Scholastic Excellence Special Recognitions

Special Recognitions
ATHLETICS
The UTB and TSC Office of Intercollegiate Athletics creates a positive environment that
nurtures personal physical growth, teaches the values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant
leadership and sportsmanship.
Todd Lowery, Athletic Director
Abigail Perez, Outstanding Female Student Athlete of the Year
Samuel Buchanan, Outstanding Male Student Athlete of the Year
CHESS
The UTB and TSC Chess Program provides the resources, training and support to enable students
to research their full potential in the classroom and at the chessboard. By sharing our knowledge and
experience with area students and coaches and competing at the highest level, we are taking the leadership
role for chess in South Texas and northern Mexico.
Scholastic Excellence
Awards Ceremony
Russell Harwood, Chess Program Director
Nadya Ortiz Aguirre, Outstanding Chess Team Member
Max Cornejo, Outstanding Chess Team Member
UTB TAKES YOU HIGHER.
Take your degree to the next level.
Aim higher and pursue a master’s degree with UTB.
APPLY NOW!
Visit utb.edu/graduatestudies.
The University of Texas at Brownsville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificate, associate, bachelor, master and
doctoral degrees. Texas Southmost College is a part of The University of Texas at Brownsville
and is currently seeking separate accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges.
5:30-7:30 p.m. • Monday, April 9, 2012
Science, Engineering and Technology Building Lecture Hall
The University of Texas at Brownsville
and Texas Southmost College
utb.edu
Keynote Speaker
School of Business
DR. MARK KROLL, Dean
The banner of the School of Business features a Phoenix, symbolizing the resurrection or the birth
of the new enterprise. It is gold, representing the evaluation of the mind and generosity to humanity.
The dominant green bars represent growth and fertility, the hope that life may be made better by the
enterprise of humans working for humans.
ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Dr. Edith Galy, Chair
Accounting (bachelor’s).......................................................................................................................................................Liz V. Nieto
MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING
Dr. Tom Coyle, Chair
Management (bachelor’s)...............................................................................................................................................Jessica Banda
Marketing (bachelor’s)..........................................................................................................................Elizabeth Marie Charles
International Business (bachelor’s)................................................................................................................Katharina Nobel
APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY
Beatriz Castillo, Chair
Applied Business Technology (bachelor’s)....................................................................................Magdalena Martinez
DR. JEFF G. WILSON
Dr. Jeff G. Wilson, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, was a 2011 recipient of
The University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, the System’s top
honor for undergraduate teaching. Dr. Wilson has extraordinary commitment to teaching
and using innovative methods to engage students in and out of the classroom. He sometimes
teaches through a case study method connecting problems to real world issues, such as the
environment. He also incorporates technology into learning experiences with Second Life,
GPS, Google Earth, Google Docs and Skype.
Dr. Wilson’s research focuses on reducing health and socioeconomic disparities in the Hispanic
population, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has received funding from the
National Science Foundation and is author of more than 25 articles in scientific journals. He
is active in service to the university and the community. He earned his Ph.D. at the University
of Canterbury in New Zealand. His master’s degree is from Texas State University, and his
bachelor’s degree is from Texas A&M University. He completed post-doctorate studies at
Harvard. He is a sixth-generation Texan from the Hill Country town of Boerne.
