LISD's De La Vina to be honored

Hugo De La Vina, assistant principal of F.S. Lara Academy with the Laredo Independent School District, has been selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals as the Region One Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year.

TASSP recognizes outstanding principals and assistant principals from the 20 region Education Service Centers in the state. School administrators are nominated and chosen by their peers within their regions. Nominations are based upon exemplary performance and outstanding leadership. As a region one winner, De La Vina is eligible to compete for the state title of the Texas Assistant Principal of the Year.

De La Vina, a 10-year assistant principal and 1975 J.W. Nixon High School graduate, has been a member of the Leadership Team at Lara Academy since 1999. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry degree. He attended Texas A&M International University and was awarded a Masters of Education in administration.

De La Vina, who is a true advocate of education, stated, "All children can learn if given the opportunity and support from their schools."

De La Vina also believes that all students deserve special attention, care and love from their educators.

Each region winner will be recognized during the Texas Heroes Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Each will be presented with an award and recognized in a commemorative booklet entitled Texas Principals, Texas Heroes. The TASSP summer workshop will be held June 15 -17, 2011, at the Austin Convention Center.

Student art work to go on display next week

Caption: "Untitled" is a weight scale sculpture made out of glass, marbles and wire by Denise Rodriguez.

Approximately 60 hand-selected works of art will be on display during the Laredo Community College Semi-Annual Art Student Exhibition next week.

An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the LCC Art Teaching Gallery located on the Fort McIntosh Campus. Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served during the reception.

"This will be the time our students will showcase their art to the public," said Dale Short, LCC Art Department chair."We'll be featuring various media of art works that our students produced in the spring semester."

"These types of student art exhibits validate our students' efforts to be creative and showcase their art to their families, friends and fellow colleagues," Short added. "Not only does the exhibit reflect the students' talent, but also the teaching strengths from our art instructors."

This year, various art forms will be on display, including drawings, paintings, two- and three-dimensional art, photography, digital art, print making, art metals, ceramics and several sculptures.

Short added that these types of shows are very popular with the community.

"In the past several shows, we've seen as many as 500 members from Laredo and surrounding areas join us during the opening reception," Short said. "This will be another great exhibit."

Each art work will display the student's name, type of art medium used and major.

The art exhibit will be on display at the gallery until Sept. 23. Viewing hours are from Monday through Thursday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information about the LCC Art Student Semi-Annual Art Exhibit, contact the LCC Art Department at 721-5224.

Late registration continues at TAMIU through Aug. 27

Students wishing to register late for Fall at Texas A&M International University can still do so through Aug. 27.

Late registration can be done by visiting the Office of the Registrar located in the University Success Center, room 121, said Oscar Reyna, University Registrar.

Fall Semester classes began Aug. 23 and will continue through Dec. 11.

For more information on TAMIU's late registration, contact the TAMIU Office of the Registrar at 326-2250 or visit offices located in University Success Center, room 121.

Registrar office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

LCC staffer chosen as USDA fellow

A staff member at Laredo Community College was one of only a few people chosen from across the country to receive a federal fellowship from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that focuses on colleges with Hispanic-oriented programs.

Rosario J. Martinez, a USDA grant administrator, was one of six participants from Texas to be chosen for the E. (Kika) de la Garza Fellowship program.

Earlier this summer, the fellows spent a few weeks in Washington, D.C., as they learned the various divisions within the USDA as well as career options for high school and college students.

The program works to improve the skills and preparation of Hispanic students.

Only those who work at a Hispanic-serving institution were allowed to apply for the fellowship, which is run by the USDA's Hispanic Serving Institutions National Program.

"During the fellowship program, a heavily discussed topic was that many Hispanic students are not aware of the magnitude of resources available to them," Martinez said. "There are many grants, scholarships, internships and job opportunities out there readily available for students, especially in our area."

The 13th class of the De la Garza Fellowship consisted of 20 members from three categories, including high school, science, and education fellows.

This is the second year an LCC employee has been chosen for the USDA fellowship program.

For more information on local USDA internships, scholarships, or job opportunities, contact Rosario J. Martinez at 721-5893.

