The search for the next president of Richland College has narrowed down to four candidates. Dr. Kay Eggleston, who currently serves as interim president at Richland has been selected as one of the final four applicants for the position. The other three applicants include Dr.
It's party time!
It's time to let loose and join in the festive "Carnival" on Richland's campus today from 12 to 2 p.m. The Office of Student Life is hosting a Mardi Gras celebration in El Paso Hall. "There is going to be a catering company that cooks traditional Cajun cooking like crawfish and corn on the cob.
Later this month, some energetic islanders will face the wrath of the gods right here on our campus -- and no one knows what fury will take place. One thing is certain, though. There will be plenty of music and action as the Drama Department presents "Once on This Island," a one-act Afro-Caribbean musical, with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty.
Playwright Linda Daugherty once set out for New York City to be an actress, but she discovered when she got there that it wasn't what she thought. Daugherty experienced some fun and excitement but found it was a struggle trying to raise two small children even with a supportive husband.
Graphic novelist Jason Shiga will be the keynote speaker at Richland's 29th annual 2012 Literary Festival. The event will take place from Feb. 20-23 in the Lago Vista Gallery located in the lower floor of the library. Shiga, from Oakland, Calif., is perhaps best known for his graphic novel, "Meanwhile," a choose-your-own adventure story -- with 3,856 possible endings.
Dr. Arnold "Arnie" Paddock had a lively personality, one that followed him everywhere he went, including the classroom where he taught. Paddock began teaching as an adjunct physics professor in 1984. He had a knack for connecting with his students in a unique and entertaining way.
If you've ever had the urge to do something really creative and fun, you'll soon have your chance. The Emeritus plus 50 Program is looking for older folks in the Richland community who would like to be part of its Emeritus Has Talent acting troupe. Two auditions, titled "Act 1 Auditions" will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.
Spring semester had a rocky start due to the state required meningitis vaccination required for new students, students returning from a period of absence, transfers from another college, or continuing education students. Some students were not able to register because they didn't have the form needed that stated they received the vaccination by Jan.
Throughout January, the Brazos Gallery has been displaying the work of Multimedia Faculty Director Dwayne Carter. His work "Midway to Madness" consists of large-scale prints depicting what he views as turmoil within society. "We are animals with emotions on one side and law and order on the other," Carter said.
The Richland College music recital series is well under way. Last week's feature guest, the Faculty Jazz Group, filled the Fannin Performance Hall with the wonderful sounds of music. The group has been in existence for about 10 years performing at campus events for various functions, such as the annual Fall and Spring convocations.
Master storyteller, playwright and scholar Dr. Njoki McElroy shared some personal experiences regarding the Great Migration and history at the Emeritus 2012 Back-to-School Kickoff last month. McElroy based the lecture on excerpts from her book "1012 Natchez: A Memoir of Grace, Hardship and Love," which she describes as "a celebration to the miracle of survival of the human spirit.
Members of Richland's Student Government Association (SGA) focused on the results of the most recent fundraiser, as well as the planning of possible projects before the end of the semester at their weekly meeting Dec. 4. On Nov. 28-29, SGA members set up a table in the cafeteria and sold doughnuts.
There are only 17 more days left this year. People have probably already planned or started to establish their New Year's Resolutions for 2012. Many choose to lose weight or get in shape through a certain diet or exercise regimen. Zumba is a excellent rhythmic option for anyone to hoping to start and sustain a resolution.
Maryam Abdullah says she's returning to Richland to take classes next semester. For her, that's nothing new. She's been coming here since 1998 every week – unless school is out. "I have no plans to quit coming here unless God says it's over," Abdullah said.
With two weeks left in the Fall 2011 semester, students may have a difficult time managing their time with work, school and personal affairs. All these factors can contribute to students getting stressed and overwhelmed. "Everyone has stress.
Midnight classes are taking after-hours learning to a whole new level. It's a new trend with community college campuses and it's one that could eventually arrive at Richland. According to USA Today, the program started at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston.
