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.