President's Thanksgiving Message

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF PALO ALTO COLLEGE—DR. ANA M. “CHA” GUZMÁN:

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I wish to extend to everyone a joyful and safe Thanksgiving holiday. Tomorrow, please take a moment to reflect on the many wonderful things that have happened during the past year, and enjoy the time you’ll spend with family and friends. I’m thankful for everything you have done for Palo Alto College and its students, faculty and staff. Your hard work is truly appreciated.

Best wishes for a safe, relaxing and joyous Thanksgiving!

PAC Student Film Festival

The Palo Alto College Communications Department is sponsoring a "Student Film Festival" in the PAC Student Center Annex, Tuesday, Dec. 2.

These videos were filmed by PAC students enrolled in Video Production.

The film presentation begins at 8 a.m. and will be shown continuously throughout the day.

PAC Updates

Here are some recent happenings:

--Palo Alto College was awarded a $25,000 Chase Bank Foundation Grant for PAC’s Center for Academic Transition.

--Palo Alto College implemented the “Go Print” Card Reader System in the Learning Resource Center Information Concourse this semester to produce a cost savings on printing consumables. Over the past month, the LRC Information Concourse printer has consumed 1 toner and 44 reams of paper; during the same time period last year, usage was at 3 toners and 140 reams of paper. This has saved PAC $1,000 for the month, and produced revenues of $4,000.

PAC CD Release Party--Save the Date

Conjunto Palo Alto, a Palo Alto College performing student ensemble, is releasing its first CD and you're invited to the CD Release Parties, Dec. 3 at the PAC Student Center at noon and at the Guadalupe Theater at 7 p.m.

While admission is free, the contribution of a toy for the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots campaign would be appreciated. The first 100 people at Palo Alto College and the first 200 people at the Guadalupe Theater will receive a free CD.

See Transporter 3--Free!

The PAC PR Department has "Admit 2" tickets for Transporter 3 for the Thursday, Nov. 20 showing at the Santikos Embassy--7:30 p.m. Come by the office and pick up a ticket!

Please note that you are encouraged to arrive early at the theater since seating is not guaranteed. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parma Participates in HCEF Conference

Patty Parma, an associate professor of counseling and student development, participated in the 10th annual International Conference on “Partnerships for Educational Initiatives” sponsored by the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF), Oct. 25. Parma spoke on post-traumatic stress syndrome and separation anxiety suffered by Palestinian children.

PAC defeats NVC, 80-71

PAC's Men's Basketball team took on the Northwest Vista Wildcats at the AT&T Center, Friday, Nov. 7.

PAC defeated NVC, 80-71.

Recruiters Visit the Frontier Bowl

Recruiters from Palo Alto College went looking for college applicants where they knew they would be on a Friday night—the Frontier Bowl game at Memorial Stadium in the Harlandale Independent School District, Nov. 7.

More then 10,600 spectators poured into the stadium as the McCollum Cowboys took on the Harlandale Indians in the much anticipated annual rivalry between the two schools.

“This was a recruiting opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” said Ray Hernandez, PAC’s Director of Retention Support Services. “The school district was very accommodating in our request to set-up recruitment tables and a football toss by the main gate entrance so that we could capture people’s attention as they entered the stadium.”

Along with the PAC recruiters, members from the Corporate and Community Education division, and other PAC volunteers answered questions and passed out brochures and information on programs, courses and certificates available at PAC.

PAC’s mascot, the Palomino, was also on hand to entertain guests at the recruitment table. The Palomino also tossed PAC water bottles and other items to fans sitting in the bleachers during the game.

“We had a lot of people stop by the tables to give us their name and contact information for follow-up calls,” Hernandez said. “This is something we definitely want to do again at next year’s Frontier Bowl and possibly other football games in the area.”

McCollum defeated Harlandale 27-24.

PACFEST 2009

RECOMMEND A BAND FOR PACFEST 2009!

Planning is underway for PACFest 2009 and I would like YOU to be a part of our entertainment sub-committee by giving us your recommendations on musical acts or performances to consider scheduling for this official Fiesta San Antonio celebration!!!

During PACfest 2008 we had bands like Pinata Protest, Nothing More, Clint Taft and the Buck Wild Band and David Lee Garza! Who should we consider for 2009?

Please take a moment to send me your recommendations on acts to consider for PACfest 2009. Just keep in mind that we’re looking for professional, established recording artists with a home-base in San Antonio or South Texas, that appeal to a wide range of people.

On another note: During PACfest 2008 we had a second stage where student bands performed. The PACFest Committee would like your recommendation (nominate yourself if you have a band!) on who should perform.

Please send your recommendations, and if possible, contact information or website address to Vincent Bosquez, Director of Public Relations at Palo Alto College, and PACFest Committee Co-Chair. The email address is: vbosquez3@mail.accd.edu. Or call me at (210) 486-3880.

Veterans Day 2008

It is an honor to present to you the Veterans--students, faculty and staff--of Palo Alto College!

Please join me in thanking them for their service to our country.

PAC Veterans Day Ceremony

In 1918,
On the
Eleventh Hour
Of the
Eleventh Day
Of the Eleventh Month

An Armistice was signed
Signaling the end of
“The War to End all Wars.”

