New Horizons - Spring 2005

SPRING/SUMMER 2005

ew Horizons N University of Houston-Downtown

Roses smell sweet at 24th Red Rose Ball

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ed Rose scholars, their families and the community celebrated the 24th Red Rose Ball in April.

This year, the ball honored Ralph S. O’Connor for his leadership and belief in UH-Downtown.

O’Connor was the first UHD supporter to endow a Red Rose Scholarship. And he will help the university reach its goal of endowing all 25 scholarships by providing the final endowment UHD’s Finest: The 2005 Red in celebration of the ball’s Cesar Ramirez, Helen Kneisle Rose Scholars were honored at the 24th Red Rose Ba ll in April. The university y, Adnane Kidari, Prince 25th anniversary in 2006. Cabañas, Karim Masri, Mohammad Abedi (front row Buzombo, Muhammed Saidykhan, Daniel Wibel, José ’s goal is to endow all 25 scholarships by next year’s th ) Maria Porcayo, Stepha 25 anniversary of the Sandoval, Sarah Lyon (m Joanne Zhang (not pictur nie Chadwick, Anika Mo ball. (Back row, left to iddle row) Fareshteh Fan ed). hammed, Zeba Rizvi, Vie right) He made the announceian, Dulce Carbajal, Mo n Lam, Lisa Mari Delafu ses Oso ro, Irma Solache, Marla ente, Betul Akin, Cristina Martinez and Teofilo Cha ment on April 20, to surprised con. invited guests. O’Connor’s hosts UHD President Max Castillo it has ever been. Endowing all family joined him in celebrating and his wife, Dr. Rosario See page 8 for highlights 25 scholarships will allow us to his generous support of Houston’s Martinez-Castillo, scholars and of the Red Rose Ball strengthen and increase scholarDowntown University. ship programs university-wide.”

Twelve scholarships have been

The 100 Club and UHD Equals Million Dollar Partnership (See page 3)

endowed to date with individual gifts of $60,000. “A gift of this size ensures annual scholarships of $3,000 will be awarded in perpetuity,” said Dr. Max Castillo.

“Generating scholarships for UHD students is more critical now than

There’s more good news inside!

• Scholarly works rewarded .............................. p. 2 • Commencement celebrated on Mother’s Day.... p. 4 • Mixing business, finance and travel ................ p. 7

Faculty Excels at scholarly works, teaching and service Distinction was rewarded at the 2005 Faculty Awards Program for UHD faculty who exhibit excellence in teaching, exemplary scholarly activity and outstanding service to students and to the mission of UH-Downtown.

Recipient of last year’s Teaching Excellence Award, Dr. Anisul Islam, professor of economics, chaired the university-wide faculty committee. During the year-long process the committee reviews nominations, selects and interviews finalists and determines the winners. This year, an additional award, in the name of Elias Deeba, was bestowed upon a faculty member who has received all three distinctions. Dr. Deeba was professor of mathematical science and assistant chair of the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences. The Deeba family helped impart the award.

Finalists for the 2004-2005 Faculty Awards are: Dr. Kathryn Laity, Scholarly and Professional Activity; Dr. Nell M. Sullivan, Service; and Dr. Jane Creighton, Teaching.

This year’s finalists are: Dr. Nell M. Sullivan, Service; Dr. Kathryn Laity, Scholarly and Professional Activity; and Dr. Jane Creighton, Teaching. Dr. Anisul Islam received the Elias Deeba Award. Recipients of the 2005 Faculty Awards received a plaque, a medallion, and a cash prize as recognition for their accomplishments.

The acknowledgment contributes to the high standards among UHD faculty who work to maintain the university’s mission of excellence and opportunity.

BMC Software Scholarship Recipients of the UHD/BMC Software Inc. Scholarship were recognized recently by Ashley Fields, director of organizational development and diversity, and Cindy Sterling, director of identity management solutions with BMC.

The software company added four scholarships this year in honor of the late Dr. Bobby Bizzell, who served as dean of the college of business from 1989 to 2004.

“Bobby was an exemplary man of business and untiring advocate for the opportunity UHD offers the Houston community,” said Fields.

“BMC is proud to honor Bobby in this way – by rewarding the students he so believed in.”

BMC also partners with UHD on professional internships for business students, affording valuable experience for undergraduates.

Collin Fletcher, Yixun Cai, and Neha Bhatia were commended for their performance at the company.

