The ICE Chest The Monthly Newsletter of the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center
EXPRESS YOURSELF... December 2011
Director’s Message This time of year, I often find myself reminiscing about my childhood. Perhaps it’s the approaching holidays that make me think about the many times that I followed my mother around in the kitchen while she cooked our holiday meals, or the times that I spent with my friends that I grew up with when I came home from college. The holidays are always an emotional time for me. You see on one hand, I am always excited about the thought of spending time with family and friends and sharing in the many blessings. I am also however, sad for the time that has passed when I failed to recognize the many gifts that were given to me.
As we enter our fifth year in the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, I felt it was important for us to say thanks. We continue to have great success in our programs and trainings and that is because of our campus community. I tell everyone that I have the best job at UTSA and it is because of our students! I am constantly amazed at the commitment of our students to the ideals of celebrating and appreciating our campus diversity, and even more amazed at the number of students who on a daily basis are committed to not only improving the UTSA community, but also are working tirelessly to improve the San Antonio community through volunteerism. We look forward to continuing to serve you, and helping you reach your academic and personal goals. To those of us who are fortunate to work in the ICE Center, you are one of the many gifts that we are thankful for.
No matter whether you choose to celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, or don’t celebrate during this time of year at all, this is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and to take stock in the many gifts that have been given to Best of luck on your finals! Have a safe, restful holiday break! We look forward to sharing 2012 with each of you! us. For many of us it is the gift of family, friends, health, work, or the opportunity to go to college. The list literally can go on and on. It doesn’t matter what your list contains, Marlon what matters is that you recognize the gifts and appreciate “Appreciating in any form at any time brightens anyone’s them. existence.” Ruth Stafford Peale
As the calendar year draws to a close, we would like to say thank you to the many students, student organizations, and departments for enhancing the quality of the campus community by sponsoring and/or supporting the diversity and volunteer services programs and events at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Any special occasion you choose to celebrate, we wish you the best. May you and your loved ones have safe, gracious, and very happy holidays! From the staff in the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center
Student Organization Spotlight Latin Dance Society
Latin Dance Society at UTSA is an organization for UTSA students, faculty, and staff interested in learning a variety of Latin dances for the purpose of performing and competing or just to learn for the experience. Dances are choreographed and practiced so that each member can give a strong performance. The organization was formed in 2008. “Latin Dance Society will be open for prospective members in the beginning of Spring Semester,” said Zachary DeLong, president of LDS.
“Latin Dance Society provides a great environment for making friends and working on social skills,” said Imelda Valencia, vice-president of LDS. “It is LDS's goal to help develop the salsa community within San Antonio and introduce salsa as well as other Latin dances to a younger generation and to UTSA. The organization is open to all students, faculty and staff, and no dance background isneeded!” Latin Dance Society will next perform at the Houston Salsa Congress January 13, 2012.
For more information about performances at the Those seeking membership must turn in an meetings visit the group’s Facebook page,http:// application along with a $25 fee. Members www.facebook.com/utsalatindance interested in competing are expected to attend at least one weekday practice for the full length of the class. Each member is required to assist the club with performances and other activities when needed.
