Education notebook: Texas State Technical College nursing grads honored

Staff report
·2 min read
Former first lady of Hardin-Simmons University Carol Hall is hooded by current HSU President Eric Bruntmyer after conferring an honorary degree upon her during Friday's graduation ceremony. Hall's husband, Lanny, twice served as president of HSU. His wife was honored for her many activities related to the university and the community.
Former first lady of Hardin-Simmons University Carol Hall is hooded by current HSU President Eric Bruntmyer after conferring an honorary degree upon her during Friday's graduation ceremony. Hall's husband, Lanny, twice served as president of HSU. His wife was honored for her many activities related to the university and the community.

Six nursing students were honored at a pinning ceremony April 28 celebrating their graduation from Texas State Technical College with associate degrees, the school said in a news release.

Honored at the ceremony were: Marylou Russell, Terri Rickman, Kenna Logan, Ruth Ochungo, Chelsea Gunville-Schied and David Josh Geron.

"You have shown that you will not give up on your patients," TSTC Nursing division leader Lisa van Cleave told the graduates, the release said. "You will fight for them. I know you will do great things.

TSTC offers an associate of applied science degree in nursing at its campuses in Sweetwater and Harlingen, and offers a vocational nursing certificate program in Breckenridge, Sweetwater and Harlingen.

Texas State Technical College nursing students honored at a pinning ceremony on April 28, from left: Marylou Russell, Terri Rickman, Kenna Logan, Ruth Ochungo, Chelsea Gunville-Schied and David Josh Geron. Not pictured: Michelle Jones.
Texas State Technical College nursing students honored at a pinning ceremony on April 28, from left: Marylou Russell, Terri Rickman, Kenna Logan, Ruth Ochungo, Chelsea Gunville-Schied and David Josh Geron. Not pictured: Michelle Jones.

Tartleton names dean of new college

Rafael Landaeta will be the first dean of Tarleton State University’s new College of Engineering — currently the School of Engineering — the university said in a recent news release.

Landaeta, who is currently associate dean for undergraduate education at Old Dominion University’s Batten College of Engineering and Technology in Norfolk, Virginia, will take the new position effective June 1 — pending approval by the Texas A&M University System — the release said.

Rafael Landaeta
Rafael Landaeta

Landaeta holds a Ph.D. in industrial engineering and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Central Florida, as well as a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from UNITEC Venezuela. The American Society for Engineering Management presented Meritorious Service Awards in both 2006 and 2012, and he was elected a fellow in 2014.

Tech campus receives research classification

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions recently designated Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center as a Special Focus Four-Year Research Institution (Very High Research Activity University), TTUHSC said in a news release Wednesday.

“We are proud of our world-class faculty and the exceptional doctoral degree trainees who have worked together to secure TTUHSC’s designation as a global leader in academic health-related research,” Lance McMahon, Ph.D., TTUHSC's senior vice president for research and innovation, said in the release.

The classification places the school among 22 four-year special focus research universities in the nation with curriculum focusing on health care and medicine, research and other specialized fields, according to the release.

Author, photographer and McMurry University supporter Bill Wright encourages the younger students - he graduated 67 years earlier, he said - in making their way and making a difference by "paying if forward" after being awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters at ceremonies Saturday morning at Wilford Moore Stadium. He was presented is doctorate by Dr. Sandra Harper, left, university president and Dr. Matt Draud.

TSTC opens new labs

Texas State Technical College will celebrate the opening of its EMS program’s Immersive Interactive labs at ribbon-cutting ceremonies Wednesday at both its Abilene and Brownwood campuses, TSTC said in a news release.

The Abilene event will begin 10 a.m. at TSTC’s Industrial Technology Center at 2082 Quantum Loop, followed by second ceremony at 2 p.m. at 305 Booker St. at the Brownwood campus.

The new labs will enable instructors to replicate a variety of environments to help prepare students for real-world situations, the release said.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Education notebook: Texas State Technical College nursing grads honored