The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 187, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 25, 2010 Page: 1 of 8
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TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY
THE
volume 187 No. 5
THEJTAC.COM
Thursdoy, February 25,2010
Barry B. hompson Student enter rededicated
Remodeled
renovations
lower level,
throughout
By KELSEY
FITZGIBBON
News Editor
Students, faculty and
staff gathered in the Barry B.
Thompson Student Center last
Thursday during the grand open-
ing of the lower level renova-
tions, as Tarleton administration
rededicated the building to a
former president and proclaimed
Tarleton legend.
Dr. Wanda Mercer,
vice president for Student Life,
opened the ceremony, thanking
guests in attendance and giving a
summary of what the renovations
now offered the campus. Mercer
said that after a $ 1.85 million ren-
ovation, the building now housed
new spaces for student academic
advising, the student government
association, the student program-
ming association and the Cen-
ter for Global and Multicultural
Initiatives, as well as conference
space for student organizations,
more space for the Tarleton
Bookstore and a new lower level
entrance to the building.
Mercer introduced
President F. Dominic Dottavio
who welcomed guests to the re-
dedication to Thompson. Hie
president told audience mem-
bers of Thompson's accom-
plishments, both at Tarleton and
throughout the A&M system. He
described Thompson as a very
important part of the university's
history.
"This year we asked our
students as part of our orientation
to think about this: how can you
be a Texan today and a legend to-
morrow. .. We challenged them
to become legendary," Dotta-
vio said. "But tonight, we are
obviously honoring a Tarleton
graduate that probably is the
best living example of a legend
that we can possibly think of."
Dottavio said that
the student center, originally
built in 1994, was the start of
the Tarleton campus we know
today. Each of the other build-
ings, plus the newest construc-
tions such as the Dining Hall
and new nursing building, have
gone up around the student cen-
ter over time.
"What that has meant
for the building is it truly has
become the crossroads of the
university." Dottavio said.
"Much like the Dining Hall
next door we talk about as our
family kitchen, this has become
the family living room for this
campus.
"And now with this
See CENTER, Page 7
Kelsey Fitzgibbon/ The J-TAC
Dr. Barry B. Thompson, a former Purple Poo himself, poses with two current Poo after
the official rededication of the student center that bears his name. Rather than a tradi-
tional ribbon cutting, Thompson and the Poo lead the crowd in a traditional "raising of
Oscar P."
amilies get in on Parent s Day Out
Tylan Long/ The J-TAC
Drew Storey, center, adds a few more mushrooms to Ryan Gilbert's steak Saturday afternoon, while
Stephen Roop looks on. Story's entry in the cook-off, steak with mushrooms and bleu cheese, won
the first place award. Thirteen teams entered this year's contest.
By DANE HARBOUR
Staff Writer
Tarleton hosted its second annual
Parents Day Out and Athletics Cook-off
last Saturday, Feb 20. Events started at 9
a.m. and concluded with the Texans bas-
ketball game in the Wisdom Gym.
The day started off with a break-
fast hosted by the Tarleton Parents Asso-
ciation in the Dining Hall. Vice President
for the Division of Student Life Dr. Gilbert
Hinga was the guest speaker during the
breakfast. Hinga spoke to parents about
the university's plan called "Keeping it
R.E.A.L.," which stands for "Real-world
Experiences Applied to Learning." This
plan highlights many areas in which stu-
dent learning could be advanced and will
be implemented in fall 2010.
Assistant Director of Residential
Living and Learning Shelly Brown hosted
an educational seminar for parents and
students at 11 a.m. in the Science Build-
ing. Approximately 30 people attended
her seminar, which she titled "Passion
with a Purpose." It focused on how par-
ents can motivate their children to find
something they are passionate about and
how to help them work towards that goal.
Brown presented a slide show and had
open and group discussions with the par-
ents.
Parents and students were also
given the opportunity to visit the Science
Building that afternoon for a planetarium
showing. Located under the copper dome
in Tarleton's Science Building, the 40-foot
planetarium is visited by approximately
15,000 people each year, according to
http://wwM'. tarleton. ec/u. planetarium.
