This regular feature recognizes the activities and honors received by ACC faculty and staff. To submit news or suggestions, see the contact information below.

Nan Walters, Sheila Rodiguez, Juanita Mendez, and Gerry Tucker

Employee of the Year

Sheila Rodriguez, health sciences specialist with the Associate Degree Nursing Program, is the Riverbats Employee of the Year. Rodriguez, who also assists with the Vocational Nursing Program, has worked in the Nursing Department since joining ACC 17 years ago. Department Chair Nan Walters praised Rodriguez for always anticipating the needs of the department and remembering that students are the focus of all the college does. The Riverbats Employee of the Year is selected from previous Riverbats Bravo and Excellence award recipients, all of whom exemplify a commitment to ACC’s mission.

Celebrating 40 Years

ACC is not the only one celebrating a 40^th anniversary. The following faculty and staff have been with the college since the 1973-74 academic year:

Carol Barrett, English professor

John Cise, physics professor

Vincent Foster, air conditioning adjunct professor

Roland Hayes, history professor

Joyce Guillory, management professor

Joe Lostracco, workforce education and business development special assistant (formerly English professor)

Bill Montgomery, history adjunct professor

Maxine Montgomery, English adjunct professor

Linda Morrison, center operations director

Steve Muzos, biology professor

Debra Ann Overton, PBX operator

Lennis Polnac, English professor

Sally Samford, nursing professor

On Stage

Dr. Tom Husak will direct the ACC Jazz Ensemble at the Texas Jazz Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Corpus Christi. Husak created a musical score for the three-day event, which is the state’s largest jazz festival. Grammy-winning guitarist Redd Volkaert and vocalist Stacy Seals will join the group.

Hays Campus Leader

Juanita Mendez has been named Hays campus manager. Mendez, who has worked at the college for 32 years, was budget coordinator in the Business Office for 18 years, and has been campus manager at the Eastview Campus since it opened in 1999. Mendez also has been an adjunct professor in the Office Administration Department for 31 years.

Do you know a faculty or staff member who has accomplished something notable outside the classroom or in their community? We want to hear about them. Contact Jennifer Powers, [email protected].