Mayor declares Accelerate Texas Week in Uvalde

Uvalde city mayor Don McLaughlin signed a proclamation declaring the week of Nov. 9-15 as Accelerate Texas Week, during their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday.

McLaughlin read the proclamation in front of city council and members of the community in attendance.

Dean of Workforce Education Romelia Aranda, program coordinator Oscar Garcia and SWTJC President, Dr. Hector Gonzales were on hand to accept the proclamation.

Photo: Uvalde Mayor Don Mclaughlin, SWTJC President Dr. Hector Gonzales, Dean of Workforce Education Romelia Aranda and Adult Basic Education Program Coordinator Oscar Garcia (left to right) pose for a picture during last week's city council meeting. 

Southwest Texas Junior College is one of 21 community colleges and college districts across the state celebrating Accelerate Texas Week on Nov. 9-15.

Artists receive awards for face painting skills at Dia de Los Muertos event

Winners in the sugar skull face painting contest held Oct. 28 (Tues.) in Uvalde were Laura Zavala, first; Jose Gomez, second; and Amanda Olivarez, third. PHOTOS

(Photo: Laura Zavala (right) and model Karla Guerrero (left) earned first place at sugar skull face painting contest)

Prizes of $50, $25 and $20 were awarded to the top artists in the contest held in conjunction with the "Dia de los Muertos" celebration. A total of 11 participants entered the contest.

The event was sponsored by the SWTJC Uvalde Catholic Club.

Hill College, SHSU take rodeo team honors

SWTJC bullrider Chance Lopez rides bull during the 52nd Annual rodeo

Hill College took the men’s team title, while Sam Houston State University won the women’s division in the 52nd Annual SWTJC College Rodeo held Oct. 2-4 in Uvalde.


No SWTJC athletes finished in the top ten in individual events. Though disappointed by his team’s performance, SWTJC rodeo coach Roy Angermiller was pleased with the overall results of this year’s event.


“I wish our athletes would have had a little more luck,” Angermiller said, “we had an off night but I’m sure we’ll bounce back and compete hard next week.”


Angermiller also thanked sponsors of this year’s event. “The Uvalde and area business community were once again outstanding in supporting our annual rodeo,” Angermiller said. “I just can’t thank them enough for their generous support.”


SWTJC rodeo team members will compete this weekend (Oct. 9-11), in Mt. Pleasant at the Northeast Texas Community College Rodeo.

Palomino Fest donates $25,000 to SWTJC scholarship fund

The Southwest Texas Junior College scholarship fund is $25,000 richer following the most successful Palomino Fest Labor Day Weekend Celebration in history.

Johnny and Jorge Arreola of Los Palominos presented a $25,000 check to SWTJC President Dr. Hector Gonzales on Sept. 25.

“Los Palominos are very pleased to make this contribution to the college scholarship fund,” Arreola said. “We thank our sponsors, volunteers, and the college staff for working hand-in-hand to make this year’s event the best Palomino Fest to date.”

Arreola said the event continues to grow every year largely due to the support of the community. “The county of Uvalde has been one of the festival’s biggest supporters, and we are very thankful for all that they’ve done for this event,” Arreola said. “We’ve been doing this for eighteen years now and I hope we can continue for many years to come.”

Law enforcement academy partners with Continental Tire

(l-r): Robert Armstrong, J.J. Suarez, Dr. Hector Gonzales, Christian Brielmaier, 
Johnny Guzman, Dr. Mark Underwood

The Middle Rio Grande Law Enforcement Academy at Southwest Texas Junior College has entered into an agreement with Continental Tire to make use of their 5000-acre Uvalde Proving Grounds facility, which is located approximately seven miles south of Uvalde on Batesville Road (FM 117).

According to Law Enforcement Academy Coordinator, Robert Armstrong the Uvalde academy will be the only class to use the Uvalde Proving Grounds in the fall, however he expects the Eagle Pass academy to train at the proving grounds along with the Uvalde class in the spring.

“We are excited to partner up with SWTJC and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the law enforcement academy,” said Christian Brielmaier, Uvalde Proving Grounds Test Engineer.

Cadets are scheduled to train on Nov. 15, 16, and Nov. 22-24. They will be learning and performing different maneuvers as part of the Professional Police Driving course.