Ramirez named Vice President for Student Success

Minita Ramirez, previously dean of Student Success at Texas A&M International University, has been named Vice President for Student Success.

Ramirez's appointment was approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents at their July Board meeting. Her position becomes effective Sept. 1.

In her new position, Ramirez will oversee operation of the newly opened, $25 million University Success Center and units including Admissions, Financial Aid, Recreational Sports, Recruitment and School Relations, Student Affairs, Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services, Athletic Compliance, and the University Registrar. In addition, she will work in tandem with Academic Support Services and Residential Life to plan and manage a strong freshman-year program and a safe living environment for all students.

TAMIU President Ray Keck said Ramirez's appointment is crucial as the university continues to experience unprecedented growth with its enrollment having surpassed 6,000 students and an incoming freshmen class, which exceeds 1,000 students.

"Since she joined the administrative staff as Executive Director for Enrollment Management in 2001, Dr. Ramirez has truly transformed the way TAMIU understands outreach, recruitment, retention and student success," Keck said, "Our continuing strong outcomes in the first two parts of Closing the Gaps, Participation and Success, are a direct result of her leadership, skillful planning and unerring knowledge of the community we serve."

Ramirez said she feels honored by the appointment.

"It is an honor and a privilege for me to serve the TAMIU community," Ramirez said, "Equally satisfying is the awesome opportunity to work alongside people that are dedicated to making this University a life-altering experience for the students of TAMIU and to be a part of the greatest change agent of Laredo's history."

Ramirez joined TAMIU in 2001.

A Laredo native, Ramirez holds her doctoral degree in educational administration from Capella University. Her master's in education administration was earned at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She received her bachelor's degree in secondary education (political science and history) from TAMIU.

Earlier this year, Ramirez was selected to join an elite network of more than 2,500 women as a member of the Leadership Texas Class of 2010. She was the only Laredoan selected for this year's Class by the Foundation for Women's Resources.

Active in community service, Ramirez served as member of the U.S. Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking Committee - Higher Education Reauthorization Act Team V in 2009. She also served as Washington Birthday Celebration Association President in 2008 and was Association member from 1997 to 2009. She has been a Society of Martha Washington member since 2007. Other organizations she has served as member include the International Good Neighbor Council, Laredo Boys and Girls Club, Laredo Commission for Women, Laredo Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and Border Olympics.

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326-2180.

University office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Late registration continues at TAMIU

Students wishing to register late for Fall at Texas A&M International University can still do so through Aug. 27.

Late registration can be done by accessing Uconnect.tamiu.edu or at the Office of the Registrar located in the University Success Center, room 121, said Oscar Reyna, University Registrar.

Fall Semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 23, and continue through Dec. 11

For more information on TAMIU's late registration, contact the TAMIU Office of the Registrar at 326-2250 or visit offices located in University Success Center, room 121.

Registrar office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

LCC students beat the heat with cool watercolor exhibit

Caption: A painting by Laredo Community College artist Samantha Proa is shown. The creations of Rachel Ortiz, Proa, Marcos Valenzuela Jr. and Penelope Warren will be among the students whose watercolor paintings will be displayed in the second annual "Hot Summer-Cool Watercolor" exhibit. The community is invited to view the art and meet the student artists during an opening reception on Monday, Aug. 23, at 10:30 a.m. in the Yeary Library.

During the dog days of summer, some college students sought relief from the blistering heat by expressing their thoughts and creativity with a couple of dabs and strokes in watercolor painting classes offered at Laredo Community College.

Some of that impressive student art work has been selected for display as part of the second annual "Hot Summer-Cool Watercolor" exhibit at the Yeary Library on the LCC Fort McIntosh Campus.

Students, faculty, staff and art lovers from the community are invited to attend an opening reception on Monday, Aug. 23, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the college library to view the art work and meet some of the student-artists. Admission is free of charge.

The watercolor paintings were made by 33 students, including art and non-art majors, who were enrolled in Watercolor 1 and 2 classes taught by Art Department chair/instructor Dale Short and instructor Mary M. Bausman.

