Campus News
Living the Mission
Volunteering at Travis Park United Methodist Church: (l-r) students Iris Ayala and Gilbert Surmiento; Dr. Roger Barnes, professor of sociology and parishioner; Ivy Salomon, church employee and former student, and Dr. Mary Esther Huerta, professor of education.
On Aug. 25, over 150 members of the UIW community spread out across San Antonio to live the mission. The university organized a new half-day event called “Meet the Mission” where busloads of volunteers visited nonprofit organizations such the Visitation House, Travis Park United Methodist Church, SAMM shelter and the Wesley Community Center to put faith into practice by helping underserved members of our greater community.
No job was too big or small. Students, faculty and staff members “rolled up their sleeves” and pitched in wherever needed. They cleaned, organized materials, helped set up for an upcoming event, spent one-on-one time with program residents, and helped with various chores.
Dr. Harold Rodinsky, assistant professor of psychology and a key organizer of the event, said “It turned out to be a wonderfully rewarding experience that bonded participants through our united helping hands. This is what this university is all about - being moved by our faith to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Meet the Mission is part of the university's ongoing effort to integrate education, innovation, truth, service and faith in our everyday lives. Students who participated received credit toward community service hours, helping them achieve the 45 service hours they need to graduate.
First Pharmacy Class Honored
The Feik School of Pharmacy’s inaugural class of 2010 recites an oath of professionalism. Students represent diverse ages and cultures.
It was a pivotal moment as 79 ordinary students became professional pharmacy students as they were cloaked and formally introduced on Sept. 15 in the UIW Sky Room. The Feik School of Pharmacy proudly announced its first doctoral class while a sea of attendees applauded.
“This is a momentous day. The nation is experiencing a shortage of pharmacists. These students are embarking on a journey that will make them part of the solution to that shortage,” said founding dean Dr. Arcelia Johnson-Fannin.
This class will begin a legacy of new graduates to spread within and beyond Texas. In his keynote address, former San Antonio mayor Henry G. Cisneros reinforced the vital importance of the new school and each student’s role in its success. Wearing fresh white coats, the class recited the Pledge of Professionalism – an important oath of service Johnson-Fannin challenged them to uphold.
Originating in the 1990s at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, white coat ceremonies traditionally involve the formal “cloaking” of students entering schools in their white coats and include recitation of a professional oath.
Celebrations Welcome Students Back to School
Wordstock Festival 2006 was a big success! TOP. Admissions counselors have fun while working at the “Cool Off” booth: Elisa Levy and associate director Yolanda Crooms ‘04 MAA, ’02 BBA. MIDDLE. Tony Ramos ’02 BS, Luis Vasquez ’97 BBA and Berenice Villamil ’06 BA at the alumni margarita booth. BOTTOM. Sailor Sam was on hand to support the U.S. Navy’s recruitment booth.
Festivities were in full force in August and September welcoming a record UIW enrollment of 5,619 students. Welcome Week was held on Aug. 18-30. The fall semester officially kicked off with a dinner and pinning ceremony in the Sky Room to mark students' new beginning at UIW. Events continued throughout August to introduce students to the full spectrum of activities on campus. Once they were settled and classes underway, students and their families joined university employees, alumni and the public to celebrate the new school year at the annual Wordstock Festival on Sept 9.
Wordstock brought hundreds of festival go'ers to campus for a full evening of food, music, and fun. Student and employee volunteers set up, monitored activities, and manned booths to help make the festival a success. Kids rode on a train, jumped on the Moonbounce, and played fun games. Adults climbed the rock wall, checked out the hot rods, sampled a wide variety of food, from shrimp kabobs to seasoned cucumbers, and listened to the live music of Faktion, 5-Star, 51 Acres and the Jazz Band.
Proceeds benefited the San Antonio Educational Partnership Endowment, the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the Endowed Scholarship at UIW. Special thanks go to all the volunteers for their hard work and to event sponsors Bud Light, Coca-Cola, Grande Communications, Frost Bank, Edge Magazine, KSAT12, and radio stations KUIW, Z106.7, 99.5 KISS, and MAGIC 105.3.
Angel of Hope Finds Home
When Roger and Marcy Bousum lost their youngest child in July 2000, they wanted to create a place of solace to honor the spirit of their daughter. They chose an area on campus beside the Brackenridge Villa as that place.
On Sept. 19, the Bousums and other families who have lost a child gathered to dedicate a special location for reflection where the Angel of Hope statue now stands. The statue was first introduced in the best-selling book entitled, “The Christmas Box” by Richard Paul Evans. In the book, a woman mourns the loss of her child at the base of an angel monument.
San Antonio's Angel of Hope at UIW is the 67th bronze angel erected nationwide. Every year, each site holds a candlelight vigil on Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. to correlate with the date of the child's death in the book. Families who have lost a child gather to pause and honor their children by placing a flower at the base of the statue.
For more information on the Angels of Hope, visit www.saangelofhope.org.
Cinderella Reunion Encore
At the reunion: (back l-r)
Dr. Maureen Halligan '71 MA, professor emerita;
Laurie Fitzpatrick '76 BA;
Cindy Rodriguez Martinez '76 BA; John Mangrem '74 BA, '02 MA; Pat Shaughnessy, set designer; Bernadette Egly '75 BA;
Delma Cisneros Wheeler '73 BA; John Everling, attended '72-'74; Mary Beth Swofford '74 BA,
professor; Jerry Watson,
attended '69-86. (front l-r)
Sr. Germaine Corbin, CCVI '62 BA, professor; Chris Champlin, attended '76.
It was a fairytale come true for cast and crew of the UIW “Cinderella” stage production of 30 years ago. Cast member Jerry Watson helped reunite the group this past summer after discovering fellow cast member John Everling's name in a Google search. Everling played the role of the Prince.
“I contacted him after not seeing him or talking to him in over 20 years,” said Watson. Plans developed through emails and eventually, the whole group convened at nearby Earl Abel’s restaurant.
As an encore, they met again at 2:00 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the Coates theatre to watch the very play that brought them together in the first place -- “Cinderella”. Nearly the entire original cast was present. The current play’s director was none other than UIW’s first Cinderella – Dr. Mary Beth Swofford, associate professor of theatre arts. And the Ugly Stepmother, once played by Bernadette Egly, was performed this time by her son, theatre major Bryan Ortiz. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one we’ll never forget,” said Swofford.
Living the CCVI Mission
This second original sculpture on the UIW campus by artist Paul Tadlock was given by Mrs. Patricia Crain in memory of her husband, trustee Bill Crain, on the seventh anniversary of his death. It honors the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word for their continuing mission of service and the 125th anniversary year of their founding of the University of the Incarnate Word. Mr. Crain was a celebrated business and civic leader, honored philanthropist, and devoted church leader. Together Patricia and Bill Crain shared the Incarnate Word mission of service, especially to young people in need.
Dedicated July 30, 2006