Rodeo team kicks off season in Carthage, TX

Members of the Southwest Texas Junior College rodeo team includes (front row, left to right) Kathrine Whitaker, Rozlyn Reeves, (second row) Chance Lopez, Joe Reeves, Dalton Brown, Wyatt Duncan, (third row) Courtney Myers, Crystal Wetz, Shelbi Haynes, Suade Furr, (back) Cameron Loveday, Kody Tredway, Cody Hines, Dextar Udall, Luis Santos III and Sterling Furr.

The Southwest Texas Junior College rodeo team will kick-off the 2014-2015 rodeo season by competing at the first Southern region rodeo in Carthage, TX hosted by Panola College on Sept. 26-27.



SWTJC will host the second National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeo of the season on Oct. 2-4 at the Uvalde County Fair Plex Rodeo Arena. Evening performances will start at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.



Over 350 collegiate athletes, representing some 15 colleges and universities in the Southern Region are expected to compete in Uvalde. Nationally renowned rodeo stock contractor Terry Walls will once again provide stock for this year's event.



Palomino Fest draws record crowd in Uvalde

Organizers say upwards of 20,000 people attended the 2014 Palomino Fest Labor Day Weekend Celebration held Aug. 28 – Aug 31 at the Uvalde County Fairplex.

"Our final number stands at approximately 20,000, which is an increase for last year's attendance," festival coordinator Wade Carpenter said. "This was our 18th annual event and it keeps getting bigger every year."

Carpenter expressed his gratitude to all the volunteers who helped with this year's festival. "Our volunteers are a major reason for the success we have had through out the years," Carpenter said. "I especially want to thank all the volunteers from SWTJC who put in long, hot hours at this year's event."

History professors retire after a combined 96 years of service

Barbara Blair                   Harry Lawrence, Jr.

Southwest Texas Junior College says goodbye to professors of history, Harry Lawrence, Jr. and Barbara Blair, who retired this summer.

Lawrence retired in May, ending a 53-year career at SWTJC, while Blair continued through the summer, giving SWTJC 43 years of service.

Blair, a Carrizo Springs native, earned her Associates of Arts from SWTJC in 1967 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in history from Southwest Texas State University.

She began her career at SWTJC in 1970, and in 1976 she became the advisor of Eta Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, where she remained until her retirement.

“That’s what I’ve enjoyed so much, working with the honor students at SWTJC,” Blair said. “It has never been boring, it has always been a challenge.”

Blair has been highly involved with Phi Theta Kappa for over 30 years, winning numerous awards, but none more distinguished than the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Service to the Texas Region, which she was awarded earlier this year.

Enrollment continues to climb for fall semester

A total of 4,265 students have enrolled for fall 2014 classes going into the last few days of registration.

According to SWTJC Registrar Luis Fernandez, the last day to register for classes will be Wednesday, Aug. 20, with late registration scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Aug. 21-22.

“We expect our counselors to be busy these last few days as registration winds down,” Fernandez said.

The deadline for first time students to apply for admission is Wednesday, Aug. 20. “Unless a new student has already completed a financial aid application or can show means of payment, any applications after Aug. 20 will not be considered until the spring 2015 semester,” Fernandez said.

FAN scholarships total $18,000 to graduating seniors across the area

The Friends and Alumni Network (FAN) at Southwest Texas Junior College has announced the awarding of $18,000 in scholarships to 25 recent high school graduates from across the region.



Individual scholarships for the 2014-15 school year were awarded to students from CC Winn, Crystal City, D'Hanis, Del Rio, Nueces Canyon, Pleasanton, Sabinal, Shoemaker, Utopia and Uvalde high schools.



“We are extremely pleased to be able to help these deserving students as they pursue their higher education at SWTJC,” said FAN treasurer Wade Carpenter.


Class of 2014 Uvalde High School recipients of $1,000 FAN scholarships include Cristian Perez, Diego Ruiz and Illiana Silva.



Area recipients of $1,000 FAN scholarships include Neuces Canyon High School graduate Danielle Irwin, Daniel Dickson of D'Hanis High School and Sabinal High School graduates Katherine Alejandro and Korlee Allen.



Also receiving $1,000 scholarships were Utopia High School graduates Tyler Cox and Maria Selene Vega Muñoz.



FAN scholarships were also awarded to graduates of Del Rio High School, with Selena Torres and Daniela Velazco each receiving a $1,000 scholarship.