BMC Software Inc. executives Dr. Ashley Fields and Cindy Sterling (second and third from left, front row) join scholarship recipients.

Students were selected for the scholarship based on grade point average and academic activity. They include: Gloria Dowiak, Tara Hadash, Alexey Kurochki, Michael Le, Cesar A. Ramirez, David P. Raymond, Robert M. Snyder, Ping Tang, Nancy D. West, and Vicki J. Zahand.

Faculty Leadership Program UHD’s University College, the entry point for all students at the university, and Houston Community College System are partnering on a federal grant called the Title V Cooperative Arrangement, aimed at improving the college-going success of at-risk students. The program addresses common goals to improve the retention, persistence, and transfer of low-income and first-generation minority college students.

grant will find ways to capitalize on mutual guidelines to prepare at-risk high school students for higher education.

This year, the Faculty Leadership Program held professional development workshops in the fall and spring for faculty in the targeted subjects of English composition, reading, math, and the sciences – areas where incoming freshmen show the greatest need for academic support. The collaboWorking with the Houston ration will help the state “close Independent School District (HISD), the gap” between high school the partnership examines the align- and college by contributing to ment of curriculum between high professional development among schools and colleges and universi- public school teachers, counties. Administrators of the federal selors, and college faculty.

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Through preparation of instructors and counselors, particularly for those who work with those entering college at a disadvantage, the new program is designed to help students achieve their greatest potential.

UHD’s University College is no stranger to the effort, having formed the Learners Community from a start-up grant under Title V. The federal initiative to prevent a national crisis of needed skilled workers, provided funds to offer a cooperative learning environment for incoming freshmen, new to the college culture, and most at risk of dropping out.

Hard Work Rewarded!

Outstanding UHD students from the Colleges of Business, Public Service, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Sciences and Technology were recognized for excellence and achievement at the 2005 Academic Awards Program. The ceremony is held annually to recognize students who have exceeded academic expectations or achieved scholarly goals beyond the classroom.

Emad Horani was recognized as the outstanding International Business Student for 2005. He is a full-time international student with a minor in Economics and Finance. Emad maintains a 4.0 GPA and has appeared consistently on the UHD College of Business Dean’s List. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an honors society for business students; the U.S. Achievement Academy – All American Scholars; and the National Chancellor’s List.

Emad transferred to UHD from North Harris Montgomery Community College. There he earned his Associate of Arts in Business and graduated summa cum laude. He also took advantage of the seamless transition program articulated between UHD and the community college.

Following his graduation from UHDowntown, Emad plans to work on a master’s degree. The UHD College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB-International), a certification awarded to only one-fourth of U.S. colleges of business.

Student Research Conference T he 4th Annual UHD Student Research Conference highlighted research performed by UHD undergraduate and graduate students.

For the second year the conference included work by students across disciplines in the Colleges of Business, Humanities and Social Science, Public Service, and Sciences and Technology.

Projects could include work performed as part of coursework or in internships both within and outside the university.

“The most exciting part this year was the collaboration among faculty, administrators and students which brought to fruition the diversity of disciplines represented at the conference,” said Dr. Ermelinda DeLaViña, associate professor of mathematics and conference chairperson. “This annual student research conference showcased a flourishing tradition of excellence in undergraduate student research across the university.”

Bragging Rights Administrators from Houston PREP, a summer enrichment program in engineering, mathematics, science and technology for middle and high school students, will present at the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP). The conference session proposal was selected for the NCCEP Annual GEAR UP Conference Program to talk about the success of preparing pre-college students for the rigors of higher education. Houston PREP is administered by the UHD Center for Computational Sciences and Advanced Distributed Simulation and partially funded by the Simmons Foundation.

Michele R. Wilson, a UHD student, has been awarded Psychology major Fransheneka Watson presents her research on the factors that contribute to or undermine student success. Watson hopes her undergraduate experience will help her gain acceptance into law school and prepare her for a Ph.D. program.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Christopher Matranga, a research scientist for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Technology Laboratory and a UHD alumnus, said, “Undergraduate participation in research programs is critical in enhancing the college experience for students. It prepares them for post-baccalaureate education, and trains undergraduates for careers in the work force.”

Following the keynote address, eight participants presented their work. These students either conducted independent research or worked in a group. All were mentored by UHD faculty.

