MC Takes the Classroom on the Road: Northeastern United States

Travel courses offer an exciting learning laboratory full of experiences, opportunities, and connections. They are also a great way to earn extra credits. Midland College has offered several exciting national and international travel courses across several disciplines. Most travel courses are offered in the spring and summer.

MC will resume offering its government/history travel courses during the first summer session of 2012, June 4-July 11. Students can receive up to 6 hours credit by taking two government and/or history courses. The courses consist of 3 weeks of regular classroom instruction culminating in a field trip to the Northeastern U.S. (June 26-July 7).

CLICK HERE for more information.

The 12-day field trip will include stays in Boston (3 nights), New York City (3 nights), Philadelphia (1 day), and Washington, D.C. (5 nights). Instructor-led tours will include Plymouth Plantation, the Mayflower, New York City, Independence Hall, Mount Vernon and Monticello. The cost of the field trip is $1,945 (based on quadruple occupancy), which does not include tuition for the courses.

MC Math/Science Division recognizes exceptional students

By Leslie Isaacs
Media Specialist

Midland College Math/Science Division held its Scholarship and Awards Luncheon on April 24. The luncheon recognizes outstanding students in the Math and Natural Sciences Division. Scholarships are distributed, and tutors and student researchers are recognized.

This year, the Math department handed out $2,600 in scholarships, while the Science department handed out $4,750. The students receiving these scholarships have shown dedicated excellence in their chosen field of study.

Division Dean, Dr. Margaret Wade, kicked things off at the luncheon by speaking about the students in the Math/Science Division and their talents.

Seventeen students were awarded scholarships; six tutors/researchers were acknowledged for their hard work; and one Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Student was recognized. Scholarship amounts varied.

The scholarships that were represented at the luncheon were the Wolfe Scholarship, Bartha Pre-PA Scholarship, Math Excellence Scholarship, Math Mentoring Scholarship, Math Division Scholarships, Richardson Scholarship and the Petroleum Technology-Geology Scholarships. The Wolfe Scholarship was presented by Debbie Wolfe Grinnan and Cynthia Wolfe, who created the scholarship to pass on their parents’ legacy.

There were several faculty members on hand to present some of the scholarships and awards to the students.  A few of the faculty that presented scholarships were Dr. Ready, Dr. Valladares, Dr. Mangum and Dr. Wade.

Dr. Stan Jacobs, Associate Vice President of Instruction-Transfer, came to show his support for the students and their outstanding work.

 Dr. Wade concluded the luncheon by wishing the students well.  “We are so very proud of you all. We send you on from MC with much love and best wishes,” said Dr. Wade.

Picture from left to right are Maria Finol, Wolfe Scholarship recipient, Debbie Wolfe Grinnan and Cynthia Wolfe

Pictured from left to right are MC Associate Professor of Math Sonia Ford and April Smith, Math Division Scholarship recipient

Pictured from left to right are MC Professor of Biology Dr. Paul Mangum and Jamie Seabourn, MC student researcher.  Jamie is holding a poster depicting her research project

Pictured from left to right are Lea Bell, Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Student and MC Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Tom Ready

Pictured from left to right are MC Geology Instructor Phil Frederick and Victoria Conner, Geology Scholarship recipient

Pictured from left to right are Biology Instructor Tomás Hernandez and Glynis Barnes, general biology lab assistant

MC students making a difference

2011-2012 Midland College SIP members and grant recipients

By Rebecca Bell
Dean of Community Relations and Special Events

Never doubt that you make a difference.”  Those were the words of Vicki Jay, executive director of Rays of Hope and board member of the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust, as she delivered the keynote address during the annual Midland College Students in Philanthropy (SIP) grant awards presentation on Wednesday April 19.

SIP is in its 15th year at Midland College, and this year, the 19 students in the group raised $8,000 to award grants to local nonprofit agencies.  This represented the largest amount raised by any SIP club ever!  Abell-Hanger Foundation and Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust matched the funds with $10,000, which meant that 11 nonprofit agencies benefitted from $18,000 worth of grants.

The culmination of the event was the presentation of the David E. Daniel Award for Agency Excellence given each year to a nonprofit agency that exhibits outstanding service in providing support to the Midland community.  It is named in honor of former MC President Dr. David E. Daniel, who demonstrated tremendous dedication in making Midland a wonderful place to live.  This year’s David E. Daniel award went to Christmas in Action.  As Bobby Trimble accepted the $2,000 award on behalf of the organization, he reported that the funds would be used to purchase roofs for homes.

Pictured from left to right are Midland College SIP Vice President Kiristin Roberson, SIP President Johnathan Williams and Bobby Trimble with Christmas In Action

In a recent interview with the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Abell-Hanger Foundation SIP Program Coordinator Suzanne Thomas said, “In its 15th year, more than 1,000 grants have been give to 152 different organizations, and more than a million dollars in grants have been given back to the community.  These students have undoubtedly left a handprint in the lives of many and this community.”

REMINDER ... TONIGHT ... an evening of creative words and images at MC

 

The Midland community is cordially invited to attend a FREE evening, TONIGHT, of events celebrating the creative spirit of Midland College's students, in words and images. There is a student poetry awards presentation and reading at 5:30, and a reception for a student art show at 6:30, both in the Allison Fine Arts Building, on the MC Main Campus.

