Education notebook: Abilene ISD serving summer meals to students

Abilene ISD announced in a news release Friday that it again will be serving free meals to local children through the summer.

Starting June 6 and continuing through July 28, children age 18 and younger will receive free breakfasts and lunches at a variety of locations in Abilene. All locations will be closed June 20 and July 4.

► June 6-July 28: G.V. Daniels Park Recreation Center; Rose Park Recreation Center; Chavez Park Recreation Center; Cobb Park Recreation Center; Abilene High School; Martinez Boys & Girls Club; Redbud Playground; YMCA at Redbud Park; and Abilene Youth Sports Authority.

► June 6-July 14 (closed Fridays): Clack Middle School; Craig Middle School; Dyess Elementary; and Taylor Elementary.

► June 1-30 and July 13-21 (closed Fridays): Bowie Elementary

► May 31-June 16 (Tuesdays-Thursdays only): The L.I.F.T.

► June 9: Children's Art & Literacy Festival

Meal times will vary by location. For information, call 211 or go to abileneisd.org.

Brad East
Brad East

ACU names Teacher of the Year

Brad East, assistant professor of theology at Abilene Christian University, has been  named the school's Teacher of the Year for 2022, ACU said in a recent news release.

The award was based on nominations submitted by students in East's classes.

East holds an undergraduate degree from ACU, a master of divinity degree from Emory University and a Ph.D. from Yale University. He began teaching in ACU’s Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry five years ago.

As part of the award, East will ride in the ACU homecoming parade in October and speak at both the commencement in December and the University Scholars awards in the spring.

Col. Doug Simon
Col. Doug Simon

Col. Doug Simon to lead Tarleton Corps of Cadets

Tarleton State University announced Army Col. Doug Simon will serve as commandant of the school's Corps of Cadets and dean of its Leadership and Military College.

Simon will begin his duties July 1, pending approval by the Texas A&M University System board of regents.

Simon, who has been a member of the Minnesota National Guard since 1989, is currently the State Staff Judge Advocate for Minnesota and Senior Judge Advocate and Branch Manager for the Minnesota National Guard Judge Advocate Corps.

Simon holds a PhD in sociology from South Dakota State University; a juris doctor from the University of South Dakota; a Master of Laws in Military Law from the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia; a master of public administration degree from the University of South Dakota; and a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota.

Kayla Peak
Kayla Peak

Kayla Peak named dean of Tarleton School of Kinesiology

Tarleton State  announced  Kayla Peak has been named dean of the school's School of Kinesiology.

Peak will take the position on June 15, pending approval by the Texas A&M University System board of regents.

Peak joined the Tarleton faculty in 2006, and is currently interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. She holds a doctorate of education from Texas A&M University-Commerce and both master's and bachelor's degrees in physical education from Tarleton.

Three ACU students awarded Fulbright grants

Three students at Abilene Christian University will have an opportunity to study abroad next school year as recipients of Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, tying ACU's record for most Fulbright recipients, the school said in a news release Thursday.

"The Fulbright program is a great fit for students at ACU due to its service orientation and global mission, and we love to see more of our students getting to participate in this highly-regarded program,” Jason Morris, dean of the Honors College and

director of the Office of Major Scholarships at ACU, said in the release.

Cesar Manzano
Cesar Manzano

► Cesar Manzano, an eighth grade English teach in Brownsville who received an MBA this May through ACU Online, will be an English teaching assistant in Spain.

Cassidy Miller
Cassidy Miller

► Cassidy Miller, ACU's study abroad coordinator who will be graduating with a master of education degree in August, will travel to the Slovak Republic to teach English and advise students about traveling to the U.S.

Bree Foster
Bree Foster

► Bree Foster, a 2017 ACU graduate living in Glenn Heights, will be an English teach assistant in Indonesia.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Education notebook: Abilene ISD serving summer meals to students