Over 64 posters were displayed in the open poster session. Members of the Houston business community, faculty, students,and staff from UHD and neighboring universities attended the conference.

Daisy Cherian’s research will help analyze fungal rhizosphere communities and their affects on native Texas prairie grasses.

a Beta Gamma Sigma scholarship for her superior performance in the study of business. Wilson will use the scholarship to continue her education.

Scholarship recipients are student members of Beta Gamma Sigma and represent the top percentage of students within business programs accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Nine UHD students attended the recent annual meeting of the Texas Section of the Mathematical Association of America in Arlington, Texas. Iride Gramajo, former Red Rose Scholar, gave a 15-minute oral presentation on her research.

All of the students also competed with students from other universities in a Calculus Bowl.

Naresha Perry, a recent graduate of the Master of Arts in Teaching program, published her first children’s book, Zora’s Valentine, during her final semester at UHD. The book takes readers through a multi-cultural world where teaching and learning are part of everyday life. Naresha is currently a Resource Language Arts teacher at Missouri City Middle School in Fort Bend Independent School District.

Alumnus brings clean energy focus to Houston “Think Clean,” say participants of the Texas Environmental Leadership Conference: The Promise of Clean Energy. University, college and high school students participated in the free community symposium on environmental responsibility, hosted by UHDowntown’s Scholars Academy and brought to Houston by Texas Public Interest Research Group.

UHD alumnus Lawrence Spence, a teacher at Crockett Elementary School, helped bring the awareness-building summit to UH-Downtown because of the city’s efforts to improve the quality of life in and around downtown. Spence also works closely with the Scholars Academy, a program for high-achieving UHD students, on urban environmental improvement projects.

David Lang, a recent UHD graduate in biology, explains how he worked with the university administration to decrease the consumption of non-biodegradable materials on campus.

Recent graduate David Lang, a former Red Rose Scholar and Scholars Academy mentor, partnered with Spence to bring the forum to Houston. Lang is outgoing president of the Environmental Club, the student group that brought the Eco-Mug to the university’s food court, decreasing the use of Styrofoam on campus.

Thanks a Million!

Members of the 100 Club Board of Directors marked the $1 Million milestone in scholarship donations to UH-Downtown.

The 100 Club expanded the partnership in 2000 to include graduate student scholarships. Pictured are: (front) Jerry Johnston Andrew, (back row, left to right) Garry Plotkin, Charles F. Milstead, Jodie Lee Jiles, N.M. "Mack" Brown; Clarence F. Kendall II, and Charlie Worthen.

Dr. Brad Hoge, UHD lecturer in natural science, spoke on “Energy Production’s Impact on Global Climate Change”. A town hall meeting featured Larry Soward from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as well as representatives from Houston City Council Member Carol Alvarado’s office and the U.S. 18th Congressional District.

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Alumni Society News Spring 2005 Commencement G

eary Broadnax, president of Dovarri, Inc., a businessproductivity optimization software company, addressed over 600 graduates and their families at the university’s 38th commencement

Student representative Diana Leal addresses her fellow graduates at the Spring 2005 Commencement.

Calendar Ketelsen Academic Institute June 1 - June 28 Educational Talent Search June 1-3, 6, 8, 17, 24 and 29 Houston PREP, Pre-Freshman Enrichment Program June 6 - July 15 Upward Bound June 13 – July 13 New Faculty Orientation August 12 Fall Classes Begin August 22

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ceremonies last month in Minute Maid Park.

Broadnax currently serves on the UHD President’s Advisory Council and has served as a member of the Red Rose Ball Committee. He is a recipient of the Crystal Eagle Award from the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Houston.

Student representative Diana Leal received a Bachelor of Science in microbiology.

She told fellow graduates “to live your dream.” Leal started her UHD experience as an eighth grader in Houston PREP, a summer preparatory program in mathematics, science, engineering and technology.

She was accepted as a freshman directly into UHD’s Scholar’s Academy. The program for high achieving students exposed her to undergraduate research and a multitude of career opportunities. She later qualified for two professional internships at Kraft Foods – first in Chicago, then in New York City. Leal will continue her education in a master’s program and currently works at Laboratory Corporation of America, examining organic samples.

With 44 master’s degrees being awarded, this is the largest class of master’s graduates since UHD first offered post-baccalaureate degrees in 1999.

About 35 percent of the graduates are from the College of Business; 32 percent from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; 25 percent from the College of Public Service; and about 8 percent from the College of Sciences and Technology.