● Hilda Simmons Levitt Poetry Contest Awards Celebration and Reading

● Opening Reception for MC Spring Student Art Show

Chap Baseball Moves to Within One Game of Final Playoff Spot.

By Forrest Allen
MC Athletic Director

After taking three of four games this past weekend from the Frank Phillips College Plainsmen, the Midland College Chap baseball team has moved to within one game of fourth place Western Texas College in the WJCAC baseball standings.

The Chaps 27-20 overall and 12-12 in the WJCAC trails the WTC Westerners (13-11) by one game for the final berth in the 2012 NJCAA Region V Baseball Tournament.Both MC and WTC have two series left in the regular season. Remaining on the Chap's schedule is this weekend's four game series versus El Paso Community College in El Paso (TX) and the final series of the season at Christensen Stadium versus the New Mexico Military Institute. EPCC and NMMI are the eight and ninth placed teams in the league. Western Texas College still has series with Frank Phillips College in Borger (TX) and El Paso CC in Snyder (TX) left to play.

Against the Plainsmen Midland College played four solid contests and would likely have swept the set, except for a less than stellar beginning to the first game of the series. In game one FPC bolted out of the gate to a 4-0 advantage in the top of the 1st inning. Midland chipped away at the lead scoring one run in the third and two in the bottom of the 5th to bring the score to 4-3. The Plainsmen responded with three runs in the top of the sixth to expand their lead to 7-3 followed by Midland College's two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Final score 7-5. The following three games saw Midland College play with a renewed focus, winning by scores of 4-0, 7-5 and 11-2.

With eight games left in the regular season the Chaps must play well and only need to tie Western Texas in the final standings to secure the post-season berth. MC holds the tiebreaker over WTC by virtue of their 3-1 series win with the Westerners on the opening weekend of conference play.

Season Stats (as of 04-23-12):
dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/IndividualStats

Season Standings (as of 04-23-12):
dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Conference/

MC Student-Athletes Signing Letters of Intent

By Forrest Allen
MC Athletic Director

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 @ 2:00 p.m.
Midland College PE Building

Student-athletes signing their National Letters of Intent to attend four-year universities for next year.

Golf
Tyson Turbow (Texas Tech)
Richie Farmer (University of Central Arkansas)
Luke Richardson (University of Texas - Arlington)

Men's Basketball
Kelvin Agee (Utah Valley University)
Melvin Tabb (Kent State University)

Softball
Debra Lovell (Utah Valley University)
Diana de la Paz (Lubbock Christian University)
Genevieve "Gee" Estrada (Lubbock Christian University)
Meghan Macias (Lee University, TN)
Allie Woodward (Kansas Wesleyan University)
Gabee Losoya (Kansas Wesleyan University)
Yolanda Rios (Rogers State University, OK)

Volleyball
Addision "Addie" Zaya (Hardin-Simmons University)

REMINDER: Dr. Fareed Zakaria - foreign policy adviser, columnist and television host - to speak TONIGHT at Midland College!

The Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series at Midland College welcomes Dr. Fareed Zakaria, speaking on “The Post American World: Release 2.0” at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, at the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center.

Host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN, Editor-at-Large at TIME, and a regular columnist for The Washington Post, Fareed Zakaria is widely respected for his ability to spot economic and political trends around the world. Esquire magazine described him as “the most influential foreign policy adviser of his generation.”

His columns and cover stories -- on subjects ranging from globalization and emerging markets to the Middle East and America’s role in the world -- reach millions of readers weekly. Before joining TIME, Dr. Zakaria was editor of Newsweek International, overseeing all of the magazine’s editions abroad from 2000-2010. His weekly international news program, Fareed Zakaria GPS, airs worldwide and has become a destination for viewers seeking smart analysis and civil conversation about the big ideas and global challenges of our time.

His international bestseller, The Post-American World, is about the “rise of the rest” -- the growth of China, India, Brazil and many other countries -- and what it means for the future. “Zakaria... may have more intellectual range and insights than any other public thinker in the West,” said Boston Sunday Globe. In a fully revised and updated edition, The Post-American World: Release 2.0 (May 2011), Zakaria reviews the shifts of power he originally identified, marvels at how quickly they have occurred, and discusses the vast political and economic implications. His previous New York Times bestseller, The Future of Freedom, has been translated into 20 languages and was called “a work of tremendous originality and insight” by The Washington Post.

Born in India and educated at Yale and Harvard, Zakaria has served as an analyst for ABC News, a roundtable member on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, and host of Foreign Exchange on PBS. At age 28, he became the youngest managing editor in the history of Foreign Affairs.
One of Jon Stewart’s favorite guests on The Daily Show, Zakaria has appeared on Charlie Rose, The NewsHour and BBC World News and has written for such publications as The New Yorker and The New York Times. His numerous honors include the Overseas Press Club Award and the Deadline Club Award for Best Columnist.

Tickets are not required for general admission seating. Preferred seating is available for Midland College Friends of the Series and Distinguished Donors. For more information about these opportunities, please contact the Midland College Foundation Office at (432) 685-4526, or midlandcollegefoundation.org

Lady Chap shortstop Lovell, sets new single-season team HR record

By Forest Allen
Midland College Athletic Director

With one mighty swing history was made when Midland College Lady Chap softball player Debra Lovell broke the 10 year old record for home runs in a single season.  The record was previously held by Natasha Hill (20) in 2002.  Lovell, a sophomore infielder from Downey, CA, has been a consistently good two-year starter for Coach Tommy Ramos and the Lady Chap team.