"The displayed works are examples of each student's exploration into the medium of watercolor," Short said. "The watercolor medium is often overlooked because of oil painting's long history; however, watercolors can be extremely versatile."

Among the Watercolor 1 students whose works are featured in the exhibit are: Bambii Baker, Jasmin Cantu, Kimberly Esparza, Rebeka Garcia, Oscar Garza, Angelica Gomez, Margarita Gonzalez, Rafael D. Hinojosa II, Kimberly Jasso, Kelsey Lara, Gloria Lozano-Mares, Mikael Martinez, Ana Montoya, Rachel Ortiz, Juan Oviedo II, Denise Rodriguez, Leyda Rodriguez, Whitney Rodriguez, Raymundo I. Torres, Marcos Valenzuela Jr., Aldo Vasquez, Pedro Vazquez, Priscilla Vega, Selene Villarreal, Penelope Warren and Andrea Wieden.

Watercolor 2 students featured in the art show are Joan Harris, Nelly Wampach Hays, Gloria Lozano-Mares, Margo Paz, Stephanie Perez, Samantha Proa and Jeoffrey Westbury.

"Come see what some of the possibilities are in the wonderful medium of watercolor," Bausman said. "ARTS 2366 Watercolor can be used as a fine arts credit, and will be offered in the spring semester and summer session of 2011."

The exhibit may be viewed through Friday, Sept. 10. Library hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and weekends from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the community.

The show is sponsored by the Yeary Library and the LCC Art Department.

For more information, call the Yeary Library at 721-5280.

TAMIU continuing education offers SAT prep this fall

High school juniors and seniors preparing to take their SATs should sign up for an SAT prep course offered at Texas A&M International University.

The class meets every Saturday starting Saturday, Aug. 28, through Oct. 2. Tuition is $325 and includes a post-test and a pre-test for the exam.

"One of the benefits of these courses is that there is a small teacher to students ratio. It's also a great way to start the year and will help when filling out those college applications," advised Kimberly Martin del Campo, program coordinator, continuing education.

Students interested in taking the class should sign up at tamiu.edu/dip/SATLIV. Deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 25, at noon.

For more information, contact del Campo at 326-2765, kim.martindelcampo@tamiu.edu or visit offices in Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall, room 302C.

University office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Register now for Fall 2010 at TAMIU

With summer activities on the brain and soothing evening breezes marking time, the start of the Fall semester seems far away, but the first day of classes is less than a month away. Classes start Monday, Aug. 23.

There have been some changes on campus. Most notable is the new University Success Center that serves one-stop shopping for current and prospective students. Also changing this fall is mandatory meningitis vaccinations for first-time students living on campus.

The new University Success Center, now open, houses the Office of Admissions, Office of the University Registrar, Office of Financial Aid, Campus Card Services, Bursar's Office, Office of Recruitment and School Relations, Student Success, Bookstore, Testing Center, University College, Advising and Mentoring Center and Student Counseling Services.

Those students who plan to live on campus need to be aware of a new state law the calls for immunization against bacterial meningitis. While the law only applies to first time students living on campus, housing and residence life encourages all students planning to live on campus to get immunized.

"Evidence of the student having received the vaccination from an appropriate health practitioner must be provided. The student must have received the vaccination at least 10 days prior to the student taking up residence in University Housing," explained Trevor C. Liddle, director of the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

The "Jaime Schanbaum Act" requires that "all first-time students attending an institution of higher education in the state of Texas, including transfer students, who plan to reside in or have applied for university housing, show evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis, allowing for medical or religious exemptions."

For more information on on-campus living, contact Liddle at 326-1300. Additional information is available at http://www.tamiu.edu/housing/bacterial-menigitis.shtml

For registration information, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 326-250, e-mail registrar@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the University Success Center, room 121.

Complete schedules, catalog and additional registration information is available at tamiu.edu

Additional registration information is available on uconnect.tamiu.edu, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

Summer University office hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. – noon Friday. The university will revert to the regular schedule Thursday, Aug. 19.

