin sports management from The University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign.GWC Golf Championshipsin Edinburg April 26-27UTPA will host the 2010 Great West ConferenceGolf Championships April 26-27 at the LosLagos Golf Club in Edinburg.The women’s field will consist of all Great WestConference teams, while the men’s field includesa combination of the America Sky Men’s GolfConference and the Great West Conferenceteams.For information, visit www.utpabroncs.comor call 956/381-2221.Coach Williams honored by 1963NAIA National Championship teamFuture student athletes at The Universityof Texas-Pan American will reapthe benefits of a newly created endowmenthonoring popular longtime coachSam Williams, who headed up the Broncsbasketball program from 1957-1973 and ledthe 1963 team to the National Associationof Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) nationalchampionship.Led by Jim Board of McAllen, membersof the 1963 team raised $265,000 to honortheir 85-year-old former coach, and on Jan.30, Coach Williams joined several membersof the 1963 team, UTPA President RobertS. Nelsen and Vice President for Enrollmentand Student Services John Edwards tocelebrate the announcement of the Sam WilliamsEndowed Scholarship. The ceremonytook place during halftime at the Broncs vs.South Dakota basketball game in the centerof the UTPA Fieldhouse court that also bearsCoach Williams’ name.The scholarship funds were raised in conjunctionwith the UTPA Office of AlumniRelations and the Alumni Association overthe course of seven years through eventssuch as an annual Las Vegas Extravaganzaand drawings at golf tournaments.The Sam Williams Endowed Scholarshipwill provide annual scholarships to the men’sbasketball program.“I would like to take this opportunity tothank Jim Board (former NAIA championshipplayer), the Bronc Hoopsters and theother NAIA 1963 National Championshipteam members for their contributions anddedication to the UTPA Broncs,” said ChrisKing, UTPA athletic director.King particularly cited his appreciation forBAITsponsors offer record $12,000 in prizesCoach Sam WilliamsBoard’s work in supporting and promotingUTPA’s athletic department and the men’sbasketball program.“He is truly a superb ambassador for Broncbasketball alumni, and I can’t tell you howmuch I appreciate his support, his advice andguidance since my arrival in October 2009,”King said. “What Jim Board has done in sucha short time in endowing a men’s basketballscholarship is amazing, and is recognized bymany around this program and the university.”For more information about contributingto the Sam Williams Endowed Scholarshipfund, call the UTPA DevelopmentOffice at 956/318-5301.Anglers will vie for a record $12,000 in cash prizesApril 30-May 1 at the Third Annual Bronc AthleticsInternational Tournament (B.A.I.T.), sponsored onSouth Padre Island by SKANSKA, Rio Health Medical andPrime Medical Supply.“B.A.I.T., which drew 150 contestants last year, is a funand unique way for Bronc fans and avid anglers to supportUTPA Athletics,” said Andrew Haring, associate athleticdirector for external operations. “It’s a wonderful way toenjoy a fantastic day of fishing and compete for great prizes;all to benefit our tremendous student-athletes.”Registration is $300 per boat team, with a maximum of fourper boat, with Texas Parks & Wildlife regulations applying.The registration fee includes the Captain’s Dinner and theAwards Ceremony at the Sea Ranch South Point Marina.This year’s cash purse includes $4,000 for first place, withthe top 10 finishers paid out. A fly fishing division has beenadded to this year’s competition.Proceeds from the event will go to the Bronc AthleticFund, which benefits student-athletes in all 14 sports.“Whether you catch the biggest fish or just enjoy theday supporting UTPA, we look forward to seeing you atB.A.I.T.,” Haring noted.For more information about B.A.I.T.,visit www.utpabroncs.com or call 956/381-2221.Los Arcos 18