Generous Friends of Community Support $100,000 to $400,000 The Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation Houston Endowment Inc. The 100 Club, Inc. $50,000 to $99,999 El Paso Corporate Foundation $10,000 to $19,999 The Simmons Foundation $5,000 to $9,999 Charles & Betti Saunders $1,000 to $4,999 Asia Chemical Corporation, Inc. Chantal Foundation E & M Foundation, Inc. International Hotel Supply Wea H. & Catherine C. Lee Pearson Education Southwestern National Bank Emily and James, ‘90, Stafford The Woman’s Club of Houston $100 to $999 American Marketing Association-UHD Chapter Timothy C. Andrade, ‘95 Anonymous Arzalta Inc./Tu Musica en la Plaza Chester B. Benge, Jr. Diane Carpenter, ‘82 Joan Cobb, ‘03 Nicola Thompson Drake, ‘94 Rita Newman, ‘89 Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston Adrienne Booker Wilson, ‘86 $99 and below Deborah Blount, ‘00 Theresa Boston Sharifa N. Glass Ann S. Jennings Huandong Jiang, ‘04 Molly K. Johnson PingHsiu Lee, ‘98 Michelle Moosally Carlyn Melissa Rath, ‘98 Tommy R. Shelton Jr., ‘03 Richard P. Smith, ‘96 Red Rose Ball 2005 Many thanks to the generous donors who helped to make Red Rose Ball 2005 an outstanding success for the UH-Downtown scholarship program!

Nancy & Mark Abendshein Gail & Louis Adler Susan K. Ahern Jay Aiyer, Houston Community College Trustee Stanford & Joan Alexander Amegy Bank of Texas

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Chaney & Jo Jean Anderson Christina & Terry Axtmann Barnes & Noble Chris Birchak Mr. & Mrs. Jack S. Blanton, Sr. Gordon & Ermy Bonfield Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P. David M. Bradley Burlington Resources Lee A. Callaway Dr. Dorothy F. Caram CenterPoint Energy Champion Technologies, Inc. Chase Donna F. Cole William V. Conover II Dr. Charles Cook, Houston Community College Steven P. Coy Christine De La Garza Deloitte Jessica deValentino Estrada-Hinojosa & Co. Vicky Estrera William Gilbert Jay & Susie Gogue, University of Houston Patricia Golemon Becky M. Gorham Greenwood-King Properties Antonio R. Grijalva Julia Guerra Adrian Gutierrez Joe & Merrill Hafner, Jr. Kathleen Haney Carol & Thomas Harper III HEB Tournament of Champions Mr. & Mrs. Fred J. Heyne III Artie Lee Hinds Houston Chronicle Houston Medical Imaging David L. Huckin Elizabeth Hwong John W. Kemper James L. & Kathryn Ketelsen John Kirksey Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP Michael G. Meza, M.D., ‘89 Marisol Moreno Robert Mosbacher, Jr. Charles T. Newton, Jr. Kenneth E. Oberhoff Maconda B. O’Connor, Ph.D. Thomas I. O’Connor III David A. Ott, M.D. PageSoutherlandPage LLP Robert A. Peiser Ernest & Marietta Pekmezaris Beth Pelz George & Dora Pincus Cathy K. Ragsdale Everett Reeves Barbara & Corbin J. Robertson, Jr. Wilhelmina E. (Beth) Robertson