TAMIU offers hybrid language courses in Arabic, French, Spanish

This Fall, Texas A&M International University's Department of Language and Literature will offer four hybrid language classes that can be taken either for-credit or non-credit.

• Beginning Arabic I will be offered from 7:30-8:45 p.m., Monday and Wednesday (45 class hours).

• Beginning Arabic II will be offered from 7:30-8:45 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday (45 class hours).

• Beginning French I & II, intensive format, will be offered from 6- 8:15 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday (90 class hours).

• Beginning Spanish I will be offered from 7-8:15 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday (45 class hours).

Registration fees for non-credit courses are $400 (45 class hours) or $600 (90 class hours). Current TAMIU students who wish to take these courses for credit can register at the Office of the Registrar. Those who wish to take the classes for non-credit, may contact the Department of Language and Literature. When taken for credit, these courses may be applied towards the foreign language requirement.

For more information, contact the Department of Language and Literature at 326-2470 or 326-2624, e-mail Lisa Flores, visiting assistant professor of the Department of Language and Literarure lflores@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Anthony J. and Georgia Pellgrino Hall, room 314.

Summer university office hours are 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.–noon Friday. The university will revert to the regular schedule Thursday, Aug. 19.

UISD announces times for secondary students to pick up schedules

With the start of the new school year around the corner, the United Independent School District would like to remind all parents and students entering or attending a middle or high school to note the following class schedule pick information for the 2010-2011 school year.

Students are urged to pick up their class schedule during their designated date and time and review it with their parents. Any questions or discrepancies should be cleared with the respective campus before the first day of school, Aug. 23.

High school class schedule pick-up information:

Seniors: Aug. 11 from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Juniors: Aug. 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Sophomores: Aug. 12 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Freshmen: Aug. 13 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Middle school class schedule pick-up information:

Sixth grade: Aug. 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Seventh grade: Aug. 12 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Eighth grade: Aug. 13 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

STEP (School Towards Exceptional Performance) Academy:

Sixth through eighth grades: Aug. 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Freshmen: Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors: Aug. 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.



For any questions, please contact the respective campus or the District’s main line at (956) 473-6201 to be transferred to any school in UISD.

County recognizes College Democrat president

Caption: Alejandra Salinas is recognized for being selected as the first Hispanic president of the College Democrats of America by Webb County Judge Danny Valdez and members of the Commissioners Court.

LISD student registration begins

Laredo Independent School District will begin registering students for the 2010-2011 school year starting Wednesday, Aug. 11, - Friday, Aug. 20. Students planning to enroll in classes may register at their respective campuses.

Registration for high school students will be held Aug. 11-17. Middle school registration is also set for Aug. 11-17. New student registration will take place Aug. 18 and Aug. 20. Elementary schools have set their registration for Aug. 11 through Aug. 20.

Students new to the district must provide proper documentation for registration purposes. Attached is the registration schedule with dates and times for elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as new students to the district.

Laredo Med Ed students visit UTHSC's San Antonio campus

Caption: Laredo Med Ed student Monica Contreras practices taking Alexandra Hernandez's blood pressure during a field trip to the UT Health Science Center's San Antonio campus this week. Med Ed students receive year-round academic enrichment, community service opportunities, volunteer programs and hands-on activities related to medical and health careers through the Health Science Center's Regional Campus in Laredo. To sign up for Med Ed, visit www.uthscsa.edu/meded or contact Griselda Rubio at Rubiog@uthscsa.edu or (956) 523-7437.

Fall semester payment due Monday

Laredo Community College students who have already registered for the fall 2010 semester are reminded to pay their tuition and fees by Monday, Aug. 9, to secure their space in class.

Payments can be made either in person at the LCC Bursar's Office at either the Fort McIntosh or South campuses by 6 p.m. or online via PASPort's student account system at https://pasport.laredo.edu by 11 p.m.

Students who fail to pay by the deadline will lose their space in class and will need to go through the registration process again.

Advising for fall classes will continue Monday through Thursday, Aug. 9-12.

Students who have declared a major can get advised from 1 to 6 p.m. at the instructional department that corresponds to their major.