ATHLETICSUTPA to host inaugural GWC TourneyBronc Baseball, under the leadership of second-yearhead coach Manny Mantrana, kickedoff its 2010 season in late February with theEighth Annual Al Ogletree Classic, sweepingthe tournament with wins over Prairie ViewA&M and The University of Texas at Brownsville.The Broncs began the season 4-0, a featthat had not been accomplished since 1996 underHead Coach Emeritus Al Ogletree.The team then faced No. 3 Texas on March 2and fell just short of their fifth consecutive winwith a 3-2 heartbreaker in Austin. The Broncs’pre-conference slate has included series againstnotable names Notre Dame, Iowa and StephenF. Austin.This season’s schedule also includes a varietyof promotions. Mark your calendar for KidsMeet the Team Day each Sunday throughoutthe season, Bark at the Park on April 9 as themen open conference play with Northern Colorado,Greek Night on April 16 as the UTPAfaces North Dakota, Father and Son Night onApril 20 with a matchup against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Military Appreciation Nighton May 7 as the Broncs host Houston Baptist,Free Admission for all fans on May 21 (NJIT)and Boy/Girl Scout Day on May 22 (NJIT).To cap off the season, the Broncs will hostthe inaugural Great West Conference BaseballChampionships at Edinburg BaseballStadium on May 26-29. The tournamentfield for the conference championships willinclude eight teams from across the nation.For baseball tickets or more informationabout UTPA Bronc Athletics, visit www.utpabroncs.comor call 956/381-2221.UTPA Baseball Home ScheduleApril 9 Northern Colorado 6 p.m.April 10 Northern Colorado 1 p.m. (DH)April 11 Northern Colorado 12 noonApril 16 North Dakota 6 p.m.April 17 North Dakota 1 p.m. (DH)April 18 North Dakota 12 noonApril 20 Texas A&M-CC 6 p.m.May 7 Houston Baptist 6 p.m.May 8 Houston Baptist 1 p.m. (DH)May 9 Houston Baptist 12 noonMay 21 NJIT 3 p.m. (DH)May 22 NJIT 2 p.m. (DH)Great West Conference ChampionshipsMay 26-29 TBA tbAUTPA Honors Hall of Fame Class of 2010Six former Broncs and one of the Athletic Department’s most loyal friendswere inducted into The University of Texas-Pan American Athletics Hall ofFame and Hall of Honor during a ceremony on campus Feb. 13.“Like past recipients to the Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor classes, thisyear’s inductees exemplify not only exceptional athletic talents, but also thequalities of dedication, honor and perseverance, which have continued toserve them well outside of sports,” said Director of Athletics Chris King.The 2010 Hall of Fame inductees are:Jim Hickey (Baseball, 1982-83) – Hickey set program marks for wins, inningsand complete games in a season as a senior. That same season, he helpedthe team to a program-record of 64 wins and was awarded All-America statusas the Broncs made it into the NCAA tournament. This All-Americanpitcher has become one of only seven major league pitching coaches to go to aWorld Series with two different teams – the Houston Astros, where he spent16 seasons, and the Tampa Bay Rays, which he joined in 2006.Felipe Leal (Baseball, 1963-65) – During his Bronc career, Leal made All-America twice as the second Bronc to toss a no-hitter, set a program recordfor wins and lead the team to the NAIA playoffs in 1963 and 1964. He is describedas a fantastic pitcher, who in 1967, rose to the AA level with the CaliforniaAngels, after an All-America career with Pan American University.Nancy Mireles (Track, 1985-89) – Mireles’ exploits have stood thetest of time. When it comes to Lady Bronc track, her name shouldreadily come to mind. The UTPA athletes of today are still tryingto break her records set in the 1980s. The long-distancespecialist holds five marks after a career in which she was athree-time American South champion runner and in 1988 a holder of seventitles in track and cross countryLupe Salinas (Baseball, 1970-73) – Salinas won 38 games during his timeand left the program ranked No. 1 in career, complete games and inningspitched, plus No. 2 in strikeouts. He is the man who will always be rememberedfor pitching the Broncs into the College World Series in 1971. He madeAll-America in 1972 and was an All-America district pick for two seasons.After his college career, Salinas became a standout pitcher in the highest echelonof the Mexican League and later a well-regarded manager.Fred Taylor (Basketball, 1967-70) – Taylor averaged 22.7 points per gamefor Pan American University. As a 6-foot-5 swingman, he scored 1,721 pointsin his career. After being named Honorable Mention All-America his senioryear, he was one of 18 Pan Am basketball players to be drafted by the NBA,playing with the Phoenix Suns and Cincinnati Royals.The 2010 Hall of Honor inductee is:Dr. Ben Garza (Sports Doctor, 1981-Present) – Garza has been there forall the bumps, bruises and worse for almost 40 years as a team physician forarea high schools and UTPA. He is recognized among Edinburg residents asthe man on the sideline that brings patience, knowledge and love for the game.Lending his expertise has given him the honor of receiving the DistinguishedService Award for the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in the summerof 2009.Pictured left to right are 2010 Hall of Fame inductees Lupe Salinas,Dr. Ben Garza, Nancy Mireles, Jim Hickey and Fred Taylor.