Her command of the "hot corner" (third base) gives her lots of action during games.  In addition to her ownership of the single-season home run record, Lovell is currently in second place in the entire NJCAA in the category with 22 thus far this season.  Debra also ranks T-7th nationally in hitting percentage  and T-35th in RBIs this season.

To watch Debra Lovell on the softball field it is a study in concentration and leadership.  She rarely smiles and appears to always the next play on her mind.  Her leadership is not one of words, but of deeds which include leading the WJCAC in hitting percentage (.527), fifth in RBI (58) and 30th in fielding percentage (.949).  She is remarkably consistent in all aspects of the game and is a one of the reasons the Lady Chaps have a strong chance to win the 2012 NJCAA Region V Championship this season.

Chap Baseball splits with OC; On outside looking in for playoffs

By Forrest Allen
MC Athletic Director

The MC baseball team showed flashes of brilliance in last weekend's four game set with Odessa College. However the flashes will need to quickly turn into overall more consistent play, in order to secure a place in next month's NJCAA Region V Tournament in Lubbock, TX. The Chaparrals, 23-19 overall and 9-11 in the conference, currently sits in fifth place in the race for the post-season. Only the top four teams will advance to the regional tournament.

With a starting line-up that consists of as many as seven freshmen, Coach David Coleman has had to display patience with his upstart Chaps. However the prospect of missing out on the post-season is not what Coleman is hoping for when giving the baby Chaps a long rope.

In the series versus Odessa College the teams each split on their home field. The teams opened the series of Friday at Christensen Stadium and moved their Saturday double-header to American Legion Field in Odessa. Scores from the series were 4-5, 8-5, 7-8 and 15-3 (6 inning run rule).

The Chaps will host Frank Phillips College for four games this weekend at Christensen Stadium. Friday's double-header will start at 3:00 p.m. while the two teams will play a Saturday double-dip beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Season Standings (as of 04-17-12):
www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Conference/
 
Season Stats (as of 04-17-12):
www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team

MC Engineering class brings whole new meaning to “get all your eggs in one basket”

By Lesley Isaacs

An engineering class at Midland College (MC) has embarked on an interesting and exciting new experiment.

The Engineering 1201 class had their trial run for their “egg project” on April 5. There were five groups in the class and each group had to get 6 eggs from the ground over the ledge and into a boat at the edge of the fountain at Beal Plaza on the MC campus.

The boat waiting for the eggs is attached to the side just inside the fountain, but the trick is that they have to get all six eggs in the basket without breaking any of them! The groups were given a craft stick, balsa (wood), rubber bands, Styrofoam sheet, pins, elbow straws, string, plastic tubing and a $5 allowance at Hobby Lobby for the project. However, they were given these parts before they knew what the project was.

In the competition, each group will have to make six lifts to get six eggs into the boat. Each try will be awarded or deducted points depending on success or failure to get the egg in the basket without breaking any of the eggs. As each egg goes in the boat, it gets harder not to break any of them. For each try, one egg will be loaded on to the rig, on the top of a candlestick! This requires balance and delicacy on the group’s part to keep everything steady and balanced so they don’t lose the egg before the rig gets into motion!

The teams were given the trial runs so they could see if they needed to make any changes to the design before the final competition. The trial runs allowed the teams to get a glimpse at the other groups’ designs and the competition that awaits them. During the practice, only one team got all three eggs into the basket without breaking any of them! These groups have a lot of work to do before they can compete in the final competition. The winning group will receive a secret prize that will be announced after the event.

The competition will be held on April 19 at 1 p.m. at the fountain in Beal Plaza. Come check it out!! 

Lady Chap Softball improves to 36-14 with sweep over EPCC

By Forrest Allen
MC Athletic Director

The Lady Chap softball team successfully defended the home field with a four-game sweep against El Paso Community College last weekend at Lady Chap Field. MC 36-14 (9-7) this season defeated the Tejanas 7-1, 7-4, 8-0 (5 innings) and 6-1 to move past Clarendon College in the WJCAC standings and into a solid position for a post-season berth.

College bats exploded for 47 hits in 103 at-bats (.456) over the weekend led by the usual suspects of Diana de la Paz (7 for 10), Debra Lovell (7 for 12), Kayla Parra (5 for 11) as well as freshman outfielder Earnysha Scroggins (6 for 11) and sophomore outfielder Marlene Fields (6-15).

the Saturday's first game, MC shortstop Debra Lovell broke the team's single season home run record with her 21st of the season. Lovell collected her 22nd homer in Saturday's second game to move to 2nd place nationally in the category. The previous record was held by Natasha Hill in 2002.

Next Games: Friday, April 20th versus Clarendon College in Clarendon (TX) and Saturday, April 21 versus Frank Phillips College in Borger (TX)

Season Standings (as of 04-17-12):
www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Conference/

2012Season Stats (as of 04-17-12):
www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/

MC Students in Philanthropy to host 15th Annual Grant Awards Ceremony

The Midland College Students in Philanthropy (SIP) will host their annual Grant Awards Ceremony at noon on Wednesday, April 18, in the Carrasco Room of the Scharbauer Student Center.