Armistice Day has evolved into
Veterans Day

Please join
Palo Alto College
In recognizing its
Military Veterans—
Students, Faculty and Staff,
For their service and devotion
To the
United states of america

Student Center Annex
TODAY--Tuesday, Nov. 11
11 a.m.


In Flanders Fields
- By John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Horticulture Club Guest Speaker Series

The PAC Horticulture Club
Will host its Guest Speaker Series

FEATURING

Molly Keck,
Integrated Pest Management Program Specialist
with Texas AgriLife Extension in Bexar County
Texas A&M System

Molly will speak on
“Pest Identification in the Garden”

Wednesday, Nov. 12
Noon to 12:50 p.m.
Applied Science, Room 100

Drinks and snacks will be provided.

For more information, please contact
Kirk Williams at 486-3073

The Accidental Santera

Thank you for the nice notes regarding my review of "The Accidental Santera" in today's San Antonio Express-News.

A special "Thank You" to Becky Gomez for bringing the book to my attention.In case you missed the review, please click on the link: Accidental Santera

PAC Receives STEM Grant

PALO ALTO COLLEGE AWARDED $2.5 MILLION
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STEM GRANT

SAN ANTONIO—Palo Alto College has been awarded a two-year $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) to increase student success rates in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

According to Yolanda Jimenez, PAC’s Director of Institutional Advancement, the grant will create an outdoor Science Exploration Laboratory Center; increase tutors in math and science; upgrade two science labs; support curriculum alignment between college and high school science and math courses; and provide professional development opportunities for STEM faculty members.

The grant will also allow the college to strengthen its STEM partnerships with the University of Texas San Antonio and Texas A&M University—System Center, by improving graduation and transfer rates of under-represented minority students in the STEM fields.

Palo Alto College is also among one of five Hispanic Serving Institutions nationwide to have received this grant and another Title V Grant focused on science, technology engineering and mathematics.

Loop 410 Entrance Closure

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS SENT ON BEHALF OF DR. ROBERT GARZA, PAC CIP COORDINATOR:

SpawGlass will be closing off the entire circular drive off of the 410 entrance (immediately east of the new Convocation Center) beginning 6 AM Monday, November 10, 2008 for a duration of three (3) weeks. During this time, ONLY the natatorium will continue to have access from the entrance off Loop 410, while access to the rest of the campus will be available via the entrances off Villaret Drive. It is expected that a portion of the circle drive will reopen to traffic flow on Monday, December 1, 2008.

If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you.

Bobby
rgarza@mail.accd.edu

Attention PAC Veterans

Calling All Veterans

Are you a student at Palo Alto College
who has served or is serving in the U.S. Military?

If so, Capt. Vincent Bosquez, USMC (Ret.)

WANTS YOU!

The college is planning a recognition of all PAC Student Veterans on

Veterans Day
Tuesday, Nov. 11
11 a.m.
PAC Student Center

If you would like to be a part of the Veterans Day Ceremony
Please email me with
Your Full Name:
Rank at Discharge:
Branch of Service:


Please RSVP by Noon, Friday, Nov. 7

By Calling 486-3880

PAC Student Veterans

Calling All Veterans

Are you a student at Palo Alto College
who has served or is serving in the U.S. Military?

If so, Capt. Vincent Bosquez, USMC (Ret.)

WANTS YOU!

The college is planning a recognition of all PAC Student Veterans on

Veterans Day
Tuesday, Nov. 11
11 a.m.
PAC Student Center

If you would like to be a part of the Veterans Day Ceremony
Please call me with
Your Full Name:
Rank at Discharge:
Branch of Service:


Please RSVP by Noon, Friday, Nov. 7

By Calling 486-3880

District Fun--Nov. 11

Take a look at what's going on at District in support of this year's ACCD Charitable Giving Appeal. The information comes from Roland DuBay:

Drs. Bruce Leslie, Federico Zaragoza, and Roland DuBay are each in --- the attached photo of Dr. Tom Cleary, Pat Major and Roger Castro will shed light on what transpired on October 31 at Houston St. when staff heard they could “whip up” on the THREE.

On VETERAN’S DAY, November 11, 11:30am-1:00pm, we are planning a Hot Dog & Sausage Cook Out at the Sheridan St. Administrative Complex (a $1 donation would be welcome). BUT HERE the FUN BEGINS: at 12:30pm, Drs. Leslie, Zaragoza, DuBay (& others from the Chancellor’s Executive Committee who may wish to volunteer) will line up to be “whipped up” at $5.00 a throw. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow at $5.00 each and count as a contribution for the Employees’ Charitable Giving Appeal (Tuesday, Nov. 4th). On sale at the Office of Institutional Advancement, 201 W. Sheridan, Suite C-3.

The important part of all this is to engage our giving community in participating in a very worthy cause while having a little fun.

Roland C. DuBay, Th.D.
Executive Director, Institutional Advancement
Alamo Community College District & Foundation

Serena Monita Fundraiser

BBQ Plate Fundraiser--$5
For Serena Monita
Senior Secretary, PAC Kinesiology & Health
Hosted by Family and Friends

Saturday, Nov. 8
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pan American Club House
2300 Avenue B