All other students can get advised from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Student Success Center at the Fort McIntosh Campus or at the Counseling Center at the South Campus.

Students planning to attend LCC this fall are encouraged to register as soon as possible to lock in their classes.

Those who are considered self-advised may register for the fall semester via PASPort from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. from any computer with Internet access.

To be considered self-advised, students must have a declared major, have completed all required remediation courses, have earned at least 30 college-level hours, and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

The first class day for the fall semester is Aug. 23.

To view the fall class schedule, log on to www.laredo.edu and click on the PASPort icon.

For more information, contact the LCC Registration Center at the Fort McIntosh Campus at 721-5117 or at the South Campus at 794-4109.

LISD receives multiple recognitions at the Telly Awards

The Laredo Independent School District received top honors at the 31st Annual Telly Awards for the "I'm a Read" and "Go to Class" music videos. The lyrics were written and performed by Superintendent A. Marcus Nelson and the music videos were produced by the ITV Department.

The Telly Awards is the premier award for outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials, programs, videos and films. They are a widely known and respected national and international competition which receives over 11,000 entries annually from all 50 states and foreign countries. Entries are rated by judges and given a score from one to ten. A nine or better earns a Silver Telly Award while a score of seven to 8.9 garners a Bronze Telly Award.

LISD received a Silver Telly Award for the "I'm a Read" music video in the categories of TV5 Education and TV14 Music Videos. The district also received a Bronze Telly Award for the "Go to Class" music video in the categories of TV6 Entertainment and TV13 Music Videos. Other previous winners include the Discovery Channel, ESPN, CBS, and NBC Universal

"We are extremely excited to see the fruits of our labor. Dr. Nelson has some great ideas for motivational songs and music videos while we use our creative juices to bring those to life," said Jeanette Martinez, ITV coordinator.

For more information contact the Office of Communications at 795-3295.

Makeup artistry class to be offered at LCC

Caption: Pictured, from left to right, during a recent makeup demonstration are Martha Cortez, makeup artist and instructor, and Adriana O. Santos, model.

Since 1980, Martha Cortez has used her artistic talents to enhance the looks of actors, musicians, brides, and models in and around Laredo through cosmetics.

Now, she'll bring that 30-year knowledge to the classroom as Cortez teaches Laredo Community College's first-ever Makeup Artistry course on Aug. 6-27 from 2 to 5 p.m. Students will learn how best to apply eye shadow, lip liner, foundation, and other cosmetic products.

The course will be offered through the college's Continuing Education Department. Tuition is $55. No books or new materials are required for the class.

"Students' only requirement is to bring the makeup they currently use," Cortez said. "Usually, drawers and shoe boxes are stuffed with cosmetic products."

As the youngest of 18 children, including 10 sisters, Cortez was constantly surrounded by makeup. The sounds of blow driers, brushes tapping on blush powder cases, and hair spray hissing engulfed her home almost every day in her early years. This is how Cortez first started liking makeup.

Today, Cortez makes a living as a professional freelance makeup artist. Cortez has worked and received training from various cosmetic companies, including Estee Lauder, Clinique, Clarins, Chanel, Christian Dior, Lancome, Versace, among others.

Cortez's clientele includes Mexican telenovela actors, local artists and musicians, and she also has clients that visit her from San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and several Mexican cities.

"It's a career that has opened a lot of doors in my life," Cortez said. "I'm happy when my clients are happy, because a makeup artist is not only an artist, but a therapist as well. I can make them feel and look better."

"Most people look at themselves in the mirror, but they see nothing pretty," Cortez said. "But, we all have hidden beauty. Makeup makes your beauty stand out."

Cortez believes that makeup and appearance should appeal to the individual and to those around them.

"You don't want people saying, 'Have you seen her lately? She already let herself go,' " Cortez added.

"I believe appearance is very important, and even if you don't want to dress up so people look at you, at least do it for yourself because it really does give you a confidence boost," Cortez said.

"A woman without paint is like food without salt," Titus Plautus, a Roman playwright, once wrote.