Crystal City High School 2014 graduates Roel Mata, David Puente, Sarah Sanchez and Rocio Santos each received $1,000 scholarships.



Class of 2014 graduates Brayden Bauer of Pleasanton High School and Lorenzo Fraga of Shoemaker High School received a $1,000 scholarship.



CC Winn recipient of a $1,000 FAN scholarship was Karla Garcia.

Law enforcement academy recognizes spring 2014 graduates

(Bottom row L-R) Jonathan Saldana, Izanel De La Cruz, Gilberto Ibarra, Jose Pargas Sr., Daniel Harris, Victoria Lopez, Jesse D. Casillas, Yaneth Rivera, Johnny Hernandez. (Second Row L-R) Coordinator Mike Leavene, Academy Secretary Teresa H. Zamarripa, Rodolfo Ramirez, Leonardo Sada, Roberto Gutierrez, Jose Armando Reyes, Jesus Vasquez, Jesus Alejandro, Jeremy Ruiz, Richard C. Moore, Romaldo Ramirez, academy instructor Kara A. Lands. (Top Row L-R) Jose Gomez, Carlos Espinoza, Beco Diaz, Daniel Villarreal, Antonio Rios, Reyes Leal, Albert Salazar,
David Castillo, Francisco Balvantin Jr.

A total of 27 cadets received certificates of completion during spring graduation ceremonies for the Middle Rio Grande Law Enforcement Academy at SWTJC.

The ceremonies were held Friday, May 30, in the Matthew’s Student Center Ballroom on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

Alpha Class graduates include Jesus R. Alejandro, Francisco Balvantin, Jr., Jesse D. Casillas, David Castillo, III, Izanel De La Cruz, and Beco M. Diaz, Carlos M. Espinoza, Jose M. Gomez, Roberto R. Gutierrez, Jr., Daniel O. Harris, Juan J. Hernandez, Gilberto F. Ibarra, Reyes Leal, III, Victoria Ann Lopez and Richard C. Moore.

Non-traditional student overcomes slew of obstacles to earn degree

Imagine coming to this country from Mexico with a 4-year-old child, no education and unable to speak a lick of English. Throw in the emotional distress of having recently separated from your spouse of 12 years and you get some sense of what Maria del Rosario Torres faced when she arrived in the U.S. over two decades ago.

In 1993, after her 12-year marriage ended, Torres made the difficult choice of uprooting herself and young daughter Celia Guadalupe Aboytia, from her hometown of Navojoa, Sonora, MX, to make the long journey to the United States.

“I went to Perry, Florida to live with my sister because I felt I needed to lean on family while going through such a rough time in my life,” Torres said. “My time there was short, a little over a month to be exact. I never felt comfortable there, so I decided to move to Dilley to live with my other sister.”

UTSA to feature artwork of SWTJC instructor Abel Ortiz

SWTJC art instructor Abel Ortiz is one of 52 artists selected to exhibit a work of art in UTSA's juried exhibition, "New Art/Arte Nuevo: San Antonio 2014". The exhibition runs from June 4 through June 25 in the Arts Building Gallery on the UTSA Main Campus. 

Ortiz's piece "Alas" was selected from a total of 293 works submitted by 78 artists who live, work or have roots in South and West Texas.

"I am always proud to represent SWTJC with my art, I always tell people where I work because I want them to know that even though we are geographically isolated out here in Uvalde, there are people with an appreciation for the fine arts," Ortiz said.   

Ortiz earned his Masters of Arts in 2001 and Master of Fine Arts in 2002 both from the University of Iowa, and has been teaching at SWTJC since 2003.

Large crowd attends 2014 commencement

A total of 329 graduates participated in the 67th Annual Southwest Texas Junior College Commencement Ceremony held May 10 before a standing-room-only crowd at the Uvalde Honey Bowl Stadium.

Taking part in the ceremony were December 2013 graduates, May 2014 graduates and August 2014 candidates for graduation.

“It could have been cooler, but considering we had a storm come through the day before, sunny and warm was perfect weather for a commencement ceremony,” said SWTJC Registrar, Luis Fernandez. “This years commencement ceremony ran smoothly and all due to our staff’s hard work. It was a great day.”

A total of 743 graduates were listed in this year’s commencement program, with 406 receiving the associate of arts degree in general studies and 24 awarded the associate of science degree. An additional 79 students earned the associate of applied science degree and 244 students received basic certificates and certificates of completion.