Janet Petri has always made an effort to keep her priorities straight and stay on top of her schoolwork. While her peers wait until the last minute, fretting over what classes to take for the following semester, pre-nursing student Petri usually has her courses prepared in time for the registration period and is rewarded with slots in the classes of the college's best professors.
Amid the 243-acre sprawl of Richland College lie a number of hidden gems – quiet places where students can escape the daily hustle and bustle of campus life. They are peaceful getaways, places often overlooked and underutilized because of the sheer vastness of the campus.
If a class is stressful, the course work is difficult or a student is not meeting the standards to pass a course, many students choose to drop a class. Thursday (Nov. 17) is the last day a student can withdraw from a Fall 2011 class. "Withdrawal should be the last alternative.
It's the time of year when social service agencies are calling on the public for help in giving to the needy. Richland's Office of Student Life has partnered with the Salvation Army Corporate Angel Tree Program to help with that cause. Bobbie Harrison, director of the OSL, said Richland has been offering the Angel Tree program at least 15 years.
Free of pot holes, spaces in the freshly paved and painted parking lots are now available for the taking. Last Wednesday afternoon, parking lots A and B reopened. A week ahead of schedule, the opening of the lots frees up approximately 1,000 parking spaces.
The reception for the first Richland Veterans Art Show will take place from noon to 1 p.m. today (Nov. 8) in El Paso Hall, Room E-082. It will include art work done by veterans – students, staff, faculty and/or community members. Everyone is welcome to attend a Veterans Day Observance from 12:15 to 1:15 p.
Recently, Richland was named a Military-Friendly school for its various services to its veteran students. Fred Allen, Earl Ward and Rahel Omer are Richland students who contributed years of service to the United States military. Allen is a full-time student among the other military service men and women that attend Richland.
Loud whoops erupt through the air as students gather around their respective tables, eyes in front and oblivious to all else around them. The familiar sounds of decks shuffling and the slap of cards on foam mats to some is a welcoming sign, and to these students it is the makings of business as usual.
The Richland College School of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts presented "Momentum Dance Fall 2011" on Nov. 4, in Fannin Hall theater with a variety of diverse dance pieces, including hip hop, belly dance and Spanish ballet. The concert combined student and faculty choreography.
Pirates, princesses and villains owned the stage in the cafeteria seeking the top prize at the Halloween Costume Contest Oct. 31. The contest, sponsored by the Office of Student Life, showcased creative costumes and talented dancers for Halloween entertainment.
The infamous "Thunderdust" parking situation remains a constant issue for students attending classes on Richland's campus. The reconstruction of parking lots A and B has temporarily closed a direct route to Thunderduck Hall. Thunderduck Hall provides essential services such as financial aid, tuition payments and registration, along with several others.
Think you have the most creative costume? Well it's time to prove it at the annual Richland Costume Contest sponsored by the Office of Student Life on Halloween, Oct. 31. Contestants can strut their stuff on stage in the cafeteria and hope to take home a gift card prize.
Macintosh training in 1993
Eighteen years ago, Macbook Pros and iPads weren't around. But rest assured, Steve Jobs was putting products on the market and Richland was right there, serving as a pioneer school for Macintosh training. From 1990 to 1993 Richland's Macintosh training program took off.
A place for reflection
Work, classes, outside activities and constant studying are all competing aspects in the overwhelming schedule of a college student. There are several techniques students use to ease stress in their lives. The labyrinth at Richland is a perfect relaxation tool that is free and available for any student's schedule.
Fannin Performance Hall was transformed into a crime scene and police investigation with a mystery writer and a group of frenzied folks frantically searching for stolen diamonds. There was pandemonium on stage, but it was all part of the fun as the Richland Drama Department presented "Exit the Body" Oct.
The hunt for parking spaces just got a lot more difficult for Richland students and faculty. Due to a new renovation project, parking lots A and B, located near Thunderduck and Sabine Halls, were shut down Oct. 10 and will be closed until Nov. 17. "Parking lots A and B have not been in good shape for some time and we keep repairing them," Director of Facilities Eddie Hueston said.