ALUMNIpillars of successclass of 2010very two years, The University of Texas-Pan American choosesoutstanding alumni to be featured in the university’s VisitorsCenter, the “front door” of the campus where tens of thousands ofguests are welcomed each year.On Feb. 19, the latest “Pillars of Success” were introduced in aceremony attended by nearly 200 family members, friends, faculty, staffand students, and the honorees’ photos and stories were unveiled in anexhibit that will remain in the Center until 2012.The “Pillars of Success” Class of 2010 was selected by the UniversityExecutive Committee from a list of nominees recommended by theVisitors Center Exhibits Committee, which is composed of facultyand staff.“We keep this display up for a period of two years because we wantour visitors and students to know what this university is producing –outstanding graduates. These ‘Pillars of Success’ stand as role models forpaths we want our students to follow,” said Dr. Robert S. Nelsen,UTPA president.gustavo de la viña †dr. dana gonzalez dr. anil menonGustavo De La Viña, chief patrolagent (retired), United States BorderPatrol – An Edinburg native, De LaViña, earned a bachelor’s degreein physical education in 1963and served as an educator beforeentering the U.S. Border Patrol in1970. Over the next 34 years, herose to lead a number of BorderPatrol Sectors across the countryand assumed the position of chiefof the U.S. Border Patrol in 1997,serving until his retirement in2004. He was the first Mexican-American to achieve that position.De La Viña’s initiatives includeOperation Gatekeeper, whichadded infrastructure, technologyand more agents along the border todiscourage illegal immigration, andthe Border Safety Initiative, whichsystematically advised borderresidents of the dangers of illegalcrossings saving thousands of livessince its inception. De La Viña, whopassed away suddenly late last year,was represented by his daughterDina and other family members atthe ceremony.† deceasedLos Arcos 20Dr. Dana Gonzalez, obstetricianand gynecologist, Victoria (Texas)Women’s Clinic – A child of firstgeneration, Mexican-Americanmigrant farm workers, Gonzalezwas raised in Alamo and aspiredto be a doctor while attending theSouth Texas High School for HealthProfessions, where she ranked thirdin her class. While in high school,she became a single mother but withencouragement from family andeducators continued her dream ofa medical career. She was acceptedinto the Premedical HonorsCollege program at UTPA, whereshe received a bachelor’s degree inbiology in 1998. Gonzalez went onto obtain her medical degree at TheUniversity of Texas Medical Branchin Galveston. She is currentlypracticing in Victoria as the city’sonly Mexican-American bilingualob/gyn.Dr. Anil Menon, president, Globalizationand Smart+ConnectedCommunities at Cisco Systems Inc.– After earning an MBA from thenPan American University in 1984,Menon launched his career to becomea global corporate leader. Inhis current role, Menon co-leads across-Cisco team in the corporation’sglobalization efforts aroundSmart+Connected Communities,focusing on services-led solutionsin safety and security, real estate,energy and transportation. He is responsiblefor utilizing new businessmodels, solutions and a global ecosystemin these efforts. Menon previouslyled IBM’s corporate strategyin IBM growth markets and was alsoa successful academic and businessconsultant, providing services toworldwide corporate giants such asCoca Cola and Sony Corp. amongmany others. Currently on the jobin his native country, India, Menonwas represented at the ceremony byJackie Michel, a former colleague ofMenon and current director of Innovationand Intellectual Propertyat UTPA.