Rozlyn Reeves is Southern Region barrels champion

(l-r) Catherine Asmussen, Colton Nelson, Morgann McDonald, Wesley Troyer and Rozlyn Reeves

Rozlyn Reeves is the 2013-14 Southern Region barrels champion and will represent Southwest Texas Junior College at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) on June 15-21 in Casper, WY.


Reeves finished third in the women’s all-around for the Southern Region and ranks 15th in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association national standings with a total of 749 points over 10 rodeos.



Morgann McDonald, last year’s barrels champion, finished second and Catherine Asmussen finished 14th in barrels; both will also be representing SWTJC at the CNFR in June.



In the men's team, Wesley Troyer finished second in the team roping header division and Colton Nelson finished second in the team roping heeler division. Both will also travel to Casper, WY to represent SWTJC at the CNFR.



SWTJC commencement scheduled this Saturday

Click to enlarge

Weather permitting, Southwest Texas Junior College will hold its 67th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Uvalde Honey Bowl.

Derek Sandoval, associate vice president for the SWTJC Del Rio campus, will be master of ceremonies at this year’s event.

SWTJC Uvalde student Julia Quiroga, secretary of the Catholic Club will deliver the invocation. SWTJC student ambassador, Ruth Alcantar, will lead the singing of The National Anthem.

Hector Gonzales, Ph.D., SWTJC president, will introduce college trustees and honored guests, and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Mark E. Underwood, Ph.D., will introduce the keynote speaker.

SWTJC Honor Society, Blair Rake in Awards at convention in Florida

Phi Theta Kappa advisor Barbara Blair was honored with the 2014 Continued Excellence Award for Advisors, presented by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society during the annual convention in Orlando, Florida, on April 24-27.

The Continued Excellence Award for Advisors recognizes advisors who have served at least four years and have previously won a Distinguished Advisor Award.

“I am honored to have been awarded such an illustrious award, however there is nothing more rewarding than working with all the past and present members of the Eta Beta Chapter,” Blair said.

Blair will be retiring from teaching at SWTJC this summer after 44 years of service.

SWTJC partners with chamber of commerce and US Rep. Pete Gallego for job fair

Southwest Texas Junior College partnered with the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce and the office of Congressman Pete Gallego to host a job fair on April 29 in the MSC Ballroom.

Representatives from 35 federal and state agencies along with local businesses were on hand providing information for job seekers from Uvalde and the surrounding areas.

“It went amazingly well, and we were very happy with such a large turn out of local residents and students,” said Matthew Hall, Gallego Field Representative.

Through a spokesperson, Congressman Pete Gallego thanked SWTJC President, Dr. Hector Gonzales and Olivia Rish, Executive Director of the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce for their assistance in making this a successful event.

SWTJC Cosmetology students advance to national competition

SWTJC Cosmetology students, Selina Tovar and Erika Saldivar were awarded a gold medal at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Championship in San Antonio, which was held on March 20-22 and will compete in the SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, this summer.

PHOTO ID (l-r) Selina Tovar, Yantia De Leon, Otsie Nolasco, Michael Moomaw, Ursula De La O, Erika Saldivar.

Four other SWTJC Cosmetology students also competed in the state championships including Yantia De Leon, Otsie Nolasco, Michael Moomaw and Ursula De La O.


Tovar won a gold medal in Cosmetology, which includes a long hair updo, two female haircuts and finished style, one male haircut, written cosmetology information and an oral presentation on customer service.


Del Rio High School team places first place in criminal justice competition

The 9th Annual SWTJC Criminal Justice Competition was held Friday, April 11, on the Uvalde campus.



Del Rio High School took top honors in the team competition, which included a total of 21 teams from across south and southwest Texas.

Southwest Post 3055 earned second place and SAISD Post 8034 placed third.

SWTJC Student awarded the 2014 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

Uvalde, Texas – George Melchor, a student at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, is one of 85 students to receive a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students in the country. The Foundation provides as much as $30,000 a year for up to three years to the nation’s best low-income community college students seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university.

“The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has answered all my hopes and prayers and I can finally look forward to my future education without worrying about paying for tuition,” said Melchor.

