Welcome to the beginnings of our new feature, “Hats off to…,” that will run periodically in TCC Buzz to recognize TCC faculty, staff and students and the outstanding things they are achieving in the TCC community and beyond. Keep us informed about what’s happening in your world by submitting a News Alert form. Now, we invite you to celebrate with your peers and their students. You can express your support of our achievers by replying to them below.
Becerra Named Top Instructor
Fire Service Training Instructor Frank Becerra was named the “George Hughes Instructor of the Year” by the Texas Association of Fire Educators. Frank, a TCC adjunct instructor for five years, is a full-time firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department. During his tenure at TCC, he has trained Fire Academy Cadets, Advanced Fire Training students, North East Fire Department Association members and recently traveled to Taiwan where he spent two weeks training instructors at the newly established Taiwan Fire Academy. Frank holds certifications in Fire Service Instructor III, Fire Investigator Basic, Hazardous Materials Technician, Firefighter Advanced and Fire Officer I.
TR Faculty Named National Coach
Trinity River Campus Director of Forensics Phillip Morgan was named the 2011 Collie-Taylor Fellowship Coach of the Year at the 2011 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament April 11-16 in Greenwich, Conn. The Collie-Taylor Award, named for former national forensics coach Jim Collie, is awarded based on voting by students at the national tournament to the coach who “best exemplifies the finest qualities of a Phi Rho Pi educator.” While an assistant coach at Northeast Campus, Phillip previously received the award in 2003 at the National Tournament in Portland, Ore.
Double Degrees
Tele Systems Tech Tazzy Retta was awarded a dual master from The University of Texas at Arlington last month. She received a Master of Science in Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration with an Information Systems Concentration.
Musical Excellence
Northeast Campus music faculty students recently excelled in performances. Shelly Fuller’s students Callie Puckett and Celeste Yanagi advanced to the State Finals of National Federation Jr. Festival in San Marcos.
Kenny Martin, a student of Renetta Frisque, advanced to the semi-final round of the Texas Music Teachers Association Performance Contest. Kenny represents MTA at the annual convention this month in Arlington. Renetta also had two students – Ethan Koh and Elizabeth Yanez – receive Superior Plus in the Sonato Club Duet Festival.