javier palomarezJavier Palomarez, president andCEO, United States HispanicChamber of Commerce – Oneof the nation’s pre-eminentmulticultural sales and marketingexecutives, Palomarez is a thoughtleaderand strategist on the issuesaffecting consumers, particularlythe Hispanic community. One of10 children raised in a single parenthousehold in South Texas by hismother, Palomarez did migrantfarm work and learned English asa second language. A high schooldropout, he earned a GED and laterworked his way through college toearn a bachelor’s degree in financeat UTPA. He began his career atAllstate Insurance Company, wherehe helped initiate the industry’sfirst fully integrated, nationwideHispanic marketing, sales andservice campaign. He later workedat Sprint as assistant vice presidentfor marketing and public relationsand at ING Financial Services asvice president of multiculturalmarketing.tim tullyTim Tully, president and founder,Southwest Precision Printers, L.P.– A Dallas native, Tully entered PanAmerican University in 1968 on abaseball scholarship. As an assistantunder acclaimed coach Al Ogletree,he helped lead the 1971 team tothe College World Series. Aftergraduating with a bachelor’s degreein physical education, Tully starteda career as a sales representative ina reprographics company ownedby a college friend’s father. Heventured out on his own in 1975 tostart Southwest Precision Printersin Bellaire, Texas. That company,which he leads as president, is nowthe largest independent commercialprinting company in Houston,providing services worldwideand winning countless awardsfor printing quality and graphicexcellence.Previous Pillars of Success2008Maj. Gen. William F. Garrison (BBA ‘66),U.S. ArmyArturo E. Guerra Jr. (BA ‘65), retired attorneyand district judge, Hidalgo CountyDr. Marla M. Guerra (MEd ‘76),Superintendent, South Texas IndependentSchool DistrictLucious “Luke” Jackson Jr. (BS ‘73), Olympicgold medalist and former forward with thePhiladelphia 76ersRoberto Pulido (BA ‘73), Tejano musicrecording artist2006Noe Hinojosa (BBA ‘84), president and CEO,Estrada Hinojosa Investment Bankers, DallasRear Admiral Jose Luis Betancourt Jr. (BA ‘70),U.S. Navy (retired)Humberto “H.R.” Peña (BA ‘71), partner,law firm of Hunton and Williams LLP,Washington D.C.Reverend Minerva Carcano (BA ‘75), Bishop,Western Jurisdiction, United Methodist ChurchState Senator Juan (Chuy) Hinojosa (BA ‘70),Texas District 202003Norma Ester Borrego (BA ‘02), at 18, one ofyoungest students to earn a baccalaureate degreeCongressman Rubén Hinojosa (MBA ‘80),elected to Congress in 1996 from the 15thDistrict of TexasDr. Velma Menchaca (BS ‘79), chair,Department of School Administration, UTPACollege of EducationValente Rodgriguez (BA ‘86), actor, featured onthe George Lopez Show on ABCDaniel Yturria Butler (BBA ‘70), prominentSouth Texas rancherLos Arcos 21

RESEARCHJavier PalomarezClass of 1986 | BBA in FinanceUnited States Hispanic Chamber of CommercePresident and Chief Executive OfficerThough Javier Palomarez is considered one of the nation’s preeminentmulticultural sales and marketing executives and isCEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, that’s notwhat was on his mind during a visit to The University of Texas-PanAmerican in February (see related story, pages 20-21).Instead, he was wondering if the university might still have a copyof The Wall Street Journal in which his name appeared after he won ascholarship. He was also remembering how he and his friend, TommyVillarreal (BBA ’87), now an owner of Nicho Produce in Edinburg, anda few other classmates in the College of Business Administration joinedforces in 1985 to start a student organization for finance majors.“All the smart guys were in the accounting class, and all the guyswho were having fun were in the marketing class,” Palomarez recalled.