Gala raises approximately $28,000 for scholarships to SWTJC

Over 300 attended the 2014 Friends and Alumni Network Gala on April 5 at the Uvalde County Fairplex Events Center. PHOTO GALLERY

"We were able to raise $28,000 for our scholarship fund this year". FAN secretary/treasurer Wade Carpenter said. "On behalf of the entire FAN organization and gala committee I want to thank everyone who made this year's event such a great success."

SWTJC president Dr. Hector Gonzales welcomed everyone and delivered his state of the college address to a room full of Uvalde and area dignitaries, members of the business community, numerous SWTJC employees and members of the community.

“Our success is not possible without the support and partnerships of our businesses, school districts, universities, and communities we serve. Thank you for believing in SWTJC and thank you for believing in our students.” Gonzales said.

SWTJC Uvalde student earns Coca-Cola scholarship

George Melchor, a student at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, has been named a 2014 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholar. As a Gold scholar, Melchor receives a $1,500 scholarship and a special medallion.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the academic team by recognizing 50 gold, 50 silver and 50 bronze scholars and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola academic team program and recognizes scholars selected during recognition ceremonies held in 38 states.

PTK honors spring inductees at SWTJC Uvalde

GROUP PHOTO ID:New inductees into the Eta Beta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at SWTJC Uvalde include: (front, l-r) Ariel E. Reyes, Briana M. Lancerio, Romanita Urrabazo, Lea Nell Dungo, Ricardo V. Garcia Jr. and Jaime R. Trueba (middle) Barbara Blair, Daniela J. Gomez, Marisa A. Salazar, Lorena M. Montes, Gabriela B. Gonzalez, Kendall L. Walker, Amanda R. Navarro, Emily G. Moreno and Rachel M. Cottle (back) Aurelio Hernandez, Colton S. Parker, Roel M. Mata, Elijah R. Mata, Jason M. Arias and Martha A. Soliz.

The Eta Beta Chapter of the international honor society Phi Theta Kappa inducted 25 new members this spring at Southwest Texas Junior College during ceremonies March 6 in Uvalde.

Blair receives lifetime achievement award, PTK wins state award

Barbara Blair, Phi Theta Kappa advisor and SWTJC history instructor, was awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Texas Region" in Houston, Texas on March 1.

Blair was honored for her 38 years of service to the Eta Beta Chapter at the 2014 Texas Regional Convention. "I’m honored to have been given this award and it has been a complete joy to work with Phi Theta Kappa for all these years," Blair said.

Blair will be retiring from teaching at SWTJC this summer after 44 years of service.

Other awards won by the SWTJC Uvalde Eta Beta Chapter include: five-star chapter award; Icarus Award and the Honors in Action Award of Merit.

Howard Payne University offers scholarships to SWTJC students

Scholarship awards of up to $31,000 per year at Howard Payne University are available for SWTJC transfer students. Award applications are open to SWTJC students with a 3.40 GPA or higher. Applications should be submitted to Juanita Reed (jreed@swtjc.edu) in the SWTJC President’s office no later than March 6.

Located in Brownwood, TX, Howard Payne University is a faith-based private liberal arts institution offering Bachelor and Master’s level degrees in such fields as Art, Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Math, Education, Music, various foreign languages, Social Work, Theater, Theology, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing beginning in Fall 2014. (Click here for a full list of degree offerings at HPU.) Student life at HPU is vibrant with multiple housing options, various student activities, and thriving intramural and collegiate-level sports events. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Nursing program accepting applications for fall 2014

Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) School of Vocational Nursing in Uvalde, Del Rio and Eagle Pass is currently accepting applications for the fall 2014.  The deadline for applications is April 1, 2014.

The Vocational Nursing Program is delivered in a clinically intensive certificate program of approximately one year in length. The college accepts a total of 90 students (30 in Uvalde; 30 in Del Rio; and 30 in Eagle Pass) every year.  The Texas Board of Nursing, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approve the program.

Registration underway for Spring Mini-mester courses

Registration is under way for SWTJC's Spring Mini-mester classes.

The mini-mester classes begin March 17 with eight-week courses available online and on campus in Uvalde, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Crystal City.

Classes available include english, biology, nutrition, child development, computer science and humanities.

SWTJC is also offering a three-week May-mester, which begins on May 14 and ends May 29.

May-mester classes include developmental education, english, psychology and more.

Registration for May-mester courses begin April 1. For a detailed class schedule click here.

