This month’s Toro Touts not only features faculty and staff, but also highlights a recent accomplishment by TCC students! As always, we encourage you to give your colleagues (and our students!) a pat on the back by leaving a comment in the space provided below. To submit the latest from your corner of TCC, use the News Alert form and let us tout your news!
Northeast Campus’ Speech and Debate Team Wins Honors
TCC would like to extend its hearty congratulations to the students in Northeast Campus’ Speech and Debate team. The team, coached by Lisa Benedetti, Justin Blacklock and Stephen Thomas, recently participated in the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Tournament hosted by Howard Payne University and earned top honors. Jameson Johnson took first place in Novice Prose Interpretation and Autumn Sprabary won third place in Communication Analysis. Congratulations!
NE Campus President Inducted into HEB ISD Hall of Fame
Northeast Campus President Larry Darlage was inducted into the Hurt-Euless-Bedford Independent School District Hall of Fame during a banquet on Nov. 16. He was inducted into the Distinguished Community Leader category for his years of service and support of HEB ISD. Darlage joined TCC in 1996, and has not only helped the campus grow from about 9,000 students to more than 17,00, but also brought in the Pharmacy Technology and Long-term Care programs to complement those already part of the Allied Health program at NE. Darlage has served as a past chairmen for the HEB Chamber, the HEB ISD Education Foundadion, and the Harris Methodist HEB Hospital, as well as numerous others.
New Appointments for TCCD Police
The TCCD police department recently promoted Lt. Leigh Dietrich to the rank of Assistant Chief and also brought on board the department’s first police detective, Will Ivie.
Assistant Chief Dietrich began her career at the TCC Northwest Campus, where she worked for five years before transferring to Northeast Campus. In 2008, she was promoted to corporal and in 2010, promoted to sergeant. She is the second Assistant Chief Police in the history of TCC and will relocate to the May Owen Center to assume her new role as police administrator.
Detective Ivie began his career on the East Coast in 1993, working with the Virginia State Police and then as a State Trooper. In early 2003, he took a position with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, where he learned to investigate crime and was promoted two years later to Senior Special Agent. He moved to Texas in the summer of 2011 and started work with the TCCD police, graduating in December from the 147th Basic Peace Office Academy.
SE Vice President Speaks
Southeast Vice President of Continuing Education Services Carrie Tunson has been a popular lady, lately! Over the past seven months, Tunson has spoken at five events, including being the keynote speaker at the September Texas Professional Childcare Association Conference and the October Rising Star Baptist Church Scholarship Banquet. Other engagements have included presenting at Women’s Day at the Ervay Cedar Baptist Church, the Ervay Cedar Missionary Baptist Church’s 5th Annual “Sisters Strengthening Sisters” Caring and Sharing Conference, and hosting a workshop at the Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville. Tunson was also highlighted in the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE) newsletter for her recent speaking engagements and for her work helping others.
Local Radio Host Interviews NE Adjunct Pianist
Northeast Campus adjunct Eduardo Rojas was recently interviewed by local radio personality Cindy B. Rojas, who was born in Barranquilla Colombia, is considered one of the most promising members of the Colombian and Latin American Pianistic movement and granted the interview to promote his Nov. 10 concert at the Rose Marine Theater. The concert “Around the Latin World in 80 Minutes,” was a special, one night only event that took attendees on a trip through the world of Latin music. Cindy B’s interview with Rojas can be heard on her Podomatic site.
NE Children’s Center Renewed for Another 5 Years
After a visit from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Assessor, the NE Children’s Center has received word that the Center will be renewed for another five years. The TCC Children’s Center is an accredited teaching center and lab school at Northeast Campus serving students, faculty, staff and the community. The Center serves Tarrant County preschool children and serves as an academic laboratory facility for TCC students in the Child Development and Education Program.
TCCD’s New Police Car Wins Best in the Law Car Show
Officers from the Trinity River Campus entered the new Police Interceptor Vehicle in the City Of West Worth Village’s Annual Day with the Law Car Show. It was a chance to show TCCD’s new “Black & White” Police Interceptor off to the community and TCCD police department’s peers. During the event the public got a chance to see all of the vehicles up close and personal and voted on which one they deemed the “best” at the show. When it was all said and done, TCC PD was crowned the overall winner, getting the most votes from the public and the judge and taking home first place honors in the police division. TCC’s Mascot Toro was also in attendance and was a hit with the kids!