Regina Rogers Carl Ruthstrom Michele J. Sabino Christopher & Courtney Sarofim Kenny Schwartzberg Robert H. Sheridan Smith Custom Builders Arthur L. Smith Wilhelmina R. Smith Student Services, UHD Ralph A. Sturges & Co., L.L.C. Steve Sucher Tellepsen Builders, L.P. Leigh Van Horn Eugene & Susan Vaughan Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Weekley Molly Woods Spencer & Madyln Yantis ALUMNI ANNUAL FUND $100 to $250 David Robert Boyle, ‘93 Angela South Claflin, ‘87 Dicarlos Davis, ‘86 Terri Lynn Dunlap, ‘81 Stephen C. Estes, ‘87 Delmaude A. Farrell, ‘87 Michael Fitzgibbon, ‘89 Lisa Gillespie, ‘93 Gregary & Sonya, ‘88, Goings Kendall Ross Guillory, ‘01 Randal Scott Howard, ‘87 Sara Jane Howell, ‘90 Mary Kenney, ‘88 Jason Kwok, ‘02 Dena Louise Ladner, ‘93 Dale Lee, ‘92 Louise Lindsey, ‘88 Rodolfo E. Lopez, ‘94 Denny Matranga, ‘03 Kenneth Elton Neeley, ‘86 Diane Kathleen Nemer, ‘03 Jenny Nguyen, ‘00 Joseph Obi, ‘89 Adeniran Oshobu, ‘87 & ‘93 Gary T. Palmquist, ‘93 Sandra F. Priska, ‘04 Barbara Ann Quattro, ‘91 Melvin Deloyd Robinson, ‘02 L. Lorraine Ross, ‘95 $99 and below Henry Paul Amadio, ‘01 Krishna Avant-Cooper, ‘95 Martha Cecilia Aya, ‘04 Grace B. Barcelo, ‘92 Rebecca Boutté, ‘99 Joyce Bowman-Bennett, ‘80 David A. Brandenburg, ‘03 Lamar Brown, ‘87 Patricia Castaneda, ‘03 Jess R. Castilleja, ‘93 Margot A. Charles, ‘87 Yesenia Chavez, ‘00 Eric Chen, ‘03 Winnie Cheng, ‘01 Brenda L. Collier, ‘98 Aaron, ‘02, & Natalia Condray Roland B. Contreras, ‘78 Caren Crook-Bay, ‘96 Melinda Dever, ‘94 Janet B. Diaz, ‘03 Loretta Dieudonne, ‘99 Jorge Duarte, ‘94 Harriet Eisenstein, ‘04 Andrea Faniel, ‘03 Mahmud Farooque, ‘95 John P. Frese, ‘82 Christina Friloux, ‘95 Diane Fuller, ‘94

Pamela Fuller, ‘02 Gloria Garcia, ‘85 Robert Scott Geiger, ‘95 Cynthia Macias Gonzales, ‘00 Charles Gonzalez, ‘04 Daniel Gonzalez, ‘91 Triss Ann Goodwin, ‘90 Sybil Grenion, ‘03 Troylon Griffin, ‘04 Donald Guarino, ‘83 Mariela Guerra, ‘04 Kenneth Haesly, ‘88 Ilta Hall, ‘04 Nancy J. Hampton, ‘99 Amira Hemme, ‘83 Sharilyn Hennessey, ‘80 Dean Hobbs, ‘02 Judith Jones Holden, ‘83 Mercedes Michele Howell, ‘95 Kaitao Huang, ‘95 Michele Hugetz, ‘02 Steven B. Jaques, ‘04 Henry O. Joseph, ‘03 Jeffrey Phillip Kasowski, ‘87 Anthony La, ‘81 Angela Leary, ‘93 Carolyn Andrews Lightfoot, ‘79 Lorna Loyd, ‘97 Emma Maldonado, ‘98 Brad Mattinson, ‘91 Susan McHaney, ‘93 Mary Katherine McMurrough, ‘91 Jim T. Middleton, ‘88 Lorine Rae Mock, ‘94 Sandra L. Moody, ‘04 Mary Katherine Morris, ‘92 Ronnie Delmo Mullins, ‘04 Lisa S. Mumphord, ‘87 Sylvia A. Nelson, ‘87 Randy Odom, ‘93 Christopher Olson, ‘00 Shirley Parnell, ‘91 Tyjvanna Tekonsha Payne, ‘01 Mercedes Celina Penate, ‘02 Michael S. Reckles, ‘95 Sharon Reel, ‘89 Ellen Roche, ‘04 Deborah A. Rodney, ‘93 David Stephen Rodriguez, ‘97 Mike, ‘86, & Pat Rowland Glenn R. Rupert, ‘97 Faith L. Sanders, ‘83 Ann Golden Schmalz, ‘02 Christina L. Bedsoe Scholl, ‘93 April Schramek-Davis, ‘86 Barbara Schultz, ‘90 Connie Shannon, ‘86 Joe Slover, ‘02 Stephen Sony, ‘88 Kalisha Michelle Spratley, ‘03 Paulina C. Stagg, ‘00 Dolores Stawitz, ‘99 William Tabor, ‘85 Joyce Taylor-Lampley, ‘98 Linda K. Taube, ‘01 Nicole Y. Thomas, ‘95 Joel Ndubuisi Ukazu, ‘03 Frank Virgadamo, ‘84 Kevin Scott Walker, ‘82 Marilyn Walton, ‘99 Enrique Wong, ‘03 April Alyce Wood, ‘04