College day attracts big crowd

Approximately 400 high school seniors from fifteen high schools attended the spring college day at SWTJC Uvalde on Tuesday, Feb. 18. PHOTOS

The students were taken on a tour of the campus and later attended breakout sessions on admissions, financial aid and student support services throughout the morning.

"It was a good turnout and I want to thank all the faculty and staff for all their work in putting together another great college day," said SWTJC outreach coordinator Damacio Sanchez.

Cowboys defeat OLLU in OT

The SWTJC Cowboys downed Our Lady of the Lake University, 84-80 in overtime. Andre Thomas led the Cowboys with 19 points. Other top scorers were Rudy Ortiz with 14 points and Mychal Sanchez with 13 points.

Next up for the Cowboys is a trip to Big Springs where they will face the School for the Deaf on Sat., Feb.15.

In women's basketball, the Cowgirls will be on the road for their next two games, first stop is Howard College on Feb. 14 and the School for the Deaf on Feb. 15. 

The Cowboys and Cowgirls will return to home action when they host Northwest Vista College with a 6 p.m. tip for the women and the men playing immediately after on Wed., Feb. 19 at La Forge Hall Gym.

Knippa ISD partners with SWTJC for Early College High School

Knippa Independent School District superintendent Jeff Cottrill and Southwest Texas Junior College President Dr. Hector Gonzales met in the SWTJC Matthews Student Center Ballroom Wednesday morning. After a brief statement by each leader, they signed a memorandum of understanding instituting an early-college high school: Knippa Collegiate Early College High School. 

Gonzales, who opened the meeting by noting that “today is the first day of a great partnership,” explained that this agreement will allow students to graduate from high school with an associate’s degree. 

The Knippa Collegiate Early College High School (KCECHS) represents robust integration between Knippa ISD and the SWTJC dual credit articulation program. It includes the cooperation of course designers, teachers and instructors, and program evaluators. As a result, students who graduate from KCECHS also graduate with an associate’s degree from SWTJC. This initiative gives high school students early access to college. Increased income opportunities, a benefit of degree attainment, are also available to KCECHS students. 

A study emphasizing the highest net benefits for students who first earn an associate’s degree at a community college before earning a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution was recently published by Columbia University’s Community College Research Center. Graduates from KCECHS are ideally positioned to achieve these net benefits. “Core” college credits earned from SWTJC can be transferred and applied toward a bachelor’s degree program at any public Texas institute of higher education. Further, KCECHS students are eligible to participate in SWTJC’s many 2x2 transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities. 

“We are looking forward to enhancing education in our area,” Gonzales said. 

Cottrill echoed Gonzales’ enthusiasm: “this agreement is setting our students up for that much more success.” In offering both a high school diploma and associate’s degree, KCECHS is held to the standards of the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and SWTJC’s regional accreditor: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Commission on Colleges. 

Early college courses will begin at KCECHS in fall of 2014.

Highlighting the cooperating parties from both Knippa ISD and SWTJC, Cottrill expressed his appreciation for all parties involved in the KCECHS initiative. 

“This is a great program that required thinking ‘outside the box’ – we are excited to see it become a reality.”

Student Life Department sponsors essay contest for Black History Month

The SWTJC Student Life Department is sponsoring a Black History Month Essay Competition.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners.

The competition is open to all currently enrolled SWTJC students.

All essays must be printed and submitted to Jessica Nunez-Gonzalez located in the Mathews Student Center.

Entries should be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 24. Click on the link below for official rules.

Essay Competition Rules

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month

Southwest Texas Junior College financial aid staff members have been diligently working on providing financial aid information to area high school seniors and their families since mid-January and have a full schedule of visits planned in the month of February.

“Every year our advisors are very active in providing valuable information to area seniors and their families by going into their communities and meeting with them, “ said Financial Aid Director, Yvette Hernandez. “We work with area high schools to schedule times convenient for families so we can better explain the process of financial aid and the importance of completing a FAFSA.”

According to Hernandez, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important tool for anyone considering enrolling in college classes.

The Financial Aid staff encourages families to be prepared when coming to a FAFSA Lab Night by having these items needed by students to complete the 2014-15 FAFSA are: Student’s Driver’s license and Social Security Card; Parent’s Social Security number and dates of birth; W-2 forms and other records of money earned in 2013; 2013 US Income Tax Return (IRS Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ or 1040TEL); Records of untaxed income such as welfare, Social Security or Veteran’s benefits.

