U.S. Secretary of Education discusses role of community colleges in current economy
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan focused on reducing unemployment as he addressed nearly 500 attendees at a town hall meeting March 8 at Austin Community College’s Eastview Campus.
ACC mourns recent loss of astronomy, physics, math professor over winter break
Gary Wade Crane, 54, passed away during the holiday break at his home around Dec. 23. He was born in Austin, Texas April 7, 1957 and attended high school
and college in Central Texas, eventually receiving a Master's Degree in Math from Southwest Texas State University.
Students took on Student Life staff members at the First Year Experience (FYE) vs Student Life faculty kickball game on Sept. 29 at Ginnis Park. Over 20 Student Life staff members were defeated by FYE student members during the game hosted by Student Life's Intramural Sports and Recreation program.
More sports events are planned for the near future. Pick up a copy of the Accent on Oct. 25 to get a recap on upcoming events hosted by Intramural Sports and Recreation.
Austin Community College ranks high in nation among foreign student population
Boasting 649 foreign pupils, Austin Community College has been ranked among U.S. institutions with the most international students by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Making the decision to move from Hamburg, Germany to attend ACC was not the easiest decision nursing major Jana Hoffmann has made in her life, but it is a decision she said has provided her with many positive experiences and benefits."I wanted to attend the University of Texas at Austin (UT) after attending a Longhorn football game with my uncle when I visited him when I was a 13 years old," Hoffmann said.
Club provides link between deaf, hearing communities in Austin
With a growing population of more than 200 deaf students attending Austin Community College, the Deaf Studies Association (DSA) has taken on the role of encouraging and supporting ACC's deaf community while fostering interaction between hearing and non-hearing students.
Professor clarifies 3-D concepts, builds successful business
In a makeshift order fulfillment center located in his family room, ACC adjunct instructional associate of chemistry Thomas Jempty found a way to combine his desire to help students with his lifelong passion for chemistry.
Jempty, whose affinity for chemistry began while playing with his cousin's chemistry set at age 10, pursued a degree in chemistry in college where his experiences inadvertently led to his current ownership of ChemKits Inc.
GSA teams up with local businesses to create, celebrate Tunnel of Oppression, Hall of Hope for gay h
Austin Community College's Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) organization paid homage to the struggles and victories of the gay rights movement throughout the years by contributing to the Tunnel of Oppression and Hall of Hope in honor of Gay History Month Nov. 12.
The Tunnel of Oppression is a campus grassroots diversity program that originated in 1993 at the Western Illinois University. It was designed to introduce participants to the concepts of oppression, privilege and power "The tunnel has been done by different colleges nationwide," GSA President Megan Rue said. "We had the idea to do a queer theme, to help inform queer people of their past and what their brothers and sisters have experienced throughout history.".
A new web series created and produced by Austin Community College students and faculty debuted online on Oct. 28 and has garnered over 500 likes on Facebook so far.
With the tagline "they say you can never go home again, once you leave," new web series "Once You Leave," was written and directed by Nathan Locklear, an Austin Community College adjunct assistant radio, television and film professor.
Former ACC photography student wins award with picture of grandfather
A visit with his 98-year-old grandfather in Uvalde, Texas during the summer of 2010 provided Robert Gomez with both a cherished memento and a prize-wining photograph for the FotoWeek DC International Awards Competition.
Increasing student success, college expansion among new president Dr. Richard Rhodes’ plans
During his first week as President/CEO, Richard M. Rhodes has faced record setting temperatures, devastating wildfires, and neighborhood evacuations. However, these challenges have neither dampened his enthusiasm nor slowed his quest to champion student success and expansion.
Ten years ago Jamie Gonzalez witnessed the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center
The experience of standing below the North tower of the World Trade Center when the first plane struck
on Sept. 11, 2001 took Jamie Alistair Gonzalez, down a life altering path which included withdrawal, denial, illness and finally recovery.
Student uses feet to accomplish everyday activities
Born without arms, 32-year-old Jose Villa said his disability hasn't kept him from doing anything. In fact, Villa is able to successfully write, eat, get dressed, use his phone, and drive – all with his feet. (continued)
Rare skin condition inspires student to help others
Student Government approves amended proposal to ban late registration, shorten add/drop dates
The Student Government Association (SGA) recently voted in favor of the amended proposal (continued)
Renewable Energy Student Association club becomes official student chapter of American Solar Energy Society in April
Governor Rick Perry appoints ACC professor Kristin Benton as new Chair of Texas Board of Nursing
Phi Theta Kappa hosts Special Olympics practices for disabled students
Three students create mascot history
Students auditioned for, won honor to play role of R.B. Bbhoggawact in public
Mubarak resigns after protests
Uprising in Egypt spurs ACC Political Science Professor Roy Casagranda to speak up about homeland, Egyptian political atmosphere
Avoiding loss of club status, Renewable Energy Student Association looks to future
Sabrina Holland hopes to win Capital of Texas Plus American Pageant to encourage other women
First year and returning students were invited to enjoy Welcome Week events hosted by Student Life during the first week of classes. Each campus hosted individual parties where Student Life offices provided different activities and games. At the events, students ate free food, enjoyed hula dance performances, played video games, and had the opportunity to win an IPod.