This year, 19 student members raised a total of $8,000. When matched by the matching grant provided by the Abell-Hanger Foundation and the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust, funds totaling $18,000 will be invested in numerous nonprofit agencies that do so much in serving our citizens.

This spring, SIP received and reviewed grant applications and funded several organizations, such as the Christmas in Action, Bynum School, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, S.H.A.R.E., and Rays of Hope. In addition, the students identified and selected one of the recipient organizations to receive the Dr. David Daniel Award for Agency Excellence! Since its inception, the SIP members have reviewed a total of 408 grant applications, resulting in 244 grants funded, for a total of $283,591.73 in monies raised and awarded to area nonprofits!

The Midland College Students in Philanthropy Club was established in 1997 by the Abell-Hanger Foundation to provide student leaders the opportunity to improve the quality of life in their communities. In December of 2006, the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust joined the Abell-Hanger Foundation in helping to fund the SIP Club. Members learn the importance of philanthropy and the role of nonprofit organizations in the community. Through the fund development and grant-making process, students not only make needed contributions to nonprofit organizations, but also gain leadership and stewardship training through a structured program designed to educate, support and promote philanthropic leadership in the community.

For additional information, please call Julia Vickery at (432) 685-4707

'Have you heard what's coming to Your College?' ... Pt. 2

In just one week, Anderson & Roe take the stage in the Wagner & Brown Auditorium at Allison Fine Arts Building, presented by the FMH Foundation. FREE tickets for this concert are are now available. Here's a preview (linked below) of the talent, and the energy they'll be bringing to the stage. CLICK HERE for more about their concert at Midland College, and how to get your FREE tickets.

Getting Ready for Zakaria

By John Deats
Director, Fasken LRC/Library at Midland College

We have the following books by the Davidson Series lecturer, Dr. Fareed Zakaria, available in the LRC's collection. These are available for checkout:

1) The Post-American World: Release 2.0 (2011 update)
(call number: CB161 .Z34 2011)

Global Books In Print Review: Zakaria updates his best-selling earlier vision of world economics and politics, which foresaw the decline of American dominance but reassured us that with that decline came the rise of the rest of the world. Many of the earlier book's predictions having been borne out sooner than expected, Zakaria examines new threats to America's image and influence abroad that are posed by . globa. financial crisis that has hurt mostly the U.S. and Europe. He examines trends in politics, economics, and technology that have contributed to the rising of underdeveloped nations and continue to push their advancement as many move from anti-American to post-American views of the world and their places in it. Zakaria particularly attends to the promise of India and China, rising economies with huge populations and strugglin. cultural cocktails. which maintain some traditions while adapting to modernism. He contrasts government-ordered expansion in China with the messiness of Indian entrepreneurship. He parallels the current American moment and the history of Britain's rise, world dominance, and decline while America ascended, despite which Britain has remained a major power because it chose to adapt to geopolitical change rather than fight it. Zakaria sees a similar future for the U.S. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Fareed Zakaria's initial title about America's shifting influence in world politics became a blockbusting international best-seller; here he revises and expands upon that work. -- Bush, Vaness.
 Other books by Dr. Zakaria in LRC collection:


2) The Post-American World (2008 original)
(call number: CB161 .Z34 2008)

3) The Future of Freedom : Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad (2003)
(call number: JC423 .Z35 2003)

4) From Wealth to Power: The Unusual Origins of America's World Role (1998)
(call number: E661.7 .Z35 1998)

I hope several of you take advantage of these and many other of our resources on these topics.
　

Lady Chap Softball Swept by OC, Hoping for Strong Finish in WJCAC

By Forrest Allen
Midland College Athletic Director

The 2012 softball season has been a study in extremes. The team opened the season with a loss to Coastal Bend College in the first game of 2012 and followed that game with a stunning 21-game win streak which ended in a 3-2 loss to Angelina College on March 3rd. Since the loss to Angelina College the Lady Chaps have gone 11-12, including 5-7 in the WJCAC (3rd place).

Midland College currently stands eight games behind conference leader Odessa College and six games behind second place Howard College. MC is a combined 1-7 versus the Lady Wranglers and Hawks. Recent performances leave the Lady Chaparrals searching for a way to make up ground in the race for a post-season berth.

Midland College 32-14 this season and 5-7 in the WJCAC in the 2012 campaign showed improvement in the OC series as compared to their four-game set against HC. Odessa outscored Midland 34-23 in the series as compared to 36-21 versus Howard.

[Last] Thursday the Midland and Odessa played a double-header at Lady Chap field with OC winning by scores of 9-4 and 9-7. The games moved to Odessa on Friday with MC making every effort to put Thursday's games in the past. The Lady Chaps had their chances in the two games in Odessa. In both losses in Odessa, the Lady Wranglers were trailing going into the bottom of the seventh. In both games the Lady Wranglers won on homeruns to rip victory from the jaws of defeat by scores of 6-5 and 10-7.

With 12 games left in conference play, Coaches Ramos and Henry hope to instill confidence in the team, especially their pitching staff which has taken a few body blows of late. Optimism lies in the fact that Midland College is not a full strength after sustaining several injuries to key players, including the loss of freshman leftfielder Kelcey Gomez (fractured ankle) for the remainder of the regular season. Most, if not all, injured Lady Chaps (minus Gomez) should be in the line-up versus the EPCC Tejanas [this] weekend.