The show combined video, sound and im-
ages from space for the visitors to enjoy.
Sixty-seven parents and students attended
the show.
Thirteen teams were entered in
a cook-off competition in the Wisdom
Gym parking lot that began at 9 a.m. and
was judged at 4 p.m. Various meats from
brisket, ribs, hamburgers, pork and even
quail were cooked for the competition,
which was judged on taste, presentation
and overall plate. Alpha Gamma Rho won
first place and was awarded $150. Alpha
Gamma Delta in second place and Bare-
foot Athletics in third followed them.
Tarleton graduate student Bruce
Pickens, representing PANKUS, cooked
brisket for the contest. "Everyone gets a
free T-shirt and there is no entry fee, which
is great by me," Pickens said.
After the Tarleton Tex Anns'
39-point win over visiting Texas A&M-
Kingsville Saturday evening, the Tar-
leton Parents Association announced their
scholarship recipients. Randi Whitley and
Sarah Zeisler each received $500 scholar-
ships. Chelsea Bartz, DeAnna Donovan,
Michael A. Kaminski and Emily Caroline
Smith, were each given $250 scholarships.
Lathes Towns, Parent Relations coordina-
tor at Tarleton, said that annual dues for
TPA members are $50 and that scholar-
ships are randomly chosen.
The Tarleton Texans basketball
team wrapped the day up by defeating
Texas A&M-Kingsville 78-59.
Overall, Parents Day Out was considered
a success by administration.
"The day was very successful
and I enjoyed communicating with all
the parents that showed up and really ap-
preciate everyone that made it possible,"
Lathes said.
For more infonnation on upcom-
ing parent relation events visit http:/0www.
tarleton.edu/parentrelations.
Official: Half million
dollar contract key to
arleton survival
By CHALE MORENO & WILL SHINE
Texan News Service
Tarleton State University has entered into a contract with
educational consulting firm Noel-Levitz that will cost $565,072
over the next four years. According to a Tarleton press release,
the University faces stiff competition to attract and retain quality
students.
"This is the time to do it because, if we do not make
some changes and we do not become more competitive, this 111-
year old University perhaps wouldn't be here in a few years,"
Denise Groves, Dean of Enrollment Management/University
Registrar for Tarleton said.
Noel-Levitz has been consulting educational institu-
tions, both private and public, throughout North America for
the past 36 years. They offer services ranging from recruitment
and financial aid to marketing and communications. According
to their Web site, they claim their services "should ultimately
lead to a financial return that pays for the investment many times
over."
" If] we do not become
more compet five, this 111-
year old Un vers ty perhaps
wouldn't be here in a few
years.
99
- Denise Groves
Dean of Enrollment Management
"We are truly excited about forming the partnership with Noel-
Levitz," said Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio in the uni-
versity's press statement. "Entering into this joint venture will
enable Tarleton to provide our students with the best education
while increasing the recognition and desirability of the univer-
sity."
Tarleton hopes this expenditure pays off as they embark
on the partnership amid tough economic times. The University
is set to trim $2.5 million from the budget by 2011. The costs of
the firm's sendees average $141,250 a year, over the next four
years. When asked how Tarleton justifies spending this money
with budget cuts looming, Liza Benedict, associate vice presi-
dent for Marketing and Communications at Tarleton, stated that
"the money was encumbered before these hard financial times."
The contract became effective on August 15, 2009. At
that time, Noel-Levitz conducted an on-site analysis of Tarleton's
current enrollment program. The next step is to conduct an in-
depth review of all current print and electronic communication
pieces. After this is complete, they will help Tarleton develop a
plan to use financial aid and scholarships to aide in recruitment
and retention goals. They will also develop a branding strategy
for the University. These activities will be Phase I of the con
See CONTRACT, Page 7
TSU-022510-A01 -C.indd 1
7/15/13 11:07 AM
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Neal, Kayce. The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 187, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 25, 2010, newspaper, February 25, 2010; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth476639/m1/1/: accessed July 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Tarleton State University.