Campus News
Feik Pharmacy School Construction Begins, First Class Selected
UIW corporate partners join Dr. Agnese in breaking ground for construction of the Feik School of Pharmacy
UIW took another monumental step toward helping to alleviate the nation’s pharmacist shortage as the university broke ground on May 2 for the Feik School of Pharmacy. The new school will be the first at a private institution within the state of Texas.
UIW, along with AT&T, DFB Pharmaceuticals, Inc., H-E-B and Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte celebrated this milestone with the ceremonial “turning of the dirt” to officially begin efforts to develop a new supply of pharmacists in Texas. Progress has been swift, and the first class of 84 students has been accepted. A “White Coat” ceremony to announce the first wave of future pharmacists will be held on September 15 in the Sky Room. The university began admitting students to its rigorous two-year pre-pharmacy program in the fall of 2004. The program prepares students for admission to the professional Doctor of Pharmacy program, which has limited enrollment each year. The school received approximately 400 highly qualified applications for 84 places.
“We are so pleased to have the support of the community and such generous corporate sponsors as AT&T, DFB Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and H-E-B,” said Founding Dean Dr. Arcelia Johnson-Fannin. “This is a big step in realizing a dream of increasing the number of South Texas pharmacists.”
The Feik School of Pharmacy, named in honor of UIW Trustee John W. Feik, President and COO of DFB Pharmaceuticals, is a multimillion dollar five-story facility that will include a 56,000- square-foot two-level building sitting atop a three-story parking garage at the corner of Hildebrand and Devine. The building will have a pharmacy museum in the lobby, several computer laboratories, lounge areas, a refreshment center, classrooms and faculty offices. Each state-of-the-art lecture space will accommodate 103 students in the classroom and six breakout team rooms. The architects are committed to preserving 98 percent of the trees on the property.
ADCaP Moves to New Northwest Center Location
On Tuesday, May 30, the Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCaP) began its first classes at the new Northwest Center (NWC) at 9729 Datapoint Drive. Previously, classes were held at the original Santa Rosa Northwest Center, which was established in 1997.
Now, with its new location – an existing building with great features and benefits in terms of space and capabilities – the program can grow to serve the ever-increasing volume of students in need of evening and weekend classes.
At 21,000 square feet, the NWC has 15 classrooms, and will have 17 when configuration is final. The building has wireless internet connections, enabling students and faculty to use laptop computers in classrooms and lounge areas. Two computer labs, each with 24 seats, allow hands-on activities and enhanced learning opportunities. Instructors have their own workstations. And there is plenty of parking available.
During its first year of operations, the Feik School of Pharmacy will use the classrooms during daytime hours. To assist the program, a wet lab and large instruction hall were set up to meet its specific needs.
In all, the new location will serve more than 450 students. The ADCaP program offers evening and Saturday classes in four Texas locations to enable working adults to successfully complete their degrees at alternate times of day and night.
An extension of the program has just been added in Honduras to offer educational programs to military personnel and Honduran civilians who work on base. This was made possible by a partnership with Joint Task Force-Bravo, a component of the U.S. Southern Command at the Enrique Soto Cano Air Force Base. Classes began June 12.
More information is available at www.uiw.edu or by calling (210) 829-3889.
Commencement Honors Class of ’06 and Golden Graduates of ’56
Golden Graduates of '56 reunite for milestone commencement celebration.
Hundreds of families celebrated spring and the graduating class of 2006 with two UIW graduation programs, enabling 983 students to accept their diplomas on stage May 13. Ceremonies began with a Baccalaureate Mass, followed by a grand entrance of the entire 2006 graduating class led by the San Antonio Pipes and Drums.
The morning program honored graduates of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, the Dreeben School of Education, the School of Nursing and Health Professions and the School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering. Dr. Elaine Jones, UIW nursing professor, gave the commencement address. Two distinguished awards were given: the 2006 Alumna of Distinction for Service in Mission to Sr. Juanita Albracht and an honorary doctorate degree to Maureen Halligan, UIW professor emeriti in theatre.
In the afternoon, graduates of the H-E-B School of Business and the School of Interactive Media and Design received their diplomas. Jim Gorman, founder of the Gorman Foundation, was guest speaker. Later, both Gorman and his wife Tena were presented honorary doctorate degrees. Gorman has been a leader in business and community endeavors.
Two additional events marked this ceremony. As hundreds of students took their final steps of collegiate life, a unique group of women from the class of 1956 returned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Known as the “Golden Graduates” because of their gold caps and gowns, they participated in the processional and joined the ‘06 class on stage. Each received a commemorative certificate to mark their special anniversary; they represent 40 percent of the living members of their class.
Near the end of each ceremony, mothers were asked to stand up in recognition of Mother’s Day and praise for their contributions to the successes of this year’s class. Heightened emotions were amplified by the bagpipe and drum recessional, leading the entire graduating class out of the building to rejoin their families and friends.
Ceremonies took place at the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center with music direction by William Gokelman, UIW professor of music.
Eduardo Galan is UIW’s Newest Kemper Scholar
Eduardo Galan
The group of finalists was impressive, but freshman Eduardo Galan stood out. A first-year business major, Eduardo had the right mix – the grades, the character and spirit – as he was selected as this year’s prestigious Kemper Scholar.
The son of Felix and Dawn Galan of Indianapolis, Indiana, Eduardo came to UIW in fall 2005. Besides excelling in academic areas, Eduardo is the first-year liaison to the Student Senate, a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, and a well-known disc jockey on the KUIW radio station.
“Kemper Scholars represent academically superior, community spirited, committed, and well-rounded undergraduates from a group of 15 excellent liberal arts colleges around the country,” explains Dr. Ryan LaHurd, president and executive director of the James S. Kemper Foundation. “Throughout almost six decades, the scholars have gone on to make outstanding contributions as leaders in organizations around the country.”
Students receive annual scholarships of $3,000-$8,000, based on need, and $6,000 for work as interns in major nonprofit organizations. The scholarship has been sponsored by the James S. Kemper Foundation of Chicago, Illinois, since 1948. The program prepares students for leadership and service, especially in the fields of administration and business.
“In this era of rapid change, complex problem-solving, and globalization, we at the James S. Kemper Foundation are proud of our role in helping shape future leaders whose broad background and experiential learning opportunities as part of the Kemper Scholars Program will make them eminently qualified for the exciting opportunities they face,” said LaHurd.
History Unfolds at UIW
Dr. and Mrs. Glen McCreless in the Heritage Room
In celebration of UIW’s 125th Anniversary, three new exhibits were unveiled this year.
UIW’s rich history comes alive on the first-floor wall of the Administration building with a complete pictorial timeline of events from 1881 to today. Across from this display is another gallery, cared for in a room of its own containing timeless Christian art from the 13th, 16th and 19th centuries representing the fundamental spirit of UIW’s past, present and future. A third exhibit graces a wall of the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Library and features period scenes and portraits painted in the 18th and 19th centuries.
All the exhibits were generously donated by Glen McCreless, M.D., and his wife Andrea, long-time friends and supporters of the university. “We wanted to create an environment that would reflect the academic and spiritual essence of the university in a very tangible manner,” said Dr. McCreless.
A walk through these galleries shows visitors what made UIW what it is today and reminds us of our mission. The Heritage History Wall will be a permanent fixture as will the McCreless Heritage Room, which will be used for special events and viewings. The library gallery is a lending exhibit and will periodically change.
Post note: The McCreless’s also donated the chandeliers that illuminate the Heritage Room and foyer; they also donated paint for the room and the first-floor hallways-- and happily painted the Heritage Room themselves.