Accounting Technology (associate).....................................................................................................................Jimena Duran
Medical Office Management (associate)................................................................................................. Nubia G. Zamora
Paralegal Studies (associate).............................................................................................................................Cynthia Gonzalez
Legal Assisting (certificate).....................................................................................................................................Baltazar Salazar
Office Management (certificate)....................................................................................................................... Elvia A. Vasquez
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Dr. Immanuel Edinbarough, Director
Engineering Technology (bachelor’s) .................................................................................................Marko Ivan Jimenez
Computer Aided Draft ing Technology (associate).............................................................................Jose Felipe Diaz
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
Jose Amieva, Interim Chair
Auto Mechanics Technology-Repair Specialist (certificate) ............................................................Jacob Paredes
Commercial Electrician-Small Wind Turbine Technology (certificate)................................Sandra Garcia
Construction Technology-Green Building (certificate) .....................................................Jose Luis Hernandez
Residential Electrician-Solar Photovoltaic Technology (certificate)............................................ Vicente Diaz
Geothermal Heating and Cooling (certificate)..............................................................................................Noe O. Balli
MATHEMATICS
Dr. Jerzy Mogilski, Chair
Mathematics (master’s) .............................................................................................................................................Mauricio Flores
Program
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Dr. Alan F. J. Artibise, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
WELCOME
Dr. Juliet V. García, President
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Dr. Jeff G. Wilson, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Jason Moody, ‘05, President
ACADEMIC RECOGNITIONS
Dr. Alan F. J. Artibise
OUTSTANDING STUDENTS BY COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS
Mathematics (bachelor’s) ..........................................................................................................................................Phong Nguyen
College of Biomedical Sciences and Health Professions
Dr. Eldon L. Nelson, Interim Dean
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
College of Education
Dr. Miguel Angel Escotet, Dean
Physics (master’s) ..............................................................................................................................................................Chuchu Xiang
College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, Dean
Dr. Soma Mukherjee, Chair
Physics (bachelor’s) ................................................................................................................................................Noemie Gonzalez
College of Nursing
Dr. Edna Iris Garza-Escobedo, Interim Dean
College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Dr. Mikhail M. Bouniaev, Dean
School of Business
Dr. Mark Kroll, Dean
Special Recognition
Dr. Hilda Silva, Vice President for Student Affairs
Closing Remarks
Dr. Alan F. J. Artibise
Refreshments will be served.
College of Biomedical Sciences
and Health Professions
DR. ELDON L. NELSON, Interim Dean
The banner of the College of Biomedical Sciences and Health Professions features the rising sun, a DNA
double-alpha helix and a caduceus on a background dominated by the colors green and blue, accentuated
by gold. Green represents the medical professions and the quest to heal and protect mankind from disease.
Gold represents the elevation of the mind through knowledge and service, while blue represents truth
and devotion as the foundation to advance human health. The DNA signifies the principal precept of
the college: unity in diversity. The caduceus is symbolic of medicine and the health professions, while the
rising sun signifies the future promises of education and research.
ALLIED HEALTH
Dr. Marti Flores, Chair
Applied Technology-HST (bachelor’s) .........................................................................................................Jennifer Lemus
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (associate) ................................................................Virginia Wheelock Casares
Emergency Medical Science (associate) .........................................................................................................Stephen Flores
Medical Laboratory Technology (associate)...................................................................................Marisol Hernandez
Radiologic Technology (associate) ....................................................................................................................Edgar R. Reyes
Respiratory Care (associate) .....................................................................................................................................Christa Wood
College of Science,
Mathematics and Technology
DR. MIKHAIL M. BOUNIAEV, Dean
The banner of the College of Science, Mathematics and Technology features a scallop or venera at the
base, symbolizing the travels to inner and outer worlds scientists must undertake so that they, too, learn
and contribute more to our knowledge of the world. In the upper portion of the banner, we see the crossed
squares upon the titled quadrant, symbolizing the technologies, both basic and advanced, that humanity
must use to build its future. The color blue dominates all, symbolic of the college’s commitment to truth
and loyalty to its disciplines.
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Alfredo Muñoz , Master-Technical Instructor
Biology (bachelor’s).................................................................................................................................... Valentina Ciumacenco
CHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Dr. Gene J. Paull, Chair
Chemistry (bachelor’s) .........................................................................................................................................Michael Marshall
Environmental Sciences (bachelor’s) ..................................................................................................Jennifer Brinkworth
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
Dr. Juan R. Iglesias, Chair
Computer Information Systems Technology (bachelor’s) .........................................Antonio J. Valladares Jr.