SWTJC Financial Aid staff members will be visiting high schools in Pearsall, Del Rio, Hondo, Dilley, Crystal City, Sabinal, Bracketville, Eagle Pass and Uvalde.

Click on the link below to view a complete schedule of the upcoming FAFSA nights.
FAFSA Nights schedule

SWTJC president’s, dean’s list announced for fall 2013 semester

Southwest Texas Junior College President Dr. Hector Gonzales, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Dr. Cheryl Sanchez, and Dean of the College of Applied Sciences Juan Guzman have recognized 262 students for academic excellence during the 2013 fall semester.

Full-time students, those enrolled in 12 or more hours, are eligible for academic honors. The President’s List recognizes those full-time students who maintained a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) throughout the semester. The Dean’s List recognizes those students who maintained at least a 3.6 GPA throughout the semester. A total of 120 students earned a spot on the President’s List and 142 students earned a spot on the Dean’s List.


"I commend the hard work of each of these students," President Gonzales said. "It is a pleasure to honor their dedication to excellence."

Click on the links below to the complete lists. PRESIDENT'S LIST DEAN'S LIST

Spring enrollment is 5,133

Official enrollment for the spring 2014 semester is 5,133, according to registrar Luis Fernandez.

“This spring’s enrollment represents a 8% decrease from a year ago, but considering our early projections of a 16% decrease; we consider this a small victory” Fernandez said.

Enrollment at the college’s main sites show Crystal City with 170, Del Rio with 831, Eagle Pass with 1,345 and Uvalde with 1,076.

Entries being sought for annual SWTJC Creative Arts Contest

by Armando Quiroz, III

Plans are underway and entry deadlines have been announced for the 33rd Annual Southwest Texas Junior College Creative Arts Contest.

Literary entries should be submitted no later than Feb. 27, while Mar. 6 is the deadline for visual arts entries. DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

Cash prizes, trophies and medals will be awarded in the annual event, which attracts thousands of art, photography and writing entries from across the region.

Trophies and medals will be awarded to first through fourth place in all age groups and categories. Judges will also select an overall literary and visual arts winner in each age group. Cash prizes of $20 will be presented to overall winners.

Age divisions will be the same as last year and will include: Pre-K and Kindergarten, grades 1-2, grades 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-10, grades 11-12, college, community and seasoned (age 60 and over).

The SWTJC Humanities and Fine Arts Division and the SWTJC Public Information Office coordinate the annual event.

“The college has a strong commitment to supporting and promoting the creative arts and we look forward to another year of outstanding entries,” SWTJC Humanities and Fine Arts Division Chair Terri Tucker said.

Contest coordinators encourage all area English and language arts teachers in public and private schools, as well as home school teachers, to encourage their students to enter the contest.

“We know the demands on teachers are enormous, but this doesn’t have to be work written specifically for the contest,” Tucker said. “I encourage teachers to get their top writers to submit entries from their best efforts during the school year, even if they were turned in last fall.”

In the literary portion of the contest, categories include: poetry and short story (open to all age groups), and essay (open to grades seven and up). The length of short story entries is 2,000 words.

Visual art categories, for all age groups, include: charcoal, drawing with color, painting, pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard and computer-generated graphics. Photography and video production are also included in the contest for grades seven and up.

A mixed media category is also included in visual arts for college, community and seasoned divisions.

All entries should be submitted to the SWTJC Public Information Office. Applications/entry forms will be available at all SWTJC main offices and libraries.

Entrants may also download entry applications and contest rules by visiting the college’s web site. Go to www.swtjc.edu and look for the Creative Arts Contest link.

Contestants may also request entry forms by e-mailing Ismael Martinez at imartinez@swtjc.edu or by calling 830-591-2942.

All winning entries in the contest will be recognized and presented trophies/medals during the SWTJC Creative Arts Awards’ Ceremony on April 24, 2014, in Uvalde.

Winning entries will also be included in the 2014 edition of The Palm’s Leaf magazine. Copies of the 2013 Palm’s Leaf will be on sale for the first time at this year’s awards ceremony.

All visual arts entries in the contest will also be displayed in the Matthew’s Student Center Ballroom from April 21 through the night of the awards program on April 25.