ENDOWMENTS Distinguished Faculty Endowment Chris Birchak Merrilee Cunningham MEMORIAL AND HONORARY GIFTS In Memory of Bobby Bizzell Chris Birchak Uptal Bose Gail & Roger Evans Debbie Francis Madeline Johnson Gary Junco Jack & Brenda Lord Duane Neal Khursheed Omer Robert & Lucille Pointer Carl R. Ruthstrom Dr. Margaret F. Shipley Joyce Supina Lee T. Usnick In Memory of Donald Bonham Brenda Bonham Gerland Nancy Bonham Holt & E.M. Holt, Jr.

In Honor of Dr. Lisa Read Ann Golden Schmalz, ‘02 In Honor of Dr. Michele J. Sabino TESOL In Honor of Harrel L. Shelton Tommy R. Shelton Jr., ‘03 MATCHING GIFTS Listed beneath the company names are the donors whose contributions made these matching gifts possible.

BASF Corporation Clyde D. Miller, ‘96 Boeing Mary Lou Kenney, ‘88 The Brown Foundation, Inc. Nancy & Mark Abendshein Thomas I. O’Connor III ConocoPhillips Christina, ’96, & Terry Axtmann

In Memory of Robert Browne Paulette & Gordon Purdy

Halliburton James Edward Stafford, ‘90

In Memory of Alicia S. Castillo Elizabeth D. Rockwell

Hewlett-Packard Christopher Olson, ‘00 Chun-Jung Chen, ‘88

In Memory of Porntip (Tippy) Duangploy, M.D. Gail & Roger Evans

Houston Exploration Company Dolores Stawitz, ‘99

In Honor of Carol & Thomas Harper III John Kirksey

Microsoft Matthew & Desiree, ’94, Woodruff

In Memory of Belle Mann L. Lorraine Ross, ‘95

Verizon Foundation Dale Lee, ‘92

In Honor of Ralph S. O’Connor Gail & Louis Adler

GIFTS IN KIND Chris A. Beavers Houston Symphony

Alumni Profile:

Vickie L. King Vicki L. King, Assistant Chief of Police, Criminal Investigations Command, has made a career of attaining high marks: a 4.0 Alumnus Vickie King, GPA, Dean’s List, Dean’s Highest Assistant Chief, Houston Police Department Honors, Summa Cum Laude, Police Cadet Class President, number one in her HPD Police Academy class of 130. From Mainland College through UHD Criminal Justice, her objectives were clear. As a career professional with HPD, Assistant Chief King’s moves were all calculated to get her to her current position.

One of Chief King’s topmost achievements was managing the single largest internal investigation into police misconduct in HPD’s history. Other notable accomplishments include: first female commander of a patrol division in the department’s history; third female to be promoted to Captain in HPD’s history; named Officer of the Year by Texas Women in Law Enforcement; and recipient of five Supervisor’s Commendation Awards.

Assistant Chief King was aided in her education in 2000 by a 100 Club scholarship presented by the Houston Police Department for officers who wish to study at UHD. “Vicki’s the perfect candidate for the 100 Club’s scholarships.” said Rick Hartley, executive director of The 100 Club and a UHD alumnus. “She completed her degree and gained rapid promotions within the department. Vicki illustrates the objectives of the program.”

UHD Image Awards

What’s New? Send a Note!

Update your former UHD classmates on your life by submitting an item for the “Alumni Notes” in New Horizons. We’ll also post your item in the alumni section of UHD’s website.

UHD Image Awards were presented at the J. Don Boney Luncheon in February in celebration of Black History Month. Each year, individuals at the university are recognized for their professional excellence. The award is named after Dr. J. Don Boney, the chancellor of UH-Downtown from 1975 until his death in 1979. Recipients this year are: (left to right) Linda Gilbert, Computer and Mathematical Sciences; Trinity Delafance, Police Department; Dr. Shelley McIntosh, Urban Teacher Education; and Elaine Pearson, Academic Affairs.

You can e-mail directly from the website at www.uhd.edu/ alumni/notes.htm. Or, send an e-mail to Karen AlfaroChamberlin at alfarok@uhd.edu.

