SEPTEMBER 2017 • ISSUE 17 • VOLUME 1
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR An unprecedented start to the fall 2017 semester to say the least. In my tenure as Director of TALH, our opening week activities reflected the normal activities of check-in, move-in, student convocation activities, meetings and time to welcome our new students to Lamar University and TALH. As we soon discovered, the beginning of fall 2017 was anything as planned. Hurricane Harvey caused much devastation to our region with catastrophic flooding leaving many without homes, cars, and personal items. The loss of electricity for many and the citywide water outage also presented a tremendous hurdle for local officials, first responders and all others associated with efforts to restore our community to an operational status. As we proceed with the fall semester, we begin to find a sense of normalcy in our daily routines and schedules. Students have met their professors face to face and are now beginning assignments and preparing for their first essays and tests. The TALH community is grateful that all of our students and staff were safe during the storm and were able to return to Lamar University. We would like to highlight several students from our senior class honored with recognition to the President’ s and Dean’ s List for the spring 2017 semester. Those students who earned a 4.00 GPA for the spring 2017 semester and listed on the President’ s List were Liz Kufour, Darreyl Landry, Sachi Kulkarni, Lauren Ocnaschek, Matthew Ratley, Shreya Vakil, and Suraj Vodnala. Students listed on the Dean’ s List with a GPA of 3.50 were Eric Chipimarquez, Mariah Harris, Isaac Wieland and Wenzel Ilustre. Congratulations on your academic prowess. Over the summer, senior Liz Kufour participated in the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business in the Chelsea Bunn McCombs High School Summer Program. Senior, Suraj Vodnala participated in undergraduate research at the University of Texas at Dallas in the Welch Summer Scholar Program. Suraj researched Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and as President of our STEM club, presented his research experience to his peers at our first STEM club meeting. Austen Cockerham, Darreyl Landry, Brittney McMillen and Lauren Ocnaschek served as camp counselors for our second annual HumanitiesScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (H/STEM) summer camp for rising 9th and 10th grade students. These students helped facilitate learning activities for high school campers culminating with a visit to NASA in Houston. As this semester begins, our students will embark on community service efforts here at Lamar University and throughout our greater community. In the fall, students are required to serve at least 20 hours of volunteerism at various service organizations. Some Other Place, The Garth House, the Southeast Texas Food Bank, The Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Baptist Hospital, the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, Gladys City Spindletop, and Charlton-Pollard Elementary are several service organizations in which we volunteer. At our annual service fair, students hear from representatives from these organizations so students can decide which service organization they prefer to serve. At the service fair, the TALH received a trophy from the Southeast Texas Food Bank for most volunteered hours for a student group totaling 271 .5 hours. Seniors, Liz Kufour and Jazmine Obregon were instrumental in this great honor. We want to thank our student government leaders, Brittney McMillian, President and Isaac Wieland, Vice President for their leadership at orientation. Although, due to the storm we did not get the opportunity to complete all tasks that were planned, the welcoming party gave students a chance to get to know one another in a fun and relaxed environment. Our captains (student leaders) for the 2017-18 academic years are Austen Cockerham, Mariah Harris, Holly Holloman, Shachi Kulkarni, Zoe Lovett, Suraj Vodnala, Isaac Wieland, and Jack Wilkins. We expect great leadership and guidance from each. It is my hope for each student that the semester is rewarding with new academic challenge and the opportunity to learn and apply new knowledge. I hope that all of you take advantage of the educational opportunities that Lamar University offers through its various programs and further your growth as a student. Juniors, this experience will be different from your traditional high school as many of you have already commented on the need to balance the rigor of course material, time management skills, responsible freedom with social and personal time. Remember these key words, balance, manage, and responsible. If you utilize these three areas with dedicated time to sound study skills your chances for successful outcomes are far greater. Seniors, this is an important time for you as well. Focus on this semester as being one of your strongest as you pursue college admittance and scholarship. Remember, hard work pays off! Courage is required for all other human virtues to blossom. Be courageous in all that you do.