Angelo State University offers scholarships to SWTJC students

(l-r) SWTJC President Dr. Hector Gonzales, ASU President Brian J. May

A recent transfer partnership between Southwest Texas Junior College and Angelo State University (ASU) yields big returns for SWTJC students hoping to transfer to a four-year institution. 

Six (6) Carr Presidential Transfer Scholarships, each in the amount of $10,000 (two year/$5,000 per academic year), are available to SWTJC students applying as transfer students to ASU. These students will be nominated by SWTJC President Gonzales from a list of qualified candidates. Two students will be chosen from the Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Uvalde campuses.

In addition to receiving scholarship funds, nominated students will also benefit from a waiver of their application fees to ASU. 

Interested students should complete the application form and submit a hard copy to the main office of their campus, or an electronic copy via email to jreed@swtjc.edu, by February 7, 2014.

Spring registration extended until Jan. 17

Officials at Southwest Texas Junior College have extended the deadline to register for 2014 spring semester classes to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17.

SWTJC Registrar, Luis Fernandez said, “we empathize with those students whom want to register, but are having trouble getting their affairs in order. We want to make sure students have ample opportunity to register for spring classes.”

“We also encourage students whom might be reluctant to register because of not having a method of paying for tuition, to come in and visit with our financial aid office.” Fernandez added.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of this final opportunity to complete the enrollment process.

Classes begin Monday, Jan. 13; a change of schedule period will continue through Friday, Jan. 17.

For more information about spring classes and the enrollment process, contact the SWTJC admissions office at 830.591.7255 in Uvalde, 830.758.4100 in Eagle Pass or 830.775.1612 in Del Rio.

Gonzales looks to SWTJC’s future at general faculty meeting

Dr. Hector Gonzales, president of Southwest Texas Junior College, focused on the future of SWTJC during his address to faculty and staff at the 2014 spring convocation general session on Jan. 7 at the Uvalde campus Tate Auditorium.

“Last semester saw many changes in the college’s organization,” Gonzales noted, “and those changes are largely behind us.”

A ten-year re-accreditation process by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, SWTJC’s regional accrediting body, will begin in earnest during the spring 2014 semester. While SWTJC will not submit a re-accreditation proposal until the summer of 2015, Gonzales explained that the extended time frame is necessary to create a successful proposal and stressed the importance of faculty involvement in the process.

“We’ve already begun some of the work necessary for re-accreditation,” the president said, “and will be ramping up our efforts this semester.”

Creation of a new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), developed in tandem with SWTJC’s re-accreditation proposal, was also addressed. Gonzales encouraged faculty to consider the broad impact of student services as they develop the next ten-year QEP initiative.

A review of SWTJC’s “college climate survey” is part of the President’s plan for the spring 2014 semester. The survey, conducted in 2008, asked respondents about “all aspects of the college.” Gonzales plans to use the results of the survey as a baseline to measure college improvements since 2008.

Construction-related progress and enhancements are ongoing for many SWTJC campuses. The SWTJC Del Rio campus construction is nearing completion and will be move-in ready by summer 2014. Plans for additions to Eagle Pass and Crystal City campuses are underway. Additionally, the Uvalde campus will continue to receive upgrades to buildings and services.

Finally, although enrollment numbers are down at SWTJC, Gonzales indicated that the decrease mirrors both state and national enrollment levels.

“It’s the sign of a good economy,” Gonzales explained, “When the economy is good, enrollment goes down.”

Gonzales closed on a note of optimism: “We’ve done excellent work on student success. Let’s continue to focus on that. Student success is our future.”

Extended registration hours on Jan. 6 and 7

SWTJC Registrar Luis Fernandez helps student register

SWTJC offices reopened Jan. 2 and advisor-assisted registration is back in full swing following the Christmas break.

Registration hours will be extended beyond regular business hours until 7 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 7.

“In order to facilitate our students with registration, we will have extended hours and also have staff available from the business and financial aid offices as well,” SWTJC registrar Luis Fernandez said.

According to Fernandez, SWTJC staff from the Uvalde campus will be traveling to Del Rio on Wednesday (Jan 8) to assist with registration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Thursday (Jan. 9), Uvalde staff will be in Eagle Pass to help with registration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students are also reminded to make payment or payment arrangements by end of day Jan. 10 in order to avoid being dropped from classes.

Registration will continue through Jan. 10 and the first day of spring classes is Jan. 13.