While pitching has been inconsistent of late, the Lady Chaps have been strong offensively and solid in the field on defense. Once the team recalibrates they will likely be a contender for the 2012 NJCAA Region V West Tournament title (May 3-5) in Lubbock, TX on the campus of Lubbock Christian University. The Lady Chaps rank No. 6 in the NJCAA in team hitting with a .395 BA.

Coach Ramos can always rely on his strong group of sophomores to right the ship. MC's Debra Lovell (.528 BA, 1.106 SLG%, 20 HR, 75 H, 49 RBI), Gee Estrada (.469 BA, .982 SLG%, 15 HR, 53 H, 51 RBI), Diana de la Paz (.518 BA, .799 SLG%, 6 HR, 72 H, 27 RBI), Yolanda Rios (15-5, 2.78 ERA, 32 BB, 118 SO, 136.0 IP) and Megan Macias (.382 BA, .598 SLG%, 5 HR, 39 H, 26 RBI) will be counted on for their leadership as the Lady Chaps move towards the second half of conference and into the post-season. Lovell ranks 16th nationally in hitting percentage (.528), 2nd in total HRs (20), 16th in RBI (52); Estrada ranks 8th in the NJCAA in HRs (15), 15th in RBI (53), 40th in OBP (.535).

The Lady Chaparrals mid-season turn around could start this weekend (April 13-14) as MC plays host to El Paso Community College in a four game series in Midland. EPCC is currently 12-37 this season and 2-10 in conference (last place in the WJCAC).

Season Standings (as of 04-08-12):
www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Conference/


Individual Stats (as of 04-08-12):
www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/IndividualStats

MC to host 2,100 students for Science Extravaganza

Whether they participate in engineering’s rocket launch or try on the Police Department’s “Drunk Glasses,” the students at MC’s Science Extravaganza will learn that science is fun.

On Friday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., approximately 2,100 6th graders from area schools will come to Midland College for exposure to the excitement of science and math. Exhibitors will present hands-on demonstrations, experiments and exhibits.

Exhibitors/demonstrators in this year's Science Extravaganza will include the Midland Police Department, the Midland Fire Marshall, the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, McDonald Observatory, Sibley Nature Center, Texas Tech University Engineering Department, Museum of the Southwest, Midland ISD's Early College High School and Midland BHigh School, Citi-Bank and the Midland College Departments of Geology, Respiratory Care, Mathematics, Anthropology, Physics, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling, Chemistry, Biology, Nursing and Engineering.

The young participants will learn at MC’s Science Extravaganza that science is fun. Science Extravaganza also gives Midland College students and faculty — who will be facilitating many of the exhibits — a chance to give back to the Midland community and its youth.

Students will arrive in three 2-hour shifts from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; and from 1:00 -3:00 p.m. Exhibits will be staged at the Abell-Hanger Science Faculty Building (AHSF), the Fox Science Building (FSB) and on the lawn of the Davidson Family Health Sciences Building (DFHS).

For more information, please call Dr. Margaret Wade at (432) 685-4615.

Chaparral Linksters Finish Third at Texas JUCO Championships

By Forrest Allen
MC Athletic Director

Since fielding one of the youngest teams in recent history, Coach Delnor Poss had reasons to be optimistic as a result of the Chaps third place finish in the 2012 Texas Junior College Golf Championships.

The TJCGC was played at the Split Rail Golf Course in Aledo, TX (March 2-3) and featured a ten team field including several nationally ranked teams. Joining the No. 8 Midland College in the 54-hole (par 72, 7339) tournament was #1 Odessa College, #3 Western Texas College, #5 McLennan County Community College, #7 New Mexico Junior College, #11 Texarkana College and #18 Paris Junior College as well as Ranger College, Tyler Junior College and the New Mexico Military Institute. NMMI did not complete the tournament due to a disqualification in the first round.

The team title went to Western Texas College with scores of 289-288-289--866 (+2). Odessa College finished four strokes behind WTC, while the Chaparrals finished fourteen strokes out of the lead and ten strokes behind OC. Midland College's third round team score 284 was the lowest round of the event.

WTC's Mathias Boesmans won the individual medalist race with scores of 71-69-70--210 (-6). Midland College sophomore Luke Richardson finished fifth overall with a three round total of 217 (+1) and was the Chaps' top finisher. Richardson and fellow Chap Richie Farmer both earned All-State honors in the tournament.

Team Scores (Top 5 Only):
1st: Western Texas College, 289-288-289--866 (+2)
2nd: Odessa College, 294-291-285--870
3rd: Midland College, 299-297-284--880
4th: McLennan County Community College, 301-301-293--895
5th: Paris Junior College, 306-296-298--900

Individual Scores (Top 10 and Midland College Only):
1st: Mathias Boesmans, Western Texas College, 71-69-70--210 (-6)
2nd: Dennis Andersen, Paris Junior College, 73-71-68--212
3rd: Jamie Warman, Odessa College, 76-69-70--215
4th: True Graves, Odessa College, 70-73-73--216
5th: Luke Richardson, Midland College, 75-73-69--217
T6th: Chris Bell, Odessa College, 75-73-70--218
T6th: Donavin Sanchez, New Mexico Junior College, 74-73-71--218
T6th: Matthew Whittaker, Western Texas College, 70-74-74--218
T6th: Paul Simpson, Midland College, 74-71-73--218
10th: Richard Farmer, Midland College, 73-71-75--219
T12th: Blake Brorman, Midland College, 74-77-70--221
T18th: Tyson Turnbow, Midland College, 77-77-70--224
T27th: David Ryan, Midland College, 78-76-75--229

For Complete Standings for the 2012 Texas JUCO Championships:

http://www.golfstat.com/2011-2012/men/mtoursp12/M4798.htm 

Next Tournament: The 2012 NJCAA District Championships (April 16-17) at the Sugar Tree Golf Club in Dennis, TX.