“The finance guys…well, we didn’t have anything, so three young menand a young woman in one of the finance classes got together. Therewas no room for us, so they literally gave us a broom closet. We got alittle tag that said ‘Financial Management Association,’ and we were offand running.”Palomarez has come a long way from that broom closet. From migrantworker and high school dropout, he has come to be known as a pioneerin multicultural marketing and a sought-after spokesperson, thoughtleaderand strategist on the issues affecting America’s consumers,particularly those in the Hispanic community. He has been quoted inThe Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today and many others,and during his visit to campus shared some of his thoughts with LosArcos.Yours is a very compelling personal story. Could you share some ofyour background?My story is actually not that unusual. In my day, growing up in thispart of the world, I had a lot of contemporaries. My father left my momwhen I was about 5 or 6; there were 10 of us and I was the youngest.My mother was actually very well-educated, an accountant, but whenshe came to the U.S. no one was hiring Mexican accountants, certainlynot women Mexican accountants. After my father left, what she hadwas a lot of strapping boys, so off we would go…working in the fieldsin Indiana picking corn. I spent a lot of summers doing that.You dropped out of high school and later got your GED. How didyou end up at the University?As always, there’s a girl involved. I met Becky Machac, who had alreadygraduated from Pan Am and worked as a loan officer at what was thenMcAllen State Bank. She had a degree and I didn’t, so I decided thatLos Arcos 22I better get serious or I’m going to lose this girl. She was a very wiseinvestor…she bought low and she’s not fixing to sell any time soon asfar as I can tell, thank God. Now, here we are 25 years later.What did you do after graduating from Pan Am in 1986?I had two interviews set up after I graduated…one was with IBM inDallas. I had a 10:30 appointment, but I had gone with a friend of mine,Pete Medrano (BBA ‘86), who now works for Lowe’s. Pete borroweda car from his sister because between the two of us we didn’t have auseful car. He had an interview at the Allstate regional offices, and myinterview with IBM was about four blocks down…but not until later,so I went with him. It was like college recruiting day. There were about60 kids sitting around with their resumés, just waiting their turn. Thisone guy, Fred Palacios or something like that, kept being called. Aboutthe third or fourth time they called for him, I looked around and said“I’m Fred Palacios.” I had one interview that went very well, then theytook me to meet with the next person and the next. I’m an hour and ahalf into this thing, and “Fred” is hitting it out of the ballpark, so I’mthinking, “man, now what?” Long story short, I managed to go frombeing “Fred” back to “Javier” that day, and Allstate offered me a job.What took you to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce?I’ve always been engaged with the Chamber. I was always on the otherside, the guy writing the check. Like any organization, we were goingthrough a transition, and the time was just right for me. We advocateon behalf of America’s three million Hispanic-owned businesses. Webelieve that small business is the backbone and the engine that drivesthe American economy. I think that what we do in the next few yearswill be impactful, not only for the Hispanic business community butfor the Hispanic community period...and that’s what we are supposedto be doing.What sage advice do you have for today’s UTPA students?The thing the Valley taught me, and I think it’s still true today, is thatthis is a place where anything is possible. When I was younger, wedidn’t have nearly the opportunity, the exposure, the potential that Isee now. The Valley is growing and it’s going to boom, and so I thinkwhat I would say to young people is that there is a huge world outthere, and you’ve got a wonderful training ground here. It’s a great timeto be a student at The University of Texas-Pan Am. This is a part of theworld – not just the country, but the world – that is going to experiencesome phenomenal things, and I would just encourage them to get theireducation and to get out there and make it happen.