Dawn Tawwater stands in the front of the classroom hoping to give her students a greater perspective on human rights and equality.
Sitting in a hospital bed and plugged into IV's and monitoring machines is just another day in the life of 19-year-old ACC student Julian Casey.
Over the past eight years, Casey has been in and out of hospitals receiving chemotherapy treatment and dialysis after being diagnosed with lupus nephritis at an early age.
Writing courses designed specifically for veterans
Teaching inside the wire The day always began the same in the little plywood B-hut that Christine Leche shared with six other people on Bagram Air force base in Afghanistan. Behind her plywood partition she would gather her toiletries quietly so as not to bother her bunkmates and then step out into the early Afghan morning.
The thunderous roar grows louder with each lap the pack of 14 roller girls take around the track. Padded elbows and knees knock and bump into the tightly packed bodies. ACC student April Lowery, or Apeschit as she is known on the track, is in the middle of the pack shoving and pushing the women around her. The violence is quick and dangerous. People fall, girls slam into the railing, and the roar of thunder continues to grow.
The ACC Fire Academy began its first semester at its new home at the Austin Fire Department's training facility. The Academy had been located in Taylor, Texas for 19 years. Taking advantage of its new facilities, the Academy is training cadets for the Firefighter Challenge held every year at the Buda Fire Fest.
Approximately 35 students threw down their books and strapped on some skates.
On Sept. 23, students were invited by Student Life's intramural sports and recreation program to a night at Playland Skate.
Two Austin Community College students will play a key role in the selection of the college's new president/CEO ACC's board of trustees decided at a special meeting on Sept. 20.
A major video game company has decided to give $50,000 to ACC students.
The ACC Foundation received $50,000 from the Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) for game design students who are also veterans.
Accent writer experiences mascot tryouts first hand
When ACC's new mascot, the Riverbat, starts making appearances in and around Austin later this year, it will be more than just a friendly, costumed caricature; someone from the ACC student body will be inside the fuzzy bat-suit.
The winners of the recent audition to be Austin Community College's new mascot, the Riverbat, will be chosen soon. More than one candidate will be chosen to allow for schedule flexibility. Mascot tryouts, which were open to current students only, were held this past Saturday at the Riverside Campus.
There is a new mascot for ACC, but students won't know what it is until later this month. As of Friday, April 2, voting for the Mascot, which was open to both students and members of the Austin community, officially closed. The four final ideas were Starblazers, Blazers, River Bats, and Bbhoggawacts.
ACC student Avy Gonzalez was interviewed by online radio station WEPA FM on Dec. 16 for his work with recording artist Sandra "Sandee" Casanas. Gonzalez moved to Austin in 2005 and while he still loves music, he is now concentrating on getting his degree in political science.
The ACC Fire Academy began its first semester at its new home at the Austin Fire Department's training facility. The Academy had been located in Taylor, Texas for 19 years. Taking advantage of its new facilities, the Academy is training cadets for the Firefighter Challenge held every year at the Buda Fire Fest.
The thunderous roar grows louder with each lap the pack of 14 roller girls take around the track. Padded elbows and knees knock and bump into the tightly packed bodies. ACC student April Lowery, or Apeschit as she is known on the track, is in the middle of the pack shoving and pushing the women around her. The violence is quick and dangerous. People fall, girls slam into the railing, and the roar of thunder continues to grow.
David Thompson does not want the audience to remember his face.
Legislation that affects the rights of foster children is being considered this session. The Foster Care Alumni of America (FCAA) has come out for or against these Bills. FCAA facilitates youth involvement in the legislation. "I think it is important to draw the distinction between the position that Lifeworks takes and the FCAA takes, they are separate.
Joshua Michael Bacak was elected the new student body president for ACC. Bacak was a senator for the South Austin Campus before running for President and also organized and led "Black Out," a student game night, and one of the biggest student led events. "I feel that I have the tools and experience from the five years in the Marine Corps, actually leading people, to excel," said Bacak of his qualifications for the position as President.