Chap Baseball Splits Series with NMJC, Looks to Move Up in WJCAC Standings

By Forrest Allen
Midland College Athletic Director

Midland College baseball coach David Coleman feels good about the Chap's future. The Chaps are one of the youngest teams in the WJCAC and routinely play as many as seven freshmen in one of the toughest leagues in the country. With such an inexperienced lineup the upstart Chaparrals appear to be reaching maturity before Coleman's eyes.

Having recorded a split with second place New Mexico Junior College as well as with #8 ranked and WJCAC leader, Howard College, the Chaps appear to be positioned well to advance to the post-season and the 2012 NJCAA Region V Tournament (May 12-16) at Dan Law Field on the campus of Texas Tech University. However Coleman and the "Baby Chaps" will need to navigate the remainder of the WJCAC race with caution and with respect for their remaining opponents.

The Chaparrals, 21-16 overall and 7-9 in the WJCAC, opened their four game series with NMJC with a double-header at Christensen Stadium (Midland) on Friday followed by two games in Hobbs (NM) on the campus of New Mexico Junior College. Each team recorded wins on their respective home field. Scores from the series were 6-5 and 6-4 in Midland and 5-3 and 5-1 in Hobbs.

MC freshman hurler Jake Bateman (4-0, 0.46 ERA) was spectacular in games one and two, recording a win and a save at Christensen. In New Mexico Midland's Keanu Ramos (1-1, 4.99 ERA) and Jayden O'Dell (1-4, 6.14 ERA) suffered losses on the mound.

This season the Chaps are led by former Midland Lee standout Nick Salois (.475 BA, 19 H, .775 SLG%, 11 BB), freshman Tyler Barlow (.363 BA, 29 H, .438 SLG%, 14 BB), freshman second baseman Matt Reyes (.342 BA, 40 H, .487 SLG%, 9 BB). Midland High School graduate Reyes is paying dividends as the Chap's leadoff hitter this season.

Midland College pitchers Bateman, Levi Westerlund (3-1, 3.93 ERA, 23 SO) and freshman Jeremy Filipek (5-2, 4.00 ERA, 23 SO) lead a solid and reliable rotation for Coleman. Bateman ranks 29th in the NJCAA in pitching while Salois ranks #29 in hitting (.475) and 16th in OBP this season.

The Chaparrals will need a strong finish with 12 WJCAC games left to play. MC will take on rival Odessa College beginning on April 13 (Christensen) and April 14 (American Legion Field in Odessa). Following the OC series, MC will host Frank Phillips College in a four game series at Christensen and four road games with El Paso Community College. Finally the Chaps will host New Mexico Military Institute in a four game homestand to end the regular season. Of the Chaps last four conference opponents, only Frank Phillips College is currently ahead of Midland College in the standings (one game).

Season Standings (as of 04-08-12):www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Conference/

Individual Stats (as of 04-08-12):www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/Individual

MC students' work honored at state convention

Staff Report
Midland College Student Publications

Midland College students earned 16 awards at the annual Texas Intercolliegate Press Association (TIPA) convention held March 29-31 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Also, current El Paisano editor, Ernesto Macias, was elected co-secretary of the state organization.

MC student Sarah Cotton, current El Paisano page editor, won an honorable mention in one of the "live" contests ― On-Site: PR Crisis Management ― held during the convention. MC students compete against hundreds of students from large Texas schools such as Texas Tech, UT Austin and Texas A&M as well as schools that have a similar enrollment as MC.

The other 15 awards were from the “canned” competition. Entries in the “canned” competition included work published January - December 2011.

"Journalism students did extraordinarily well at the TIPA convention, especially with one winning a very rare on-site or live competition award and other students earning 15 previously published awards," said Bob Templeton, MC Allison Chair of Journalism.

"I am extremely proud of these students, who were led by our newspaper editor Ernesto Macias, who was the first-ever Midland College student elected as a statewide TIPA officer (co-secretary). It was a long drive, but the students were really excited about the Corpus Christ Bay and Gulf water since West Texas has the beach but no water," Templeton said.

In the newspaper division of the canned competition, Rachel Ritchie, former editor of El Paisano, won first place in editorial for her piece on handguns from the Feb. 25, 2011 edition. Ritchie also won an honorable mention for the news feature story on printmaking that was in the April 15, 2011 edition.

Colter Bostick won second place in sports action photo for his photograph of Brittany Serrano, MC volleyball player, that appeared in the Sept. 23, 2011 edition. Bostick also won honorable mentions for his sports feature story about an MC baseball catching a homerun ball during a Texas Rangers' game and one for his sports news story, "Headed for Hutch."