But, in recent years, men also have been wearing makeup.

"You'd be surprised how many men wear makeup as well," Cortez added.

"Many men have a lot of art skills. Some of them have more art skills than women do," Cortez joked. "So, makeup is for both men and women."

Men are welcome to join the class to learn how to do makeup on others or to learn how to protect their own skin from the sun's damaging UVA and UVB rays.

"Lip balm, foundation or a bronzer can help enhance their skin tones, and at the same time, protect their skin," Cortez said.

As part of the four-day course, guest speakers from Mall Del Norte's makeup kiosks will be on hand to provide additional tips to students.

Cortez said that makeup doesn't have to be expensive.

"There's actually been good makeup I've found in downtown Laredo," Cortez said. "I've used Target, H-E-B, or Walmart brand makeup, and they work just as well as the expensive ones from the high-end retailers."

"My 91-year-old mom still manages to put on her own makeup because, like she once told me, 'Es que no quiero espantar a nadie,' or, she wants to look presentable and not scare anyone away," Cortez said.

For more information on the LCC's Continuing Education Department's Makeup Artistry course, contact Sandra Cortez at 721-5374 or email sandra.cortez@laredo.edu.

Registration for the fall semester is currently under way. For other class information, contact the Registration Center at the LCC Fort McIntosh Campus at 721-5109 or the South Campus at 794-4110.

Research earns TAMIU Ph.D. students 'Best Paper Award'

Caption: Collins Okafor, left, and Nacasius Ujah, right, both Ph.D. In International Business and Finance students at TAMIU, won the "Best Paper Award" and a "Presentation Excellence Award" for their paper, titled, "Unleashing the Cracken: Does Internet Financial Reporting Matter in Africa?"

In the academic community, publishing in a journal is a necessary rite of passage for a student to be considered a scholar.

Two Texas A&M International University doctoral students just crossed that threshold when their paper was awarded the "Best Paper Award" and their presentation a "Presentation Excellence Award" at a prestigious academic conference held recently.

Collins Okafor and Nacasius Ujah, both Ph.D. in International Business and Finance students at TAMIU, received their awards for their paper, titled, "Unleashing the Cracken: Does Internet Financial Reporting Matter in Africa?" They made their presentation at the Academic World International Conference 2010, held in May in Nashville, Tenn. Their paper will be published in the Fall issue of the International Journal of the Academic Business World.

"This is very encouraging," said Okafor, "It shows that the hard work that we put into this research paid off. We are proud ambassadors of TAMIU and would like to keep representing the university."

The students, originally from Nigeria, said they decided to write on their topic for a seminar in international accounting to know the extent to which the Internet plays a role in financial reporting by financial firms in Africa.

"We found that most of the articles that are out there on this topic focus on developed countries," Ujah said, "A few have discussed the impact of the Internet on financial reporting on some developing countries but none have referenced extensively on the continent of Africa. We saw this as a challenge and as an interesting topic for business practitioners and investors."

The paper examined several indicators such as company size, profitability and efficiency that would impact the need for financial firms to publish their financial statement on the Internet.

"What past findings of scholars have found in other regions is that profitability as well as size are of great importance as to why financial firms want to publish their financial statement on the Internet," Ujah explained, "What we find in Africa is interesting. There, profitability is not synonymous to the need to publish such information on the Internet."

Okafor said that while doctoral students are often advised to publish at least two academic journals during the course of their study, the two wish to accomplish even more.

"We are trying to push and to set a high standard," Okafor said, "We are not going by the minimum or maximum amount of published papers recommended. We have no limit. We are trying to set ourselves on a limitless platform. We also thank our professors for instilling in us the knowledge and drive to aim for the zenith."

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326-2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

LCC leads effort to boost workplace literacy

Caption: Components of the English language learning program, Sed de Saber, are displayed on a table, as Gonzalo Prida Medellin, general manager of Consorcio Aduanal Prida and Multimodal Logistics Inc., addresses a conclave of city, education and private industry leaders that gathered at the local transportation company

Surrounded by the sights and sounds of a bustling transportation company, leaders from the city, education and private industry sectors gathered on Tuesday, July 27, to celebrate the launch of a new project intended to enhance literacy, promote education and support career advancement for Laredo's Hispanic workforce.