Lisa Heap dropped out of school her senior year as a biochemistry major. Five years passed before she returned to college. Since summer of 2007, Heap has worked on her associate degree in nursing at ACC. While attending ACC, she has decided to become a nursing teacher.
The purpose of Veterans Day and Memorial Day is to honor the sacrifice and dedication of people in the military, but it isn't often that anyone takes a moment to personally thank a veteran. Austin based jewelry designer and former ACC student Carianne Schulte created a keepsake called A Pocketful of Thank Yous to make it easier for people to do just that.
John Wesley Coleman, a former Austin Community College student, is a man of many talents. Wesley, one of Austin's commonly seen faces and well-known for performing while inebriated, has expanded his talents by exploring the art of comedy. Wesley performed at Antone's Records during their 21st anniversary party Aug.
Student posts blogs about the inaugural celebration of President Barack ObamaBrad Burnett
Over the winter break, our Student Government Association president Brad Burnett had the opportunity to go on an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration and gala. ACC and the Center for Public Policy and Political Studies funded the trip.
Tovah Olmo Staff Writer Singer/Songwriter Cory Branan just moved to Austin after completing his two month tour, hitting the southern, mid-west, and east coast states playing songs from his two previously celebrated albums, "The Hell You Say" and "12 Songs.
Local models show off "The Hills" star Lauren Conrad's collection
On Saturday, Oct. 25, MTV's "The Hills" star, Lauren Conrad, kicked off her four-city college fashion show tour, the Lauren Conrad Collection College tour or LC3, here in Austin. Over 200 people packed the model audition held at Pangaea for an evening of fashion and a chance to hang out with Lauren at the show's after-party.
Sara Hellman is preparing to throw herself into unfamiliar territory. At seventeen, this ACC student is not your average candidate for admittance into the prestigious Gallaudet University, because of one factor: she's not deaf. Gallaudet University accepts only up to 5% of their incoming class as hearing students.
John-Michael Cortez was elected to place two of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees this May and has many plans for ACC, including improvements to the transportation and parking issues students face. He stated that he ran for the board because he realized that ACC provides an essential and accessible higher education and workforce training for the central Texas area.
Riverside's own Atia Willis talks about goals, being the queen of Austin
Recently crowned Miss Austin USA of 2008, Atia Willis has proved that she is Austin royalty. Willis attends Austin Community Colleges' Riverside Campus and majors in Marketing with hopes to transfer to the University of Texas. A native of Houston, Willis worked her way up from adolescent pageantry to the title of calling herself a "Miss.
While many people planned to stay indoors on Sept. 12 due to hurricane preparations, Austin Community College Student Life Assistant Dot Dearinger risked highly congested roadways and sacrificed personal comfort to volunteer with the Red Cross, helping displaced Texas coastal residents.
I recently had the honor of sitting down with ACC Texas Government Professor Mike Harris. I completed his class at the end of the fall semester in 2006. It remains one of the most informative, mind-boggling experiences I have had. Unfortunately for would-be students, Harris is retiring in the near future.
Bob McConaughy is an adjunct assistant professor of history at Austin Community College. He is in his second year with the school, teaching primarily History I at the Rio Grande Campus. He also teaches an advanced placement History II class at Georgetown High School.
Student spotlight
This past week I had the opportunity of meeting with our Star of the Month who was given a chance to tell the Board of Trustees how Austin Community College has helped her. Her name is Markette Griffin, 25, who grew up in Trinity, Texas. She first attended ACC to receive her GED and after a bit of persuasion, decided to return to achieve her dream as a physical therapist.
Rio Grande Campus Patrol Officer Joanna Weaver was given the 2006 ACCPD Life Saving Award due to her involvement in the recovery of stabbing victim and ACC student, Rita Pena, on the evening of Oct. 25, 2006. Weaver said that she arrived on the scene before the paramedics and the Austin Police Department because she saw Pena while patrolling.
Former ACC police officer sentenced to probation
It's called double dipping - taking pay for two shifts at once, or working a private security job while the police officer should be working on campus. It's not the social mistake of reaching for another dip after taking a bite. Robert Sanchez, a former Austin Community College Police Department lieutenant, was convicted March 10 of a third-degree felony theft of service for working off-campus jobs while on the clock.
One of the outstanding characteristics of the ACC Northridge Campus is not only the 8600 students in attendance there, but also the presence of Sergeant Donald E. Seamster of the Campus Police. Seamster is head of security at the campus and has worked with ACC for 10 years.
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