The El Paisano staff won a third place for sports page design for the volleyball page that was in the Sept. 23, 2011 paper. The staff also won an honorable mention for op/ed page design of the Nov. 18, 2011 commentary page.

Susanna Karth won an honorable mention for her picture story about the circus that appeared in the March 9, 2011 paper.

Karen Juarez won honorable mention for her feature photo of a boy jumping at the annual science extravaganza on campus.

Kourtney Kelley won honorable mention for her news photo titled "Where in the world in Mike Makowsky?"

Stephani Garcia won an honorable mention for her critical review of the Dierks Bentley concert held in Midland in September 2011.

Two English students won awards in the literary magazine competition. Ebbony McLaughlin, won third place in essay for her piece, "The Black Reformation: An Awakening for the African-American Youth."

Michael Cain won third place in short story for "The Hunt."

Two students also won awards in the general magazine competition. Chris Henkel won honorable mention for his photograph of a tribal mask that appeared in the Chaparral 2011 magazine.

Brian Flanders won an honorable mention for the feature story about a student who "found her calling" in Uganda.

“It’s good for our students to compete in live competition against larger schools who publish more often than we do,” said Karen Lanier, student publications lab instructor. “Seeing the competition in action pushes our students to work a little harder honing their journalism skills.”
MC students who attended with Templeton and competed in live competition were: Cotton, Hailey Hopkins, Kelley and Macias.

"All the students and I thank Karen Lanier for her contributions to their success," Templeton said.

MC journalism students publish 11 or 12 El Paisano newspapers per school year along with the Tableau creative writing magazine each fall and the Chaparral news/feature magazine each spring.

Almost time ...

Things are winding down around the campus of Your College. MC will be closed April 6 - 9 for Easter break. We will re-open, and instruction will resume, Tuesday morning, April 10. Have a blessed and safe break, everyone! Take care ... see ya Tuesday!

'Have you heard what's coming to Your College?' ... Pt. 1

In just two weeks, Anderson & Roe take the stage in the Wagner & Brown Auditorium at Allison Fine Arts Building, presented by the FMH Foundation. FREE tickets for this concert are are now available. Here's a preview (linked below) of the talent, and the energy they'll be bringing to the stage. CLICK HERE for more about their concert at Midland College, and how to get your FREE tickets.

MC Sports Week

By Forrest Allen
Midland College Athletic Director

Thursday, April 5, 2012
Lady Chaparral Softball
@ 1:00 p.m. and approximately 3:00 p.m. (double-header at the new MC Softball Field)
Odessa College 34-15 (10-2) @ Midland College 32-10 (5-3), Lady Chap Softball Field

Friday, April 6, 2012
Chaparral Baseball
@ 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (double-header at Christensen Stadium)
New Mexico Junior College 24-11 (12-4) @ Midland College 17-13 (5-7), Christensen Stadium

The MC Department of Music presents ...

Soprano Nicolette Dorn, in a performance of Clara Edwards' "Into the Night" ...



For information on vocal instruction at Midland College, please contact us at:
• (432) 685-4624
• www.midland.edu/music
• facebook.com/MidlandCollegeMusic

Be inspired! Be Heard! Be Midland College ... Your College!

Preview: Winning Legacy essays reflect continuing value of community service

Today, a very special group of honorees and supporters will gather at Your College for a shared meal and a shared commitment to community service.

This spring, more than 320 students are attending Midland College on Midland’s Legacy Scholarship, co-sponsored by Abell-Hanger Foundation, the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust, the Chaparral Foundation and the Scharbauer Foundation. Five of those students will receive additional $500 scholarships for essays written about their community service.

Each semester, Abell-Hanger Foundation sponsors the essay contest to honor students’ community service and to let the students tell their stories of how community service has enriched their lives. The five winning writers will be honored at a noon luncheon on Wednesday, April 4, in the Carrasco Room of the Scharbauer Student Center.

In 1986, Abell-Hanger Foundation established a Midland College scholarship which would pay tuition for Midland County high school graduates. In 2003, the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust partnered with Abell-Hanger Foundation, and the scholarship was named Midland’s Legacy Scholarship. In 2006, a third Midland family foundation—the Chaparral Foundation—joined this rich tradition of supporting MC students in their pursuit of higher education. That tradition continues to grow to this day, with the announcement in fall 2011 that the Scharbauer Foundation has united with the other three family foundations to support this great educational legacy.

“On behalf of George and Gladys Abell, Abell Hanger Foundation is proud to have established and supported the Legacy Scholarship Program since 1986,” explains Abell-Hanger Foundation Executive Director David Smith. “Both Mr. and Mrs. Abell valued education, and we believe that they would be gratified by this legacy of educational opportunity at Midland College, which has been available to graduating high school students in Midland County.”

Smith continues, “Over the years we have been joined in this noble effort with new funding partners—the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust, the Chaparral Foundation and, most recently, the Scharbauer Foundation. The strengthening of this funding partnership now ensures that these educational opportunities will continue well into the future. We appreciate the philanthropic families who have joined us in this scholarship program.”

The scholarship requires students to complete 40 hours of community service before entering Midland College. They also must complete 20 hours of community service each semester that they are attending MC. At the end of the 2010-2011 school year, the Legacy Scholarship paid $750 per semester for qualified students. In fall 2011, with the addition of funding from the Scharbauer Foundation, the scholarship amount was increased.