Parking is troublesome enough without two of the lots, A and B, being closed for construction. Why the lots are closed and the reasons behind the construction are questions being posed by many students. According to construction updates on the Richland College website, it has become necessary to demolish, renovate and resurface both lots on the west side of campus which can no longer accommodate the heavy daily traffic.
It's the seventh week of the semester and students have probably taken at least one test. Some subjects require several hours of studying and even then it can be hard to understand the key concepts. Richland College offers numerous opportunities for tutoring in subjects such as math, writing, government, and accounting in the Learning Center at Medina Hall.
Richland has never been plagued with a baffling murder, a mysterious house and an assortment of frenzied folks all desperate to find the same thing – some missing diamonds. But, on Oct. 12, that will all change when the Drama Department presents "Exit the Body," a comic farce written by Fred Carmichael.
Posters were plastered around the campus. Fliers, business cards and candy were passed out. Facebook statuses and text message reminders were sent. Candidates tried their best to attract their peers to the Student Government Association elections, but when the time for voting came around, less than 1 percent of the Richland student population cast ballots.
Parking is troublesome enough without two of the lots, A and B, being closed for construction. Why the lots are closed and the reasons behind the construction are questions being posed by many students. According to construction updates on the Richland College website, it has become necessary to demolish, renovate and resurface both lots on the west side of campus which can no longer accommodate the heavy daily traffic.
If you don't think your vote counts, think again. One vote decided the president of the Student Government Association when the ballots were counted Friday. The SGA election was held last Wednesday and Thursday in the Student Lounge. To be eligible to vote, students had to present a valid Richland ID.
Academic learning is a never-ending enlightening process and is necessary for experience and career skills. The Emeritus Plus 50 Program at Richland College is offered to retired individuals and those still working who are 50 and older. It is an opportunity for individuals to broaden their career skills, find volunteer opportunities and simply embrace learning.
For the time being, they remain in hiding in Fannin Performance Hall's many practice rooms. In a few weeks, they will set foot on the small stage set up in the middle of the cafeteria. Fret not, faithful Subway patrons. Richland College's musical ensembles are prepared to entertain and rescue you from your lunchtime boredom and woes.
Free Foreign Language movies: The World Language Lab will be showing free foreign films this semester. Students, faculty and staff are invited to foreign films that will entertain, educate and inspire conversation. This semester the foreign films will be all about food.
Andy Long has been looking for a full-time teaching position in drama for two years. When he saw that Richland had an opening, he applied and got the Visiting Scholar position. Long been working in professional theater for about 25 years in a variety of fields, including broadcast, voiceovers, improv and commercials.
Richland College's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Alpha Xi, held a bake sale Sept. 13 in El Paso Hall, raising approximately over $200, donating 25 percent of the profit to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society among community college students, whose mission is to recognize and encourage academic achievement.
Thousands of Dallas County Community College students have faced delays and frustration trying to get financial aid this semester. Some have resorted to contacting The Dallas Morning News' Problem Solver for help and others created a Facebook page called "Reform for DCCCD" in hopes of getting help.
The Dallas County Community College District board of trustees held a regular meeting on Sep. 6, where they discussed proposed board priorities, the new 2011-12 budget and financial aid. Five board priorities that have to do with student and employee success within the district were presented for approval at the meeting: 1) Meet the educational needs of Dallas County, 2) Empower students to meet success milestones, 3) Demonstrate leadership in the national student success agenda, 4) Empower employees for success, 5) Achieve organizational effectiveness.
Richland Collegiate High School Duck Camp, a full-day orientation for incoming students, was held Aug. 12 on campus, with approximately 260 students in attendance. Duck Camp included an opening ceremony, a rotation of five student groups through five different sessions and a final rally.
In a recent interview with the Richland Chronicle, Rick Renshaw, the centralized director of financial aid for the Dallas County Community College District said, "Yes, I do anticipate that the district will be able to meet the new extension date of Aug.