Computer Science (bachelor’s) .................................................................................................................Victoria E. Izaguirre
Computer Science (associate) ................................................................................................................................Richard Avelar
Computer Information Systems (associate) ................................................................................Artemio C. Martinez
Computer Web Development (associate) .............................................................................................Andrew S. Kesten
Computer Information Technology (certificate) ...............................................................................Moises Torres Jr.
ENGINEERING
Dr. William M. Berg, Chair
Engineering Physics - Bioengineering (bachelor’s)..................................Luis Guillermo Martinez Hempel
College of Nursing
DR. EDNA IRIS GARZA-ESCOBEDO, Interim Dean
The banner for the College of Nursing features both a trifoliated Greek cross and a Roman cross. The
cross as a basic design motif has many meanings in many cultures. The Greek cross symbolizes the
four elements of creation: air, earth, fire and water, thus symbolizing life. The Roman cross carries the
additional symbolism of faith and the ability to bestow a blessing. This cross features the colors apricot,
the intercollegiate color for nursing, and purple, symbolizing compassion. While the black field typically
symbolizes death, the cross of life and of faith rise above it, as nursing must. The lamp is a symbol of all
Florence Nightingale stood for: comfort, kindness, gentleness, courage and an unswerving devotion to duty.
NURSING
Dr. Eloisa Tamez, Assistant Dean, Graduate Nursing Education
Nursing (master’s) .................................................................................................................................................................Violeta Peña
Nursing (bachelor’s) ...................................................................................................................................................Melissa A. Ortiz
College of Education
DR. MIGUEL ANGEL ESCOTET, Dean
The banner of the College of Education features the fleurdelis, the flower of the lily or iris, symbolic of
royalty throughout the ages, but in the case of the college, representative of that most royal of callings,
teaching. The three torches represent the three levels of education: the child, the adolescent and the adult.
Their silver colors represent the sincerity that all teachers must have and the peace that knowledge brings.
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP STUDIES
Dr. Steve Chamberlain, Associate Professor
Counseling and Guidance (master’s).......................................................................................................Angelica G. Miller
Early Childhood Education (master’s)...............................................................................................................Lauren Fisher
Educational Leadership (master’s) ...........................................................................................................Maria C. Gonzalez
Special Education (master’s) ..............................................................................................................Lorena Estrada Medina
Karen Fuss-Sommer, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Nursing Education
Generalist EC-6, Special Education EC-12 Teaching (bachelor’s) ...............................Selina Marie Duran
Nursing (associate) ................................................................................................................................................................John Gaona
Child Care and Development (associate) .........................................................................................Blanca Nellie Leyva
Nursing ADV-LVN, Advanced Placement (associate)..............................................................Adrian Hernandez
HEALTH AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE
Vocational Nursing (certificate) ..................................................................................................................................... Jose Flores
Dr. Zelma D. Mata, Chair
Exercise Science (master’s) ............................................................................................................................Jose Alfredo Leal Jr.
Health and Human Performance (bachelor’s).....................................................................................John Onderdonk
Health and Human Performance, EC-12 Teaching (bachelor’s).................................... Gilbert A. Hinojosa
Health and Human Performance, Exercise Science (bachelor’s) ........................................... Guillermo Perez
LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND INTERCULTURAL STUDIES
Dr. David Freeman, Chair
Bilingual Education (master’s) ......................................................................................................................Natascha Mercuri
TEACHING LEARNING AND INNOVATION
Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez Jr., Chair
Curriculum and Instruction (doctorate)..................................................................................................Lori Marie Wells
Curriculum and Instruction (master’s) ....................................................................................................Lisa Marie Bazan
Educational Technology (master’s) .................................................................................................... Patricia Anne Celaya
Bilingual Generalist, EC-6 Grade Teaching (bachelor’s) ....................................Loyda Esmeralda Espinoza
ESL Generalist, EC-6 Teaching (bachelor’s)..............................................................................................Diana Naranjo
GOVERNMENT
Dr. Terence Garrett, Chair
College of Liberal Arts
DR. DANIEL HEIMMERMANN, Dean
The banner of the College of Liberal Arts features a gryphon passant, symbolizing the guarding of a
horde of treasure. In this case, it is the treasure of knowledge, which the college is committed to protect
and dispense. The blue band symbolizes truth, which the college both challenges and defends. This banner
contains colors that are not the traditional colors of heraldry: orange brown and deep ochre. These earth
colors were chosen to symbolize the willingness of scholars to break from the traditions of the past as a
way to build our future.