ALUMNIAlicia Torres’83 AlumnaA success in business. A leader in giving.Although she never set out to be thefounder of a business that would bebought by the 15th largest Fortune500 company in the United States,Alicia Torres (BBA ’83) said her education atThe University of Texas-Pan American wasvital to her success as an entrepreneur and businessleader.“My education here at Pan Am really was thefoundation of my success,” said Torres, whograduated in December 1983 with a degree in accountingand recently became the first alumnusto join the new UTPA President’s Circle at thehighest giving level.Torres is now a vice president at McKessonProvider Technologies, a business unit withinMcKesson, Inc., an international healthcare corporationthat bought her business – RosebudSolutions – in 2008.McKesson was attracted to what Torres’company had developed – medical equipmentmanagement software programs to help hospitalsorganize and track resources that tend to beused often, are expensive and highly mobile, likesurgical trays and instruments, carts, tissue anddevice implants and medical scopes. The trackingsystems use bar codes and wireless electronicreaders to manage equipment and improveworkflow processes.“They came to us and had looked at our competitors.Obviously it felt great to know we haddeveloped a solution line that can make a differencein their larger product offerings in healthcare,”said Torres, who is happy with McKesson’scorporate culture. “We operate on whatwe call ‘I care principles,’ which include integrity,customer-first, accountability, respect andexcellence. What that means is they have greatvalues and so much respect for my team.”Torres, who now lives and works in AnnArbor, Mich., recently returned to the UTPAcampus where she shared her background andleadership tips with students at the university’sannual LeaderShape Institute.Torres said she believes UTPA is one of thebest causes she can give to and hopes her membershipin the President’s Circle will encouragea culture of giving back by alumni.“My education made such a huge differencein my life. I appreciate the fact that I was giventhat opportunity here, and that the university isa resource here in the Valley for people with mybackground and my culture, and at a time whenyoung women were not encouraged to leavehome and go to school. I think that resourceneeds to continue,” she said.One of six children, Torres was born in asmall town outside Monterrey, Mexico, andcame to the United States when she was in juniorhigh. Her father Oscar Luis, a butcher, and hermother Alicia, a housewife and seamstress, werealso migrant farm workers who, Torres recalled,took the family – five girls and one boy – alongeach summer to Ohio to pick cucumbers.“For me, it was a great experience because thewhole family was together for the whole summerand it was really fun. I really didn’t considerit hard work,” she said.Her older sister Marlen Ramirez (MSE ’03),now an engineer at Northrop Grumman inMaryland, was the first to enter college andgraduate. The other four sisters followed Marlen’slead and became college graduates. Torressaid her high school vocational education programarranged a job for her with Sweeten andSweeten, now the Long Chilton LLP accountingfirm in McAllen, where she worked through collegeand gained valuable experience.“I was getting first-hand experience in accounting,and that was great. It also paid for alot of my expenses and books,” she said.After graduating, she went into a succession offinancial positions in Rio Grande Valley healthcarefacilities. She next moved to San Antonio,where she met her husband Frank Legacki andstarted directing the development of softwareprograms to track product efficacy at KineticConcepts Inc., a worldwide provider of advancedhealing technologies. She worked therefor seven years before starting her own businessin 1997.A successful entrepreneur himself, Legackihad owned a number of businesses includingKaepa, athletic footwear company, which hesold and then joined Torres in running RosebudSolutions. Torres said her husband was a greatsupporter and her first investor.“He really was the person who made merealize that I could start a company andhave a strategy for it, grow it and sell it,”said Torres, who was able to obtain SmallBusiness Administration (SBA) loans andmore than $1 million in angel investingto help finance her venture.She said their partnership broughtdifferent strengths to the company.“It worked because we have differentstrengths – he focused on allthe alliances, the marketing andinvestor relations. I focused onproduct development, sales andall the internal controls of thecompany. We had totally differentstrengths that complementedeach other,” she said.During the UTPA Leader-Shape forum comprised of successfulalumni and other leaders,Torres told students that“just because you are the leaderdoes not mean you know everything.”“As a leader you ultimately make the final“decision, but a good leader will listen to theirteam,” she said. “Leadership requires lots ofcommunication with not only your employeesbut with your investors, the bankers and, ofcourse, your clients.”Vice President for University AdvancementJanice Odom called Torres an exceptional rolemodel not only for UTPA students but alsofor her 60,000-plus fellow alumni around theworld.“Alicia is a wonderful example of an alumwho remembers her roots and has chosen togive back to her alma mater,”Odom said.We operate onwhat we callI care principles.”Los Arcos 23