WCJC Newsletter April 2017 Issue

The Pioneer

"Education to Follow"

e-Newsletter

April 2017

Upgrades focus on safety and security

From security cameras to exterior lighting to remote-controlled door locks, Wharton County Junior College is taking the safety of its students and staff seriously. Since 2015, the college's Safety and Security Advisory Committee has outlined several key projects aimed at improving the security systems at the Wharton, Bay City and Richmond campuses. A portion of the projects have already been completed, while others have received approval by the WCJC Board of Trustees but are still pending. The security improvements and upgrades include updated locks on more than 660 classrooms and offices at the Wharton and Richmond campuses (completed in January 2017).

Drama students present 'Bedtime Stories'

Wharton County Junior College's Drama Department will close out its spring season with an unusual take on classic children's fairytales. Opening on Thursday, April 27 at the Horton Foote Theatre in the Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building on the Wharton campus, Bedtime Stories (as told by our dad) (who messed them up) chronicles what happens when an exhausted father takes over the story-telling duties for one night. From Rumpelstiltskin turning gold into straw to a princess sleeping on a mattress above a can of peas, the classic tales get a little confused and take on a unique life of their own. "I was looking for something that's different," said WCJC Drama Instructor Greg McLarty.

ROAR academy opens doors to education

Wharton resident Shirley Cook never had the opportunity to complete her college education. She's counting on the Realizing Our Academic Reward (ROAR) Academy to ensure her daughter doesn't face a similar fate. "I've always known she's a smart girl," Cook said of her daughter, Zeta Smith. "I'm just glad she'll have this advantage while she's still in high school. I have no doubt that she will make me proud." Through ROAR, Smith and 24 other Wharton High School freshmen this fall will get the opportunity to begin earning college credit while seeking their high school diploma.

Chevron Phillips aids Process Technology

Wharton County Junior College recently received a $20,000 donation - plus another $4,000 for scholarships - from Chevron Phillips Chemical's Sweeny/Old Ocean Facilities for use at the Bay City campus. The $20,000 will be utilized for the Process Technology program, specifically for a covering over the campus's outdoor training skids to provide shade for students and protection for the equipment. A special event and luncheon were held at the Bay City campus during which time the donation was officially presented. In attendance were WCJC officials and Chevron Phillips Chemical representatives.

Tree dedicated in honor of Alvin Schultz

A ceremony was held earlier this spring at Wharton County Junior College's Wharton campus to mark the planting of a tree in memory of long-time WCJC employee Alvin Schultz, who recently passed away. Schultz retired from the college in June of 2016 after more than 28 years of working in the facilities and maintenance departments. He was hired as the college's first full-time electrician in 1987. After he passed away, college employees took up a donation to purchase a tree and plaque in his honor. The tree was planted near the Reynolds Building on the Wharton campus. College employees, community members and Schultz's relatives were on hand for the ceremony.

REACH Spotlight

Like many high school graduates, John O'Brien felt he wasn't ready to tackle the challenges of a four-year university when he began his college career. "WCJC was the perfect place for me to begin my path in education," he says. "If it wasn't for WCJC, I would have never made it at Texas A&M." After receiving the much-needed community college preparation, John earned his bachelor's degree at Texas A&M and then his master's degree from the University of Houston-Victoria.

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Thought for the Day

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." - Ronald Reagan

Contact Information

WCJC Office of Marketing and Communications
911 Boling Highway

Wharton, TX 77488

979-532-6322

sharpb@wcjc.edu