Since the scholarship’s inception, MC students have contributed more than 300,000 volunteer hours at more than 90 Midland non-profit agencies

Parent-student discussions could lessen college culture shock

Mary Braselton
Director, Associate of Arts in Teaching Program
Midland College

Students take countless tests before graduating from high school, but there is not a test that determines if a teen is ready for the culture shock of college.

The college environment is dramatically different from high school; thus, the term culture shock. Students move from a grade book with many grades to a system where there rarely will be more than two or three grades per term. Suddenly, the environment shifts from monitored safeguards to absence of oversight. Students now have to seek out a compatible advisor; otherwise, time and money can be wasted.

To help students who do not have the experience or knowledge to successfully navigate college, Midland College provides that gateway through freshman seminar-type courses. These courses provide students with information that generally leads to student confidence in pursuing their hopes and dreams for a college education.

Test your junior or senior student by opening a dialogue about college culture by using these terms: semester hours, core courses, catalog as a contract/resource, study skills, degree plans, advisement, college calendar, syllabus, three-hour versus four-hour courses, CLEP, transcripts, transfer hours versus elective hours, GPA, office hours, adds-drops, library resources, IT labs, and student services.

Each student enrolled on a college campus will have a significant and personal relationship to these terms before graduating from college, so if your college-age student needs help with these terms, perhaps Midland College can provide the necessary help.

To prepare your student for the culture shock, focus on the following areas: paying for college, location, friendships, expectations and goal-setting.

-- Financing college. It is very rare to receive outright offers of financial assistance from colleges. Families have seek to research grant and scholarship opportunities with great diligence to make it happen. Financial aid departments at most colleges offer information to families including lists of scholarships and application deadlines. Some years ago, the financial aid director at Texas Tech University said the worst present a senior in high school can get is a new car if the recipient takes a car payment and insurance premiums to college with him. Burdening kids with these financial issues is a critical mistake.

-- School location. The typical high school senior just wants to get away from home. I have been struck by the fact that most teenagers think that no matter where they are, somewhere else is better. This universal application became clear at a Texas Association of Future Educators conference when I facilitated a large group of students from the far ends of Texas who shared their plans for college.

The consensus idea of a good college was one that was far enough away that their parents couldn’t tuck them into bed anymore. The irony is that lack of sleep (time management and self-control) is often the culprit for poor performance in college. Distance also adds to college expense.

-- Friendships. Once a college is selected, cliques that have been together for years will be separated by distance and goals. Even if close friends go to the same college, divisions still occur because unless they choose the exact same major, students will be in different parts of the campus. Students must rely on their upbringing to find new and stable friendships based on the values they have been taught. If positive values are lacking, students will make new friends based on a lack of values. Failure to integrate within the college system and to make new friends can be a very isolating event for students.

-- Expectations. Changing expectations also factor into college adaptation. Family expectations can range from don’t get in trouble to we expect stellar performance. Individual expectations of academic success can be dashed with the first semester’s enrollment if a student fails in some way. Many students are truly shocked by their first semester grade report. It often is the first reality check in choosing a future career.

-- Goal-setting. Tentative to concrete short-term and long-term goals should be discussed before students ever put a foot on a college campus. College counselors and professors are happy to work with students and families to help set realistic goals. Too often, students appear in a college counselor’s office without any career goals. The process is much easier and the path to graduation much straighter when the student has given some thought to four or five years from now.

High schoolers nearing graduation begin to think seriously in the early spring about where they are going to college. Some already have made college plans, but most students and families put off making decisions partially in hopes of getting scholarships or offers from colleges to make the financial issues clearer.

For more information on MC’s courses to help minimize students’ college culture shock, contact Mindy Flowers at mflowers@midland.edu or 685-6885.

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This column first appeared in the January 17, 2012 edition of the Midland Reporter-Telegram, and appears here, in its entirety, with the MRT's permission.

Open Airways for Schools



MC respiratory Care students at Crockett Elementary School (6th grade)

Robert Weidmann
Director, Respiratory Care Program Program
Midland College

The Midland College Respiratory Care students participate annually in the American Lung Association's Open Airways for Schools program. It's designed to help elementary school children gain valuable asthma management skills, and become more confident about taking care of their disease. The asthma management skills taught in Open Airways for Schools help children with asthma to more effectively control their disease. Their friends, classmates, teachers and administrators also gain a better understanding of asthma. The net result is that when kids with asthma feel better, they go to school more ready and able to learn. With their asthma under control, they get a better chance for learning ... and living healthier lives.

The program usually takes about an hour, but can be flexible to work around the school's schedule. Following a brief introduction, students will rotate through stations typically set up for: anatomy and physiology, exercise, asthma triggers, asthma medications and delivery devices. After visiting each station, students will gather together for a brief summary.

This opportunity to teach children at schools throughout the Midland Independent School District about asthma, not only provides community service, but also gives the MC Respiratory Care students valuable experience in teaching others about respiratory disease. The second-year Respiratory Care students decide which school(s) to invite to participate, make the necessary scheduling arrangements, then organize and assign the presentations to be completed. The second-year students also solicit help from the first-year class to complete the preparations. Next year, the second-year students (this year's first-year group) will continue the cycle.