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Dr. Diamantina Freeberg, Chair
Psychology (master’s) .......................................................................................................................................................David Garcia
Sociology (master’s) .............................................................................................................................................. Karen C. Pimentel
Multidisciplinary Studies (bachelor’s) ..............................................................................................Olga Lidia Meléndez
Psychology (bachelor’s) .....................................................................................................................................Marisol Cervantes
Sociology (bachelor’s) ..............................................................................................................................................Jessica Carmona
General Studies (associate) ...................................................................................................................................Roberto Pantoja
COMMUNICATION
Dr. Sharaf Rehman, Chair
Communication (bachelor’s) .............................................................................................................Roberto Ricardo Casas
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Dr. Kevin Buckler, Chair
Forensic Investigations (associate) ............................................................................................................................Ana Aguilar
Criminal Justice (associate) ............................................................................................................................Eric Michael Ortiz
Police Administration (bachelor’s) ............................................................................................. Christopher David Peña
Corrections (bachelor’s)....................................................................................................................................................Violeta Sosa
ENGLISH
Dr. Javier Martinez, Chair
English (master’s) ...................................................................................................................................................................... Huiyan Xu
English (bachelor’s) ................................................................................................................................Heathcliff Amado López
English Language Arts, 4-8 Teaching (bachelor’s) ..............................................................................Natalie Cepeda
English Language Arts, 8-12 Teaching (bachelor’s).............................................................................Berenice Garza
Public Policy and Management (master’s) .................................................................................Jason Michael Walker
Government (bachelor’s).............................................................................................................................................Osiel Delgado
Public Service (bachelor’s) ..............................................................................................................Claudia Michelle Serrano
ARCHITECTURE
Dr. Murad Abusalim, Assistant Professor of Architecture
Architecture (associate) ............................................................................................................................ Mario Alberto Ramos
HISTORY
Dr. Helmut Langerbein, Chair
History (master’s) ..............................................................................................................................................................Jordan Penner
Social Studies, 8-12 Teaching (bachelor’s) ........................................................................................ Jose Angel Sanchez
MODERN LANGUAGES
Dr. Jose Davila-Montes, Associate Professor
Spanish (master’s)............................................................................................................................................. Maria Luisa Pacheco
Spanish Interdisciplinary Studies (master’s)...................................................................Beatriz Vázquez Corbacho
Spanish Translation and Interpreting (master’s) ..................................................................................... Rafael Treviño
Spanish (bachelor’s) .......................................................................................................................................................Stefany Guerra
Spanish, EC-12 Teaching (bachelor’s) ................................................................................................................Norma Ibarra
Spanish Translation and Interpreting (bachelor’s) ................................................................................Anyelin Roche
Spanish Translation (associate) ............................................................................................................................. Silvia Vázquez
Spanish Translation (graduate certificate) ........................................................................... Reiniero A. Rivera-Mora
MUSIC
Dr. Sue Zanne W. Urbis, Chair
Music Education (master’s)...........................................................................................................................................Luis Mendez
Guitar EC-12 Teaching (bachelor’s) ..................................................................................................................... Steven A. Fry
Instrumental (bachelor’s) ............................................................................................................................................. Leonel Garza
Keyboard EC-12 Teaching (bachelor’s) ............................................................................................................Linda Chavez
Vocal EC-12 Teaching (bachelor’s).............................................................................................................. Brittany R. Garza
VISUAL ARTS
Carlos Gómez, Chair
Art (bachelor’s) ............................................................................................................................................................. Rebekah Bonner
Art, EC-12 Teaching (bachelor’s) .....................................................................................Marcelina (Marcy) Gonzales
Art (associate) ........................................................................................................................................................................ Sergio Garcia