The «Ƶ Art Department will host the Mount Pleasant Art Society Annual Membership Show March 11-31 in the foyer of the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts. The competitive show features artwork from a variety of local artists. A reception will be held Saturday, March 12th from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Whatley Center Foyer. The gallery is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. However, it will be closed March 14th-18th for spring break. Masks and social distancing are encouraged while enjoying the exhibit. Please call 903-434-8181 to ensure that the gallery is open before you come to visit.
The annual spring meeting of the Walter Prescott Webb Society, the collegiate auxiliary of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) met again in person this year, in Austin. At the end of the conference, on 29 February, Lisa Berg, the TSHA Director of Education presented the Caldwell Awards for essays achieving excellence in Texas history. Again, scholars from Honors Northeast, the honors program at «Ƶ, scored around the apex in the competition. Surprisingly, however, this year, it was not in the freshman/sophomore division where «Ƶ scholars excelled, but in the junior/senior, “university division”—including those scholars who had more than sixty hours of credit. Jessie Parchman from Mount Pleasant won $300 and second in the state with her essay, “Sudden Surge: From Past-Aid to Future-Aid Healthcare in the Lone Star State.” Parchman argued that the 1970s became the seminal decade of medical modernization in Texas. Maiko Estrada, also from Mount Pleasant, placed third and won $175 in this same division with his essay, “The Well-Being Activist: Dr. James Henry “Red” Duke.” Estrada argued that the Texas TV personality and celebrity physician of the 1980s, Dr. Duke, represented an ideal interface between the public and the medical establishment, a model that health officials would be wise to consider today.
The «Ƶ Professional Driving Academy continues to grow and supply high-demand CDL drivers to the local area. Four new students recently graduated from the program. Pictured (top row from left) is: Bob Wentzell (Instructor), Steven McNutt (Graduate), Bradley Daniels (Graduate), Ed Kerley (Instructor), and Jimmy Smith (Workforce Developer). Pictured (bottom row from left) is: Jorge Castillo (Graduate), and William Lasley (Graduate).
The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) membership celebrate the Athletic Training profession each March to spread awareness of the important work Athletic Trainers (AT’s) do. This year’s slogan is “Providing Health Care Everywhere”. As our profession grows and our expertise is recognized by more and more groups, Athletic Trainers are employed in many settings outside of the traditional school and professional sports team settings. Athletic Trainers can be found working in corporations, First Responder Organizations, Physical Therapy Clinics and Hospitals, with our Military and many other settings.
The Fine Arts Club of Mount Pleasant recently presented the «Ƶ Foundation with two donation checks. One was for $500 and will provide a scholarship to a «Ƶ student majoring in fine arts. The second was also for $500 and will benefit the Work4College Program. The Fine Arts Club of Mount Pleasant scholarship is one of the longest-running funds at «Ƶ (established 1985). Pictured, Dr. Jonathan McCullough, «Ƶ Executive Vice President for Advancement (left), receives the gift from Sue Hall, Yvonne Hampton and Virginia Fortenberry. For more information on this or other «Ƶ Foundation Scholarships, please call McCullough 903-434-8115 or give online anytime at .
The «Ƶ Foundation recently hosted a luncheon to honor the «Ƶ WorKampers. The unique WorKamping Program allows full-time RVers an opportunity to exchange work for rent at a small RV park located on the «Ƶ campus. Retirees and disabled workers can share their considerable experience and talents to help with projects like landscaping, painting, farming, electrical, plumbing, and computer support. While WorKampers are only expected to volunteer 15 hours per week, many end up working much more as they become invested in projects.
Students who will graduate high school in 2022 are invited to join the Summer Success Program at «Ƶ! This is a great opportunity for new grads to get a jump start on college and make new friends!
Eligible students who enroll in six hours (two classes) and pay for a meal plan during the first summer session will be awarded a scholarship to live on campus for free during that time. In addition to experiencing life on a college campus, participants will also be involved in special activities designed to boost their overall success rate as a college student.
The «Ƶ Board of Trustees met for its regular February meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
Chairman Chuck Johns opened the meeting by announcing upcoming changes to the board. Place One and Place Five were up for reelection in May. Place One is currently held by Frankie King, who decided to retire from the board and did not apply for re-election. Chad Elledge filed to run for Place One without opposition. Place Five is held by Stephanie Thurman, who filed for re-election unopposed. Both Elledge and Thurman will be sworn in at the Board’s regular May meeting for their six-year terms.
«Ƶ is pleased to announce a new Logistics micro credential training program that begins March 21. The 8-week, nine credit hour program is designed to provide students with an introduction to the high-demand field of logistics.
Courses included in the program are: Introduction to Business Logistics, Introduction to Materials Handling, and Warehouse and Distribution Center Management.
The «Ƶ Professional Driving Academy continues to grow and supply high-demand CDL drivers to the local area. Four new students recently graduated from the program. Pictured (from left) is: Ed Kerley (Instructor), Bob Wentzell (Instructor), graduates Rigoberto Aguilar, Oscar Perez, and Jimmy W Smith III (Son of Jimmy Smith) and Jimmy Smith (Workforce Developer).