PAGE 3 Services to Ensure a Successful School Year 1. STARS Tutoring Center: STAR Services provides educational resources to assist students in reaching their academic, personal, and professional goals. The LU Tutoring Center offers FREE individual and small group tutoring for Lamar University undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students. Tutoring is available by weekly appointment or during walk-in hours. For More Information: (409) 880-7201 or email starstutoring@lamar.edu 2. Office of Undergraduate Research: Research allows you to pursue your interests, to gain new knowledge, and to challenge yourself. If you are looking for an existing research opportunity, thinking about designing a research project of your own, or just wondering whether or not research is for you, the Office of Undergraduate Research is a good place to start. For More Information: (409) 880-8430 or email our@lamar.edu 3. Office of Study Abroad: Study Abroad is a life-changing experience that will have an indelible impact on your future. Study abroad students engage with their academic pursuits in ways that are not possible in the traditional classroom setting. For More Information: 409-880-7013 or email bcrossley@lamar.edu
Isaac Wieland (left), Analia Mendoza (middle), Eric Chipimarquez (right) Students Selected as National Hispanic Scholars Lamar University’ s Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (TALH) students Analia Mendoza, Eric Chipimarquez, and Isaac Wieland have been selected as National Hispanic Scholars. The College Board’ s National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) recognizes approximately 5,000 of the highest scoring students from a nationwide total of 250,000 high school Hispanic/Latino juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT. “A special recognition to Eric Chipimarquez, Analia Mendoza and Isaac Wieland to their eligibility as National Hispanic Scholars," said Ted Stuberfield, TALH director. “These students scored in the top 2.5% among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT takers in our region. Congratulations on your academic achievement.” The NHRP is an academic honor that identifies academically well-prepared Hispanic high school students and highlights their outstanding educational achievements to subscribing colleges and universities.
PAGE 5 Students Received Commended National Merit The Academy is pleased to announce that Lauren Ocnaschek and Matthew Ratley have been name Commended Students in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by Dr. Stuberfield to these scholastically talented seniors. "From approximately 1 .5 million program entrants, Lauren Ocnaschek and Matthew Ratley are among 50,000 highest-scoring participants on the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)," said Ted Lauren Ocnaschek (left) and Matthew Ratley (right) Stuberfield, TALH director. "Congratulations on your high performance and outstanding academic potential." About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Weekend Travel Thank you parents for submitting your weekend travel passes! We appreciate your help in keeping your children safe. Please remember that passes are due by Wednesday at 4:00 PM. We count on you to submit travel requests by the deadline so that we have enough time to keep our security staff informed. If your plans change during the weekend, please remember that the TALH Security Office number is 409-880-8482.
PAGE 7 Preview Day - October 14th This event will provide an excellent opportunity for students considering the tuition free early college program, and to ask questions about the learning opportunities available. “Preview Day is always an exciting time for potential students to experience the learning community of The Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (TALH) on the grounds of our university,” Director, Dr. Ted Stuberfield said. Presented Information: Academics Social life at TALH Campus living & Security Financial aid Register today at www.lamar.edu/texasacademy #Move2TALH Students get settled into their rooms and parents take one last picture before leaving.
Meet the Staff Dr. Ted Stuberfield-Director Upcoming Events Contact: ted.stuberfield@lamar.edu (409) 839-2995 Scott Stevenson-Assistant Director Contact: scott.stevenson@lamar.edu (409) 839-2990 Cindy Colichia-Administrative Coordinator Contact: cindy.colichia@lamar.edu (409) 880-2377 Karen Corwin-Counselor Contact: karen.westgate@lamar.edu (409) 839-2992 Bruce Hodge-Student Services Coordinator Contact: bruce.hodge@lamar.edu (409) 839-2993 Jiselle Wilson-Marketing & Recruitment Coordinator Newsletter Editor Contact: jiselle.wilson@lamar.edu (409) 880-7104 October 10 Art History Lecture with Rex Koontz Dishman Art Museum at 6:00 PM October 18 REDtalks: Speak to Engage Library RM 702 at 2:00 PM REDtalks: Gaining Global Competence Library RM 702 at 2:00 PM Distinguished Faculty Lecture featuring Dr. Sara Hillin University Theatre at 6:00 PM October 14 TALH Preview Day Library 8th Floor at 9:00 AM October 03 October 03 October 26 REDtalks: Breaking Down Barriers Library RM 702 at 2:00 PM "Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning. Courage is, rightly esteemed, the first of human qualities, because…it is the quality that guarantees all others." -Sir Winston Churchill
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