Members of Richland College's Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Alpha Alpha Xi, attended the Texas Regional Honors Institute, where they heard from notable guest speakers, participated in group seminars, attended workshops and networked with members from other Phi Theta Kappa chapters.
Artists John Frost and Ryder Richards kick off the Fall semester's exhibitions with their first collaborative art piece.
Richland students talk about the pros and cons of tackling fast-paced summer semesters.
Members of Phi Theta Kappa organize the summer's first service project at Pleasant Valley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
Photography students' workshop portfolios are currently being showcased at the Brazos Gallery.
The Emeritus Plus 50 Program is offering a free "Summer 2011 Back-to-School Kickoff" next month. The kickoff will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 15, in the mezzanine of Crockett Hall and in the Brazos Gallery, Room C-140. Since Richland is going paper free, the Emeritus Program will no longer print booklets.
An important piece of American history recently came to life on the Richland stage. Legacy Performing Arts (LPA), a New York theater company, presented "AngelCorps," on March 15, a short musical depicting the dedicated lives of three adventurous World War II army nurses.
A number of student dancers are getting revved up for the Spring Dance Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, April 8-9, in the Fannin Performance Hall. Gina Sawyer, visiting scholar, said this year's theme, "Cirque," relates to the circus.
Richland College received an award March 22 that could make less aware colleges turn green all over with envy. During a ceremony in Sabine Hall, a handful of representatives from the Dallas office of the Environmental Protection Agency gave out the 2010 Waste Wise Award, for Richland's efforts in creating a campus that honors the environment.
Renowned photographer Ralph Gibson visited Richland College on March 10 for a morning and evening presentation. Gibson is best known for his photographic books which feature images with mysterious tones. Gibson says of himself and his photography, "I'm really not the music.
Several guest speakers in the medical field will be on campus from Monday through Thursday, March 28-31 for Health Professions Week. They will inform prospective students about a number of fields in the health profession and offer advice to those who are undecided.
A mens' chorus is tuning in to help expand the music program this semester. Dr. Michael Crawford, associate dean of performing arts, said there was enough interest last semester to make the chorus a one-hour credit course, MUEN 2141.8003 for spring.
An award-winning science fiction writer will be part of the 28th annual Richland Literary Festival. Tony Daniel will be the featured speaker, starting at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the lower level of the library. Daniel has also published an award-winning short story collection, "The Robot's Twilight Companion," and may be best known for his most recent novel, "Guardian of Night.
A little slice of the New York City theater district is coming to the Richland stage. The ensemble musical, "Angel Corps," produced by Legacy Performing Arts, a New York City-based theater company, will perform from 9 to 11:30 a.m., March 15, in the Fannin Performance Hall.
The Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) is taking the concept of "Going Green" a step further. The DCCCD is now part of the Internet site for carpoolers/ride sharers, AlterNetRides (ANR). ANR is a free nationwide service. The site allows people to post notices to either be a passenger and share transportation costs or take turns driving.
The next time you venture into the Office of Student Life (OSL) in El Paso Hall, Room E-040, you may not recognize it. The same faces are there, but the office will soon sparkle with a fresh, new look. Renovations began in Oct. 2010 and should be finished by the third week of February.
Black History Month feature
Cynthia Anderson Cynthia Anderson has had her fair share of obstacles, and none were easily conquered. Among her physical struggles, Cynthia has had cancer, cataracts, a brain injury, two strokes, diabetes, and is confined to a wheel chair. On top of that, she is a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, where she lost everything in her home in New Orleans.
If there's anyone out there who can spare $1.5 million or more for a good cause, they need to come forward quickly. The fate of Richland's new Buzz Aldrin Center for Science and the Arts depends on a generous, but so far unknown, contributor. Whoever can provide some funding for Richland's new center will achieve a little fame and will share the spotlight with Aldrin.
Richland's 28th annual Literary Arts Festival will feature a new and controversial topic this year – a discussion of one of the books banned by many American schools and libraries. It's "Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger, published in 1951.
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