Student Spotlight Jerome Scott Jerome Scott may only be in his second year at the University of Texas at San Antonio, but in his time here he has been active in over 11 student organizations. Chances are you have seen him “wobble” with FTK & SGA, get “ROWDY” with Rowdy Crew, and lead prospective students on tours around UTSA as an Orientation Leader and UTSA Ambassador (37 tours to be exact!). Jerome first came to UTSA from Harker Heights, TX. UTSA was his first choice of university because his sister was already a Roadrunner, however, when he got here he felt that it was the perfect fit for him, “I love the UTSA community.” Currently Jerome is studying to receive his degree and teaching certificate in Mathematics, but after attending a discussion panel in October hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, he has started contemplating a career in Higher Education, “I love the college atmosphere!” Being a part of 11 student organizations isn’t enough for this highly active and energized Roadrunner, he plans on joining a new University Sponsored Organization every year, with VOICES being the next one he plans on undertaking. Jerome enjoys giving back to the UTSA community and has participated in events such as Rowdy Wing Fling, Adopt a Family, and Boo Bash. Jerome will be attending the Civil Rights Movement trip where he will be able to visit Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. He is very excited about attending the trip because he wants to see all the places he’s read about in his history books. Almost as soon as he gets back to San Antonio from his trip, he will be leaving again to attend the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference (SBSLC). He really knows how to keep himself busy! When asked why he is so involved on campus, he replied that he likes to feel connected to things; and to be connected and know what is going on at UTSA, you must be involved. His advice to freshman: “Get involved on campus because once you get involved you will build connections, not only with UTSA students, but the community as a whole.” This mentality led him to be named the 2011 Most Outstanding Freshman at the University Life Awards. This summer Jerome helped advocate for the Roadrunner Connections Mentor program and got the most incoming freshman to sign up which earned him an iPad from the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center. When he is not active in his organizations, you will probably find Jerome singing to 90’s boy bands at a karaoke lounge or Open Mic Night. His favorite class he has taken at UTSA has been History with Jodi Peterson, his favorite holiday is his “half birthday” – New Years Day, and he likes cheetahs because they are fast!
Celebrate UTSA!
Thank you to all who attended, participated, and volunteered at the 7th Annual Celebrate UTSA! event on Wednesday, November 16th. Approximately 350 students, faculty, and staff were present to watch the performances which ranged from poetic readings to dancing to singing. The food, provided by Aramark, was also a great experience for those who attended. The food items represented at least seven different regions of the world. Early indications from the surveys indicate that the performances and the food were a big hit!
If you are interested in participating in the event next year, please contact us at 210.458.4770 or at engaged@utsa.edu. We look forward to having the opportunity to work with as many UTSA students, faculty, and staff as possible to make this an even better event in 2012. Once again, thank you to all who attended, participated, volunteered and worked at the Celebrate UTSA! event. By experiencing, we learn. By learning, we understand. By understanding, we make the campus and our world a better place. We are All Different. All Roadrunners.
“Presentation: Gender and Sexuality in Perfect Peace” A Book Discussion with Dr. Daniel “Omotosho” Black
Sponsored by Dr. Sonja Lanehart, Brackenridge Endowed Chair in Literature and Humanities and Dr. Mark Giles, African American Studies Friday, December 2, 2011 2:00pm – 4:00pm 1604 Campus, Bexar Room, UC 1.102 For More Information Contact Cassandra L. Porter at Cassandra.Porter@utsa.edu
2011 OXFAM Hunger Banquet and Food Drive
On November 9th, 50 students participated in the VOICES annual OXFAM Hunger Banquet. Janet Oyeteju, VOICES Special Projects Coordinator, and Nathan McDuell, VOICES Webmaster, served as hosts and emcees for the event. Participants learned about global and local hunger issues while eating a meal based on the “class� they drew on their way in. Overwhelmingly, students were impacted by the experience and said they learned new ways that they can make a difference with this social issue that impacts millions of people around the world.
Additionally, VOICES, with the assistance of Student Affairs staff and Campus Living Villages, donated 508 pounds of food to the San Antonio Food Bank, and contributed to the Food 4 SA effort to collect 1 million pounds of food during the month of November. To find out how you can get involved with VOICES, visit www.utsavoices.org or stop by UC 1.216. To contribute food to the San Antonio Food Bank or volunteer with one of their programs visit www.safoodbank.org.
Inclusion and Community Engagement (ICE) Center Staff Marlon D. Anderson Director
Ann Margaret Trujillo Associate Director
Jennifer Rames Assistant Director
Brian Jantz Administrative Assoc.
Cristina Dominguez Graduate Assistant
Corey Benson Graduate Assistant
Vanessa Vela Graduate Assistant
Eraldo Elizondo Senior Student Assistant
Charles Miles Student Assistant
Marcos Vargas Student Assistant
UC 2.01.04 210-458-4770 www.utsa.edu/ice
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