Or, mail your item to Karen at UH-Downtown, One Main Street, Suite 990-S, Houston, Texas 77002.

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Science and Engineering Fair of Houston

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ore than 1,500 young scientists from 145 Houston-area middle and high schools took part in the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston. Now in its 47th year, the event has more than doubled in size since UH-Downtown became the principal sponsor in 1985. This year the top winners in the poster and essay contests are eligible to travel to South America for the international competition in July.

The fair is the largest provider of scholarships for science and engineering students in the greater Houston area, recognizing over 600 students and providing over 50 scholarships.

The audience watches as a virtual computer demonstration, created by a UHD student in a NASA laboratory, is projected onto a large screen. The project will help astronauts perform in unearthly conditions.

InTech: Technology Tools for Society An exciting seminar in March introduced participants to the new UHD internship program, “Information Technology Tools for Society.” The event featured the Digital Virtual Innovations Laboratory, a collaboration between UHD’s Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (CMS), the Center for Computational Sciences and Advanced Distributed Simulation (CCSDS), and NASA/Quest Innovations Laboratory.

Dr Richard Alo, executive director of CCSDS, and Dr. Ongard Sirisaengtaksin, professor of computer and mathematical sciences, organized the event.

Featured at the seminar was NASA/Quest Lab’s Anthony Bruin, demonstrating current research and stimulating involvement with the project. “Anything we can do to inspire [young

The exhibits and essays, amazingly sophisticated, cover topics from DNA manipulation, Buckminster Fuller nanotubes, to rockets and robots.

Dr. Larry Spears, professor of natural science, has guided the fair’s growth since 1985. With him, more than 1,600 volunteers from UHD, other local colleges and universities, and private industry manage the event’s judging and logistics. Primary sponsors are UHDowntown, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Engineering, Science & Technology Council of Houston.

people] means planting seeds for future generations,” said Bruin. “I love supporting NASA’s outreach program.”

New Vice Presidents

Internship sponsors include Quest Laboratory at NASA Johnson Space Center, the National Science Foundation, Pain Care of America, Houston Museum of Natural Science, U.S. Army Research Office and the Technology Division of Continental Airlines.

The UHD-based laboratory houses such equipment as highend graphic PC’s, helmet gloves, tracking device hardware and PHANTOM Omni Haptic devices. Student lab research projects include virtual reality applications-UHD virtual model, intelligent implants for pain management, physics engine for space simulations, and computational biology for the 8th grade.

David Bradley Vice President for Administration and Finance

The Missing Story of Ourselves Ivonne Montalbano Vice President for Employment Services and Operations

The Missing Story of Ourselves, a photographic exhibit featuring 40 men and women who overcame poverty and changed their lives through higher education, launched its nationwide tour at the Willow Street Pump Station, March 9. Dr. Sandra Dahlberg, associate professor and assistant chair of the English Department, helped gather stories for the project and was featured in the exhibit. Eight of the participants are alumni, students, faculty or staff of UHD.

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Ed Apodaca Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management

The Office of the President, Max Castillo, is pleased to announce the appointment of three new vice presidents at UH-Downtown. David Bradley, MBA, vice president for administration and finance, previously held the assistant vice president position. He has been with UHD since 1986 and has served with Mr. Chaney Anderson, who is joining his wife Jo Jean for an active retirement.

Ivonne Montalbano, MBA, takes on the position of vice president for employment services and operations.

Montalbano has been serving as executive assistant to the president and executive director of constituent relations for the past six years.

Dr. Geneva Hagedorn is retiring as the head of human resources and will continue to serve the university as ombudsman.

Ed Apodaca, MSA, vice president of student services and enrollment management, comes to UHDowntown from our sister institution, the University of Houston. He spent nine years at UH as assistant vice president of student affairs.

Brian Ransom: Ceramic Soundworks, an installation of ceramic musical instruments and sound sculptures, was exhibited in the O’Kane Gallery this spring.

Brian Ransom, an associate professor of visual art at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a sculptor, potter, composer and musician. His approach and technical knowledge of the physics of the firing process and the acoustics of the sound-producing bodies derive from research on indigenous Pre-Columbian musical instruments in Peru.

Bordeaux Light Rail stops at Willow Street Station

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ho would think of connecting Houston, Texas and Bordeaux, France by light rail? Add a prestigious art exhibit to the mix and “viola,” you have the start of a meaningful relationship.