During a news conference hosted at Multimodal Logistics Inc., Laredo Community College officials announced the implementation of an English language acquisition program tailored for Spanish-speaking workers in the advanced manufacturing and skilled trades industry.

Among those present for the announcement were Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas and city Councilman Johnny Rendon.

LCC President Juan L. Maldonado said that the college is proud to be part of this innovative endeavor, which is led by the LCC Economic Development Center through the Light Manufacturing Institute.

"Laredo Community College is proud to be one of only three higher education institutions in the country picked to lead this project," Maldonado said. "As the coordinator for the implementation of this learning program in the South Texas border region, LCC is working in partnership with South Texas College in McAllen and Texas Southmost College in Brownsville."

The other two schools picked to lead the project are Houston's Lone Star College System and San Antonio's Alamo Community College District.

Maldonado added that LCC is pleased to introduce this innovative language learning program in the community.

"By allowing participating employees to learn a second language, they will help propel their companies to a higher level of global competitiveness and success," he said.

Blas Castaneda, chief external affairs/economic development officer at LCC, elaborated on the positive impact the English language learning program will have on the participants and their sponsoring companies, which also include B.A. Forwarding Co. Inc. and Allied Forwarding Corporation.

“After learning core effective communication skills, program participants will be well-positioned to pursue industry-recognized certifications in the manufacturing skills certification system endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers through degree programs at LCC," Castaneda said.

Gonzalo Prida Medellin, general manager of Consorcio Aduanal Prida and Multimodal Logistics Inc., spoke of the need for employers to encourage their employees to be the best they can be.

"We (Multimodal Logistics) are a company that provides a variety of services, and to be able to deliver the best service possible to our clients, our company must provide learning opportunities to help employees become better at their trade," Prida said. "The English language is essential to live and work in the United States, especially here on the border region. With this skill, our employees can help our company compete locally, nationally and globally with other major companies."

Designed by the Manufacturing Institute of the National Association of Manufacturers in partnership with Retention Education Inc., the program consists of an interactive technology-based curriculum derived from the proven and innovative language learning program, Sed de Saber (Thirst for Knowledge).

"In order for U.S. manufacturers to stay competitive in today's complex global economy, we must remain committed to developing the talent and skills of the manufacturing workforce and create strategies for each challenge they face," said Emily Stover DeRocco, president of the Manufacturing Institute. "Foundational skills such as English language communication and applied math and science are necessary for all careers in manufacturing, and a worker who faces barriers in these areas will not be able to advance in the workplace."

After the announcement of the new training program, 40 employees of the third-generation, family-owned transportation company were each given one of the learning systems to keep and use during their spare time. They also received an orientation of how the learning tool works by Rafael Vargas, coordinator of Retention Education Inc.

The system's communication skills focus on an array of workplace issues, such as understanding directions and important health and safety measures, using proper manufacturing vocabulary, and reading and interpreting administrative forms.

Learning is self-paced to help participants gain English language skills to perform their jobs with more efficiency and accuracy. Tutors also will be provided to the participants to ensure that they are learning and understanding the system's learning modules.

Jesus Ruiz was among the Multimodal Logistics employees excited to start using the program.

The 31-year-old was born in Laredo, but was raised and educated in Nuevo Laredo and therefore speaks Spanish predominantly.

"I feel this is a great opportunity for our careers and to learn a second language living here on the border U.S./Mexico border, where we already know Spanish very well. This will help me perfect my English language skills," said Ruiz, who has been an employee of the transportation company for six years.

As the Manufacturing Institute meets the needs of local employers and workers in Texas, it will build upon the best practices of the pilot sites to deploy English for Advanced Manufacturing and the Skilled Trades to educate and skill the growing Hispanic workforce nationally.

Local employers who wish to learn more about workplace literacy and other training programs available at

LCC may contact the Light Manufacturing Institute by telephone at 764-5793 or by email at edc@laredo.edu.