President’s Letter

President Peter Jordan, Ed.D.

The kickoff event to our yearlong celebration of the South Campus’s 50th birthday went off in grand form on September 30.  Clear skies and balmy temperatures provided the perfect environment for the day. Kudos to a hard-working and effective Family Extravaganza subcommittee. Hands-down, this group did a remarkable job coordinating the complex and many moving parts for this campus-wide event.

They covered all the bases this family event promised…education, enrichment and entertainment.

Families, community partners, students, faculty and staff entered the campus to find a wide array of nearly 50 exhibitors, including TCC academic programs, 20 vendors, four food trucks, and a ton of fun for the children. Highlights of children’s activities included performance painting, story time, a children’s zone with activities and games, an interactive sustainable student garden, law enforcement and first responder vehicles and much more.

By far, adults preferred the musical entertainment provided by an outstanding array of musical performers, including: the O.D. Wyatt High School Drumline, the Maxwell Hall Jazz Band and our very own South Campus Jazz Ensemble, led by Rick Stitzel. The Family Extravaganza was also the venue for the preview of a brief oral history video produced John Lundberg, professor of history, David Clinkscale, retired professor and alumnus, Triesha Light, retired professor, Grant Benatar, media specialist, and William Lace, retired administrator and TCC historian. The official opening of the TCC South Campus Food Pantry was another highlight of the day’s activities.

The event was rounded out by two full-blown conferences, which showcased TCC’s ongoing commitment to lifelong learning, professional development and civic engagement. The 6th Annual Intergenerational Community Conversation drew more than 100 attendees who spanned the generations. The highlight of the conference was a panel that featured members of the Mayor’s Taskforce on Race & Culture. Math educators (AMTE-Tx) for the North Texas region convened their 5th annual conference in the Center of Excellence for Energy Technology. The Family Extravaganza truly provided something for everyone.

Pay close attention to your email inbox, there is more to come, including:

The Legacy Brick Project

This fundraising project will be launched with alumni and friends of the College in late Fall 2017. These laser-engraved bricks will be laid around the perimeter of groves off the Student Center patio. Proceeds from this project will go to the TCCD Foundation to support student scholarships and/or programs.

International Festival – a one-day event sponsored by the Office of Student Activities where students, faculty, and staff showcased the tremendous diversity of the campus. Activities of the day included a parade of flags representing the nationalities and cultures of TCC South Campus students, as well as food tasting and music from various cultures. This event took place on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 at the Student Center Patio.

The Masquerade Ball

This formal affair planned for 300 will include dinner, live music, dancing and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will go to the TCCD Foundation to support student scholarships. Thanks to the great work of Liz Sisk and the TCCD Foundation, Weaver and Associates has stepped forward as the presenting sponsor for this event. It will take place on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 7 p.m. at The Fort Worth Club, 306 West 7th Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.

Time Capsules – the opening of the existing time capsule and securing a capsule for the next 50 years will happen in conjunction with the TCC South Campus Celebration of Excellence program in April, 2018.

Please join me in recognizing members of the Steering and Planning Committees who have given and are continuing to give of their time to develop and execute these activities.

Steering Committee: Gus Anderson, Vicki Ansorge, Grant Benatar, Shirley Bishop, Madelyn Bowman, Elizabeth Branch, David Clinkscale, Gladys Emerson, Gloria Fisher, Molly Floyd, Ana Garcia, Ernest Gines, Dana Grove, Suzanne Groves, C’Juan Gunner, Nicole Harris, Eileen Hart, Tim Johnson, Brian Johnson, William Lace, Monica Lea, Reginald Lewis, Triesha Light, John Lundberg, Arturo Martinez, Ticily Medley, Stacey Metzler, Nicole Minor, Trustee Gwendolyn Morrison, Patrick Ramirez, Larry Rideaux, Carolyn Robertson, Yojana Sharma, Yolanda Sifuentes, Larry Story, Yolanda Thomas, Demetrice Thompson, Michael Tribble, Vanessa Walker

Family Extravaganza Subcommittee: Elizabeth Branch, Co-Chair, Nicole Minor, Co-Chair, Meioka Alexander, Gus Anderson, Amanda Applon, Jim Austin, Michielle Benson, Christy Clifton, Clara Faulkner, John David, Ana Garcia, Amalia Guadalupe, Alexander Hayes, Audrey Irving, Monica Lea, Reginald Lewis, Jimmy Madison, Andre McEwing, Nathan Peoples, Marian Ross, Freddie Sandifer, Doris Sharpe, Yolanda Sifuentes, Demetrice Thompson, Lerita Traylor, Sarah Walker, Faye Watson