A photographic and video display titled MeTRAMorphose was exhibited in April at the Willow Street Pump Station, representing works by 13 emerging art students from the City of Bordeaux’s light rail, inaugurated in 2004 at the same time as Houston’s METRORail.

The display concept began as a conversation with Dr. Susan Ahern, dean of the college of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), and Houston’s French Cultural attaché Joël Savary. The idea escalated when O’Kane Gallery’s Mark Cervenka was enlisted to curate the innovative space into a unique exhibit that was described as “clean, sophisticated, modernistic and enigmatic.”

The exhibit was the culmination of a joint effort between UHD, The Cultural

Offices of the French Embassy and the French Consulate, Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Helping defray the costs were the cultural offices of the French Embassy and the French Consulate in Houston, UHD Cultural Enrichment Center, CHSS and an anonymous alumna who secured a matching grant from her employer.

“In developing projects of this sort and sharing them with the public,” said Dr. Ahern, “we are creating an awareness of UHD, not only locally, but worldwide.” Present at the opening was the director of the Ecole Beaux-Arts, noting Houston as the first American appearance of the exhibit, which was called a “gift from French students to Houston.” Houston and Bordeaux have other collaborations in mind for the future.

Finance and world travel: Mixing business with education This year, the College of Business at UH-Downtown offered a travel and study course for the first time. The course, called FIN 4390: Foreign Country Study Experience, open to all students – both graduate and undergraduate – included a trip to Shanghai, China. Organizers were banking on the fact that travel and study programs help students “The world is a book, gain a unique perspective on different cultures and those who do not and economies. travel read only a page.”

The group attended two weekends of daylong - Augustine (354-430) classes in May before embarking on the 11day overseas trip to Shanghai, China. While in the Far East, students visited companies, educational institutions, and cultural sites. Upon their return, students began intensive course work until June 30, the end of Summer Session I. “China is the largest country in terms of population and the second largest country in terms of economy,” said Dr. Anisul M. Islam, professor of economics and organizer of the course. “A travel study course is very relevant to our global market and to China’s growing importance in the world. The course has given students a better knowledge of China’s economic, investment and international relations, and trade policies.”

The games that people play The cast of The Mandrake poses before the opening of the O’Kane Theatre spring production. The comedic play, written by Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527), is about relationships and mind games in the Italian urban life of his day. O'Kane Theatre invites students, faculty, staff and alumni to take part by performing on stage or working back stage. The "hands-on" involvement in theatrical productions has provided participants with a true sense of accomplishment and belonging for over 20 years.

In all, 19 students and four faculty members participated in the inaugural trip. Students with a 2.5 GPA or higher were eligible to apply for the UHD Study Abroad Scholarship, which covers up to 40 percent of the travel expenses.

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Roses smell sweet at 24th Red Rose Ball Red Rose Ball Honoree, Ralph S. O’Connor

Red Rose Ball Committee member, Thomas Harper III

UH System Regent Morgan Dunn O’Connor shares a lively moment with Dr. Leigh Van Horn from the urban teacher education department.

Geary Broadnax, president and CEO of Dovarri, Inc., and former member of the Red Rose Ball Committee, speaks with Dr. Max Castillo, UHD president, during the reception.

F

riends, donors, supporters and community leaders joined UHDowntown at the 2005 Red Rose Ball. Proceeds from the ball are used to fund scholarships for Red Rose scholars, outstanding transfer students and students in the Scholars Academy, a program for high performing students. This year, endowments were solicited to fund the Red Rose Scholarships in perpetuity. The goal is to endow all 25 scholarships by the 25th Anniversary of the Red Rose Ball in April 2006.

Christina Axtmann is a member of the Red Rose Ball Committee and a UHD alumnus. She attended the ball with her husband, Terry.

Right: Student Representative Teofilo “Theo” Chacon and his wife, Paloma, pause before the Red Rose Ball. Theo addressed the audience on the importance of higher education and being a role model for his children.

New Horizons

is published by the Office of Communications and Marketing, UH-Downtown, and distributed to friends of the university with updates on campus activities. Call 713-221-8010 for more information or e-mail: zamorac@uhd.edu.

Maconda Brown O’Connor celebrating the ball with her children (from left to right) Toby, Nancy and George.

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celeste Zamora Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Anne Fogarty, Jerelyn Taylor Art Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Wynne Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UHD Staff and Others

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